Der Mondprinz wins 2007 USEF National Championship Small GREEN PONY HUNTER Model Class

Knoxville, TN, August 25, 2007: “Der Mondprinz”, a small green pony owned by Knoxville’s Natalie and Kristin Abouelata and ridden by Loudon’s Shawn Casady, took the blue ribbon in one phase of the prestigious United States Equestrian Federation’s National Pony Final. Der Mondprinz was showing in the small green pony division and won the first of three phases; the model class judged on conformation, way of moving and suitability to be the perfect children’s hunter pony. The show was held in Lexington, KY at the world famous Kentucky Horse Park where the World Equestrian Games will be held in 2010. The competition was held August 15-19.

To qualify for the National Pony Finals, a pony must win a Championship each year in their respective divisions at an “A” rated show, or Champion or Reserve Champion at an “AA” rate show. “Der Mondprinz” qualified for the Nationals at the Ocala Invitational in Florida this past winter. Purchased two months ago by the Abouelatas, Trainer and Owner of Knoxville’s Fiesta Farm, Susan Kuliasha felt the competitive pressure too much for 8 year old Natalie Abouelata and enlisted nationally recognized 12 year old Shawn Casady to show the pony in this years 2007 Pony finals.

In addition to this ribbon, Casady also won a ninth place finish in the Equitation Competition, for which the rider must qualify, along with a third and a ninth place finish in the regular medium and large pony portion of the show as well as ribbons on a medium green pony. Other area riders included Sydney Casady, Morgan Brown, Bryson Lott, Hannah Bedwell and Libby Lott. Libby and her pony “King Me” took 8th place in the medium pony competition.

2007 was the 40th year for the National Pony Finals. Many past Olympians and other internationally known riders grew up with the pony finals as a main event in their lives. The competition has grown from a relatively small affair to a major event for all pony hunter riders across the U.S. This year in Lexington, roughly 500 ponies competed over five days in competitions for regular and green, or novice, pony hunters in three divisions divided by size into small, medium and large each with appropriately aged child riders. There is also an equitation competition judged solely on the rider, as well as individual and team pony jumper competitions that are scored, not judged. The competition is made more fair for all by allowing each rider to ride only one pony per section and making it mandatory that each pony be ridden throughout the competition and for all practice sessions by the same rider child. 536 ponies competed from all over the country along with their 420 riders.
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About USEF Pony Finals
The Pony Finals were created as a national event in 1967. It is the most celebrated and prestigious event of its kind in the USA. It is governed by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), which oversees all national equestrian events. The USEF was formed in 1917. Per the USEF website, “ The primary objective remains the same, to uphold the welfare of horses, regardless of value, as a primary consideration in all activates. The United States Equestrian Federation requires that horses be treated with kindness, respect and the compassion they deserve; and never be subjected to mistreatment. The United States Equestrian Federation ensures that owners, trainers, and exhibitors or their agents use responsible care in handling, treating and transporting of their horses as well as horses owned and placed in their care for any purpose.”
For more information about the Pony Finals, visit www.usef.org

About: Kristin and Natalie Abouelata
Kristin Abouelata is a mortgage specialist at GreenBank and an avid supporter of the horse community. Her two daughters compete at the local and national level, Sophia age 10, and Natalie age 8. Natalie is a 3rd grader at Sequoyah Elementary. She has been riding since age 5, and competing in nationally “A” rated small pony divisions since age 6. She won Reserve Champion at RMI/Chattanooga in 2006 and looks forward to new championships with Der Mondprinz. Der Mondprinz is fondly known as “Louie” to Natalie.
For further information, contact Kristin Abouelata at 865-218-5380 or visit, http://www.kristinmortgage.com/ahorseteam.htm

About: Susan Kuliasha and Fiesta Farms
Susan Kuliasha Owner / Trainer herself a national competitor has been children in Knoxville for 30 years. In 1977 she established Fiesta Farms now considered on of the finest facilities in Knoxville. She has had a hand in turning out some strong competitors including Shawn and Sydney Casady and Hannah Bedwell, last year’s 10 place finisher in the Equitation portion of the 2006 Pony Finals .
For more information on Fiesta Farms and Susan Kuliasha Owner / Trainer, fiestafarm@yahoo.com, Fiesta Farm 1413 Cooper Lane Knoxville, TN 37932-2406 www.fiestafarm.com (865) 693-6863 (865) 693-6721 (Barn).

About: Shawn Casady and Barn
12 Year old Shawn Casady from Knoxville TN is now riding for one of most prestigious barns in the United States, Bill Schaub of Over the Hill Farm in Ocala Florida. Shawn, home schooled by his mother Anne, competes year round this year receiving several Best Child rider awards as well as many championships.