Danielle Zenga and A Fancy Ryder of Weston, Florida ended on a high note this year when they won the Youth High Point in the Nation in the Hunter Under Saddle. Her trainer, Carrie Grose, also came away with the Open High Point in the Hunter Under Saddle.
“I still can’t believe that I won the youth, and it was made that much sweeter by Carrie winning the open with Ryder. Carrie so deserves this win, and, of course, it has been a dream come true for me,” Danielle told GoHorseShow.
The 18 year-old high school senior did not decide to run for the youth high point until after Congress. Zenga realized following the Big A, where she earned almost 30 points in the hunter under saddle, that she may have a shot at the title. However, with school and limited showing, she thought her chances were slim. After her Reserve Congress win in the 15-18 Hunter Under Saddle, she knew that the high point might be in reach. Her trainer Grose and Zenga decided to go to all of the remaining Florida shows. During this time, they also were aware that Carrie might have a shot at winning the Open Hunter Under Saddle.
Zenga said that her proudest moment this year was being able to show at Congress and ending up reserve in the 15-18 Youth Hunter Under Saddle.
“Realistically, I shouldn’t have even been able to show at this year’s Congress,” she says. “During the Youth World Show, Ryder developed an abscess which blew out right after my Hunt Seat Equitation finals. It was really bad and the farriers didn’t think he would be able to be shown for at least two months. Luckily, thanks to the great care given to him by Carrie and the wonderful team at Rood & Riddle, Ryder made a miraculous recovery and was able to be shown at Congress.”
Zenga says her horse, Ryder, has a very unique personality. “He is one of the most lovable horses I have ever been around because he always wants to be in your lap and loves to be scratched. He has an obsession with human food and will eat almost anything including Twizzlers, chips, muffins, pizza, and his favorite Jolly Ranchers,” she says and laughs. “He also has a very quirky side. He is scared of tractors and my trainer Carrie Grose often remarks that he must have been run over by a tractor in a former life. He is also not a big fan of putting on his sheets and blankets, especially on the first day of cooler weather. Luckily, here in Florida, it is warm most of the year.”
Danielle adds, “We bought him to be my first youth horse and he has exceeded all my expectations. In the three years that I have owned him, we have become a true team and have worked together to make many of my dreams come true.”
Her favorite equine accomplishments include winning the Congress in 2010 in the 15-18 Hunter Under Saddle and the Limited Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle. She also considers being sixth at the World and third at the Congress this year in Hunt Seat Equitation a huge achievement for her and Ryder.
Danielle’s advice for people wanted to win a high point is to start early. “You need to get a pretty good lead, because it is quite nerve racking when you are head to head with someone and you don’t know how it is going to end up.”
Zenga says that she and Ryder have accomplished more than she ever imagined, but she still has one more major goal and that is to win the World.
“Ryder and I have been starting to do really well in the Hunt Seat Equitation, so I am hoping that we will continue to get even better this year,” she explains. “I would also like to start showing Ryder more often in western riding. He has a really good lead change, and I may try to qualify him for the world in that event.”
Danielle would like to thank her parents and everyone who has supported her in her horse endeavors, especially her trainer Carrie Grose. “She is one of the strongest, hard working, and dedicated women I have ever met. She gives her all to make sure Ryder and I are both prepared to do well. I truly couldn’t have accomplished as much as I have without her,” she fondly says. “She loves Ryder and every horse she has in her barn like her own. I have never met a person who takes care of their horses so well. I definitely credit her with making Ryder the great horse that he is today.”
—————–
Danielle is also a talented graphic designer responsible for some of the ads you see in GoMag including those of Cori Flowers and Jonathan Nowacki. Click here to check our her ad in this month’s GoMag.
Photo © Jeff Kirkbride, Shane Rux
