 | |
| Sanctioning body | United States Equestrian Federation |
|---|---|
| Location | Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY |
| Held | August |
| Sponsors | Marshall & Sterling |
| Number of entries | 600+ |
The United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals is an annual championship for pony hunters, jumpers, and equitation. The event takes place over six days and is typically held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. More than 600 ponies compete at the championship every year. [1] [2]
The American Horse Show Association created the hunter pony division in 1951, and shortly after, the International Pony Competition was created for American ponies to compete against British counterparts. [3] The first American Pony Finals took place in 1967 in Deep Run, Virginia after the dissolution of the International Pony Competition. The first event featured only two divisions: the small pony hunters (ponies 12.2 hands and under) and large pony hunters (ponies 12.2-14.2 hands). In 1976, the medium pony division was created for ponies 12.2-13.2 hands in height, shifting large ponies to being 13.2-14.2 hands. [3] The green pony hunter division was created in 1978, and was further divided into two sections (small/medium and large) in 1983. [3]
Over the years the event has always taken place every August and has moved locations several times. It was held five times at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Connecticut, and also was hosted at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, the Virginia Horse Center, and The Andrews Osborne Academy in Willoughby, Ohio before finding its permanent home at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2005. [4]
Many top American riders have competed and won at Pony Finals, including Gregory Best in 1975, Lauren Hough in 1985, and Reed Kessler in 2006. [3] [5]
Three main sub-divisions take place at Pony Finals: hunters, jumpers and the pony medal. Each require qualification and have a different format.
There are six hunter divisions that compete separately, although all have the same format and qualifying requirements. The divisions include a regular and green division for each of the three heights (small, medium, and large). The green division is for ponies in their first year competing at the pony hunter height and are judged separately from the regular ponies. Ponies can only compete in one hunter division at the finals. To qualify, ponies must be registered with both the USEF and USHJA and have a current measurement card that states their height, which determines which height they will compete as. They also must receive champion or reserve champion at an "A" or "AA" rated USEF show within the qualifying period. Ponies who were champion the previous year at Pony Finals are automatically qualified for the championship. [6]
Each division is made up of three phases: the model, the under saddle, and the over fences. The model is judged in-hand, with the rider presenting the ponies from the ground and where the pony's conformation, way of moving, and soundness is judged. The under saddle is a standard flat class where ponies are judged on their movement, manners, and soundness at the walk, trot, and canter. Ponies are divided into sections of up to 12 for both the model and under saddle phases. Both phases make up 25% each of the total score for the overall competition. The over fences phase is the final phase where ponies are judged on performance and soundness over a course of jumps, and makes up 50% of the overall score. [1] [6] Ribbons are given through 20th place for each phase, as well as the overall championship. Overall grand championships are given to the pony with the highest total overall score across the three regular divisions and the three green divisions. [2]
Riders may compete only one pony per division and the same rider must ride the pony in all three phases. Riders may not be over the age of 12 to ride a regular small pony, or over the age of 14 to ride a regular medium pony. All pony riders must be under the age of 18 to compete on ponies. Green ponies of any height may be ridden by any junior under age 18. [7]
The USEF Pony Jumper Championships includes several rounds of competition similar to the format of senior championship events. On Thursday, all riders compete in an individual welcome class at a maximum height of 1.05m, followed by two identical rounds on Friday that makes up the team championship, and an individual championship class on Saturday where fences can reach a maximum height of 1.15m. Those that do not qualify for the individual final may compete in the farewell class on Saturday where fences are up to 1.05m. [8]
Riders qualify their ponies through either pony jumper classes or children's jumper classes at USEF rated shows. [9] Individual and team medals are given out for the competition.
