Information for PONY CHALLENGE Trainers

Before applying, please read all details below. Submitting your application means you’ve read and agree to follow these guidelines. Applications are now being accepted for Heart of the Horse Pony Challenge and are due no later than December 21, 2025. 

Youth Division Requirements:

• Between the age of 8-18 years (lower ages may be permitted if approved by the Director of MS Horses).
• Train in-hand only unless approved.
• Must work under an MHR-approved mentor.
• Ponies are small/minis, mostly unhandled.

Adult Amateur Division:

• Must be over 18 yrs. of age.
• May train in-hand, driven, or leadline (with approval).
• Mentor required unless waived.
• Ponies are small/minis, mostly unhandled.

Ponies may be adopted (by their trainers or with trainer & MHR approval) prior to competition. Adoption status will not affect the eligibility of the Challenge team to compete in the Pony Trainer Challenge.

Clinics & Resources:

Participants are encouraged to join free monthly “Train the Trainer” clinics (Jan–Apr 2026) and Carter Ranch’s Plan 4 Progress online program.

Requirements & Schedule for Live Performance Finals (May 15–16, 2026) in Jackson, MS): 

• Challenge Ponies participating in the live performance classes must check in at the State Fairgrounds by 7 pm on Thursday, May 14th unless later arrival is approved by the Pony Challenge Coordinator.
• Virtual Classes for Live performance participants: The Health & Ground Manners and Basic Round Pen/In-Hand Horsemanship classes will be judged from videos that must be submitted no later than midnight on Tuesday, May 12th.
• Live performance of the Trail/obstacle class is on Friday, May 15th. Teams must perform this class in hand. 
• Live performance of the freestyle class is on Saturday, May 16th. Challenge Teams may choose to perform in only one of three Freestyle formats - In-Hand (on or off lead), Under Saddle, or Driven.  Combining formats is not recommended.

High Point Awards for live performance participants will combine virtual + live scores. 

Schedule for Virtual (Video) Competition:

Challenge Teams that are unable to attend the live performance finals in Jackson may elect to compete virtually in the competition by submitting videos of the classes according to the following schedule:

• The Health & Ground Manners and Basic Round Pen/In-Hand Horsemanship classes will be judged from videos that must be submitted no later than midnight on Friday, May 1st. These are two separate classes and should be submitted as separate videos.  
• Obstacle/Trail class videos must be submitted no later than midnight on Wednesday, May 6th. Teams must perform this class in hand.
• Freestyle class videos must be submitted no later than midnight on Monday, May 11th. Challenge Teams may choose to perform in only one of three Freestyle formats - In-Hand (on or off lead), Under Saddle, or Driven.  Combining formats is not recommended.

There will be High Point Awards for Virtual Competition participants in each division based upon the total of all video class scores. The videos of the top three division winners in Obstacle/Trail and Freestyle classes will be posted on the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge Facebook page.

To Apply:

Complete the online HoH Pony Challenge Trainer Application and email required photos/videos (IF fostering to train only) to hohponychallenge@gmail.com. If you have been approved for adoption of your pony, you can skip the questions and required photos you have already submitted on the adoption application. Just put N/A on required fields. 

Foster & Care Details:

Ponies are current on vaccines and Coggins but most have never been handled beyond that. Training them to handle for vet/farrier care is part of the program. MHR covers routine vet/farrier care (with receipts) for those fostering their pony for the Pony Trainers Challenge. Fostering Trainers provide daily feed and care and may seek sponsors for supplies or travel. If you have already adopted your Challenge pony, you are responsible for all vet/farrier, feed and care expenses.

All Winners and High Point Awards will be announced at the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge Awards Ceremony in Jackson, MS on Saturday, May 16th. All Challenge Ponies that have not been adopted by the end of the day on Saturday, May 16th will be returned to MHR custody unless prior arrangements have been made to extend your Foster to Train agreement or you have adopted your pony.