US Equestrian is encouraging trainers and prospective competitors planning to participate in the 2026 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall + Sterling to review important updates to the Green Pony Hunter qualifying specifications. The full specifications document is available for download [insert link].
Several key changes, approved by the USEF Executive Committee on September 29, 2025, will go into effect starting with the 2025 competition year:
Extended Green Eligibility
Ponies will now have two years of green eligibility instead of one. As a result, the qualifying periods for the 2026 Pony Finals are as follows:
- First-Year Green Ponies: December 1, 2025 – July 1, 2026
- Second-Year Green Ponies: July 2, 2025 – July 1, 2026
- The Green Pony Hunter sections at Pony Finals will no longer be split into first- and second-year divisions.
Eligibility Rules:
- A pony may compete in the Green Pony Hunter section at the USEF Hunter Pony Championship only once during its green eligibility.
- To compete in the green section at Pony Finals, the pony must be green eligible according to Subchapter 140 of the USEF Hunter Rulebook.
- Ponies that have completed both years of green eligibility will not be permitted to enter the Green Pony Hunter section at Pony Finals.
Competitors and trainers are advised to review the updated rules carefully to ensure compliance when planning for the 2026 season.
