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

[fivestrideline]

Yep, do what works best. The idea is if pony has a nice fancy trot, show that off by posting and doing most of the circle at a trot. If the trot is weaker but the canter is nice, just do as little trot as needed. For the equitation, the game is different but still about setting the horse up for success (and maybe a peek at a scary jump ).

Sometimes there’s a dotted line to prevent a big courtesy circle, or the jump is on the opposite side of the ring and you don’t circle at all. I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on it at this time. The walk-canter transition for your pony will be more about teaching balance, strength, and some lateral aids rather than honing in on the “perfect” courtesy circle. Once you can find the jumps and get your changes, you can start worrying about polishing the little things. Whatever gets your pony on the correct lead at a good pace is what matters for now!

[TWilson]

@clanter

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.

I’ll guess that your 39 year old daughter isn’t riding her 14h “dressge Horse” at Pony Finals so this doesn’t have much, if any, bearing on this topic.

[kc.wq]

Thank you for the clarification!! You have been so helpful!!

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

Sooo… I’ll be the voice of reason here… if you’ve got 1.5 years as a junior, then you need to qualify this pony next summer, which means you have about a year from now to get that pony the mileage it needs and get it qualified. It’s a lot to ask. It is 4 years old and although there are some prodigies out there, mediums are tough bc the pony needs to be comfortable with the height AND the step. The pony hunter lines can be long and it can be scary to the greenies. The ring in Kentucky is super spooky, so the more exposure lil junebug can get to big scary rings, the better.
We got it done with one that was about 6 but she had an amazing brain and was absolutely fearless.
Right now, this pony should technically be comfortable in the childrens and going around comfortably at bigger shows in that division. Schooling shows are great to get mileage and get the pony familair with the show scene, but you’ve got to try mix in the bigger stuff to give it a better understanding of what it’s going to see at Pony Finals and to even get it to qualify.
You’re going to need to get it measured and because of it’s age, it will only get a temporary measurement card. I stress this point bc if it measures 13.3 for some reason, then you’ve got a large and it’s going to require some creativity to get it to measure next year again. IF there is even a question of this pony not measuring 13.2 or under, I would look to find someone knowledgeable with getting ponies to measure and work with them. Plenty of trainers and professionals that specialize in “tough measures”. It might cost some money to get it to happen but if there’s a question of size, it can be worth it if the ultimate plan is to try to sell it for 6 figures as a qualified pony hunter. Small larges aren’t great in the pony hunters as the lines are long and it takes a lot of running down the lines and launching at the 2’9 jumps. The good ones usually end up as winning childrens ponies.
At the end of the day, even if it’s not ready for you to take it, you can be a big part of it’s experience and get it there and hand it to a pony jock to show that week. Most ponies will be there for 1-2 weeks prior, so expect that your best pathway to success will to plan to arrive for those weeks prior to get both of you comfortable with the grounds. They won’t show in the actual arena that pony finals happens in, but you’ll be centered around it and that’s good for their brain too.
Also, not sure who was talking about protecting green status, but ponies can now do the greens for 2 years, but I would certainly hold off regardless and not start it in the greens until December after new year starts.

[findeight]

Pony, maybe can do the Greens for 2 years but OP is aging out of Juniors in 1.5 years so…

Even if you just want to Qualify, think the first thing to do is see if you can get that Pony an accurate measurement using a proper measuring stick with base and level. In order to compete in Rated Ponies, Pony needs to follow a specific procedure to obtain an official card. If it is just a smidge over and needs to compete as a Large, you need to find out now.,

[MissMillyMolly]

Don’t feel like you need to go a week early. It works for some ponies, and others who are used to a show schedule of Wed- Sun every few weeks can get totally burnt out being there the full two weeks. Some ponies get overwhelmed and need time to settle in, others go better when they arrive a day or two before their classes and are a little sharper. It is a a perfectly viable strategy to come in just for PF week. I’d hate for you to feel like it wasn’t possible, because plenty of people do it that way.
You can definitely do it for less than 10k, especially if you have a trainer who is on board with the plan.

[findeight]

Agree. IF you just want to qualify and go just for the one week strictly for the experience? It is possible and we have had posters on here who have done that with a Green Pony who are not top 2% income bracket.

This is somewhat dependent on transportation costs for you and your trainer plus hauling the Pony and whatever trainer needs to charge you for being away from her home barn for a week. Plus where you will stay and eat of course. Entries, stalls, assorted fees and charges will be on this years entry information which should be accessible in the next few weeks and should about the same as 2026 PF will be.

These things need to be priced out along with getting that Pony measured before you make any committments.

[LovesHorses]

Oooof 4 is still very young. If you are only at the stage of getting a proper walk to canter depart I’d say spend three to six months on flat work alone. Installing those buttons then a correct lead change is going to be a ways down the line. Fitness and physical maturity are a large part of the equation. Please don’t rush the pony for the sake of qualifying. He may need a full year in the Childs Ponies before moving to the Greens.

I specialize in young ponies. Often takes me two years to make them up and I have done this a bunch of times over.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

Can they do it? Probably— but what’s the end goal here??? Is the trainer planning to sell this pony after it’s gone to PF? Videos last forever and if you’re trying to set up a green pony for the best experience, being there a week before is your best bet.
Let’s remember… there’s no pro riding allowed during the week of pony finals and you get 1… that’s right… only 1 shot at the over fences. It’s a recipe for disaster if you’re rushing a young pony and not setting up pilot and pony with a more familiar and relaxed setting. Better to go the week before and have the pony get to take a look around and relax a bit.
Because you’re dealing with a lot of tween and teen angst that week and if that pony gets overwhelmed and slams on the breaks on the way to jump 1. That’s it… and you can find it forever on ClipMyHorse. So if trainer is pushing for this big dream to happen but has big dreams of selling this pony for 6 figures… then another week there to make sure that pony gets situated and comfortable is optimal.
Also, there’s a lot more to pony finals than just the showing. Those kids all do the golf cart parades complete with costumes and the parents are all pressured to get VIP tables at a couple thousand for the week. It’s a racket. So start socking away money now.

[axl]

@Tini_Sea_Soldier1

what’s the end goal here?

OP said it was a goal for her to qualify. That is her goal. She will not likely attend, but would like to qualify before she ages out.

That is my understanding, at least.