Howland teen wins U.S. awards

She competed in a dozen riding events from April through November.

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 in a dozen events from April through November 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 was 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’Connor and her pony, Teddy, for the rider and pony that won the most USEA events.

Pony is a classification of horse less than 14.3 hands tall.

Malito’s name and her pony’s name, Woodland Silver Dollar, will be inscribed beneath O’Connor’s name on the trophy.

O’Connor, named top U.S. female equestrian athlete of the year 10 times, has competed in the Olympics three times.

Malito received her two awards at the USEA National Convention in New Orleans on Dec. 13.

In addition to the two national trophies, Gina won first place in Area 8, which includes, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.

Her awards for being named Rider of the Year, Young Rider of the Year, and Horse of the Year in Area 8 will be presented in January in Columbus.

She is the daughter of Robert and Jacqueline Malito.