By MARLEY LIEN-GONZALEZ
The Plaid Horse has been an advocate for small, medium, and large pony categories for the Pony Jumper division and Pony Jumper National Championship. Last year, The Plaid Horse published an article asking, “What if there were Small, Medium & Large Pony Jumpers?”
USEF’s announcement on October 17, 2024, confirming the categories will go into effect for the first time at the 2025 Pony Finals are not just a win for us, but for the sport. Their released statement says they hope to provide “more opportunities for pony jumping athletes to compete against their peers over multiple days of jumping competition.”
Not only will this change bring more participation to the national championship competition which takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, but it fortifies the pipeline for young riders to reach future successful show jumping careers.
USEF says, “The new categories will give pony jumper athletes the chance to compete at heights that best match their current experience. These categories will also ensure that the athletes gain valuable team and individual championship experiences suiting their age and height levels.
These inclusive sections offering more inviting levels will be a gateway for riders still on ponies to be expanding skills outside of the hunter and equitation rings from the very start–building a competitive and fundamental understanding of jumper competition early on, and making better and more well-rounded riders for the long term.
The new categories will also allow for more equine participants and open up so many opportunities for ponies who don’t have the conformation or temperament to be Pony Hunters, but can still be competitive and valuable partners, not just on a circuit level, but now on a national level.
USEF outlines the categories as follows:
- Small Pony Category: ponies not to exceed 12.2 hands, athletes USEF 12 years of age (maximum), fence heights .60-.65 m, not to exceed .70 m.
- Medium Pony Category: ponies not to exceed 13.2 hands, athletes USEF 14 years of age (maximum), fence heights .70-.75 m not to exceed .80 m.
- Large Pony Category: ponies not to exceed 14.2 hands, athletes USEF 16 years of age (maximum), fence heights.80-.85 m not to exceed .90 m.
- 1.05m Category: ponies not to exceed 14.2 hands, USEF junior athletes, as determined under GR103 Fence heights not to exceed 1.15 m
To learn more, click here.
