Gus reflects on his win with his favorite pony riders Tessa and Katalina
Blenheim Equisports’ June Classic III put the spotlight on the ponies, featuring the West Coast Pony Challenge, USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, and a slew of other small, medium, and large pony events throughout the week. Many of the pony riders had shown in pony hunter divisions before, and were excited to take their talents to the grass on Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park’s gorgeous ‘Pacific Field.’ With cupcake and ice cream parties accompanying the classes, the pony riders had a great deal of fun while competing. Riders Tessa Buchanan, Katalina Rickard, and Shiloh Roseboom were a few among them who answered some enticing interview questions about what their ponies would think and act like if they were people… Read on for more!
Well-earned ribbons for Tessa and Gus
Tessa and Katalina shared some of their favorite things about Elite Hollywood Smoke, aka Gus, a pony that Katalina successfully competefd on and has passed on to Tessa to enjoy. His exuberant and silly personality shines through their descriptions of the things he loves and might be like if he were just another one of their friends.
- If your pony was a celebrity, who would they be and why?
“Probably Dwayne Johnson because he has that personality like he knows he’s special and he is always there knowing how great he is, but he’s not too obnoxious about it. But at the same time, he kind of is.” –Katalina
- If your pony could talk back to you in the ring, what would they say?
“He would tell me to just let him do his job.” -Tessa
- If your pony had a favorite TV show, what would it be and why?
“I think he’d like Impractical Jokers because he’d just think that it was funny and stupid, and he’d be thinking, ‘I can do that.’” -Katalina - What makes your pony unique?
“He loves food” –Tessa
“I got Gus when he was 12, and before that he had never done anything. People would just say he wasn’t a good pony, but he really was. I worked with him for a year, we were really successful, and then the second year I had him we went to every indoor show and did really well – even won a couple classes. The last year I had him he was reserve horse of the year for USEF. You wouldn’t know he was 17 years old now, you would think he’s more like 10, so it’s cool that he’s gotten to have a new life as an older pony. I swear he’s going to keep going until he’s 30!” -Katalina
- What is your pony’s current favorite “people food”?
“He loves Bundt cakes, he eats anything. He really likes carrot flavor things, too.” –Tessa
“He really liked the funfetti flavor Bundt cake!” –Katalina
Shiloh Roseboom and Heavenly Patch of Blue aka “Anna”
“Shiloh and Anna are veteran partners who have now earned oodles of accolades in the pony ring, including winning the small pony hunter division and taking second in the USHJA National Pony Hunter Derby at Blenheim June Classic III. Throughout the interview, Shiloh described Anna as having quite a big personality for such a small pony.
- If your pony was a celebrity, who would they be and why?
“Probably Amy Poehler because she always smiles when she gets treats.” -
- If your pony could talk back to you in the ring, what would they say?
“Keep your leg!” -
- If your pony had a favorite TV show, what would it be and why?
“Hmm. I can’t think of any she’d like. I feel like she’d be too picky.” -
- What makes your pony unique?
“She chooses what she wants to do. She decides when she wants to stop, she decides when she wants to go, she decides when she’s done with her lessons.” -
- What is your pony’s current favorite people food”?
“She likes candy, which she shouldn’t have. And she loves bananas, because of course she’s ‘Anna Banana.’”
Shiloh Roseboom and Heavenly Patch of Blue aka “Anna”
PC McCool Photos
Article and candid photos by Erin Melville/EqSol for Blenheim EquiSports