first published in the September 2024 Equiery

Maryland Pony Breeders was founded in June 1953 and is the oldest pony breeder organization in the U.S. that is open to all pony breeds. They host two annual shows a year including its annual Yearling Futurity Show, which was held on July 6 at the Harford County Equestrian Center in Bel Air. Fifty-one ponies from around the region participated.

The Overall Grand Champion was Farnley Trojan, bred and owned by Hetty Abeles of the Farnley Farm and Shenedoah Pony Stud in White Post, VA. Farnley Trojan was named Grand Champion after taking Champion Hunter Breede

The Reserve Grand Champion and Reserve Hunter Breeder was Loafers Lodge Just Roo (Rosmel’s Dressed in Scarlet x Loafers Lodge Jazzaroo (Fox Cry Whinny the Pooh)), a gray Half Welsh gelding owned by Maisie O’Neill of Fallston and bred by John Almond of Monkton. Just Roo was also the overall top Maryland-bred pony, and he received the Best Turned Out Hunter Pony award.
Other Maryland-bred winners were Copper Beech Molly Malone (Copper Beech Cardiff x Copper Beech Irish Lace (Severn Merrymaker)), who won the Welsh Section A Fillies division; Loafers Lodge Hermes (Zephyrus Breaking Dawn x Loafers Lodge Persephone (Rosmel’s Dressed in Scarlet)), who won the Welsh Section B Colts and Geldings as well as Reserve Champion Welsh; Loafers Lodge Early Edition (Shenandoah Gaylord x Zephyrus Limited Edition (Goldhills Master Bronze)), who won the Welsh Section B Fillies; and Land’s End Rossa (Cottrell Amadeus x Land’s End Chamade (Carolinas Red Fox)), who won the Hunter Breeder Fillies. In addition, MHC Board Member Claire Lacey gave Copper Beech Cherry Brandy (Coldplay x Copper Beech Spanish Sherry (Brookside Starbuster)) the Best Driving Prospect award.

The High Point Sire Award, sponsored by Jean Greenlee of Locust Gove Farm, went to Maryland-bred Welsh Section A stallion Copper Beech Cardiff (Brookside Starbuster x Bright Leaf Dresden (Severn White Tie N Tails)). Cardiff was bred by Judithann Hartman of Tracey’s Landing, and his offspring in the show included: Copper Beech Cherry Brandy, Copper Beech Molly Malone, Copper Beech Welsh Poppy, and Severn Little Lichen.

The Shelly Viruete Memorial High Point Breeder Award went to John & Margaret Almond of Loafers Lodge in Monkton. Loafers Lodge ponies in the show included: Loafers Lodge Cinco de Mayo, Loafers Lodge Early Edition, Loafers Lodge Hermes, Loafers Lodge Just Roo, and Loafers Lodge Pippa.

The futurity would not have happened without strong support from the local pony breeder community. The Grand Championships were sponsored by Sally Steinmetz of Just For Ponies in Havre de Grace. Division Champions were sponsored by Kris Morris of Fat Chance Farm of Forest Hill, and Slackwater Farm in Dameron donated hand-made in-laid wooden picture frames for every class winner.

In addition, MHC Industry Professional Member the Maryland Horse Industry Board gave the Maryland Pony Breeders $1,000 to increase the prize money for Maryland-bred ponies by $50 to the highest placing Maryland-bred in each class and by $25 to the next following six Maryland-bred ponies.

Additional Maryland-bred entries were:

  • Slackwater Red Sky at Night (Dandardel Helios x Ashland Welsh Poppy (Gallod Replica)) and Slackwater Creme Brulee (Dandardel Helios x Ashland Princess Ffiona (Gallod Replica)), both bred by Casey Edinger;
  • Severn Prince Charming (Severn Hawthorne x Severn Sweet Charlotte (Gypsy Roses Pride)), bred by Mary Benedict and Allyson Gaug;
  • Severn Tiffany (Severn Bay Rum x Severn Paloma (Severn West Wind)), bred by Mary Benedict;
  • Locust Grove Footloose (Falling Moon Freedom x Marantha Polanaise (Big Super Star Karl)) bred by Jean Greenlee; and
  • Rosehaven Spring Rain (Wynnbrook Coup d’Etat x Rosehaven Raindrop (Rosehaven Talisman), bred by Jacqueline Morris and Sally Steinmetz.