The expanded 2026 World Wide Technology/USEF Pony Jumper National Championships supported by Youth Show Jumping Foundation, opens the door for young jumping athletes and their ponies to take on the challenge of a championship format. With newly revised eligibility guidelines making the championship more accessible, entries have skyrocketed. Last year’s championship saw a total of 141 combinations vie for the championship, while this year’s event will showcase more than 233 entries across the four different categories.
Championship Categories:
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Small Pony: ponies not to exceed 12.2 hands, athletes USEF 12 years of age (maximum), fence heights .60-.65m, not to exceed .70m.
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Medium Pony: ponies not to exceed 13.2 hands, athletes USEF 14 years of age (maximum), fence heights .70-.75m not to exceed .80m.
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Large Pony: ponies not to exceed 14.2 hands, athletes USEF 16 years of age (maximum), fence heights.80-.85m not to exceed .90m.
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1.05m: ponies not to exceed 14.2 hands, USEF junior athletes, as determined under GR103 fence heights not to exceed 1.15m
Each pony competing must pass the veterinary inspection, which evaluates each pony for soundness and fitness to compete prior to the start of the competition. Ponies must be presented by their athlete before the ground jury in a bridle, without boots or a bonnet, and with a back number present. Athletes must be neatly dressed in appropriate attire including boots, breeches, a show or polo shirt, with helmets recommended, in alignment with veterinary inspections held at major championship events.
Following the veterinary inspection, athletes have the option of participating in a training session, where a course of jumps will be set at the respective height for each division. Each combination is given 70 seconds in the arena for familiarization. There will be an optional course posted.
Championship competition begins with Phase I for each respective category. Phase I runs in a USEF Table II or clear round format with jumping faults and time penalties carried forward for the Individual Classification.
Combinations will then advance to the Team Championship and Individual - Phase II. Team orders will be drawn in the show office prior to the start, and the team championship will be conducted over two rounds. Each team’s first round score is determined by adding the total number of faults incurred by the best three scores per team. The second-round course and starting order will remain the same, as does the order of athletes. Team standings will ultimately be determined by adding together the faults incurred by the three best combinations from each team from both rounds.
The first and second rounds of the Team Competition also count towards Phase II of the Individual Championship. Faults from Phase I and II will be totaled and carried forward for Phase III, the Individual Final.
The Farewell Class, which is run in a USEF Table II format, is open to athletes not qualified to compete in the Individual Final.
The final day of competition will feature the Individual Championship - Phase III. The top 60% of athletes from Phase I and II will qualify to participate, including those tied for the last qualifying place. Athletes must have completed all rounds prior to the Individual Final without elimination or retirement. In the event of a tie for the top three placings, a jump-off will be held to determine the podium placings.
To review the Jumper Championship rules, click here, and to review the Athlete guide, click here.