Information for PONY CHALLENGE Trainers

Before applying to compete in the Pony Challenge, please read ALL of this information. Submission of your Trainer Application as a potential competitor implies that you have read this information and agree to comply with the guidelines set forth below:

The Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge is offering Youth and Adult Amateur Pony Trainer Divisions. The ponies used for these Challenge Divisions will be from equines currently in the Mississippi Horses (MHR) rescue system and will be matched to the trainers by HOH based upon the abilities of the trainers and the temperament and suitability of the equine to be partnered with that trainer. The training period will not be restricted to 120 days, and the ponies involved may still be available for adoption at any time prior to the competition if agreed upon by the trainer. If an adoption is pending before the HoH Trainers Challenge finals on May 14-16, 2026, the Challenge Team has the option to submit competition videos to be judged as it would be in the virtual classes (see info below) for the HoH Expo & Trainers Challenge finals in May, and the scores for that team will be included in the final standings in May. In these instances, the trainer then has the option to be matched with another MHR pony and can continue the Challenge training as a new team. It is therefore possible for one trainer to be entered in the finals Challenge standings as more than one team. Any Youth or Adult Amateur Challenge teams that are still working together at the time of the HoH finals in May of 2026 can show in their live division classes if they so choose. Trainer participants must employ humane, natural horsemanship methods in line with MHR established training techniques and must desire to become the best trainer/equestrian they can be.

• Youth and Adult Am. Trainer Applications will be accepted up until January 15, 2026.
• Selection of participating trainers will be based on quality of application determined by a panel of judges within and outside of the Heart of the Horse Trainer Challenge.
• Trainers selected for the competition will be notified via email within 14 days of the receipt of application. Subsequent information and instructions will also be delivered via email.

Initial Trainer Meeting and Pick up of horses:

With a few exceptions (for ponies being fostered out of state), participating trainers will attend a mandatory meeting at Twelve Oaks in Canton, MS, by appointment. During this meeting, competitors will meet their designated Challenge pony and will sign their Trainer Agreement and Foster to Train agreement before taking their Challenge Pony home. (Parent or Adult Legal Guardian must also sign Foster to Train agreement for any trainer under the age of 18)

How fostering a pony in training works:

All Challenge Ponies will be current on vaccinations and will have a current Coggins. Because many of the ponies are semi-feral and not halter broke, they most likely will not have had their teeth done or any farrier work. Training the pony to stand for vet and farrier is an expected part of the training process. MHR will cover routine vet and farrier expenses while the Challenge Pony is in training. If a trainer wants their Challenge Pony to be seen by a specialist, they should discuss it with MHR in advance if they wish to be reimbursed. The trainer/foster will cover daily care/feed expenses. Costs for routine trimming by a farrier will be reimbursed upon submission of receipts for the service. It is encouraged for you to solicit sponsors to cover your feed, grooming supplies, supplements and travel expenses. If you solicit sponsors to cover specific tack or equipment for your Challenge Pony, those items should go with the animal if it is adopted while in your training. Each Challenge Pony/trainer team will have their profile on the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge website and will be promoted on social media to create interest in each Pony/trainer team.

Clinics Offered:

Youth and Adult Amateur Trainers are encouraged to simultaneously compete in Carter Ranch Plan 4 Progress online challenges and to participate in the Train the Trainer Clinics that will be offered monthly January through April, 2026. Both of these programs are offered at no charge to participating Challenge Trainers. These clinics are intended to enrich and expand your training knowledge and technique, and may provide insights to solving any particular problems or “sticking points” you may encounter during your journey with your equine Challenge partner.

Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge Finals:

Youth & Adult Amateur Pony Trainers that plan to compete at the finals will participate 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 Tuesday, May 12th. If you are unable to attend the live competition classes at the HoH Challenge in Jackson, MS in May of 2026, you may compete in the video classes only. There will be separate awards allocated for the high point teams that participate only in the virtual portion of the Challenge.
• Challenge Ponies participating in the live 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.
• Obstacle/Trail class will be judged on Friday, May 15th. Teams may elect to compete in this class either in hand or under saddle.
• Challenge Teams may choose to perform in only one of three Freestyle classes: In-Hand (on or off lead), Under Saddle, or Driven. These classes will be performed on Saturday, May 16th.

High Point Awards for the Pony Challenge Divisions will be based upon the overall scores in both the virtual and live classes. Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony 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.

We ask that you be very honest and candid on the application to make the selection process smoother during our screening as well as to appropriately match you to your Pony Challenge partner.

Youth Division Information: Youth ponies will be trained and shown in hand only unless permitted by the HoH Pony Challenge Coordinator. No youth trainer is to ride their Challenge horse without permission and supervision of MHR staff or MHR approved mentor.

Youth Trainer Requirements:

• Must have experience handling horses, and at least some prior experience in training.
• Age requirement is 12 - 18. Some exceptions to the minimum age will be made if the youth has prior experience with training or has participated in training clinics.
• All Youth trainers are required to work under the supervision of a mentor/trainer approved by the HoH selection committee for the entirety of the challenge training period. The mentor/trainer may instruct or advise the youth trainer, but may not actually handle, train, or demonstrate with the challenge horse.
• Horses for the Youth division will be mostly small ponies or miniature horses/donkeys of varying ages. Most are not halter broke, with little prior handling. Challenge Teams may receive pointing handicaps, through assessment by our team, to even the playing field between more difficult ponies vs easier individuals.
• Youth will compete using the same training techniques used by MHR and instructed in the Carter Ranch Plan 4 Progress program.

Adult Amateur Division Information: 

Adult Amateur Trainers may choose to train/compete in hand only, or in-hand and driven. If an applicant plans to compete driving a cart, they must indicate such at the time of application. However, the decision to switch to in-hand only for competition purposes is permittable at any time. An adult who wishes to train their Challenge Pony to leadline or ride with an appropriately skilled and size rider must first ask permission for such training from the HoH Pony Challenge Coordinator. However, no Adult Amateur Division classes will permit the riding of the Challenge Pony off of a lead line during competition.

Adult Amateur Trainer Requirements:

• Must have experience handling horses, and at least some prior experience in training.
• Age requirement is 19 or older. Exceptions to the minimum age will be made if the applicant has extensive prior experience with training or has participated in training clinics.
• All Adult Amateur trainers are required to work under the supervision of a mentor/trainer approved by the HoH selection committee for the entirety of the challenge training period unless the committee waives the requirement. The mentor/trainer may instruct or advise the volunteer trainer, but may not actually handle, train, or demonstrate with the challenge horse.
• Equines for the Adult Amateur division will be mostly small ponies or miniature horses/donkeys of varying ages. Most are not halter broke, with little prior handling. Challenge Teams may receive pointing handicaps, through assessment by our team, to even the playing field between more difficult ponies vs easier individuals.
• Adult Amateurs will compete using the same training techniques used by MHR and instructed in the Carter Ranch Plan 4 Progress program. 

How to apply for participation as a HoH Pony Challenge Trainer Competitor:

Applicants for both divisions should fill out this on-line application - HoH Pony Challenge Trainer Application

As instructed in the application, there are photo and possible video requirements to be emailed to the selection committee. Those items must be received in order for your application to be considered. Photos are to be emailed to hohponychallenge@gmail.com