Victoria de Jong and Maggie Brink with Milgaros de Jong & Grandslam ES. Photograph by Winslow Images.
Wilmington, Ohio – This week’s Wilmington Sunday Highlight shines Milagros and Victoria de Jong of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Collectively, the sisters share their love for using and will be discovered supporting one another out and in of the ring when displaying at WEC – Wilmington. Milagros and her personal, Grandslam ES spend time within the R+L Area within the 3’6” Junior Hunters and Nationwide Hunter Derbies, whereas Victoria and her pony, Singing The Blues, will be discovered within the R+L Annex within the Giant Pony Hunters and Pony Hunter Derbies. We caught up with the sister duo to be taught extra about their horses and expertise at WEC!
WEC: How did you get began using?
M: We each began using once we have been actually little. Our household has a cattle ranch in Argentina, so we rode horses once we little with our dad and mom. We’d go verify on the cattle and play with the horses collectively even once we weren’t presupposed to! I simply love the horses most of all. We moved to Houston and finally to Pittsburgh, I all the time was asking for using classes. My mother loves horses too, so she was all the time an excellent fan after which we went from there.
V: I began displaying after I was about 13 years outdated. I’ve been making my approach up in these final three years attempting to get so far as I can. We trip with Cindy McCullough at Blackburn Farms and Maggie Brink at Houdini Farms has been serving to us at a few exhibits right here at WEC. Everyone seems to be so useful, good and supportive with our journey with our horses.
WEC: Inform us about your horses.
M: Grandslam ES, also called Toad, is my horse. We obtained him when he was six-year-old from Epic Sport Horses. He’s eight now. He is a big goofball. He’s so goofy on the bottom and a complete cuddle bug. He loves his treats, consideration and kisses. Once we get within the ring, he all the time tries his coronary heart out for me. I prefer to say he’s probably the most selfless horse. He all the time takes care of me in each approach.
V: Singing The Blues, also called Pickles, is my giant pony. I leased him out final 12 months after which we purchased him out. He has been doing loads higher since I obtained him! He was very inexperienced and would generally cease. However now, he has been rather well and is simply superb.
WEC: How has WEC been helpful in creating your partnerships along with your horses?
M: I like WEC. Toad loves the surroundings right here. In our area, it’s the solely massive indoor with actual jumps and nice competitors. I can come right here and actually gallop down the traces. It’s so good to have it. It’s a particular place for me. Earlier than I had Toad, I had a troublesome fall with one other horse, so bringing Toad right here actually helped deliver me again and provides me extra confidence.
V: I began within the 2ft two years in the past with Pickles right here at our first present collectively. Now, we’re doing the two’9” collectively. Simply seeing how I’ve been capable of develop at WEC is spectacular. I went from not even having the ability to make it round or place in lessons, and now I can come right here and place with all of those superb horses. I used to be capable of qualify for Pony Finals right here!
WEC: Is it particular for you to have the ability to share your love for using collectively?
M: It’s actually cool to observe one another develop and provides one another ideas based mostly on our expertise. I like displaying with Vicky. Our horses additionally love one another, we are saying their brothers.
V: I like using collectively. We don’t compete in opposition to one another, so it’s so good to be supportive of one another. I additionally actually like switching round horses and attending to trip Toad. Typically Mimi will trip Pickles to assist me out. Our horses additionally exit within the area collectively, in order that they adore it too.
WEC: What are your targets for 2025?
M: I need to be very constant. I need to do my finest at Devon, Junior Hunter Finals and hopefully the Pennsylvania Nationwide Horse Present on the finish of this 12 months. We need to go to some completely different venues all through the summer season.
V: My purpose is to do nicely at Pony Finals this summer season and I would love to qualify for Devon!
Thanks each for taking the time to talk with us! We want you continued success with Toad and Pickles!
Kelly Dervis and Cindy McCullough with Milgaros de Jong & Grandslam ES. Photograph by Winslow Images.
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