What Do I Need to Know-- Qualifying for Pony Finals '26

[kc.wq]

Hello all–

I am reaching out to see if I am on the right track for qualifying for Pony Finals 2026.

I have been working with my trainer’s 4 y/o medium Welsh pony for about 6 months now. He has gone from no breaks/steering to jumping 2’ courses mostly at canter with an inconsistent flying change. He is nice and definitely has potential to be successful at a high level– he just needs more mileage and exposure to new places/fences.

My trainer is working her hardest to get me to Pony Finals 2026 (this has always been a goal for both of us) but is limited in experience producing ponies/kids that compete at a high level. We just don’t have any horses fancy enough nor riders good enough to win at anything bigger than an unrecognized schooling show (this pony notwithstanding).

I am doing my best to be the best that I can be. I am riding 2 horses 4 days a week (max my schedule can handle– have to work to support horses), running and swimming to improve my endurance/strength, and learning everything I can by watching winning rounds and reading everything I can about riding.

My window to qualify is closing as I only have 1,5 more years as a junior (august birthday) so I am trying my best to make this process as efficient as possible without rushing the pony.

My primary goals for the pony this summer are:

• Get a walk -> canter depart
• Solidify lead change
• Get him comfortable at the pony height
• Show in the pony division at a local schooling show

My main questions are:

1. What else can I be doing to improve my skill as a rider?

2. What are the biggest skills a winning hunter pony needs to have?

3. What makes the difference between a good round and a great one?

TIA and sorry for the long post!

[kc.wq]

Forgot to mention-- this pony is eligible for green divisions.

[MHM]

First of all, be very careful about protecting the pony’s green status for the rest of this year. It sounds like he definitely would be better off in the green division for next year, so don’t make a mistake this year by showing in a class or division at a USEF show that would throw a spanner in the works. Read the USEF rules about green eligibility for ponies very carefully, and ask somebody knowledgeable for clarification if you’re not sure.

Depending on where you’re located, it might not be too hard to qualify for Pony Finals if you can find a show that has just a few ponies, but enough ponies to fill the division. Some people will bring three ponies with them to make sure the division fills for their own pony, even though the other two ponies might not be super competitive.

A reliable lead change is a pretty high priority for any pony to be competitive at a recognized show, but you can certainly work on it at home or at unrecognized shows before you venture out to recognized shows.

You can watch the live stream from Pony Finals this year to get an idea of what it takes to do well there, or look up videos from previous years. Basically, the ideal round for a pony hunter (or any hunter) will involve a pony that jumps in good form and meets all the jumps smoothly out of a consistent pace.

As far as actually attending Pony Finals, just be aware that it is generally very, very competitive. There are lots of very fancy ponies with very talented, experienced riders on them.

So if you go, you can have a great time. And maybe you will win, and maybe you won’t win. Just be prepared to enjoy yourself regardless of the outcome of the classes.

[kc.wq]

Thank you! I will definitely make sure we take advantage of his green status.

Is there a way to pick shows that are unlikely to have a lot of competition? i.e., a certain time of year, venue, etc? I know that may be too area specific to answer accurately.

There is a reason my goal is only to qualify I certainly cannot compete with the kind of competition at PF. Just qualifying would be incredible!

[MHM]

You can look online for results from last year to see what the numbers have been in the past at shows that are options for you.

It takes three to fill a division, so if there were 20 ponies in the division last year, there were plenty to make sure the points counted, but it would probably be much harder to win there in order to qualify compared to a show with just 3-5 ponies in the division.

Good luck!

[kc.wq]

Thank you once again! Hadn’t thought of that. Do I need a USEF # to look up those results?

[axl]

@kc.wq

There is a reason my goal is only to qualify I certainly cannot compete with the kind of competition at PF. Just qualifying would be incredible!

I wanted to highlight this quote, because this young person has a highly attainable goal of qualifying, perhaps not even attending. I do echo the advice to be very, very careful not to lose the ‘green year’ but I think other people can give you better advice on where to try to qualify. as @MHM said, check online for entry numbers.

Must have a lead change. Must get the numbers down the line. Must have a smooth, even pace, and not look like the pony is fighting to get the strides.

[axl]

Also, as you are able to ride more than one, I’ll reiterate advice often posted on these forums. (Don’t do this in the beginning on the pony, maybe in the fall).

Poles on the ground or very small jumps set the same distance apart. Work on cantering them in 4 (stretch) 5 (normal) and 6 (tight strides). This will help train your eye and rhythm if you are coming in long or short to a line.

[kc.wq]

Thank you! I am always trying to improve my eye and that exercise seems super helpful!

[MHM]

You might need a USEF number to look up results. Honestly, I’m not sure about that. You might be able to do it with a free fan membership.

