The 2023 USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms is set to begin in Lexington, Ky. From August 8-13, over 800 ponies from across the country will compete with their youth athletes in hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. Honor Hill Farms’ three-year commitment has supported this prestigious event, and the 2023 edition will be another exciting year.

Photo – Over 800 ponies will compete with their youth athletes in hunter, jumper, and equitation classes at the 2023 USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms. (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Competition for the USEF Pony Hunter National Championships will take place Tuesday through Saturday in Rolex Stadium. Combinations will vie for championships in Small, Medium, and Large Regular Pony Hunter and Green Pony Hunter divisions. The first Pony Hunter class begins Tuesday, August 8, at 11 a.m. ET. Pony Hunter competitions are held in three phases, in which a pony’s conformation, movement under saddle, and jumping ability are judged by a panel consisting of Irving Evans, Beverly Jovias, Kat Mulkey, Ellen Raidt, Robin Rost Brown, and Richard Slocum.

The USEF Pony Jumper National Championships kicks off on Thursday, August 10, at 3 p.m. ET in the Claiborne Ring and will feature an individual championship, as well as a team championship on Friday afternoon, all judged by Ralph Alfano and Ron Beachy.

The culmination of the week is the Marshall & Sterling/USEF Pony Medal National Championship on Sunday, August 13, at 7 a.m. ET in the Alltech Arena. During the championship, the riders will go head-to-head over a challenging course and will be judged by Virginia Edwards and MaryLisa Leffler.

Full Schedule

Catch all the action live on the USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV for wall-to-wall coverage of the competition from Rolex Stadium, Claiborne Ring, and Alltech Arena. US Equestrian fans, subscribers, and members can access the live stream, and subscribers and members will be able to watch replays on demand. Learn more here.

Special Activities, Awards, Prizes, and More

About the Competition

A pony hunter challenge between Great Britain and the U.S. that began in 1959 inspired the 1967 creation of a U.S. national championship for pony hunters. The Pony Medal Final has been a part of Pony Finals since 1984. The Pony Jumper National Championships were added to the Finals in 2001 and have been an exciting addition. Several past Pony Finals competitors have gone on to represent the U.S. in international competition and championships, including the Olympic Games. For many youth riders, the USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms will be the first major national championship of their equestrian careers and a cherished memory forever.

Find out more information about the USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms at www.ponyfinals.org.