"My Shiny Penny" Champion Connemara Mare

	Orphan Pony Competes in Kentucky for Alaska
	Interview with Alicia Hall in the October 2005 USEF Magazine (reprinted by permission, USEF Magazine)
	Valley Circuit “Champion Short Stirrup Hunter & Beginning Jumper”
	ASH “Champion Short Stirrup Hunter & Performance Pony”
	USEF “Horse of the Year” (Large Pony Hunter Zone 12)
	“Interior Horseman Champion” Equitation and High Point
	My Shiny Penny; owned and ridden by Alicia Hall
	My Shiny Penny is a Connemara Mare
	Penny & Alicia’s 2004 Competition Video Stream
	Link to Alaska State Horse Shows, Inc. (ASH) Web Site
	Link to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Web Site
	Portage Valley Pony Farm 907-783-1991 Alicia Hall & Henry Tomingas Box 111321, Anchorage Alaska, 99511 USA [email protected]

	MYSTERY ALASKAN ORPHAN COMPETES IN KENTUCKY PONY FINALS August 1st 2004 an orphaned pony stepped onto a plane bound for Alaska and into national recognition in her first year of competition. My Shiny Penny, from foaling grounds in Alberta Canada, carrying an 11 year old beginning rider swept the competition in four divisions has achieved an unprecedented set of wins in 2004 to qualify for the 2005 National USEF Pony Finals in Kentucky. In an astounding rise from obscurity, this Connemara who was wild until two and mixed in with a herd of registered saddle horses as a mystery foal. Many experts and DNA testing have suggested that this raw talent and conformation could only come from one of the top performing Connemara’s. Arriving straight off the plane and into a competition in Fairbanks Alaska, Penny and Alicia, neither of which had ever competed in a jumping event, swept the meet taking top honors in everything they entered which was the start of a stunning year. Competing in Lexington Kentucky at the USEF PONY FINALS August 2005 in high heat and humidity after long flights and new surroundings, Penny and Alicia got their chance to represent Alaska in their first National event. This is the caliber of event where serious errors such as balking almost never occur making the judges job very hard so the obstacle course designers set the jumps and decorations to where it confuses and complicates every moment in an arena filled with experts and aficionados of the sport. The pressures are similar to the Olympics where remaining calm, cool and collected is a lost memory. When it came time for Penny and Alicia to compete, they calmly road out and turned in complete rounds cool and collected without a noticeable flaw placing them well in the field ahead of over fifty of the nation’s top champion ponies. Alaska can be very proud of them. Look for a full page interview of Alicia in the USEF Magazine October 2005. My Shiny Penny, a Connemara Mare is owned and ridden by Alicia Hall who is the daughter of Henry Tomingas and Ruth Hall/Mandzik. Alicia, who was 12 years old during the event in Kentucky, trains Penny by herself at their Portage Valley Ranch in Alaska.
	ALASKA CHAMPION PONIES FLY TO KENTUCKY The national USEF Pony Finals had two Alaskan entries, My Shiny Penny owned (on the left) and ridden by Alicia Hall and Grey Ghost (on the right) ridden by Kaitlin Henry. My Shiny Penny qualified for the finals in a stunning first year of competition. Grey Ghost is a well known champion that has dominated competitions for several years. Neither the two horses nor their riders have ever competed against each other as they compete in different classes. Despite heat and humidity, new locations and intimidating competitors as this was best of the best in the nation, both horses and riders competed with a quality to make Alaska proud. A wonderful achievement and honor for all four of them to be at this pinnacle of excellence. For more information on Ghost and Caitlin go to Bluff Park Farms

The “USEF Horse of the Year” was awarded to “My Shiny Penny” by the United States Equestrian Federation for Zone 12, Alaska. See http://www.usef.org/ for the full story on Horse of the Year. To quote:”the Horse of the Year Awards. Celebrating its 60th year, the packed house was addressed by USEF President David O’Connor, who likened this year’s champions to Olympians – all sharing a common goal of greatness and reaching the pinnacle of their respective breed or discipline.” For more information on the Horse of the Year programs see: http://www.usef.org/content/pointsAwards/hoty/

