Malibu equestrian Ayanna Frey has qualified with her pony, Telynau Ballerina, for three prestigious national horse shows taking place on the East Coast this month. Frey, who rides with Erin Duffy Show Stables of Malibu, will compete in the Capital Challenge in Upper Marlboro, Md., the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pa. and Washington International Horse Show in Washington, D.C.
Frey, a seventh-grader at Harvard-Westlake School, competes in the “Small Pony Hunter Division,” where the riders jump over fences in a large indoor arena.
“We are very proud of Ayanna for her growth as a rider and accomplishments over the last few years,“ said Erin Duffy, owner and head trainer for Erin Duffy Show Stables. “In a short time, she has been able to climb to the top of the competitive ranks. She truly is ready to represent the West Coast at this top national level.”
At Capital Challenge, Frey is qualified for the World Champion Hunter Rider Pony Challenge. The Pennsylvania National Horse Show and Washington International Horse Show only invite the top 25 ranked pony riders in the country to compete based on their standing from 15 shows.
Frey has ridden horses since age six. She said she has grown as a rider under Duffy, and that “Ballerina also happens to be the best pony in the world!”