2006 Press Releases

PONY POWER CULMINATES THE FIRST WEEK OF THE TWO-WEEK LEGACY CUP FOR JENNIFER WAXMAN

May 14, 2006 – Lexington, KY -- Frostin entered the arena as the 13th pony to go on Sunday, May 14th at the 2006 Legacy Cup being held at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows in Lexington. Paige Bellissimo was listed as the rider but when the pony entered it was Jennifer Waxman who was riding. Waxman also rode Bellissimo’s other pony, Cloudy Bay. Waxman and Frostin calmly but energetically toured the arena and headed toward their first fence with a controlled brilliance. By the time they had completed their course it was clear they had put in a great round and when the scores were tallied their 254 total immediately went to the lead which none of the field of 29 ponies could beat.

Surprisingly, Cloudy Bay was Frostin’s closest rival. Their score of 253 was just one point shy of the winning total. In the end Waxman and Frostin not only won the Pony Finals, sponsored by Lanes End Pony Stables/The Farrish Family, but the 14-year-old rider ended up as the Leading Pony Rider (an honor bestowed upon the rider who accumulated the most money throughout the pony division). This was Waxman’s third time in a row to earn that title which she won in 2004 on Strike a Pose and in 2005 on Tuscany.

“They are my friend Paige’s ponies and they couldn’t come so I ended up riding them,” explained Waxman who these days also can be seen competing in Junior Jumpers.

Waxman wasn’t sure if her friend knew her ponies had won right after the class but she had every intention of calling her. “I was really excited. I was glad they both went really well because my friend couldn’t come,” explained the petite rider.

Since these mounts were new to her she didn’t know a lot about their past but by the time the course was finished Waxman felt right at home. “He has a really good canter, he is a good jumper and he is really fun to ride,” said the Chagrin Falls, Ohio resident.

The grey, medium, Welsh Pony gelding was feeling a bit fresh but still was focused on Waxman. “He just got clipped and was cold so he was excited to do it. He felt good and he was ready today.”

Frostin had warmed up well for Waxman. “I had a good feeling going into the ring,” she explained. In the end their first place finish garnered them $2,016, while Cloudy Bay earned $1,096 for his second place finish.

It wasn’t until near the end of the class that Waxman entered aboard Cloudy Bay on what in fact was a cloudy day. The grey, Belgian Warmblood, medium pony gelding “Is fun and really cute,” said Waxman. “He has a good personality and is really sweet.” Waxman especially liked his comfy canter. “He has a cool canter.”

Waxman continues competing at the Legacy Cup not just because of her many victories but because she thinks “it is a really good horse show. It is different than a normal horse show. It’s well organized, the ribbons are pretty and it is fun to show indoors.”

Waxman will be back for week two as well when she will be showing a horse in the Non Pro 3’6” division.

While horses are an important part of Waxman’s life, it is not the only thing she does. “I run track and I play basketball. It’s nice to have a break every once in a while to be home, but the horses are the most important.” Yet the teenager is not looking into the future. “I plan to enjoy them now and see where it takes me,” she added.

Just before leaving Waxman had a few things she wanted to add without being asked. “I’d like to thank the Bellissimos for letting me ride their ponies,” she commented, “and thank Ken & Emily Smith, Kristi Cardalico, and David Nation, my trainers.” And last but not least, “thank you to my parents for supporting me.”

A total of $8,900 was given out in the Pony division with $7,400 allocated to the Finals.

AND THIS WEEK’S LOTTO WINNERS ARE KEN & EMILY SMITH OF ASHLAND FARMS
The Smiths were also thankful to Jennifer because her top two placements on Frostin and Cloudy Bay helped them earn the Week One Leading Trainer Award and $750, sponsored by EP Bishop Insurance Co., for the trainer whose riders accumulated the most prize money during the first week of the Legacy Cup. Emily, who runs Ashland Farms in Wellington, FL with her husband Ken, was “very happy.”

She was pleased about their victory but also “excited for Jennifer. She has won three years in a row. Frostin was a great pony that we started and so I am excited for him and for all the kids in our barn,” commented Smith.

Emily applauds the Legacy Cup and the fact that they recognize the Restricted Pro riders and have a division for the ponies. “It is such a nice place to showcase them, plus the prize money and awards for the grooms. I’m glad there is a Legacy Cup.” Smith was referring to the fact that each of the grooms for the top three placing horses in each class is given a $100 cash award.

“Everybody does such a nice job,” she concluded.

While the day was a bit cold and cloudy everyone enjoyed the Legacy Cup. The evening started out recognizing Megan Davis and Mr. Little Dickens, the winner of the Pony Go Round which took place the day before. While the Pony Finals were taking place, there was a pizza and ice cream social for the kids in the Legacy Cup Rider’s Tent and in the Legacy Club a full buffet lunch was served overlooking the arena. The atmosphere was quiet and you could hear the hum of conversation as people ate, watched and discussed the various ponies. All in all it was a great ending to the first week of the Legacy Cup.

For more information about the Legacy Cup contact the AHJF (335 Lancaster Street, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369), Phone: 508-835-8813, www.legacycup.com, E-mail: AHJF@earthlink.net.