With all the annual hunter jumper championships wrapping up, it’s that time of year to start planning for the coming season. When it comes to ponies, many of us have heard of the annual Pony Finals, but oftentimes, the how/what/when/where/why is a little less clear. Of the thousands of ponies that compete every year in rated hunter/jumper shows, less than 1000 attend the annual Pony Finals. To give yourself the best chance, preparation starts many months in advance. Making it to the Championships is the culmination of much hard work and perseverance, and it’s absolutely achievable if you know what to look for and how to plan properly! So let’s break it down so you can start planning your road to Pony Finals.
First, let’s start with the basics. What are Pony Finals and why are they important?
The United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals is an annual championship for small, medium, and large hunter, jumper, and equitation ponies. The event takes place over six days and is typically held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. You may see 600-800 ponies compete at the championships each year. Aside from receiving national recognition, the placed ponies and riders may be given ribbons, trophies, coolers, etc. Above all else, this is an entertaining and educational experience for all involved. In fact, they offer various types of clinics to help kids with showmanship and sports psychology.
The three disciplines require qualification and each has a different layout. For example, there are six hunter divisions for the pony hunters – three sections for green pony hunters (ponies competing in the rated division at their fence height), and three sections for regular ponies (ponies that have previously competed at the rated height in the rated division prior to the qualifying year). The three sections for both the green and regular ponies are divided based on three pony height categories – small (less than 12.2 hands), medium (12.2-13.2 hands), and large (13.2-14.2 hands). Each section competes at a different height – smalls at 2’3”, mediums at 2’6”, and larges at 2’9”.
Who can participate in Pony Finals and what are the qualification requirements?
The Pony Medal qualifications require the rider to accumulate 30 points throughout the qualifying period. The pony jumpers qualify through pony jumper classes or children’s jumper classes. In order to qualify to compete in the pony hunter finals, the pony must win either a championship or reserve championship in the pony division during the qualifying time. That time frame takes place each year from July 1 to July 1.
As far as the pony sizes, children or juniors under the age of 18 can ride any size green pony. However, children riding regular smalls must be 12 or younger, and children riding regular mediums must be 14 or younger. Ages are all calculated by what age the rider is on January 1 of the year of the finals.
How long does it take to prepare for Pony Finals?
Every student and pony is different. Of course, the greener the pony and the less experienced the rider, the more time they will need. However, if a pony/rider combination has qualified together and is safely showing consistently, they should be ready to compete. Any rider who meets the age and qualification requirements for the pony size can legally show. For the pony hunter and jumper divisions, it’s the pony who needs to qualify, rather than the rider. However, for the pony medal, that rider must qualify by accumulating 30 points during the qualification time frame. This can happen at the first show during the qualifying year or it can take all year. It just depends on the results the rider earns at each show.
What is your plan in the weeks leading up to Pony Finals?
The best plan leading up to the Pony Finals is to show and practice as much as possible. If you have more than one pony to show, this increases your chances of qualification and experience. How intense a training and prep plan should be depends on whether a rider is going for the experience or going to be competitive, but here are a few tips.
*Riders need to ride and practice at the very least twice a week, and it never hurts to practice without stirrups!
*Consistent jumping lessons, as well as flat lessons, will help each rider continue to improve their skills.
*Watch the rounds from the years before on clipmyhorse.com and get a feel for what is in store.
*Always read up on all the rules and the prize list before attending.
What is your typical daily schedule at Pony Finals?
A typical start to Pony Finals actually begins the day before. Twenty-four hours before the ponies begin competing, there are no trainers or adults allowed to ride the ponies. All ponies must wear the number assigned to them while out of their stalls at all times.
The night before, we wait for the schedule to see when each pony shows and then we start our preparation. Every pony is different so all require various methods of prep. The ponies get everything from chiropractor and acupuncture to baths and lunging, and the list goes on.
Every rider’s prep is also different. Some need to focus more on the mental aspect, others may need to run through the schedule, and still others may simply need as much sleep as possible. It’s a very individualized process that comes down to the trainer having a good understanding of what each rider and pony needs.