Pony Medal riders qualify for the finals by earning 30 points in qualifying classes during the qualifying period. Points are awarded for the top three placings and the exact number of points is based on the number of riders entered in the class. [7]
The championship is made up of two rounds and an optional test. All riders compete in the first round and up to 30 are called back to complete a second round. Further testing is at the judge's discretion and aids in determining the winner. The rider may choose any pony to compete on in the final, although the same age rules as the hunter divisions apply. [7]
| Year | Pony | Rider | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Celebration [11] | Kathryn Padilla [11] | Highland Farm, LLC [11] |
| 2022 | Goldmark | Aundrea Hillyard | Take 3 LLC [12] |
| 2021 | D’Artagnan | Emma Dyson | Simply Ponies, LLC [13] |
| 2019 | Bit of Love | Maddie Tosh | Betsee Parker |
| 2018 | Brighton | Kat Fuqua | Kat Fuqua |
| 2017 | News Flash | Augusta Iwasaki | Tessa Downey |
| 2016 | Storyteller | Mimi Gochman | Fair Play Farm |
| 2015 | Bit of Laughter | Augusta Iwasaki | Chris Iwasaki, Elizabeth Reilly, & Augusta Iwasaki |
| 2014 | Blueberry Hill | Natalie Jayne | Natalie Jayne |
| 2013 | Sassafras Creek | Daisy Farish | Redfield Farm |
| 2012 | Hi Lite | Madeline Schaefer | Madeline Schaefer |
| 2011 | Enchanted Forest | Meredith Darst | Betsee Parker |
| 2010 | For The Laughter | Victoria Colvin | Betsee Parker |
| Year | Pony | Rider | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Air Force One [14] | Reagan Voxman [14] | Reagan Voxman [15] |
| 2022 | Magic Dragon | Aundrea Hillyard | Hidden Ridge [16] |
| 2021 | Miracles Happen | Alexis Bauman | Alexis Bauman [17] |
| 2019 | Sky Miles | Hallie Rush | Hallie Rush [18] |
| 2018 | The Girl Next Door | Zacko Hardin | Patty Arnett [19] |
| 2017 | Spoot De La Jourlais | Tabitha Okitsu | Tabitha Okitsu [20] |
| 2016 | Wishlea Star Dasher | Bailey Doloff | Brigid McMurtie [21] |
| 2015 | Knock My Sox Off | Elizabeth McDougald | Elizabeth McDougald [22] |
| 2014 | Bluebelle | Genevieve Munson | Carlie Beisel [23] |
| 2013 | American Hero | Cooper Dean | Cooper Dean [24] |
| 2012 | Larger Than Life | Keely Laughlin | Keely Laughlin [25] |
| 2011 | The Waterboy | Julia Curtis | Julia Curtis [26] |
| 2010 | Set Sail | Sydney Shulman | Sydney Shulman [10] |
| Year | Rider | Pony |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Samantha Smith | Sports Illustrated |
| 2022 | Chandler Wilks | Orchard Hills Bouie |
| 2021 | Olivia Sweetnam | On Your Mark |
| 2019 | Kat Fuqua | Prestige |
| 2018 | Tessa Downey | Hallelujah |
| 2017 | Ada Catherine Hays | Center Field |
| 2016 | Caroline Passarelli | News Flash |
| 2015 | Sophie Gochman | Rico Suave |
| 2014 | Taylor St. Jacques | Happy Feet |
| 2013 | Olivia Woodson | Butterfly Kisses |
| 2012 | Lucy Deslauriers | Center Field |
| 2011 | Madison Goetzmann | Denmark |
| 2010 | Isabella Caccamise | Better Than Good |
Show jumping is a part of a group of English riding equestrian events that also includes eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics. Sometimes shows are limited exclusively to jumpers. Sometimes jumper classes are offered in conjunction with other English-style events. Sometimes, show jumping is but one division of a very large, all-breed competition that includes a very wide variety of disciplines. Jumping classes may be governed by various national horse show sanctioning organizations, such as the United States Equestrian Federation or the British Showjumping Association. International competitions are governed by the rules of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.
A horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and international championships in a given discipline or breed. Most shows consist of a series of different performances, called classes, wherein a group of horses with similar training or characteristics compete against one another for awards and, often, prize money.
The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) is a nonprofit organization composed of men and women of all riding levels and offers individual and team competition in Hunter Seat equitation and Western horsemanship with around 400 members from colleges and universities. Members of the IHSA participate in horse shows. Students compete at eight levels, from beginner through advanced, with provided horses. Founded in 1967 by Bob Cacchione, it has 10,000 members in 47 U.S. states and Canada. IHSA college and university team participation is represented through varsity athletics, academic departments and club sports.
Equitation is the art or practice of horse riding or horsemanship.
The Hunter division is a branch of horse show competition that is judged on the horse's performance, soundness and when indicated, conformation, suitability or manners. A "show hunter" is a horse that competes in this division.
Hunt seat is a style of forward seat riding commonly found in North American horse shows. Along with dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting. Hunt seat competition in North America includes both flat and over fences for show hunters, which judge the horse's movement and form, and equitation classes, which judge the rider's ability both on the flat and over fences. The term hunt seat may also refer to any form of forward seat riding, including the kind seen in show jumping and eventing.
Debbie McDonald is an American dressage rider who has competed in the Olympics and many international competitions. She now lives in Hailey, Idaho, with her husband Bob, a hunter/jumper and trainer. Debbie trains and teaches riders on Peggy and E. Parry Thomas's River Grove Farm in Sun Valley, Idaho.