USEF 2004 Leading Owners: Alicia Hall

USEF 2004 Pony Hunter: My Shiny Penny

USEF 2004 Pony Hunter Exhibitions: Note: The first show was after Penny was flown to Alaska and right off the plane Alicia and Penny in their first show went out and placed:

ASH Banquet: At the Alaska State Horse Shows, Inc. (ASH) formal Banquet held on Friday evening, January 7th, 2005 at the Anchorage Downtown Marriott in Alaska, awards were given for these seasons achievements in equestrian excellence. Alicia Hall (Pink Dress)and My Shiny Penny were presented with awards for high points, Pony Performance, Short Stirrup Hunter and Beginning Jumper as well as place in the top three in Equitation and Gymkana. Awards included a monogrammed horse blanket, ribbons & Halters.

PRESS RELEASE: Alaska girl and pony take the “USEF Horse of the Year Award” and the “Alaska State Championship” in two divisions

Eleven year old Alicia Hall in her first year of jumping and her Connemara mare, “My Shiny Penny” also new to these events, won the Valley Circuit Championship in both Short Stirrup Hunter and Beginning Jumping divisions as well as the “Interior Horseman Championship in Equitation. The Valley Circuit Championship is a total score from the three major USA Equestrian rated and Alaska State Horse shows. These honors are equivalent to two State Championships in other sports. In addition, Alicia and Penny were in the top three in two other divisions and the overall points champion by more than double the nearest competitor for a stunning first year performance.

During the final competition of the year at the Alaska State Fair, Alicia and Penny turned in their most breathtaking performance after a series of beautiful tight turns and elegant jumps they opened up Penny’s power with a full speed run the length of the arena for the last jump and flew over it at full gallop for a thrilling finale’ finalizing the Alaska State Fair Championship, Division Championship and Valley Circuit Championship.

Penny also competed at a level to take the USEF Horse of the Year award for Large Pony Zone 12, a coveted national recognition prize. This achievement is particularly impressive as Penny had been a brood mare and had not competed in any of these events before. Penny has often been considered the epitome of a perfect Connemara and that was before she had won any championships.

Equestrian horsemanship places a great deal of emphasis on balance and control of the horse with a minimum of effort from the rider.

• Equitation competition stresses the relationship between horse and rider for form and control from walking, jogging to hand gallop and cantor.

• Hunter competitions are a test of form at various speeds and the ability of the rider and horse to clear jumps cleanly.

• Jumper competitions are a test of speed and agility in covering a complex series of demanding jumps. The fastest horse and rider wins in a high speed, athletic event. It could be compared to running a ten barrel course and adding a jump before each barrel.

The Connemara is the largest of the pony breeds, a 2500 year old natural selection breed from Ireland. Used as an Irish Draft horse and at times bred with Thoroughbreds, the combination is compact and exceptionally powerful. Connemara ponies hold some of the top jumping records in the world. For more information visit these sites or simply search for “Connemara”;

http://www.acps.org/

http://www.imh.org/imh/bw/conn.html#fam

http://www.usef.org/content/equestrianSports/breeds/connemaras.php

Here are two quotes from the IMH web site:

“The Connemara pony’s origins go back some 2,500 years to the time when Celtic warriors brought dun colored ponies onto the island of Ireland”.

“In 1935 at the International Horse Show, Olympia, London, the 15 hand overgrown Connemara gelding, THE NUGGET, became a legendary show jumper. At age 22, he cleared a 7' 2" jump and subsequently won over 300 prizes internationally, earning over 4,500 pounds sterling in prize money.”

Alicia, age 11, was born in Homer Alaska in 1993. She is the daughter of Henry Tomingas and Ruth Hall/Mandzik.

