Cherryville Majic’s Gigolo, owned by Larry and Dinah Peevy of Tallulah Falls School, has been named Foundation Driving Pony of the Year in 2022 by the American Shetland Pony Club.
During the 2022 show season, Gigolo was driven by TFS junior Brooke Hayes of Cornelia in Youth Classes; Ashley Peevy Hall in Amateur Classes; and trainer Ricky Wardlaw in Stakes Classes.
Hayes has participated in the TFS Equestrian Program since fifth grade. Once the Competitive Pony Team was organized, she naturally progressed to the newly created competitive program and began competing in the pony classes of driving, jumping and halter.
In 2022, Hayes started showing Gigolo in Class A Breed Shows.
“Competing in Class A Shows is nerve-racking,” Hayes said. “I have to constantly adjust my hands to maintain pressure on the reins, so as not to over-collect the bit and maintain a constant speed.”
“Although Brooke had very little experience with ponies, she wanted to participate in pony competitions,” said Peevy. “She has the drive and work ethic to learn new skills that allowed her to compete.”
The American Shetland Pony Club has notified Brooke that she has won several All Star Awards for 2022. Among these awards, Brooke placed first nationally in the Foundation Western Pleasure class driving Gigolo, as well as the Foundation Youth Roadster class and the Foundation Youth Country Pleasure class driving Crusader, another pony in the TFS stable.
– Sonya Smith