On the day of, the ponies are braided during the night/morning and groomed to perfection. The riders go over each step of the process and classes as they will not be able to be coached by their trainers while in the ring. Some ponies will need a lunge or a morning hack before their classes and some might need some body work. Then, the riders compete in their division classes, which vary depending on whether it’s for hunters, jumpers, or equitation.
What events/classes/tests are riders asked to do during Pony Finals?
Each division final presents different questions for each rider-pony combination. For the Pony Hunter Finals, they are composed of three classes for each division:
A pony model class is judged in hand where the ponies are evaluated on their movement, soundness, and conformation. This section makes up 25% of the final score.
In the under saddle class, they are judged at the walk, trot and canter, and evaluated for their manners and movement. Ponies are divided into groups of 12 for the model and under saddle. This section is 25% of the overall score.
The final class is over fences. They come back in reverse order for the over fences, all the kids wear shadbellies and this class will count for the remaining 50% of the final overall score.
Each phase is awarded ribbons to 20th place. In the end, they award an overall championship for each division, as well as the grand champion for the total highest score across the green divisions and regular divisions. Riders are allowed one pony per division and the same rider must show the pony in all three phases.
The Pony Jumper Finals begin with a Welcome class set to a maximum height of 1.05 meters, followed by two identical rounds the next day that formulates the team championship. The individual championship is the next day where fences can reach 1.15. Pony-rider combinations who have not qualified for the individual can compete in a farewell class set to 1.05. Individual and team medals are awarded. The pony jumper championships follow a similar format to senior championships.
The Pony Medal Finals have all ponies compete at their rated heights over the same course. The championship is made up of two rounds – the second round consists of the top 30 placings from the first round. Further testing is up to the judge. A rider may compete on any pony as long as the age and height requirements are met. For this division, it is the rider that qualifies, not the pony.
Is there an ideal type of pony for this event?
An ideal pony for any of the Championship divisions is one with quality and experience. The more, the better. A pony with a good lead change is important for the hunters and medals. If you’re hoping for a piece of the pie, you will need quality as well, which means beauty, fancy movement, and impeccable jumping form. For the pony jumpers, you will need some scope and wings! All ponies need to be brave and have a good mind to take care of their kids.
How do judges choose a winner for various classes?
Judges often say you get one chance to make a first impression. For the Pony Hunters and Equitation judging, first and foremost, riders must check all the boxes they have control over. Are your boots perfectly polished? Is your tack spotless? Is your coat pressed and your hair up nicely in the hairnet? Beyond that, they must rely on the training and skills they have developed. For the flat classes, judges note if the ponies follow directions. Are they trotting at the right time on the correct diagonals, cantering on the correct lead, and actually working at the walk when asked?
For Hunters, they are also judging the movement of the ponies. For the over fences, judges want to see the riders get the correct strides and leads, as well as no swaps or rubs at the jumps. They will evaluate the style of the pony’s jump and the rhythm of the canter. The rhythm should stay fluid and the jump should show the correct technique.
For the Equitation, judges are looking for riders who effectively execute the questions on course and demonstrate a strong leg position and body control. They want to see a horse and rider jumping the course in harmony. They will be watching for the correct strides between jumps, nice lead changes if needed, and smooth execution in finding the jumps at a natural, easy distance. Riders should be able to lengthen and shorten the stride smoothly and effectively.
The Pony Jumpers are only judged on the rules of the class and nothing is subjective. Their scores are based on faults and time, and they follow the same rules as other USEF/USHJA finals and jumper classes.
How do Pony Finals prepare a rider for future riding goals?
Anytime kids and ponies compete at the top level, they are going to come back with experience. Some might be good and some might not go to plan, but it is all part of learning and growing as a rider. Oftentimes, the “bad experiences” are the ones that bring us the most lessons. I have found that after competing in any finals, my riders come back with better control of their nerves and a better ability to navigate competition. It’s like a year in college.
How would one get started if they were interested in Pony Finals?
They should call me! We can figure out the best course forward together. Philippa Melski with Flipside Horses
