In 1959, the British National Pony Society challenged American Pony riders under age 17 to an International Pony Hunter Competition. First held at the prestigious National Horse Show in New York City, the best U.S. ponies and riders met head-to-head with the best British ponies and riders in the small and large divisions.
The first competition emphasized conformation and under saddle performance. Jumping ability was tested over two fences and counted for 20% of the final score. The American riders in this inaugural competition were narrowly defeated 10-9. Two years later, the British National Pony Society hosted the competition. The American competitors prepared by spending a rigorous two weeks at the famed United States Equestrian Center in Gladstone, NJ. The training proved beneficial, as the U.S. returned with the trophy by a score of 13-9.
In 1967, the United States Equestrian Federation (formally the American Horse Shows Association) created the Pony Finals as a national event, open to all members of the USEF who met the qualifying criteria. The current criteria specifies that a pony must win a championship in an “A” rated Regular Hunter Pony section or a championship or reserve championship in an “AA” rated Hunter Pony section. A Green Hunter pony may qualify by winning a championship or reserve championship in an “A” or “AA” rated Green Hunter pony section.
Since 1984, the finals have included the popular Pony Medal Championships, an equitation competition. Riders qualify for the equitation finals by winning a blue ribbon or by accumulating 30 points in a USEF Pony Medal qualifying class. The 2001 USEF Pony Finals marked the addition of the National Pony Jumper Championships. Ponies and riders qualify by being one of the top four rider/pony combinations in their zone with the highest national points in the qualifying period.
Today, the USEF National Pony Finals Championships are the most prestigious and celebrated events of their kind in the United States. The Hunter Pony is a three-phase competition judging the pony’s conformation, way of moving under saddle and fence jumping ability. The Pony Medal Championships test young riders in a head-to-head competition judging their ability to compete over a technical and demanding course of fences.
This five-day championship event hosts more than 400 young riders and their talented mounts as well as interested spectators and families.
Championship Descriptions and Trophies
USEF Pony Medal Championship
This class is judged as an Equitation Medal Finals. All riders complete one round of the course, with top competitors completing a second course. If the judges feel that additional tests of the top riders are required, USEF tests 1-9 may be used. Riders are judged on their riding form and ability to ride correctly.
PONY MEDAL CHAMPION
Awarded the Easter Sunday Memorial Trophy donated by Ms. Catherine A. Kaiser and Ms. Jennifer T. Pesko
2009 USEF NATIONAL HUNTER PONY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Hunter Pony competition will be judged in three phases with corresponding values: In-Hand Phase, 25%, Under Saddle Phase, 25%, Over Fences Phase, 50%. The highest scoring pony of each height section will be declared Champion of its height section. The highest scoring pony overall will be declared Grand Champion.
GRAND HUNTER PONY CHAMPION
Awarded the International Jumping Derby Perpetual Trophy donated by Mason Phelps, Jr.
EMERSON BURR PERPETUAL TROPHY
Awarded to the trainer of the Overall Hunter Pony Grand Champion
SMALL HUNTER PONY CHAMPION (12.2 HANDS AND UNDER)
Awarded the Professional Horseman’s Association Trophy donated by the PHA
MEDIUM HUNTER PONY CHAMPION (OVER 12.2 HANDS AND UP TO 13.2 HANDS)
Awarded the Beagle Brook Farm Perpetual Trophy donated in honor of “Special Effects” by Jennifer Miller and Beagle Brook Farm
LARGE HUNTER PONY CHAMPION (OVER 13.2 HANDS AND UP TO 14.2 HANDS):
Awarded the Pony Cross Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by Stephanie Abronson and Pony Cross Farm
GRAND GREEN HUNTER PONY
Awarded the Brownland Farm Green Hunter Pony Champion Perpetual Trophy donated by Mr. and Mrs. Anderton.
USEF PONY JUMPER STYLE AWARD
Awarded the Short Stop Perpetual Trophy donated by William J. Moroney to the pony jumper rider, whom in the opinion of the judges exhibits the best jumping style of riding throughout the Pony Jumper National Championship.
2009 USEF NATIONAL PONY JUMPER INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION
Awarded the Swan Creek Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by William J. Moroney in honor of Alvin and Patsy Topping
2009 USEF NATIONAL PONY JUMPER TEAM CHAMPION
Awarded the Willow Grove Farm Perpetual Trophy donated by William J. Moroney in honor of his parents Edward and Lorraine Moroney
HIGH-POINT STATE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Awarded the International Challenge Trophy donated by Adrian Van Sinderen
BUTTONS ‘N’ BOWS SPORTSMANSHIP TROPHY
Awarded to the junior rider who best personifies the high standards and virtues of integrity, sportsmanship, honor, courage, good temper and unselfishness. Donated by Mr. R. Bates Newton of Versailles, KY, in memory of Ms. Maxine Best, teacher, judge, and long time friend and supporter of the USEF Pony Finals.
HIGH-SCORE VIRGINIA BRED PONY AWARD
Awarded the Virginia Pony Breeders Perpetual Trophy donated by the Virginia Pony Breeders Association
THE PONY FINALS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Donated in honor of Edna Lytle by the USEF, awarded to the volunteer of the year for the USEF Pony Finals
Welsh Pony and Cob Society Perpetual Trophy’S
Awarded to the highest scoring registered Welsh Pony and also the highest scoring registered Half Welsh Pony in the Regular Hunter Pony sections as well as the highest scoring registered Welsh Pony in the Green Hunter Pony section