But if not, you would probably want to become a member by the time you’re ready to go to a USEF show anyway, in order for your points to count.

The other thing you can do before you go to a show or even send in your entries is just call the horse show managers and ask them what the numbers look like for the division you want to do. The managers should have a pretty good handle on which divisions will actually have enough entries to run.

You don’t want to schlep yourself and your pony all the way to a show just to find out after you arrive that you are the only entry in that division.

[fivestrideline]

Good advice here! I agree that just qualifying is a great goal for you and this pony, at least at first! You learn a lot every time you step up in the show ring, and the jump from local unrateds to a rated show is a big one on its own.

First thing: we don’t have any Mediums so I may be wrong, but I believe you can’t be over 14 and show in the Medium Ponies. You can show in the Medium Greens as long as your show-age is 17 or under. OP, you should definitely check the rule book to make sure you don’t accidentally lose the green years.

Also, it would be worth your time to crunch the numbers on costs, if they are in any way a consideration - who is footing the bill? For qualifying AND for Finals? Even if the pony’s owner pays entries, stall fees, braiding, etc… someone still has to pay for your food and lodging and transportation. Have a plan. Know what will it cost to do the show(s) you need to qualify - if you’re lucky, you hit a smaller show early in the year and qualify in one go - this is, however, a HUGE ask for a green pony and green-to-the-ponies rider, especially without a Pony Mafia trainer in the wings to coach you. I would count on several shows, to be safe.

Also, price out Pony Finals itself. The topic of PF costs comes up regularly - it would be a shame to get qualified and ready and only then realize that Finals is out of budget. I heard $10k thrown around as a starting point, and I think that did not include going up to the show the week before to get the pony on the grounds. The atmosphere at PF is amazing but overwhelming for a lot of first timers - if you won’t be getting the pony into the ring a lot at “big” shows, you should really consider going the week before if at all possible. Getting to go at all is incredible! But it would be so disappointing to not give the pony the best chance of at least getting around the ring. Especially since you don’t have a bunch of years to try again.

You have some time to do some homework and make sure everyone is on the same page. Watching the live streams, even years past on YouTube, is great! You can also watch the Medium Greens go at regular shows to get an idea of what you’re in for.

[MHM]

@fivestrideline

First thing: we don’t have any Mediums so I may be wrong, but I believe you can’t be over 14 and show in the Medium Ponies. You can show in the Medium Greens as long as your show-age is 17 or under.

That is correct. Any junior can show any size pony in the green pony division, although suitability (the size of the rider relative to the pony) can be considered as a factor in the score.

Riders for regular smalls must be 12 and under, and riders for regular mediums must be 14 and under. Regular larges can be shown by any junior.

I agree that the ideal situation would be to show at the Kentucky Horse Park the week before Pony Finals to get acclimated and get in the groove, even though the ponies will show in a different ring during the week of Pony Finals.

[fivestrideline]

@kc.wq

My main questions are:

1. What else can I be doing to improve my skill as a rider?
2. What are the biggest skills a winning hunter pony needs to have?
3. What makes the difference between a good round and a great one?

Sorry for multiple LONG posts lol I’m at home sick and bored

1. Ride as many as you can, and incorporate some no-stirrup work every day. Video your rides and go over them with a critical eye - this is where having videos of your goal division is helpful. You don’t even need to jump - jumping is just flatwork with obstacles after all! Don’t stop at just the mediums though - watching the medal kids and even pros can help you understand what is a “pose” and what is effective riding.

2. A easy, clean change is essential. Be careful though - it is incredibly easy to ruin a change and thus ruin a pony. I would NOT try to put changes on this horse yourself, but there are building blocks you can do now. Simple changes, through the walk and trot, stifle-strengthening work, and the basics of moving off the leg forward and laterally. Then have a pro install the change or help you do it. Trust me, do not futz around with changes on anything, but especially not a pony you don’t own!

Another big thing you need is consistent rhythm and the ability to get down the lines. The distances come up better and the whole thing is smooth when the rhythm stays the same. This means practicing making stride adjustments within the gait - can you put 6 strides between A and B? What about 5? 7? And can you do it without being obvious? You can practice this on the flat and over poles - no gunning it, no pulling.

3. See the above. A good round finds all the strides and leads and the pony goes around happily. A great round does that but is extra smooth and any adjustments are nearly invisible. A fancy pony is an advantage, but a consistent ride that looks easy and fun is the main idea.

I encourage you to go into this as an opportunity to give this pony the best start possible and to have fun. Pony Finals is great, but it is extremely competitive and asks a lot of pony and rider. Doing this without someone who knows the game and goes all the time is perhaps a disadvantage, but not an insurmountable one. You just need to do your research and be realistic about your goals. If you go, go for the fun of being there, do the free clinics, take it all in. Realize that a lot of Green ponies are horse show pros already, and some are just as green as yours is now! Similarly, there will be riders there like you who are doing this as a big goal, and pony-pro riders who have been to PF every year since they could sit upright. And these ponies and riders will both be in your division.

