Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian encourages prospective competitors and trainers for the 2026 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall + Sterling to review the updates to the Green Pony Hunter qualifying specifications. Click here to download the full specifications document. Some notable changes that were approved by the USEF Executive Committee on Sept. 29, 2025, are outlined below.

Beginning with the 2025 competition year, ponies have two years of green eligibility instead of one. Because of that, the qualifying period has been updated for 2026:

• Qualifying period for ponies competing at Pony Finals as a first-year green: December 1, 2025-July 1, 2026
• Qualifying period for ponies competing at Pony Finals as a second-year green: July 2, 2025 – July 1, 2026

Green sections will not be divided into first- and second-year sections at Pony Finals.

A pony that is green eligible may only compete in the Green Pony Hunter section one time at the USEF Hunter Pony Championship. If the pony competes in the Green Hunter Pony section at Pony Finals, it must be the pony’s first time competing at the USEF Hunter Pony Championship. (See HU140.6e in the USEF Rulebook.)

Ponies entered in the green section must be green eligible per subchapter 140 in the Hunter Chapter of the USEF rulebook.

Ponies that have exhausted their two-year green eligibility will not be eligible to compete in the green pony section at Pony Finals.

Qualifying Lists for 2026 will be available soon. For more information, visit the Pony Finals section of USEF.org or direct any questions to [email protected].