TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published August 7, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
Lacey Powers captured her first Pony Finals national title in the Large Regular Pony Hunter division, while Zone 4/8 secured gold in a tightly contested Small Pony Jumper Team Championship.
What Happened
The 2026 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall+Sterling kicked off at the Kentucky Horse Park, crowning its first major champions of the week. In the Rolex Stadium, Lacey Powers of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, captured the Large Regular Pony Hunter National Championship aboard Blue By You. Despite only having shown the 2014 Welsh Pony Cross once before, Powers guided "Blue" to a winning score of 1042.17, navigating a massive field of 148 entries.
In the jumper ring, the Small Pony Jumper Team Championship provided a nail-biting finish. Two teams representing Zone 4 finished on a total of four faults after two rounds of competition. The gold medal was ultimately decided by time, with the combined Zone 4/8 team (Everly Snider, Mila Meredith, Eve Oosterman, and Cora Greenstreet) clocking in at 192.421 seconds to edge out their Zone 4 counterparts, who finished in 200.954 seconds. The Zone 10/Pony Club team secured the bronze medal with a total of eight faults.
Why It Matters
For the hunter community, Lacey Powers’ victory underscores the importance of mental composure and elite training systems. Riding under the tutelage of Patricia Griffith and the Heritage Farm team, Powers emphasized a "light seat" and finding jumps "out of stride" rather than focusing on the leaderboard. Her win also highlights the success of the Welsh Pony Cross breeding (Clovercroft Polarized x Splash Of Hope) in producing top-tier large hunters.
For the jumper divisions, the Small Pony Jumper Team Championship demonstrated how critical efficiency and speed become in a team format. In a sport often decided by rails, the tiebreak served as a reminder to trainers and youth riders that every second on the clock matters as much as leaving the jumps up when championships are on the line.
Competition Context
The USEF Pony Finals is the most prestigious event of its kind in the United States, drawing hundreds of ponies and riders from across the country to Lexington, Kentucky. The Large Regular division is often one of the most competitive, given the size and scope required of the ponies. The reserve champion title in the Large Regulars went to He’s Epic, ridden by Harper Clark, while Galway and Emma Todorov finished third.
Discipline Context
This event primarily impacts the Hunter/Jumper and Youth sectors. It serves as a talent pipeline for the equestrian sport, showcasing the next generation of top riders. The results also carry significant weight for the Breeding community, as the pedigrees of the winning ponies, particularly Welsh crosses and Westphalians, validate specific bloodlines for the American show ring.
Quick Facts
- Governing Body: US Equestrian (USEF)
- Location: Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Ky.
- Dates: August 2026
- Large Regular Winner: Lacey Powers and Blue By You (1042.17)
- Jumper Team Gold: Zone 4/8 (Everly Snider, Mila Meredith, Eve Oosterman, Cora Greenstreet)
- Sponsor: Marshall+Sterling and World Wide Technology
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.