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2007 Prince Philip Cup Results

2006 Prince Philip Cup Results

2005 Prince Philip Cup Results

United States Pony Clubs
4041 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8462
Phone:  (859) 254-7669
Fax:  (859) 233-4652

2008 Prince Philip Cup

Six teams came to compete at the highest level of Junior Mounted Games Competition - The Prince Philip Cup. USPC was proud to have the RUNAWAYS from Ridge Riders and Running Fox Pony Club, New York and Upper Connecticut Region, SWAT from the Frederick Pony Club and MEAN GREEN LIMA BEANS from Seneca Valley Pony Club, both from the Capital Region located in Maryland, the MELONHEADS from Pickering Hunt Pony Club of the Eastern Pennsylvania region, the PSYCHOS from Half Halt Pony Club of the Heartland Region in Illinois, and the SHOW STOPPER team from Carolina and Southern Regions, representing the Greenville Foothills Pony Club, the Hilltopper Pony Club and the Mountain Ridge Pony Club.
 

Prince Philip Cup 2008 began on Wednesday, April 21st. After arriving from their long trips from around the East Coast and Midwest, the competitors began to deck out and dress their tack rooms and stalls, as well as groom their ponies until they were all squeaky clean.

The competition proceeded bright and early the next day. At 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 22nd the competitors, the parent volunteers, and the judges listened to the briefing.  Andrea Cone (Prince Philip Cup organizer for 2008), Jan Whitehouse (Rolex liaison) and Karen Marcotte (Horse Management Judge) answered many questions but, one of the most important ones was about the attire in the event of rain during competition. As many that have competed in past Prince Philip Cups know, it is almost inevitable that they would be playing in the rain. As it ended up, the clouds did come in, even colder weather appeared, but fortunately, the rain did not interfere with the competition. The rest of Thursday came together quit nicely with preparing ponies, meeting new friends and just hanging out with teammates. Our evening activity included of a pizza party at the USPC Headquarters. We thank all teams for coordinating to help set up, supplying paper goods, ordering pizza, preparing veggie platters, acquiring enough desserts to serve an army, as well as cleaning up. A fantastic time was had by all riders, family members, coaches, officials, and some of our USPC International riders. After a fun filled evening, everyone headed off to their various hotels for a good night sleep to prepare for yet again another early morning rise to start the riding part of Prince Philip Cup 2008.

On Friday, April 25th barns opened promptly at 6:00 am! An outsider may think that it would be hard to start the day so early, but these competitors were eager to get the show on the road. The morning session of competition was incredibly close and came to an end around 10:30am followed by a morning break, allowing the pony clubbers a chance to compete against and with the Rolex celebrity competitors. This opportunity was fantastic for the USPC riders, as well as the Rolex celebrities. The crowds were roaring as Mr. Brian O'Connor announced and participated on foot without a pony. The celebrities all joined a team and all teams competed against each other. What a great opportunity for the kids to ride with the best of the best. All ponies were donated by Keeneland Pony Club (Ali Zeitlin, Lily and Maya Griffin, Ivy Johnson, Katie Lockart, Jessica Leonard, and Megan Garret). We thank them ever so much for helping us make this fun exhibition happen. After completing the Celebrity Round, all the teams were revved upped and were ready for the second session of competition in the Walnut Arena. The day was heating up, and fortunately Susan Melvin (coordinator of the Show Stopper team) arranged for Cosequin to generously donate 6 buckets to hold and cool water for the players. A huge thank you goes you to Mrs. Melvin because it was a huge undertaking to make sure all riders were hydrated.

Once all ponies and riders were hydrated we started the second session with Postman's Chase. The SWAT team came across the line first, then onto Hi Lo. The amazing equipment crew set up Ball and Cone, where the Psychos were the grand winners. Across the finish line in the 3-Legged Race was Mean Green Lima Beans, after an exciting finish we continued onto our Five and Two flag races. Melonheads took the lead and Show Stoppers were 2nd in Golf Ball and Spoon - steady is the way to play this race. Ring Race then Balloon and finally the Runaways took the 1st place in stepping stones. The teams all took turns in coming in on top making the score bounce all over the place. Everyone was kept on the edge of their seats to find out which team would take first place at Prince Philip Cup 2008.

Our day was amusing and exciting in everyway, and the players took a well deserved break for a snacks, cold drinks, shopping or just sitting back to enjoy the scenery after the days competition. At 5:30 p.m. the barns closed and the riders returned to hotels for food, a swim and an early bed time.

