Double the Ponies, Double the Glory: Clovermeade Heartthrob and Orchard Hills Firefly Tie for Grand Pony Hunter Championship at 2025 WIHS

Competition for the 2025 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), presented by MARS Equestrian™ closed on Sunday, October 26, with the pony hunters and the WIHS Pony Equitation Final, presented by Evergate Stables. The Grand Pony Hunter Championship was a tie between Clovermeade Heartthrob, ridden by Grace Stenbeck-Werner and owned by Swede Ventures LLC, and Orchard Hills Firefly, ridden by Charlotte Morassutti for R&R Hunter Horses, LLC. First place in the WIHS Pony Equitation Final went to Finley Baras of Greenwich, Connecticut riding On Your Mark.

By winning the Small Pony Hunter Championship with blue ribbons in the handy and stake classes as well as second place in the under saddle, Clovermeade Heartthrob and Grace Stenbeck-Werner were one of the Grand Pony Hunter Champions. The Small Pony Hunter reserve championship went to Lilly Ward riding Celebration for owner McLain Ward. Stenbeck-Werner was also named the Best Child Rider on a Pony.

Stenbeck-Werner, who is 12 years old and from North Salem, NY, started riding Clovermeade Heartthrob a year ago. “We clicked pretty quickly,” she said of the nine-year-old Welsh Pony Cross mare by Clovercroft’s Hero of the Heart. “We've always been consistent at certain shows, but it was always one little thing that was keeping us from champion. I'm really happy it came together.”

The young rider said she feels the pressure of an indoor final like WIHS. Having won a division championship at WIHS two years ago, Stenbeck-Werner came to WIHS in 2025 to have fun.

“This was my first big show I ever won,” she said. “I feel like I have such good memories here, so it’s always nice to come back.”

Orchard Hills Firefly and Charlotte Morassutti had the exact same ribbons as their co-grand champion, winning the handy and stake classes and second under saddle for the Medium Pony Hunter Championship. Reserve champions in the Medium Pony Hunters were Finley Baras and On Your Mark, owned by Sweet Oak Farm.

Morassutti, who is also 12 years old, traveled from her hometown of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to get the catch ride on Orchard Hills Firefly, a 12-year-old Welsh/Thoroughbred gelding by Orchard Hills Snap Dragon. They competed together twice this past winter in Ocala, FL, and she was tapped to ride at WIHS when his owner, Hilton Westcott, couldn’t come.

“They gave me the opportunity to ride this pony, which I was so excited about,” said Morassutti. “He's just been so fun.”

While Morassutti noted that the indoor arena can be spooky for some rings, she appreciates the opportunity to gain experience. “The jumps are fancier, and it’s a big ring and differently shaped,” she said. “It’s so cool to ride in.”

The Large Pony Hunter Championship was presented to Morassutti as well, this time with Special Gift, owned by Lauren Free. Stenbeck-Werner picked up yet another tricolor with Swede Ventures LLC’s Prestige. Special Gift won the Best Pony Stake Round, while Prestige and Stenbeck-Werner took home the Potomac Trophy. The Gochman Style of Riding Award was presented to Hayden Hunter of Fort Mill, SC.



Flawless Finley! Baras Takes Top Honors in WIHS Pony Equitation Final

Finley Baras of Greenwich, CT, added her name to the list of prestigious riders on the Jane Marshall Dillon Memorial Perpetual Trophy for the WIHS Pony Equitation Final at the 2025 WIHS, joining such athletes as Samantha Schaefer, Jessica Springsteen, Lucy Deslauriers, Mimi Gochman, Maddie Tosh, and more.

Baras rode On Your Mark, a 17-year-old Welsh Pony gelding by Gayfields Comin’ Up Roses owned by Sweet Oak Farm, to a score in the jumping round of 89, setting herself apart from the field by three points. Following the second flat phase, she was called as the winner.

Baras had a plan for the first round that included starting out with a strong canter. “I thought about my tracks since there were a lot of bending lines, and he's really good at just listening whenever I tell him what to do,” said the 13-year-old rider. “He gives you the most amazing feeling going around the course. I thought about putting in the best ride that I could, being calm, and thinking about all the decisions I would make during the course.”

Second place in the WIHS Equitation Final went to Colin Shippam of Philadelphia, PA, riding Farewell, owned by Adeline Rossetter. Grace Stenbeck-Werner rode Prestige to third place.

Baras started riding On Your Mark two years ago, and he is a barn favorite, including for her sister Logan.

“Everyone just loves him because he's so fun to ride and has such a funny, goofy personality,” she said. “He's the funniest, sweetest pony ever. He loves treats, and he will let you know when he wants them.”

While they have had years together, this competition marked the last for Baras and On Your Mark.

“It was a good way to close out indoors,” she said. “I love having my sister here too, and it's really a good relationship that we have because we're always cheering for each other. It was a good way to end it, especially for my last show on him, but he's going to my sister, so it's only half a goodbye.”

WIHS thanks everyone who made the show such a huge success in 2025 and looks forward to welcoming everyone to the 68th edition on October 19-25, 2026.