Lexington, Ky. – The 2026 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall+Sterling opened today at the Kentucky Horse Park with standings taking shape in the Large Regular Pony Hunter National Championship presented by Charles Ancona, and the Small Green Pony Hunter National Championship. Meanwhile, in the Claiborne Ring, the USEF/World Wide Technology Pony Jumper National Championships supported by the Youth Show Jumping Foundation launched with a strong Phase 1 showing in the Small Pony Jumper division.
Large Regular Pony Hunter National Championship presented by Charles Ancona
Tobie van de Lufkenshoeve, a 2015 Belgian Warmblood gelding (FS Mr. Right x Tabora), ridden and owned by Lillian Orne (Concord, Mass.) topped the Model phase, with Oliver, a 2012 Warmblood gelding (Orchard Wildeman x Orchard Boginov), owned by Jordan Ayres Campbell and ridden by Tinsley Saunders (Knoxville, Tenn.) taking second place, and Secret Hero, a 2017 gelding (Unknown x Unknown), owned and ridden by Penelope Sugg (Jonesboro, Ark.) earning third. The Under Saddle phase saw Chapeau, a 2009 gelding (Champion de Luxe x Ma Belle), owned by Monarch Farms, LLC, and ridden by Annie Cooper (Point Clear, Ala.) take the top spot, followed by Galway, a 2017 Warmblood Cross gelding (Cabardino x Brighton Undeniably) and Emma Todorov (Cardiff, Calif.) in second and Woodlands Against the Wind, a 2012 Welsh Pony gelding (Meadowbrook’s Special Edition x Woodlands Goldust) and Brialee Jacobs (Bloomingdale, Ga.), owned by Merritt Menis, in third.
Combining the two phases, Galway and Emma Todorov sit atop the 148-entry field with a score of 525.29. Tobie van de Lufkenshoeve and Lillian Orne are second on a 524.47, with Chapeau and Annie Cooper in third on a 522.11. The over fences phase, worth 50 percent of the final score, will be contested tomorrow to determine the champion.
Small Green Pony Hunter National Championship
For Real, a 2016 Welsh Pony gelding (Paddock Rio x Paddock Jonquil), owned by Serendipity Equine, and ridden by Kelly Mapes (Newtown, Conn.) led the Model phase, with Vallencourt, a 2018 Welsh Pony Cross (Falling Moon Merlin x Wrenwood Serendipity), owned by Katie Francella, and ridden by Evelyn Buchanan (Denver, Colo.) taking second, and Westbrook THF, a 2018 Welsh Pony Cross gelding (Entourage x Orchard Hills Trademark), owned by Jordan Ayres Campbell, and ridden by Cora Taylor (Canton, Ga.) earning third. Tatanka, a 2018 Netherlands Welsh Pony gelding (Ysselvliedts Irresistible x Duffelt’s Pastel), owned and ridden by Isla Pippin (Berlin, Md.) won the Under Saddle phase, followed by Sugarbrook Blue Hill, 2018 Welsh Pony Cross mare (Sugarbrook Blue Pacific x Lee Hill Hollywood), owned by Deer Valley Equine, LLC, and ridden by Olivia Lennox (Ocala, Fla.) in second and Glamour Girl, a 2019 Welsh Pony Cross mare (Mynach Mystical x Wintergreen Fairytale Footstep) and Gracelyn Folger (Paris, Ky.) in third.
In the 49-pony Small Green division, Vallencourt and Evelyn Buchanan led after two phases with a score of 514.05. Little Aspen, a 2019 Welsh Pony gelding (Rotherwood Taboo x Trefriw Romance), owned by Rivers Edge and ridden by Gabrielle Pitts (East Hampton, N.Y.) follow in second on 507.54, with For Real and Kelly Mapes rounding out the top three on a score of 507.01. As with the Large Regular division, the champion will be crowned tomorrow following the over fences phase.
Competition continues in the Rolex Stadium for hunters with the Small Regular Model and Under Saddle classes beginning at 6:45 a.m. EST, with Large Regular Ponies, presented by Charles Ancona, competing Over Fences. Hunter competition concludes on Wednesday with the Large Regular Over Fences following the Small Green Over Fences
USEF/World Wide Technology Pony Jumper National Championships
The Small Pony Jumper division kicked off today with Phase 1, producing 22 clear rounds. Full results will be posted as the competition progresses through its remaining phases.
The pony jumper competition continues in the Claiborne Ring starting at 7:00 a.m. EST with the Pony Jumper Jog for Large ponies followed by those competing in the 1.05m. Training sessions for Large and 1.05m combinations, Medium Pony Jumper – Phase I, and Small Pony Jumper Teams will close out the day.
How to Watch the 2026 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall+Sterling
The 2026 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall+Sterling are streaming live and on demand 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.
Story Submissions Needed
US Equestrian is seeking stories to feature! Do you know a pony who has competed at Pony Finals in the past or will compete this year with a unique story? Is there a person in the pony hunter/jumper community who deserves recognition? Let us know by sending an email to [email protected].
Stay Connected
Keep up with all the latest news, results, and behind-the-scenes coverage on the USEF Pony Finals event page. Follow USEF Pony Finals on Facebook and US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.