Howland High sophomore wins top award in U.S. horse competition

STAFF REPORT

HOWLAND — Gina Malito hit the big-time this year in equestrian competitions run by the United States Eventing Association.

After four years of competing and not winning any regional or national awards, this year she won the top award for her age and difficulty level in the United States.

Malito, a Howland High School sophomore, is an event rider, which means she competes in what could be called an equestrian triathlon, said her mother, Jacqueline Malito.

The three events are dressage, which reveals the grace and elegance of horse and rider; stadium jumping, which requires precision and agility; and cross-country jump racing, which requires speed, power, and endurance.

Gina is one of 14,000 riders who competed this year in events held throughout the United States.

After competing a dozen events from April through November of this year throughout the Midwest, her point total was the highest in the nation among all junior novice riders.

She also earned the award given the first time in 2007 known as the Pony Rider of the Year Award, which includes a $1,000 prize, and her name being inscribed on a bronze trophy on permanent display in the United States Eventing Association building in the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Ky.

The Pony Rider of the Year Award was given the first time last year to U.S. Olympian Karen O’Conner and her pony, Teddy, for the rider and pony that won the most USEA events.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.