Festival Preview

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FESTIVAL PREVIEW

Find out what fun awaits this summer at USPC Festival 2021 presented by SSG Riding Gloves and sponsored by State Line Tack.

By Liz Moyer, Fundraising & Marketing Coordinator

Festival is a special event for Pony Club. Held every three years at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, it’s a celebration of the best that Pony Club has to offer with a weeklong schedule of competition, clinics and workshops.

The 2021 event promises to be even more special since we’ve had to wait a whole extra year for it to happen. Pony Club members have shown tremendous resiliency in adapting and rising to the challenges presented in the past year by the global pandemic, and Festival is no exception. Plans for USPC Festival 2021 presented by SSG Riding Gloves and sponsored by State Line Tack are well under way—be sure to save the date for July 19-26.

“The postponement of Festival from 2020 hasn’t dampened the excitement of putting together a world-class event, and USPC looks forward to hosting our membership at the Kentucky Horse Park for Festival 2021,” says Erin Woodall, USPC Activities & Events Director. While she explains that the event will look a little different, without spectators and with the addition of masks and social distancing, Woodall says you can expect the show to go on with safety measures in place.

“With this in mind, the organization is closely monitoring Kentucky Horse Park event parameters, as well as local, state, and national health guidance regarding the pandemic,” she says. “Stay tuned for updates and information about how USPC is working to provide a safe and fun experience for our members.”

Something for Everyone

Festival is unique part of the Pony Club experience. It’s the triennial gathering (meaning it’s held every three years) of United States Pony Clubs members from all across the country, coming together for eight days of competition, education and friendship. While spectators may not be allowed for 2021, the competitions and events require significant volunteer power. Therefore Pony Club members, leaders, volunteers and families can all find a way to be involved at Festival either as a competitor or volunteer. “Whether you would like to test your skills against competitors from other regions, or you would like to learn more from some of the top educators and judges, you will find that Festival is the place for you,” offers Woodall.

The first Festival was held in 1983 and featured five USPC Championships disciplines, along with educational clinics. The event has continued to grow, with an estimated 3,000 attendees in recent years.

Championships in Eight Disciplines

Festival kicks off with the USPC Championships, where members from across the country compete for USPC National Champion titles in eight disciplines. Championships competition includes Dressage, Eventing, Games, Polocrosse, Quiz, Show Jumping, Tetrathlon and Western Dressage. To recognize the most recently added Pony Club disciplines, Gymkhana and Western Trail invitational competitions will also be held in conjunction with Festival in 2021.

Education for All

Festival offers a three-day weekend full of educational opportunities for all levels, including clinics, workshops and instruction from a wide range of experts. D Camp and the Mock Fox Hunt are two popular activities that are traditionally part of Festival education, and Festival instruction covers a variety of competitive and resource disciplines as well as unmounted education from grooming tips to H-B and H-A prep.

“Come participate in Festival education and have a chance to ride and school cross country, learn how to play polocrosse, or maybe earn a spot to ride with Lendon Gray in her Dressage4kids program,” urges Connie Jehlik, USPC Instruction Director. “It’s also a very special way to experience the Kentucky Horse Park on horseback, such as riding in the Rolex Arena.”

Location

The Kentucky Horse Park is like Disneyland for horse enthusiasts, with museums and multimedia exhibits, plus live horses of all breeds to meet and greet, from draft horses to Thoroughbred champions. Festival offers a chance to both visit and ride at the legendary venue. Lexington, Kentucky is known as the Horse Capital of the World for good reason. Located in the heart of Kentucky’s beautiful bluegrass horse country, it’s an equine paradise that’s home to more than 450 horse farms.

Pony Club Connections

The USPC is a national organization with 41 regions and more than 500 local clubs and riding centers. Festival is the one event that brings members from all regions across the country together to ride, compete, learn and celebrate what Pony Club is all about.

“Festival provides an opportunity for members from across the country to share their joy of horses and Pony Club,” explains USPC’s Erin Woodall. “Lifelong connections are made during the event through the many team-building experiences.”

The tradition of Festival continues to grow in importance to Pony Club through the years, along with the event itself. If you come to Festival, you’re sure to leave with friendships and memories to last a lifetime.

Finding Festival Info

Keep an eye out for more details on the Festival page of the USPC website: ponyclub.org/ Events/Festival

Be sure to follow Pony Club’s social media channels and email newsletter to stay up to date on Festival and all things Pony Club.

Day by Day Guide to Festival

Monday, July 19

Competitors can move their horses into the Kentucky Horse Park between noon on Monday, July 19, and noon on Tuesday, July 20.

Tuesday, July 20

• Briefings and jogs for all disciplines. • Opening ceremonies start at 6:30 p.m. in the Rolex Arena.

Wednesday, July 21

• All disciplines begin competing.

Thursday July 22

• Quiz Championships competition concludes. • Quiz awards. • Member Showcase. • Competitor Party.

Friday July 23

• Mounted discipline awards.

Saturday July 24

• Education participants can move their horses into the Kentucky Horse Park between 8 am and noon.

Sunday, July 25 - Monday, July 26

• Educational clinics and workshops.