Week I of the National Sunshine Series came to a close on Sunday afternoon as Augusta Iwasaki and Bit of Laughter took home first place in the $3,000 West Coast Pony Hunter Final. The pair, scoring 87 and 80 for a total 167, was presented with the iconic Cymraeg Rainshower Memorial Trophy, donated by the Zucker Family, a tradition since 2002. Iwasaki, of Calabasas, California, stacked the leaderboard, also placing fourth on Super Cool with 77 and 82, sixth on Grand All Over with 73 and 84, and seventh on Somekindofwonderful with 78 and 76. "All of my ponies were really good," said Iwasaki after her win. "I have so much fun riding each of the different ones and they all were nice today." Many young riders have taken advantage of the competitive pony classes offered at National Sunshine Series, allowing them a unique opportunity to prove themselves in the show ring and associate with their idols in both the hunter and jumper rings. Brook Morin, of Los Altos Hills, California, aboard Always Happy took second with scores of 79 and 84, as well as third on Party Favor, scoring 75 and 85. Rancho Santa Fe, California native, Jillian Stuart, rode Anisette to cap the top five with scores of 86 and 72.
