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For years, the pony jumper division at Pony Finals felt like an afterthought. Last year, only 13 ponies showed up to compete, and the division had a reputation for being small and underdeveloped. This year told a very different story.
Thanks to recent rule changes, the 2025 Pony Finals saw over 140 pony jumpers enter the ring. The dramatic increase turned a once-struggling division into one of the most talked-about highlights of the week. What happened in the ring surprised even longtime skeptics.
A Division Reborn
Sonja Ochadlik, an international show jumper and trainer now based in Ireland, watched the surge with enthusiasm. “That’s an amazing growth due to the changes,” she noted, contrasting this year’s turnout with the meager numbers in years past. Even though she couldn’t be ringside the whole week, she was at the Dublin Horse Show at the same time, she followed closely online and later reviewed rounds and results.
What she saw confirmed that the changes had worked: a wider variety of ponies, eager kids ready to compete, and an energy around the division that hadn’t been felt in years.
Safe, Educated Riding
Pony jumpers have often carried a reputation in the U.S. for being less of an educational stepping stone than they could be. But this year’s finals showed a very different reality.
“I didn’t see any rounds that were scary,” said Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse. “Everything I saw was really safe. There was a lot of educated riding, and the mistakes were normal—rails, time faults, little bobbles—but nothing dangerous.”
Ochadlik agreed. Reviewing videos afterward, she was struck by how many kids picked up a strong pace, rode forward, and really went for it. For a division that had been practically dormant just one year ago, the level of quality was impressive.
A Division for Many Ponies
Part of the division’s success comes from its openness to different types of ponies. Unlike hunters, which demand a specific way of going, the jumper ring allows a broader range of breeds and styles to shine. Ochadlik even spotted a Missouri Foxtrotter in the mix. It’s hardly a typical show jumping breed, but still capable of navigating the courses safely and competitively.
This inclusivity not only boosts participation, but also makes the sport more accessible for families who might not have a classic hunter pony in the barn. Pony jumpers became a place where more kids, ponies, and backgrounds could come together.
The difference wasn’t just in the saddle. “There were so many people pressed around the ring and people were really excited,” Klemm said. That energy carried into the stands, where enthusiastic cheering made pony jumpers feel like a true championship atmosphere.
For a division that once struggled to attract spectators, this new enthusiasm was a turning point. Pony jumpers were a centerpiece of the finals experience.
What Comes Next
The jump from 13 to 140 ponies is remarkable, but it’s also just the beginning. As qualifying specs evolve and the division continues to grow, the challenge will be to keep that sense of inclusivity while raising standards in ways that develop young riders safely.
Ochadlik sees the potential clearly: “I think for a first year, it was an amazing turnout and a huge success.”
If this year’s finals are any indication, pony jumpers are no longer the overlooked division. They’re the start of something much bigger.
Want more insight from Sonja Ochadlik? Listen to her conversation with Piper Klemm on The Plaidchat and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for conversations with the most influential voices in the equestrian world.