George H. Morris is an American equestrian. He won team silver in show jumping at the 1960 Rome Olympics and is considered a founding father of hunt seat equitation. He was chef d'equipe for the United States show jumping team, which won Olympic gold under his leadership, from 2005 until 2013. He also served as chef d'equipe for the Brazilian show jumping team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Throughout his career, Morris has been a "proponent of the forward seat" and wrote several books on the subject, including Hunter Seat Equitation. Morris trained students at his Hunterdon Stables and traveling clinics, producing nationally and internationally successful riders, including Olympic champions. In 2019, after a United States Center for SafeSport investigation, Morris was banned for life from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) due to sexual misconduct with minors. Morris is likewise banned from coaching international teams for any country.
Equestrian Canada, formerly known as Equine Canada and commonly known by its acronym, EC, is Canada’s comprehensive national governing body for equestrian sport. It is the executive branch of Canada's Olympic and Paralympic equestrian teams; the national association and registry of Canadian equestrian athletes; the national regulatory body for equestrian coaches, competition organizers, and judges; and the national federation of Canadian horse breeders and Canadian breed registries.
Elizabeth Madden is an American Olympic champion equestrian competing in show jumping. She has two Olympic golds and one silver in team jumping, and an individual bronze. She won the FEI Show Jumping World Cup twice; won two silvers and two bronzes at World Championships; and won two golds, one silver and two bronzes at the Pan American Games. She was the first American to break into the international top three show jumping ranking, and the first woman to win over one million dollars in show jumping prize money.
The Ontario Collegiate Equestrian Association (OCEA) is a university equestrian league in the province of Ontario, Canada. It was developed to give Ontario post-secondary students an opportunity to participate in equestrian sports while continuing their education. The OCEA welcomes riders of all skill levels, offering hunter seat equitation classes from beginner to advanced riders. The OCEA is team-focused, but allows for personal growth and learning. It allows any post-secondary student to participate in horse shows regardless of the rider's beginning skill level, financial status, or past riding experience. Both men and women are eligible to compete. There are 18 participating universities. Two colleges, Cambrian College and Georgian College, joined for the 2016–2017 season. The league was modelled after the American IHSA.
William "Will" Coleman III is an American equestrian. At the 2012 Summer Olympics he competed in the Individual eventing and Team eventing. At the age of six, Coleman's family moved to Charlottesville, VA where he started riding. His first horse was a Shetland pony that arrived in the bed of a pickup truck. Coleman soon started riding in the hunt fields of Virginia Piedmont Hunt where he learned the fundamentals of horse back riding. His father was his first show jumping coach, being an avid fox hunter and horseman in his own right. As his love for eventing grew he started training with Olympic veterans Karen and David O’Connor regularly. After graduating from Woodberry Forest School in 2001, Coleman took an apprenticeship with the O’Connors.
Junior Hunter Finals is a two-day national championship held by the United States Equestrian Federation at two different coasts of the United States in the summer of every year. It is held for qualifying Junior Hunter riders who show at either the 3'3" or 3'6" height.
Lucy Davis is an American show jumping competitor and 2016 Olympian.
Bernie Traurig is an American equestrian known for his international success in show jumping, dressage and eventing, as well as his coaching and training career. He is the founder of Equestrian Coach, an educational website.
The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is a nonprofit organization that gives youth in grades 4-12 the opportunity to compete in team and individual equestrian competition without the financial burden of owning a horse. IEA offers competition across three disciplines: hunt seat, western, and dressage. Within each discipline, there are divisions for beginning through advanced riders. Since all riders compete on horses unfamiliar to them, there are regulations for the placement of riders new to IEA to account for the unique format. IEA was founded in spring of 2002, and has since grown its membership to 14,500 members across 46 states. Teams can be formed through a school or barn.
The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is one of America's most elite horse shows, founded in 1958. The event took place every October for more than 20 years in the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. for two decades. The 2022 event took place at The Show Place Arena, in neighboring Prince George's County, Maryland. The event is highlighted by international level show jumping, top show hunters, and two equitation championships. The event is currently ranked as a CSI-5*-W International show jumping event, as well as a USEF Premier Hunter and USEF 6* Jumper show.
Sydney Shulman represents Israel in show jumping competitions, primarily in the United States and Europe. She is known for running a hunter jumper training and sales business, Syd Shulman LLC, which is based in Wellington, Florida, as well as working with her family business, Back Country Farms, of Greenwich, Connecticut.
Lillie Carmichael Keenan is an American show jumping rider. As a junior rider she won the ASPCA Maclay Finals, the USEF Medal Finals, and the Washington International Horse Show Equitation championship, as well as the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals and double gold at the North American Young Rider Championship.
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