Trussville equestrian qualifies for Pony Club championships

On Feb. 4, 12-year-old Trussville resident Preston Healy represented the Cahaba Pony Club and participated in the United States Pony Club South Region’s 2018 Quiz Rally.

He participated on a team with three other members of the South Region. The team won third place in the Junior D Division, which included a total of 37 competitors on 10 teams. As a result, Preston qualified to represent the South Region in the Pony Club National Championships East, to be held in July at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. This is Preston’s second consecutive year qualifying for Quiz nationals in this division.  Last year, he and his team won fifth place at nationals.

Quiz Rally is designed to test participants’ knowledge of horsemanship, including anatomy, stable management, tack, breeds, health issues, equestrian sports and more. Quiz Rally consists of five phases: Classroom, Stations, Barn, Mega Room and Written Test, taking more than five hours to complete.

Cahaba Pony Club is one of the oldest clubs in the country and was founded in 1956. Cahaba members are located in the Jefferson, Shelby and St. Clair County areas. The organization strives to develop character, leadership, confidence and a sense of community in youth through a program that teaches the care of horses and ponies, riding and mounted sports.

Preston competes in the disciplines of show jumping and dressage. He trains with Pamela Ibrahim of El Gezira Riding Academy in Harpersville.

Submitted by Ruwena Healy.