Edited press release
Devon, Pennsylvania – May 30, 2022- Memorial Day at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair ended with the naming of the winner of the Single/Pair Pony Driving Championship and recipient of the Joseph M Pierce Challenge Trophy, courtesy of Holly Ventures. After amassing 21 points across the division, it was Rebekah Robinson with Saltwood Kite, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Collin F. McNeil, who walked away with championship honors.
Robinson, who was the defending division champion of the 2019 competition, took first place in the Single/Pair Pony – Pleasure Turnout competition and won blue in the Single/Pair Pony – Scurry Driving competition on Monday night in a blistering time of 55.195 seconds, beating the runner-up by almost twenty seconds.
Contributing to her championship title, Robinson also won Sunday’s Pony Single Harness – Four Wheeled Vehicles class, as part of the Carriage Pleasure Drive. The reserve championship went to Leslie Bottaro and Cricket with 11 points.
Earlier today, Richard O’Donnell was named champion of the Horse Pairs division, also sponsored by Patriot Dealers. O’Donnell claimed first place and the Orleton Farm Challenge trophy in the Horse Double Harness-Pairs-Tandems class with his Spider Phaeton on Sunday, and returned on Monday to claim another blue ribbon in the Horse Pairs Pleasure Turnout and win second. place of the horse. Pairs Scurry Driving for a total of 17 points. PJ Crowley III driving the Brewster Peters Phaeton from Bonterra Farm received reserve honors with 14 points.
FROM THE WINNERS’ CIRCLE
Rebekah Robinson – Single/Pair Pony Driving Championship Winner
On Saltwood Kite:
“This pony is Saltwood Kite and we call him Chief. It’s owned by Collin and Virginia McNeil who I work for, and we’re right in Chester Springs. Chief is 27 this year, he’s a Welsh pony and he loves it. Cones are his absolute favorite, he knows what he’s doing and he likes to win and go fast. He’s a wonderful pony. I think I’ve been driving it for almost 17 years now. It is awesome.”
By winning the champion:
“It’s great. I thought maybe we should rest on our laurels, but I really wanted to come back and start over and [Saltwood Kite] felt amazing.
At the Devon Horse Show:
“I grew up not far from here. I’ve shown here in the front row and I’ve shown here with my mom in the parent/child class, so this is my hometown’s favorite horse show. Doing so well and being here is great.
On the sequel:
“[Saltwood Kite] could be done now and rest on its laurels. He did everything we asked him to do and so I think he’s just going to relax. We wanted to end on a high and I’m so proud of him.
RESULTS
Pony single/pair – Participation in the fun
Location/Cart/Whip/Owner
1. Saltwood Kite / Rebekah Robinson / Mr. & Mrs. Collin F. McNeil
2. Clarwood Tia / Alexandra Meyer Barchi / Alexandra Meyer Barchi
3. Cricket / Leslie Bottaro / Leslie Bottaro
Single pony/pair – Fast riding
Location/Cart/Whip/Owner/Time
1. Saltwood Kite / Rebekah Robinson / Mr. and Mrs. Collin F. McNeil / 55.195
2. Cricket / Leslie Bottaro / Leslie Bottaro / 73,616
3. Clarwood Tia / Alexandra Meyer Barchi / Alexandra Meyer Barchi / 77.695
4. Chapplelow Reserve Carrier / Michael Pontz / Michael Pontz / 84.744
Single/Pair Pony Championship
Location / Cart / Rider / Owner
1. Saltwood Kite / Rebekah Robinson / Mr. & Mrs. Collin F. McNeil
2. Cricket / Leslie Bottaro / Leslie Bottaro
