Lee Ann Harmon’s first pony was Chattanooga Choo Choo, a 12.1 hand bay paint mare that put up with a lot from her beginning days of training and competing.

Harmon started Pony Club when she was 11, and started riding other disciplines besides hunter/jumpers.

In 2001, Harmon went to USPC Nationals in the mounted games divisions and from then on she was hooked on the sport.

Harmon graduated from East Rutherford HS in 2006 and then received a McNair Scholarship from her church, the Concord Baptist Church.  From there she went to Virginia Intermont and studied equine business.

After making the team for the mounted games to compete in Australia in 2008, she left Virginia Intermont College.  Later in 2008, Harmon studied equine massage therapy, and she plans to start a career in the future with equine massage.

Harmon has represented the US through the mounted games in Australia, Wales, Canada, and England.  In 2009 she was honored to make the US team that competed at Royal Welsh, which is the largest event in Europe.  The United States Mounted Games Assoc. was honored to be able to host an international competition at the World Equestrian Games at Kentucky Horse Park in 2010.

The US hosted Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand and Wales in an eight-day competition held in the middle of Kentucky Horse Park.

“Being able to represent the U.S. in the World Games has been my greatest accomplishment so far,” Harmon said.

“I owe my hunter/jumpers for teaching me how to ride and giving me such solid background.  My current trainer, Freda Jesson, has always played a huge part in my riding career.  She helps me condition and train my ponies.  Riding games is my favorite of all the equine mounted disciplines.  Mounted games require a high degree of athletic ability, good riding skills, hand-to-eye co-ordination, determination, perseverance and a competitive spirit. It also requires close communication between horse and rider rather than just raw speed. At their best, the games are a lightning ballet.
“For example, riders pick up rings from a pole with wooden swords, burst balloons from horseback and put flags into cones on the ground.  There are more than 25 different races.  Some of these races involve mounting and dismounting and vaulting while maintaining speed.  One of the best parts of riding games is being part of a team.  My team for 2011 is made up of two other girls and two boys from Australia, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.  We will be competing in April through October in MGAA competitions all over the U.S.”

Harmon is excited about participating in this year’s steeplechase at Fence. She will be riding Maniac, one of her game ponies, in the Fox Hunter’s Cup Division of the race.

“I have never ridden in a steeplechase and my pony has never run on a track,” Harmon said. “Maniac is a 14.1 hand 12-year-old Palomino Quarter Horse. She has competed in games for about five years. She is owned by Maggie Lang, a former team mate from Lexington, Ky. With her experience in games, I’m hoping that she will comfortable make a transition to the track.”

Gregories on Main, a restaurant in Rutherfordton, will sponsor Harmon in the steeplechase this year. Greg and Kelleigh Hayse have sponsored Harmon through many of her competitions.

They not only sponsored her to ride in the WEG, but also sponsored her pony that was ridden by Ben Millichap on the English team.
Harmon rode Sasha, a 13.1 hand POA, at the World Games.

“Sasha is the best pony I have ever ridden. Sasha neck reins, turns on a dime, has an amazing stride and she has the biggest heart ever. She is extremely competitive and stays calm even in a huge crowd like at the World Equestrian Games,” said Harmon.

Harmon had been anticipating the competition at the World Games for over a year, but when the time came and the ponies were all hauled into Kentucky Horse Park the morning of the competition, it all hit her – she was really going to ride in the WEG.

“I really felt we represented the Mounted Games Association at its best. Not only did we ride, but we received passes and were able to watch the show jumping finals with front row seats,” Harmon said. “Being at a competition that lasted only 10 days gave all the worldwide teams time to become friends. We all stayed in the same park together. Needless to say we enjoyed having quality time together and have made some lasting friendships.”

These competitions would never have taken place without the support of many volunteers that put so many hours into the smooth running of the competitions. Harmon said her parents have played a big part in her success story.

“Without their time and support I would not have been able to get where I am today with riding and competing on an international level,” she said. “All these memories I will treasure for a lifetime.”