COTH is a great resource for questions, but you should get your hands on the rulebook too! Lots of knowledge here, but not all of us do the ponies (or it’s been a WHILE)!

[kc.wq]

Thanks so much for all of this info. This forum is always a gold mine for information!!

I had no idea the under 14 rule was a thing. Keeping his green status will absolutely be my top priority and I will put reading all the rulebooks at the top of my to-do list.

And as far as costs go… wow. The expense of horses will never cease to surprise me. That kind of money is certainly not on the table right now, but I think I would be OK with just qualifying. PF has always been a dream of mine and it would be nice to at least say I qualified before I age out. As much as I would love to go, there are more pressing things to spend money on like an education

Luckily I am located <1 hour away from a facility that regularly hosts rated shows so shipping won’t be a huge factor at least to qualify… but I’ve done the research before and have a good idea of what a weekend of rated showing would cost and yikes (how do people afford this???). Financially feasable, but demanding for sure.

My trainer and I’s plan is to do our local schooling show’s circuit this summer in the pony division (not recognized by USEF so I think it doesn’t violate his green status but I will 100% double triple and quadruple check) until we can consistently do well. Those shows have A-circuit-like fences and are in a coliseum-like ring. Then early 2026 see about doing an A show and hope for the best.

The “Pony Mafia” cracked me up but I have no doubts that is an accurate way of describing it. I will just try to make the best of the cards I have been dealt and see what comes of it.

Thanks again for all of this info. The more I’m learning the more I realize I don’t know! Always something new to learn in the horse world…

[fivestrideline]

You can always apply for the Gochman Grant, which helps fund a few riders every year. It won’t cover everything, and it’s only a few spots, but you could get lucky and it might help!

Don’t take my $10k number as law (it is poorly remembered and not from personal experience) but it isn’t outrageous either. Rated shows easily can cost people $5k/week, after all. BUT it really depends on how far you have to ship, where you stay, what your trainer fees are, and all kinds of details like that. I still think it would be worth doing if just as a math exercise - you may find it isn’t as out of reach as you thought, or you may realize it’s RIDICULOUS and choose to use the money you’d planned to qualify on as a way to fund more local shows for a year end award or something. Knowledge is power.

Qualifying is a huge thing - a good goal. FWIW, we used to take the green or less fancy PF hopefuls to the first, frigid, BLEAK shows of the year in December/January/February. Got a lot of qualifications that way before the local Pony Mafia rolled back in from Christmas in Cabo and geared up to take the world by storm . Then the kids were qualified and could relax and practice all year before heading to Kentucky.

[kc.wq]

Thank you! Suitability has been one of my concerns. Pony is just at 13.2 but stout for a welsh and I am right at 95 lbs and 5’5" or so. Certainly not the ideal picture but I have yet to receive comments from judges/trainers that I am inappropriately big for him. I should be able to make it work at least for another year. Wish I could’ve just stayed 5’ tall and ridden ponies forever!

If I go at all it would be for the minimum # of days possible. Going the week before seems like a great strategy I just simply cannot support it financially.

[clanter]

@kc.wq

Wish I could’ve just stayed 5’ tall and ridden ponies forever!

my youngest daughter is 5ft 10in, her “dressage Horse” is 14h even, the combination have won many major championships (daughter is 39) and never has there been any comment on her being inappropriately mounted.

[kc.wq]

Yes thank you for reminding me about the grant opportunities out there! I will definitely look into those.

I thought going mid-winter would be a good idea We don’t have bad winters here but the cold can be enough to keep people away from the barn. Will just have to make sure those classes make!

Somewhat unrelated question— I sometimes see riders in the Maclay or other big eq classes start their courtesy circles at a posting trot, then sit a stride or two, then do a walk to canter depart and start their course. Is this a thing in hunterland? I have only seen it (on TV) with equitation riders and can’t find footage of winning PF rounds that include a courtesy circles. Would that be bonus points or am I better off spending my time on distances and changes rather than getting a walk-canter depart?

Thank you so much for all of your info!! This has been game-changing for me and the pony.

[MHM]

Some people will go directly from the trot to the canter, and some people will walk for a few steps to give their horses (or themselves) an extra chance to take a breath before they start the course.

It’s not really a big factor in the score either way. It’s just a question of what suits the horse or pony better.

It is important to make sure the transition is smooth and onto the correct lead, whether it’s through the trot or the walk.

[kc.wq]

Thanks! Good to know. It’s all in the details!