FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2026 — Missy Jo Hollingsworth of Saddle Lake Equestrian Center is proud to announce their renewed sponsorship of the 2026 USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships. The championship will take place on August 23, 2026, as part of the Virginia Young Horse Festival at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia.
The Young Hunter Pony Championships is designed to develop the Hunter Breeding sport and create meaningful opportunities for owners, breeders, and handlers to showcase the nation’s most talented young hunter pony prospects on a national stage.
Competition Sections
This year’s championships will feature a comprehensive lineup of divisions, including:
- 5 Year Olds & Under
- For ponies not competing in the 4 & 5 Year Olds over fences classes
- This division will consist of one model class, one under saddle class, and an under saddle class to be made up of 30% conformation
- Hunter Pony 4 & 5 Year Olds 2′
- Hunter Pony 4 & 5 Year Olds 2′ or 2’3″ (exhibitor’s choice)
- 2’ height is restricted to small ponies for this section
- Hunter Pony 6 & 7 Year-Olds 2′
- Hunter Pony 6 & 7 Year-Olds 2′, 2’3” or 2’6” (exhibitor’s choice)
- Adults on Ponies 7 & Under 2′, 2’3″, or 2’6″ (exhibitor’s choice)
- Open to both Adult Amateur and Professional riders
All riders in the Young Hunter Pony Championships must be juniors; sections are not further restricted by the age of the junior competitor.
About Presenting Sponsor Saddle Lake Equestrian Center & Missy Jo Hollingsworth
Saddle Lake Equestrian Center, founded by Missy Jo Hollingsworth in 1996, specializes in hunters and equitation with full-service locations in Camp Springs, Kentucky, and Ocala, Florida. The farm operates an award-winning breeding program, standing leading hunter stallions and producing ponies and horses known for exceptional conformation, movement, and disposition. Missy Jo is a widely respected trainer whose hunter career includes division wins at Pony Finals, The Devon Horse Show, Capital Challenge, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Washington International Horse Show, and the USEF Breeding Championship. Saddle Lake Equestrian Center offers pony breeding, and training is available for ponies of all ages through any level.
Her passion for the sport makes this partnership a natural fit. “I am proud to support the Young Hunter Pony Championships. It is my pleasure to give back to our community and the hunter ponies I adore,” said Hollingsworth.Exhibitors may complete the Pony Bio Form and find the full prize list at www.ushja.org/competition/hunter/young-hunter-pony-championships.
