The USHJA has announced that 2018 will bring the first championships designed specifically for young hunter ponies, those 7 and under. The USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships will be held at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio, on Sept. 30, 2018.

“We are excited that these championships will celebrate the many exceptional young hunter ponies in our sport,” said Oliver Brown, chair of the USHJA Young Hunter Pony Ad Hoc Committee. “Our pony breeders are dedicated and committed to producing the very best hunter ponies, and we look forward to these championships providing them with a wonderful avenue for showcasing and developing that talent.”

The one-day championships will take place during World Equestrian Fall Series I. The competition will offer $18,500 across sections organized by pony age, and while riders must be juniors, sections are not further restricted by the age of junior competitors.

The USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships will offer the following sections: Hunter Pony 4- & 5-Year-Olds 2′, Hunter Pony 4- & 5-Year-Olds 2’3″, Hunter Pony 6- & 7-Year-Olds 2′, Hunter Pony 6- & 7-Year-Olds 2’3″ and Hunter Pony 6- & 7-Year-Olds 2’6″ (exhibitor’s choice) to be made up of one model, one under saddle class and two over fences classes. An under-saddle class for 5-Year-Olds & under for ponies not competing in the 4- & 5-Year-Olds over fences classes will also be offered.

“In considering the class offerings, flexibility of junior rider age, location and timing of the championships, we really wanted these championships to support our breeders and provide a top-notch competition for these young ponies,” said Brown. “All of the classes are exhibitor’s choice, so exhibitors can find the section that is most appropriate for their pony.”

The championships aim to develop the hunter breeding sport and create opportunities for current and new owners, breeders and handlers to showcase talented young hunter pony prospects. USHJA extends special thanks to the USHJA Young Hunter Pony Ad Hoc Committee for leading the development of this opportunity: Oliver Brown, Karan Aurelius, Robin Greenwood, Patty Rogers and Drew Taylor.

For more information about the Young Hunter Pony Championship, visit ushja.org/YHPC. For sponsorship opportunities contact Whitney Allen at 859-225-6707 or wallen@ushja.org.