Benjamin Buttons and Taylor Cawley Earn Devon Grand Pony Hunter Title

Devon, Pa. – May 25, 2019 – Day three of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair continued with the naming of the Devon Grand Pony Hunter champion and recipient of the Wizard of Oz Perpetual Trophy in the Wheeler Ring. The award is given annually to the pony who accumulates the most points across the Small, Medium and Large Pony Hunter divisions. This year, the prestigious title was awarded to Benjamin Buttons, ridden by Taylor Cawley.

Benjamin Buttons and Taylor Cawley. Photo: The Book LLC
Benjamin Buttons and Taylor Cawley. Photo: The Book LLC

The flashy 13-year-old Welsh Pony Cross, owned by Glade Run Farm LLC, earned impressive scores in the 80s all week to earn them the Small Pony Hunter division championship, sponsored by the Gochman family, and the Chocolate Drop Challenge Trophy. On Friday, the pair earned an 87 to top the first $2,500 Small Pony Hunter over fences class for the Midget Challenge Trophy and later won the under saddle class and the Windlea’s Firecracker Perpetual Trophy. On Saturday, Cawley guided Benjamin Buttons to the win and the “Lucky Too” Challenge Trophy in the competitive $3,000 Small Pony Hunter Stake, scoring an 85, which helped them clinch the championship.

The reserve championship in the Small Pony Hunter division went to Love Me Tender, ridden by Maddie Tosh and owned by Dr. Betsee Parker. Cawley’s day got even better when she was announced the Best Child Rider on a Pony, earning the Dresden Challenge Trophy.

Benjamin Button and Taylor Cawley
Benjamin Button and Taylor Cawley

In the Medium Pony Hunter division, sponsored by Equifit, Robin Greenwood’s Astro Boy, ridden by Alexa Karet, was champion, earning the “Lucky Too” Perpetual Trophy, while EMC Entourage, owned by the Lignelli family and ridden by Alexa Lignelli, were reserve champion.

In the Large Pony Hunter division, also sponsored by Equifit, Samantha Takacs earned the championship title as well as the Pride N’ Joy Perpetual to Trophy aboard Kat Fuqua’s Brighton and Caroline Signorino was reserve champion with Temple Equestrian LLC’s Storyteller.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Taylor Cawley – Devon Grand Pony Hunter champion and Best Child Rider on a Pony

On Benjamin Buttons:
“I’ve ridden ‘Benny’ for the past three years with multiple different trainers including, Charlie Moorcroft, Tom Wright and Mitchell Robinson. This year, I’m very fortunate to be able to catch ride him for Alexa Karet.”

On her performances on Thursday and Friday:
“I thought he went beautifully today. We both had an amazing week and weekend and I couldn’t be happier with how he went for me.”

On winning Best Child Rider on a Pony:
“It’s very exciting! Especially because it is my first year competing here and I just can’t believe it!”

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