Go For the Gold is Still in Winning Form At Age 24

There is no greater joy than watching a horse that loves its job. When he thinks that there is no better thing he could possibly be doing than laying down that superlative round, it is clear as day and easy to see in the way he carries himself.

For many animals, this comes later in life, in the golden years when all the greenness is long gone and they know their job and understand what it feels like to win. To see Go For The Gold in the Small Pony Hunter division, you feel that joy every single round.

Twenty-four year old Go For the Gold won two Small Pony Hunter classes this past weekend at the Ledges Winter Series in Roscoe, Illinois. At an age when most ponies don’t want to do very much of anything, “GoFor” is looking forward to a full 2014 season of the Small Pony Hunters and is on track to qualify for the Devon Horse Show. 

With 10 year-old Hannah Hoch, who has leased Go For the Gold since June from Natalie Jayne, 12. 1 h palomino Welsh pony finished his 24 year-old season as successful as ever, competing in 22 horse shows with both girls and winning three Year End Awards on the Wisconsin Hunter/Jumper Association circuit for Small Pony Hunters, Pony Equitation, and the Pony Medal.

Even more impressive, GoFor gave Hoch the thrill of her life when he brought her to her first USEF Pony Finals this year, earning 10th place in the Over Fences class. In the big Walnut Ring at the Kentucky Horse Park, GoFor’s stride seemed to defy the size of his body, and his excitement to compete quieted the butterflies in his nine-year-old’s stomach.

Hannah and GoFor compete in the Small Pony Hunters this fall. Photo ©Andrew Ryback Photography

Hoch was very nervous about the experience, but only for herself, not GoFor. She rode six days a week all summer to practice for Pony Finals. She said, “I thought I might get deep or make a mistake, but I went in and GoFor was so good. At the end, I felt that it was a good round.”

Hoch’s summer trainer, Katie Johnston Kunk of Littlewood Farm, really loved working with the pair. “Hannah has a great work ethic and attitude. GoFor is a wonderful teacher that brought her riding to the next level.”

While GoFor doesn’t quite pin in the model like he used to, and his slight build and small size dwarves him compared to many of the other Small Pony Hunters, when the saddle is on, he could be 10 years old again. He’s bright eyed, expressive, and ready to tackle any challenge in the show ring; including besting over 100 ponies at Pony Finals. He also ribboned during his prior trip to Pony Finals, in 2007 at age 18, when he was 3rd over fences and 6th overall at with Anna Bryn Short. 

During the awards ceremony this year, Hoch was awestruck. “It felt amazing because all of the top riders were in there,” she remembers. “I was freaking out. It was just amazing.”

Go For the Gold and Hannah Hoch accept their 10th place ribbon in the Small Pony Hunter over fences at USEF Pony Finals 2013. Photo ©Shawn McMillen Photography

GoFor is truly one that merits the pony reputation. Watching him model and stand outside the ring does leave one wondering about him in his younger days. Elizabeth Fletcher owned him in his younger years and showed in the Small Pony Hunters, when he still had the occasional big spook. Fletcher said, “He was a little brat when I had him and I loved him with all of my heart. I don’t think I ever got any collection from him, and he wasn’t a spectacular mover, but I had fun showing him. And he loved Gatorade!”

GoFor still has the occasional good time in him, but he leaves most of his pony personality for the model. Hoch says, “GoFor does not enjoy standing still. He thinks that there is always more to do in the model.” 

Hannah and GoFor at the Kentucky Summer Classic

Hoch practiced modeling him every day this summer and sometimes twice a day in anticipation for Pony Finals. For the ribbon award ceremony, after what would be an exhausting week for any pony, GoFor wouldn’t stand still at all, until he was finally paused for a photo with the crinkle of a peppermint wrapper. 

Standing on the ramp of the Walnut Ring waiting for the Small Pony Model with GoFor is a full contact sport within itself. Without much space and having to stand there bored, GoFor relies on nipping at things- reins, crops, towels, and the occasional person to keep himself entertained. 

GoFor is all about having fun- both at shows and at home. He spends his time with Hannah with the same expression he has in the show ring: ears perpetually up and enthusiasm about whatever might be going on. On most Friday nights, Hannah and GoFor can be found playing tag in the indoor ring. GoFor will trot and canter after Hannah and bump her in the shoulder and then go tearing off to the other end with her in hot pursuit. 

Hannah also spends a lot of time riding bareback and riding GoFor around the farm. He is very protective of her while she is at the barn and watches her very carefully from his stall when she rides other ponies. 

With the wins under her belt this season, Hoch is looking toward another full year of the Small Pony Hunters and Pony Derbies in 2014 and maybe even the Devon Horse Show next spring.

In the meantime, Hannah’s mother Anne Hoch is grateful that Hannah gets to learn from such a wonderful teacher. The confidence GoFor has given Hannah is starting to give her success on other ponies, just as it has for the many other young riders that GoFor has done the Small Pony Hunters with. Anne Hoch said, “He’s worth his weight in gold- I love him.”

Hannah Hoch and GoFor wait for the jog at Ledges this summer. Photo ©Andrew Ryback Photography