Addison attributes much of her success to her trainers - Stoffel, Patricia Griffith and Andre Dignelli. "From the beginning, they've worked a lot with me on my position, and of course, they've always found very nice animals for me to ride. This year, as I've been catch riding on some horses that weren't so easy, I've been glad that they've taught me how to handle different animals. They always make sure I'm ready."

The winning youngster, now 12, owns one hunter, one jumper, and one equitation horse, and had very good outings during the Florida circuit. About her eq, she remains upbeat: "I'm still a little small on a horse, so my leg position isn't the best and my arms get locked, but still we got some good low ribbons this year."

At Pony Finals, McAlary will ride Wild Blue and Clean Slate for their owners, and Ken and Emily Smith will train her. "I'm very excited to back (for my second year.) I love doing the ponies. I miss them!"

Blue Mist

Phillips, who will be catch-riding at Pony Finals, "is having a different kind of year," according to trainer Stoffel Oliver. Phillips made an indelible mark in pony history with Blue Mist. The Year 2000 was a banner year for the pair, who won the AHSA's Grand Pony Hunter and Medium Pony Hunter year-end awards. The pony also won the circuit title at the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival (Florida), and was grand champion at Devon (Pennsylvania), the Hampton Classic (New York), the Washington (DC) International and the Pennsylvania National. After five remarkable years with Addison, the pony was sold to Rachel Cline following the indoors season.

"They're doing well, too," compliments Addison.

Addison describes her former decorated gelding pony partner as "very sweet. He always lets you come in the stall, and he's a very good pony to take care of. Riding him is the same. He tries very hard for you.

"I remember when my sister, Austen, rode him and he was kind of green. He would try to jump out of the end of the ring because he was afraid of the trucks. My last couple of shows with him last year, I was really sad, because I had to give him up. I made me so proud to see how he has come such a long way, how much braver he is. My sister worked really hard with him, and it really paid off for me."