Last year, I got to live my dream and attend the 2013 USEF National Pony Jumper Championships, held in conjunction with the 2013 USEF National Pony Finals. It was a once in a lifetime adventure, from a trailering fiasco that left myself, a friend, and our ponies stranded in the middle of nowhere the day before we were supposed to show, to actually getting in the Altech Arena and showing everyone what we had. Not only did I place individually and on a team (go zone 3!), I got to spend over a week with some of my best friends in the entire country.

This year, I’m working at a show jumping barn as a working student and I’m counting on my friends that are going to Pony Finals to compete, or just to watch, to let me know how it goes.

It’s actually a little surreal to remember that one year ago I was getting ready to compete at the show that started it all. Learning about pony finals is what actually got me started in showing. The first day I learned of it, I said, “I want to compete THERE.” And boy, did we ever.

So, good luck to everyone living their dream and going to Pony Finals. Don’t let the title of the show scare you… I had more fun in Kentucky, that week, than I think I’ve ever had. And finally, GO ZONE THREE!

– Julia Davis