Alicia started riding with her white miniature pony “Banner” also known as “Little Bit of Trouble” six years ago with an equestrian and western saddle as well as with a buggy. .

In 2003 Alicia and her dad purchased “Calamari” an Arabian mare and began competing in Equitation and took home a best of show award. Spring of 2004, they found “My Shiny Penny” and brought her home to Alaska and have taken the circuit by storm.

Banner is the most perfect disposition you could ask for, calm in any situation but ready to run at the drop of a hat. Through the training Alicia has been giving him, Banner is accomplished at riderless jumping and walking on his hind legs. Banner occasionally competes at halter and Driving. The two mares get very upset if Banner isn’t with them so he attends all of their shows.

Callie is like a teenage girl, excitable and ready to run but very sweet. She loves excitement and prances and shows beautifully. Calamari (Callie) has is also showing great promise in the jumping events and is expected to compete next season.

Penny is all business, she eats like a horse, sleeps all the time, loves her crunchies and there is absolutely no doubt this is an incredible powerhouse. She takes great care with her rider and the two have grown to be able to stretch their legs and open up the potential of this wonderful mare.

Penny has often been called the epitome of a perfect Connemara and that was before she had won any championships. Watch for Penny’s offspring in the future: Buster Brown and Murphy Brown. Noticeable in the pictures is that same concentration on the job at hand.

	Competing in just 9 shows, Alicia and Penny dominated the competitions in several divisions with 558 points Even more significant is that this is their first year of competition. Alicia is eleven years old.
Penny & her foal The Pony Caravan Kristen McDonald on Goldie & Alicia Hall on My Shiny Penny Penny Flying to Alaska to be with Alicia Penny & Alicia Flying together -------------------------------------------------------------- Photos Credits: Henry Tomingas Byron Tomingas Persis Tomingas Greg McDonald Theresa Sylvia Sandy Corsan Phelps Photos Air Equine			Portage Valley Pony Farm: The Portage Valley Pony Farm is located on 88 acres in scenic Alaska between the “Gateway” to Prince William Sound and the tip of Captain Cooks famous “TurnAgain Arm” next to Portage Glacier with Portage creek forming a boundary. The Pony Farm is about 45 Minutes from Anchorage, Alaska and has a surprisingly temperate climate and unbeatable landscapes.
		1^st Show: WCCEC Summer Circuit
		Immediately following arrival by Air Equine
		Short Stirrup (SS) High Point Champion

		2^nd Show USEF Rated: Colony Days
		RESERVE Champion Hunter Performance
		Short Stirrup High Point Champion

		3^rd Show: WCCEC Summer Circuit
		Short Stirrup High Point Champion

		4^th Show, USEF Rated: Midnight Sun
		Div. CHAMPION English Performance Horse
		Div. CHAMPION English Rider 13 & under
		Division CHAMPION Short Stirrup Hunter
		Division CHAMPION Beginning Jumper

		5^TH Show USEF Rated: Midsummer Festival
		CHAMPION Performance Horse
		CHAMPION English Performance Rider 13 & Under
		Reserve CHAMPION Equitation

		6^th Show USEF Rated: WCCEC Annual Show
		CHAMPION Hunter Performance Pony
		CHAMPION Short Stirrup Hunter
		CHAMPION Short Stirrup Equitation

		7^th Show: WCCEC 3^rd Summer Circuit
		High Point Champion SS Hunter
		High Point Champion SS Equitation
		High Point Champion Beginning Jumper
		8^thShow USEF Rated: AHJA Hunter / Jumper
		CHAMPION Hunter Performance Pony
		Reserve CHAMPION SS Hunter
		Reserve CHAMPION SS Equitation

		9^th Show USEF Rated: Alaska State Fair
		CHAMPION Short Stirrup Hunter
		CHAMPION Beginning Jumper
		CIRCUIT CHAMPION Beginning Jumper
		CIRCUIT CHAMPION SS Hunter