Trinity Hall made sure her first Pony Final experience was one to remember. Riding Twinkle Toes, a 12-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, the 16-year-old from Calgary, Alberta made the 3,236 km trip to Kentucky Horse Park count and brought home the Reserve Championship in the Large Green Pony division.
Trinity grew up around horses, as mom Tamara Hall operates a training and sales operation out of St. George’s Stables in Calgary, Alberta, and holds her EC and USEF senior judges card. Like many professional’s children, Trinity never had a shortage of ponies to ride growing up and got her feet wet in the show ring at a young age. “I did my first leadline class when I was six months old,” she says. “Before I could walk or really hold myself up, my mom would hold me on the front of the saddle and ride around with me on the old school ponies. I’ve seen a couple of the videos and I’m giggling the whole time.”
The opportunity to grow and develop as a rider came largely from the miles in the saddle with sales ponies and catch rides, while developing her ability to be adaptable and patient. “I have been fortunate to be able to ride so many ponies that are all so different and have taught me so much. Every day is a new experience and green ponies have taught me patience and to appreciate the small things as they learn. Every pony learns differently, so figuring it out is always the challenge.”
“He loves attention – good or bad! – and not everybody got along with him because of that.”
Although she rides primarily with her mom, Trinity has had the opportunity to learn from many professionals in the industry including Ashley Papalia, Rodney Tulloch, Frank Selinger and Alixe Garcia. She cites Tamara’s connections in the industry as a huge benefit. “It has been great having my mom as my coach. She is my biggest cheerleader and because she’s also a judge she knows exactly what I should be doing in the ring.
Trinity, Tamara and Charlie.
“My mom taught me to love the ponies and to treat them and everyone with respect. She has taught me horsemanship, drive and competitiveness.”
Twinkle Toes, or ‘Chester’, had an unusual path to success as a hunter pony. He was purchased late in 2018 and was eventing at the lower levels before being brought into the barn as a sales prospect. “We had some great success together so we didn’t sell him,” says Trinity. “He loves attention – good or bad! – and not everybody got along with him because of that. Hence why he wore a teapot charm [in his braids] – he wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea.
“Although he was by far the most difficult pony I’ve ever had, I loved him and he made me the rider I am today. He’s a sharp pony and he would jump the jumps and land and play with large bucks. I’m truly grateful for having him for as long as I did and for him giving me such a great experience at Pony Finals.”
While this was not Tamara’s first time taking a student to Pony Finals, the trip had the added emotion of it being the first trip with her daughter competing. “It was a moment I’d dreamt of since [Trinity] was born and it exceeded all of my expectations. I was praying that she just jumped all the jumps and in the right order, honestly,” she said, laughing.
“I will say that with being the mother and the trainer it’s nice to have some back-up and at Pony Finals we joined Traci Barmen Brooks from Balmoral Stables Inc. We knew that when Chester was good he was very, very good, but he could be a bit tricky. I told Trinity to look around when she walked in and see her name on the board and remember how hard we both worked to get her to Pony Finals.
“I had to watch the round on video later since the view from the gate is not the best, but her scores we amazing and the smile on her face said it all. A few tears were shed! I could not have been more proud of the pony trying so hard and Trinity’s focus with it being such a big venue to walk into.”
“Knowing that I was just a Canadian nobody walking into the ring and walking out in the top group was crazy.”
The accomplishment took some time to sink in for Trinity, who went into the weekend simply proud of the fact that she had qualified and soaking up the experience. “At the time it was unbelievable,” she says. “I was just so happy with my pony and thrilled that my ride went so well. It felt really good to know all of our hard work paid off.
“I am a competitive person but it was just more about the experience for us. I was over the moon to just be there and know I was good enough to be there. That being said, I was there to shoot for the stars and try my best. Knowing so many people back home were rooting for me gave me a lot of confidence.”
At home there is a healthy dose of fun and games for the teen and her ponies, in turn setting them up for success when they move onto their next homes. “I love to see how bomb-proof I can get the ponies before the are sold,” she says. “I’ll ride them in halters, gallop in the grand prix field, get on bareback, jump them in hand and all sorts of stuff. I think it’s hilarious and so much fun.”
What are some moments she will take away from the experience of taking a naughty pony from Canada to Pony Finals and coming out of it with a tricolour? “Walking out of the ring and seeing my mom and Traci so happy made my heart swell,” she remembers. “Knowing that I was just a Canadian nobody walking into the ring and walking out in the top group was crazy. I didn’t even hear my score – at that point I didn’t even care, I was just so overjoyed and in the moment.”
Fast Qs
Favourite food: White cheddar rice cakes
Favourite TV show or movie: Criminal Minds
Show superstitions: I always have to put a charm on the 13th braid
If you could ride any horse/pony in the world, who would it be? I would have loved to ride my mum’s old hunter Chanel.
Hobbies outside of horses/ponies? I like to do macrame, mountain biking, swimming, roller blading, cliff jumping and a bunch of other stuff.
Pets? I have a Jack Russell named Sprout.