The third and final session began bright and early Saturday morning. The day began dreadfully cloudy and cold, but despite the weather the teams continued to play the final ten games showing the audience their best skills.

The results came in and the first place team was the Runaways were presented the Prince Philip Cup Trophy. The Mean Green Lima Beans took a close 2nd and the Melonheads finished in third. For 2nd and 3rd place teams the Horse Management made a difference with the placing. SWAT who played hard as a four man team came in 4th place. Then the Show Stopper team proceeded in 5th place, and the Psychos finished up with the 6th place green ribbon.
 

At the conclusion of the third session the ribbons were presented by Mr. Art Kramer, President of USPC, to all praiseworthy teams. Some of the future games riders were asked to help present the prizes that Mr. Frank Horn had donated. The Show Stopper team won first place for Horse Management and were rewarded with a handy professional hoof pick.

The last day of Prince Philip Cup was reserved for the big honors in the Rolex arena. The teams were given the honor of parading from the barns to the Rolex arena by the Blue Angles Horse Platoon. Each team got to line up in the Rolex arena where they were presented with a Rolex ribbon and then allowed to show off in a great victory gallop. As winner of the Prince Philip Cup 2008, the Runaways were allowed the special opportunity to make a second lap of victory gallop!

We want to extend special thanks to all of our officials who spent their time volunteering. Our judges for this competition were Jackie Horn, Janie McFawn, and Rachel Atlee. Janey McFawn and Rachel Atlee are the chaperone and coach respectively for the USPC 2008 International tour heading off to Australia this summer to compete. Jim Reed was the starter and Michelle Reilly was the A line Judge. Robert Taylor and Jamie Gilbert patrolled the C line. Frank Bohdal and Leanne Harmon were the official equipment presenter on the A line. Lois Bohdal was the TD and the scorer. Our USPC International team and one of their parents were esteemed lane judges. Frank Horn and Kathy Taylor entertained us with music and placing for each race. Barry Cone was the fabulous equipment manager and ring crew chief making the entire competition happen smoothly.  Karen Marcotte and Colleen Corrigan made up a well run Horse Management team.  All in all this was yet again a memorable experience for everyone in attendance. Congratulations to all of the 2008 Prince Philip Cup teams.
 

2007 PPC Wrap Up

     The top six United States Pony Club junior games teams from the 2006 National Championships in Lexington Virginia and the Western Championships in Sacramento California met during the Kentucky Rolex Three Day Event to determine the winner of the Prince Philip Cup.

     Prince Philip inaugurated the Cup challenge in 1985 to promote the advancement of mounted games in the United States. In the next 22 years the Cup challenge has seen the best USPC junior teams vie for the honor of having their names inscribed on the silver cup. This year's Prince Philip Cup was an exciting event from start to finish. The lead was never more than 3 points for any team. We were thrilled to have two teams from the USPC Western Championships elect to participate in this years cup challenge. They made the four day trek from Idaho and Washington with their ponies to be a part of this special event. The six competing teams were:

SWAT from the Capitol Region

The Luck of the Irish from the Eastern Pennsylvania Region and Virginia

The Spacecats from the Mid South and Heartland Regions

The Melon Heads also from the Eastern Pennsylvania Region

The Boise Gems from the Intermountain Region

The Rebels With a Cause from the Northwest Region

     In true Rolex fashion a rain storm shortened the Thursday practice session but drier weather prevailed for the competition sessions.  A highlight of this year was the celebrity round where several Pony Club Alumni including Pat Maykuth, Mick Costello, Cathy Wieschhoff, Amy Tryon, John Williams, David O'Conner, and the voice of the Rolex Nigel Casserley all mounted ponies and took part in five games with the teams. A great show was given by Brian O'Connor as he entertained us all on his inflatable pony.

     It took three sessions and 30 games to determine the champions of the 2007 Prince Philip Cup. When the final race was finished, SWAT from the Capitol Region had edged out the Luck of the Irish from Eastern Pennsylvania by a score of 169 to 167.

     The Horse Management award of embroidered cooler provided by JPC Inc. was won by the Spacecats team. Horse management judge Jennifer Foreman was very impressed with the level of horse management shown by all teams this year.

     Many Thanks to the Sponsors of the 2006 Prince Philip Cup for providing prizes for the competitors. 

     Treadstep of Ireland, Thornhill Enterprises,  Phoenix Industries, Sportage Helmets, Herm Sprenger, Fleck Whips and Bats, Effanol grooming supplies, and Haas Brushes. 

     Many thanks to all of the volunteers and organizers who work so hard to make this the special event that it has become.