Pony rider Barbara Davis put in solid tests on both of her ponies and rode away with the National Pony Rider Dressage Championship and Reserve Championship. Davis, of Bedmister, New Jersey, rides with Dr. Cesar Parra and Katie Riley of Piaffe Performance Farms.
Davis, 14, rode into the arena first with Bohdjan, a 13-year-old Dutch pony gelding. The duo captured the National Pony Rider Dressage Reserve Championship last year and this year’s score of 63.615% and 67.561% helped them defend their title with a combined score of 65.588%.
1. How was the combined score calculated?
While Davis was pleased with her performance on Bohdjan, she returned to the ring with Poldy 10, a flashy 16-year-old German Riding Pony who stole center stage and the lead with top scores of 66.974% and 70.341%.
2. Calculate their combined score.
Davis showed off her poise in the press conference at Gladstone, where she commented on the difference between riding horses and ponies. “You really have to learn your pony, because ponies have lots of tricks,” she said. “They may not be the biggest or the fastest, but they are the craftiest. I do think ponies are more clever than horses and the smaller they are the more tricks they seem to have.”
1. How was the combined score calculated?
Answer: The combined score is calculated by taking the average of the two scores; first adding the two scores together then dividing by two.
2. Calculate their combined score.
Answer: Their combined score was 68.658%.
Photos:
20110410 – DVPC CT – Dressage_0114 by Dominion Valley Pony Club; CC BY 2.0
Forsyte Eastern Princess by andreavallejos
Tapioca Dream by andreavallejos