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Equestrians Jump Their Way to Top at Garden State Horse Show

Ranney’s own equestrians, Dana Rizzo ’13 (Wall Township) and Jessica Herzog ’14 (Colts Neck), boasted success at the Garden State Horse Show in Augusta, New Jersey from May 4-8, 2011.

Presented by the Junior Essex Troop, the Garden State Horse Show is a ‘AA’ Level competition. A New Jersey show in its 60th year, this event marks the beginning of the Northeast ‘AA’ Circuit and the 2011 Spring/Summer Circuit for many riders.

Dana, aboard her horse “Unity,” came out of the gate with a double clear round and the fastest jump-off time on May 6, 2011 — garnering first place in the Jumper Derby Qualify class. Having earned a first place victory, she was set to jump last in the Grand Prix Ring on Sunday, May 8. Riding equally as well as in her final two rounds of the Derby, Dana had an incredibly fast jump-off round and claimed a fifth place finish in the Junior/Amateur Troop Jumper Derby.

Being as this was a new mount for Dana, her Olympian trainer, Nona Garson of The Ridge Farm in Lebanon, New Jersey, was delighted to see a fifth place finish. To finish within the top group of junior and adult-riders, with approximately 50 starters over a course of jumps close to four feet high, is no short order! At this level, only a split-second time without hitting the top rail down separates first through 10th place. Dana was also fault-free in the first round of the North American League/ Washington International Horse Show Children's Jumper Classic on May 7th, qualifying both her jumper mounts, "Wisteria" and "Unity," for a fast and competitive jump-off round. In a style of riding completely separate from the Jumper division, Dana also earned exceptional ribbons on "Cassius Clay" in the Large Pony Hunter division and on "Lylac" in the Junior Hunter division over the course of her showing at the Garden State Horse Show.

After ranking second within the Washington International Horse Show’s (WIHS) Pony Medal class on May 7 and qualifying for the 2011 WIHS Pony Equitation Finals, Jessica also wrapped up a Grand Champion win in the highly competitive Large Pony Hunter division. Jessica’s style and finesse led to consistent first and second places — securing championship status within the division! As champion, Jessica and her large pony, "Vermont Show Me the Gold," now qualify to compete in the 2011 Pony Finals, which will take place in Lexington, Kentucky this upcoming summer.

Receiving a fifth place ribbon in the Pony Hunter Classic, Jessica then went on to take third place in the prestigious Children's Hunter Horse Classic on May 8th, with her second mount of the weekend; her horse being “Winnetou.” Thus far, Jessica’s hard work in two separate divisions has certainly paid off as only the top horses ridden by junior-riders can qualify for the Children’s Hunter Horse Classic or Pony Hunter Classic.

Congratulations to both girls on a job well done, and to all Ranney equestrians for their hard work throughout the year. Keep up the great work!
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Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
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