USEF Pony Finals explained

USEF Pony Finals
Sanctioning Body 1: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]

History

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. The green pony hunter division was created in 1978, and was further divided into two sections (small/medium and large) in 1983.

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.[5]

Competition

Three main sub-divisions take place at Pony Finals: hunters, jumpers and the pony medal. Each require qualification and have a different format.

Hunter Divisions

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. 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.

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]

Jumper Championship

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 Finals

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.

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.

Recent Champions

Overall Grand Pony Hunter Champion[10] !Year!Pony!Rider!Owner
2023Celebration[11] Kathryn PadillaHighland Farm, LLC
2022GoldmarkAundrea HillyardTake 3 LLC[12]
2021D’ArtagnanEmma DysonSimply Ponies, LLC[13]
2019Bit of LoveMaddie ToshBetsee Parker
2018BrightonKat FuquaKat Fuqua
2017News FlashAugusta IwasakiTessa Downey
2016StorytellerMimi GochmanFair Play Farm
2015Bit of LaughterAugusta IwasakiChris Iwasaki, Elizabeth Reilly, & Augusta Iwasaki
2014Blueberry HillNatalie JayneNatalie Jayne
2013Sassafras CreekDaisy FarishRedfield Farm
2012Hi LiteMadeline SchaeferMadeline Schaefer
2011Enchanted ForestMeredith DarstBetsee Parker
2010For The LaughterVictoria ColvinBetsee Parker
Individual Gold Pony Jumper!Year!Pony!Rider!Owner
2023Air Force One[14] Reagan VoxmanReagan Voxman[15]
2022Magic DragonAundrea HillyardHidden Ridge[16]
2021Miracles HappenAlexis BaumanAlexis Bauman[17]
2019Sky MilesHallie RushHallie Rush[18]
2018The Girl Next DoorZacko HardinPatty Arnett[19]
2017Spoot De La JourlaisTabitha OkitsuTabitha Okitsu[20]
2016Wishlea Star DasherBailey DoloffBrigid McMurtie[21]
2015Knock My Sox OffElizabeth McDougaldElizabeth McDougald[22]
2014BluebelleGenevieve MunsonCarlie Beisel[23]
2013American HeroCooper DeanCooper Dean[24]
2012Larger Than LifeKeely LaughlinKeely Laughlin[25]
2011The WaterboyJulia CurtisJulia Curtis[26]
2010Set SailSydney ShulmanSydney Shulman
Pony Medal Finals Champion[27] !Year!Rider!Pony
2023Samantha SmithSports Illustrated
2022Chandler WilksOrchard Hills Bouie
2021Olivia SweetnamOn Your Mark
2019Kat FuquaPrestige
2018Tessa DowneyHallelujah
2017Ada Catherine HaysCenter Field
2016Caroline PassarelliNews Flash
2015Sophie GochmanRico Suave
2014Taylor St. JacquesHappy Feet
2013Olivia WoodsonButterfly Kisses
2012Lucy DeslauriersCenter Field
2011Madison GoetzmannDenmark
2010Isabella CaccamiseBetter Than Good

References

  1. Web site: USEF Pony Finals. US Equestrian. 2020-05-15.
  2. Web site: Pony Finals FAQ's. US Equestrian. 2020-05-15.
  3. Book: Rosi, Amy. The pony book: The world of Emerson Burr. registration. Prentice Hall. 1986.
  4. Web site: Andrews Osborne Academy Announces Equestrian Center Closure. Print. www.chronofhorse.com. en. 2020-05-15.
  5. Web site: Wild Horsefeathers/USEF National Green Hunter Pony Championship Cut Short By Bad Weather on Day Two of 2006 USEF Pony Final National Championships. US Equestrian. 2020-05-15.
  6. Web site: 2020 USEF Pony Hunter National Championship Specifications.
  7. Web site: 2020 USEF Pony Medal Final National Championship Specifications.
  8. Web site: USEF Pony Jumper Championships. US Equestrian. 2020-05-15.
  9. Web site: 2019 USEF PONY JUMPER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
  10. Web site: Pony Finals Champions of the Past.
  11. Web site: 2023-08-13 . USEF Pony Finals Overall Pony Hunter & Jumper Champions by PS Candids/PMG Volume V August 12, 2023 by Phelpssports - Issuu . 2024-01-08 . issuu.com . en.
  12. Web site: Brighenti . Jessica . 2022-08-11 . Aundrea Hillyard and Goldmark Bring the Thunder During Day Two of Competition at 2022 USEF Pony Finals Presented . 2024-01-08 . Kentucky Horse Shows . en-US.
  13. Web site: Greene . Libby . 2021-08-12 . Emma Dyson and D’Artagnan are Crowned Champion in Regular Large Pony Hunter Division at 2021 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Honor Hill Farm . 2024-01-08 . Kentucky Horse Shows . en-US.
  14. Web site: 2023-08-14 . USEF Pony Medal Finals Cinderella Story & Championship Issue-PSCandids/PMG Volume VI August 13, 2023 by Phelpssports - Issuu . 2024-01-08 . issuu.com . en.
  15. Web site: Landwehr . Kathleen . 2023-08-12 . Medium Green and Large Green Pony Hunter and Pony Jumper Teams Earn Honors at 2023 USEF Pony Finals . 2024-01-08 . HorsesDaily . en-US.
  16. Web site: Brighenti . Jessica . 2022-08-13 . Aundrea Hillyard and Magic Dragon Go for Gold in The 2022 USEF Pony Jumper National Championship Individual Final . 2024-01-08 . Kentucky Horse Shows . en-US.
  17. Web site: 2021-08-15 . Alexis Bauman and Miracles Happen Claim Gold in the 2021 USEF Pony Jumper National Championships Individual Competition . 2024-01-08 . Phelps Sports . en-US.
  18. Web site: Hallie Rush Races to 2019 Pony Jumper Championship Honors with Sky Miles. 2019-08-10. Phelps Sports. en-US. 2020-05-15.
  19. Web site: West Coast Defends USEF Pony Jumper Team Championship Title. 2018-08-10. Phelps Sports. en-US. 2020-05-15.
  20. Web site: Tabitha Okitsu and Spoot De La Jourlais Sweep Three Phases to Earn Individual Gold in USEF National Pony Jumper Championship at 2017 USEF Pony Finals Presented by Collecting Gaits Farm. US Equestrian. 2020-05-15.
  21. Web site: 2016 Individual Pony Jumper National Championships Horses Daily. horsesdaily.com. en. 2020-05-15.
  22. Web site: McDougald Jumps Clear to Earn 2015 Individual Championship at the US National Pony Jumper Championships. US Equestrian. 2020-05-15.
  23. Web site: Munson Jumps Clear to Earn the 2014 Individual Championship at the US National Pony Jumper Championships. US Equestrian. 2020-05-15.
  24. Web site: Individual Medals Awarded at 2013 US National Pony Jumper Championship. US Equestrian. 2020-05-15.
  25. Web site: Keely Laughlin and Larger Than Life Win Individual National Pony Jumper Championship at 2012 US Pony Finals. US Equestrian. 2020-05-15.
  26. Web site: Curtis Captures Individual Pony Jumper Gold. Print. www.chronofhorse.com. en. 2020-05-15.
  27. Web site: Pony Medal Finals Result Archive.