Lexington, KY – Building on tradition as it enters its 38th year of existence, the famed United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Finals will once again draw crowds to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, August 10-13. Equipped with some of the region’s finest equine facilities, the idyllic Horse Park has been chosen to host this highly celebrated event through its 40th anniversary in 2007.

Often billed as an “everyman’s championship,” the USEF Pony Finals draws a versatile crowd of competitors and ponies—from backyard hopefuls, to highly decorated champions. Nearly doubling in size since the year 2000, as many as 500 competitors and ponies and thousands of fans will transform the Kentucky Horse Park into a veritable pony paradise this summer. Show manager Hugh Kincannon will oversee the 2005 Finals—sure to add a touch of excellence to this highly anticipated event.

Started in 1967, the USEF Pony Finals has developed into five championship divisions, all within one grand event: Green Pony Hunters, Regular Pony Hunters, Pony Medal Final, Individual Pony Jumper Championship and Team Pony Jumper Championship. The Green and Regular Pony Hunters are three-phase competitions, designed to judge a pony’s conformation, and abilities to move under saddle and jump fences. The Pony Medal Final tests young riders’ abilities to compete over a rigorous course of fences, and the Individual and Team Jumper Championships push the skills of pony and rider to the limit, as they race against the clock through a timed course of fences as high as 3’6”.

Finals fans ready to book hotel reservations can do so by calling (859) 514-9152. The USEF will also provide online booking at www.usef.org, starting by the end of February; just look for the USEF Pony Finals icon.

For other inquiries about the 2005 USEF Pony Finals, or to learn how you can qualify, contact Whitney Neidert at (859) 225-6967, or via e-mail at [email protected].



~~~For more information, please contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager at (859) 225-6974 or via email at [email protected]. USEF press releases are available on our web site – www.usef.org.