photos and text by Kathryn Southard

2022 Grand Champion: Covenant Freedom Song

The 29th annual Maryland Pony Breeders Yearling Futurity was held on July 9 at the Harford County Equestrian Center in Bel Air. Grand Champion was awarded to Covenant Freedom Song (Falling Moon Freedom x Covenant La Dolce Vita), a stunning bay filly owned by Shelly Viruete of Fallston. The Reserve Champion was Ellie and Eda Bell’s impressive imported Section D cob colt, *Birchmore’s Inferno (Crugybar Carlo Morganna Mai x Crugybar Iarles Mai). Grand Champion and Reserve prizes were generously donated by Colt Hills Farm of Warrenton, VA.

This year’s MPB Futurity marked a record number of entries. Forty-eight ponies competed in six divisions (Section A Welsh, Welsh Cobs, Section B Colts/Geldings, Section B fillies, Hunter Breeder Colts/Geldings and Hunter Breeder Fillies). Division Championship and Reserve prizes, donated by Fat Chance Farm, were awarded to the top Welsh entries (Ch: *Birchmore’s Inferno & Res: Slackwater Ivy League) and top Hunter Breeder entries (Ch: Covenant Freedom Song & Res: PM Snap Back).

The Maryland Horse Industry Board awarded a grant of $1,000 toward the overall Futurity purse which included $75 going to the top Maryland-bred ponies in each division, in addition to the total prize money. All exhibitors received gift bags courtesy of gracious sponsors: Buckeye Nutrition, Copper Beech Farm, Ellie’s Bows, Jake Northrup/Northrup Realty, Maryland Saddlery, The Mill of Bel Air, Purina, Retired Racehorse Program, Royal Palm Soaps, Silly Sounds Ear Plugs, Tractor Supply of Fallston, Triple Crown.

An element of fun was introduced into the competition this year by the inclusion of a number of special awards including Best Pony Personality and Best Turned Out Handler.

The top two per class results are listed here. See http://www.marylandponybreeders.org/ for a complete list of results.

Reserve Grand Champion: *Birchmores Inferno

SECTION A WELSH
1. Severn Aurora (Gypsy Rose’s Pride x Severn Athena) Owner/Breeder: Paul Maye/Tiz Benedict
2. Odyssey Persephone (Heavenly Silver Crown x Stonecroft Red Robin) Deborah Branson

WELSH Cobs
1. *Birchmores Inferno (Crugybar Carlo Morganna Mai x Crugybar Iarlles Mai) Owner: Ellie & Eda Bell
2. *Birchmores Evoque (Crugybar Carlo Morganna Mai x Gwynfaes Eluned DDedwydd) Owner: Ellie & Eda Bell

SECTION B WELSH Colts/Geldings
1. *Waxwing Party Special (Moelview Masquerade x Mynach Miss Prim) Owner: Caroline Lapsley
2. Westwood Dragon (Wynnbrook Coup d’Etat x Westwood Affair to Remember) Owner/Breeder: Shawn Bigley/Kelly McVeigh

SECTION B WELSH Fillies
1. Slackwater Ivy League (Wynnbrook Coup d’Etat x Lodge Dreams of Honey) Owner: Casey Edinger
2. *Waxwing Jangle (Waxwing Arkwright x Aytounhill Anastasia) Owner: Caroline Lapsley

CHAMPION WELSH
*Birchmores Inferno (Crugybar Carlo Morganna Mai x Crugybar Iarlles Mai) Owner: Ellie & Eda Bell

Best Maryland-bred: Slackwater Ivy League

RESERVE CHAMPION WELSH
Slackwater Ivy League (Wynnbrook Coup d’Etat x Lodge Dreams of Honey) Owner: Casey Edinger

HUNTER BREEDER Colts/Geldings
1. PM Snap Back (Wynnbrook Coup d’Etat x Stanhope Snapdragon) Owner/Breeder: Janise Langford/Peggy Marshall
2. *Waxwing Party Special (Moelview Masquerade x Mynach Miss Prim) Owner: Caroline Lapsley

HUNTER BREEDER Fillies
1. Covenant Freedom Song (Falling Moon Freedom x Covenant La Dolce Vita) Owner/Breeder: Michelle Viruete/Sue Shotwell
2. Superstar Princess Neigh Ah (Midnight Super Star Karl x FattyFatty TwoByFour) Owner: Michelle Viruete

CHAMPION HUNTER BREEDER
Covenant Freedom Song (Falling Moon Freedom x Covenant La Dolce Vita) Owner/Breeder: Michelle Viruete/Sue Shotwell

RESERVE CHAMP HUNTER BREEDER
PM Snap Back (Wynnbrook Coup d’Etat x Stanhope Snapdragon) Owner/Breeder: Janise Langford/Peggy Marshall

Best Turned-out Welsh Pony
Shenandoah Caramel

Best Turned-out Welsh Handler
Jason Hall

Champion Welsh Breeder
Slackwater Farm

Best Turned-out Hunter Pony
Loafers Lodge Virtual Party

Best Turned-out Hunter Handler
Elianna Lapsley

Champion Hunter Breeder
Sue Shotwell/Covenant Ponies

Best Pony Personality
CB Celestial Magic

Most Suitable Driving Prospect
Copper Beech Loki

Champion Sire
Wynnbrook Coup D’Etat