Wilmington, Ohio – This week’s Wilmington Sunday Spotlight shines on the 11-year-old rider, Ava Heath. Ava and her pony, Princess Fancy Feet, also known as ‘Sally,’ can be found in the R+L Annex in the Small Pony Hunter division, the WEC Medal, and the $3,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby. The young rider of Urbana, Ohio, recently qualified for the USEF Pony Finals at WEC – Wilmington and has a bright future ahead of her! We caught up with Ava to learn more about Sally, her non-ribbon riding goals, her favorite classes, and much more!
WEC: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have been riding since I was two years old. My first horse that I rode was Jordan. My first show was Champion Center when I was five and my first time showing at WEC was when I was seven. I did ground poles. I started from the poles here and now I am doing the ponies! I did my old horse here too, but she was naughty. My barn is in Urbana, Ohio, and my trainer is Deedee [Bender]. My pony is Sally and we are going to go to our next show in four weeks.
WEC: What is like balancing school and riding?
I miss school sometimes for horse shows. I really want to go to Dragonfly Academy. That is my dream school! I went for one day for a tutoring day in the fall. I won it from the pumpkin carving!
WEC: Tell us about your pony, Princess Fancy Feet.
Sally is 16. I have had her for three years. Sally is really amazing. She doesn’t ever refuse, sometimes she gets spooked, but not a lot. She is going to be 17 in June. She is a Welsh pony, and she is a small. She is very calm in the barn. She loves peppermints so much. She loves WEC. Flats are her favorite class. They’re my favorite too. We just qualified for Pony Finals and I want to get in the top 10 there.
WEC: Tell us about your non-ribbon goals.
We do non-ribbon goals for each show. If I successfully reach my goal, I get to buy something small on Amazon. Last time I got an art kit! This time I want to earn Taylor Swift friendship bracelets. This show, my goal was to get the strides right in two of the lines in one round, last show it was just one line.
WEC: What is your favorite thing to do at WEC?
I love jumping the kid jumps. I like shopping at the 2nd Round Equestrian, and I like The Sugar Shack. I always love looking at my pictures at Winslow Photography. I have a lot of friends here too!
WEC: What is your favorite candy to get at The Sugar Shack?
The mood bars, the caramel lollipops, and the gummy bears!
WEC: What are your favorite classes to show in?
I love the WEC Medal and the Pony Derby. I did WEC Medal Finals last year and the year before that. My goal is to win. Last year, I got sixth and the year before that I got ninth.
WEC: What are your future riding goals?
I want to do the Grand Prix when I’m older. My favorite rider is Izzy Beisel. I also want to have a large grey horse! If I have a grey, I want to name it Winter.
Thank you, Ava, for taking the time to speak with us! We wish you and Sally continued success and the best of luck at Pony Finals!
Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes!
Results can be found at horseshowing.com.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.