Equestrians win regional honors Equestrians win regional honors (January 19, 2005)

Two members of the Portola Valley Pony Club -- Christina Tabacco and Stephanie Bahrami -- were recently recognized as top riders in 2004 by Area VI of the United States Eventing Association.

Christina, 16, lives in Portola Valley and attends the Woodside Priory. Stephanie, 15, lives in Woodside and is a sophomore at Woodside High School.

The awards were based on the number of points earned from placing in horse trials and three-day events.

Stephanie was named Area VI reserve champion in the young rider preliminary division for riders 21 and under. She tied for third overall in Area VI preliminary division.

Christina and her horse, Imagine That, tied for third place in the junior novice division for riders 18 and under.

The association promotes eventing, which is the triathlon of equestrian sports. It includes dressage, cross-country jumping and show jumping. A horse trial takes place over one, two or three days and includes three tests with varying degrees of difficulty. Penalty points are recorded and totaled for the three tests. The lowest score wins.

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