Here’s hoping for a bit less rain this year…
The Midwest Junior Challenge, formerly known as Pony Cup, is the only show (thus far, knock on wood) where I’ve fallen off in the warm up and gone on to show in pairs jumping. The weekend of July 22-24 will be fun-filled with a plethora of classes to choose from including games like egg & spoon, and even a stall decorating contest! See the prize list. I’ve aged out now as the Midwest Junior Challenge is only open to the 21 and younger crowd, and I’m super upset about it because it’s one of the best shows out there! (Yes, I can hear the violins..) Year after year, Otter Creek finds a way to make their shows even better, and the Midwest Junior Challenge is no exception.
Otter Creek started Pony Cup as a way to provide junior riders with a top notch venue to show in a “real” dressage, hunter/jumper, or eventing show. There are very few shows catered solely to junior riders without dabbling in the Pony Club or 4-H aspect. Lena Warner of Otter Creek Farm wanted kids with the same interests to be able to go to a show and enjoy it without the added pressure of extra expense and adults competing against them.
This year, the name has changed from “Pony Cup” to “Midwest Junior Challenge”. They did this in an effort to draw a distinction between their schooling show and the USPC. Anyone and everyone (under 21) is encouraged to come show at the Junior Challenge. There is no affiliation with Pony Club or 4-H, and participants don’t need to be members of any organizations.
A new tradition added only a couple years ago, is that parents of children competing are eligible to show at the BN and N levels. Yes, the show is for the 21 and under set, but Lena knows how hard the parents work getting their kids there, that she wanted to open the Midwest Junior Challenge to them as well. So, if you’re 21 and under, or have a 21 and under that’s competing, you may compete this year!
The newest addition this year is the Best Sportsman Award. How does it work? Well, keep reading…
1) 1) Pick a group of 3-5 riders.
2) 2) Compete in dressage, hunter, jumper, or eventing classes.
3) 3) Points are accumulated per group. Each ribbon has a set number of points, and points are given in all classes offered.
4) 4) The Champion and Reserve Champion get prizes and bragging rights!
So, get out there Eventing Nation, and show those dressage and hunter/jumper princes and princesses that eventing gods and goddesses are the best! (I can see I’m going to be a Mom a la the Toddlers and Tiaras set..)
The Midwest Junior Challenge is a destination event for many of our junior riders in the area. They look forward to it all year, and their smiles at the end of the day are very rewarding. They camp out on grounds stuffing a dozen kids or so in the horse trailer or RV. Even if you can’t compete, Otter Creek knows how to put on a good show, and who doesn’t love cute kids and cuter ponies?!
Midwest Junior Challenge Prize List
