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.
Charlotte Morassutti also rode Special Gift to the Large Pony Hunter Championship. (Shawn McMillen Photography)
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.
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.
More info and results here.
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