The final hunter and jumper championships of the 2025 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall + Sterling took place on Saturday at the Kentucky Horse Park. The large pony jumpers completed their exciting final round for individual medals, while the large regulars went over fences for their championship.

Photo – Victory and Currie Cooper (©Christine Rivet/US Equestrian)

Large Regular Pony Hunter National Championship Presented by Charles Ancona

Competition in the Rolex Stadium for the 2025 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall + Sterling came to a close on Saturday with 145 large regular ponies showing over fences. The winning round came from Why Not? a 2016 Warmblood gelding owned by KHC Farms, Inc., and leased and ridden by Samantha Teller (New York, N.Y.) Gentle Touch, a 2015 German Riding Pony gelding owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright and ridden by Lilly Herzog (Pepper Pike, Ohio), was less than a point behind to finish second. Third place in the over fences went to On Tour, a 2013 Welsh Pony gelding owned by Charlotte Kelly and ridden by Kenzie Smith (Shoreham, N.Y.)

Victory for Victory

The overall national champion title for the large regulars went to Victory, a 2015 German Riding Pony gelding owned by Triple C Equestrian, LLC, and shown by Currie Cooper (Point Clear, Ala.)

“We’ve had this pony for two years,” said Cooper. “He was really green [when we got him.] He was a dressage pony.”

His dressage background meant he came with some nice features, like great lead changes, but he was new to jumping. Cooper and her trainers worked together on developing his jump and getting him moving forward. Cooper remembers her first ride on him, when she tried him at Capital Challenge.

“I couldn’t really get down a line—he’s just really quiet,” she said. With his development as a hunter, he’s become a joy to ride. “He’s really smooth and comfortable.”

Spotlight

Cooper has been showing at Pony Finals for four years, and this marks Cooper’s second Pony Finals championship, her first being in the medium regulars with Paris Charm back in 2023. Victory was at the top of the standings heading into Saturday’s under saddle, but Cooper didn’t let the spotlight get to her.

“I didn’t really feel any pressure,” she said. “I wasn’t really nervous.”

Cooper’s trainer, Richard Cunkle, said that her relaxed demeanor is part of what makes her a successful show rider.

“She’s as cool as a cucumber,” he said. “Her work ethic is amazing. She doesn’t care if they’re bucking or rearing—she’ll ride 10 just like that all the time.”

The reserve champion title went to Gentle Touch and Lilly Herzog. Behind by just 0.12 points, On Tour and Kenzie Smith secured third place.

How to Watch

The 2025 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall + Sterling is streaming live on USEF Network. 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.