09/01/2026
A more than fabulous time we had in Kentucky at this year‘s National Pony Finals in Lexington KY. I’m honored to stand at the in-gate with four incredible young riders that set a big goal and did what it took to reach it. Keeping up with the work ethic, stamina, crazy jump fillers, extra lessons, extra ride times, a million “one more times” over fences, weekly in hand practice, and a thousand baths later (3 out of 4 gray ponies in case you missed it), they all fully put in the work.
I have to brag on each kiddo individually as they all deserves the biggest cheering squad.
👑Parker and Life of Luxury, her homemade green medium hunter pony came in determined, in the best of shape and at their top performance level. Being a hunter at Pony Finals you really don’t get much to show off, 1 model, 1 u/s and 1 over fences. There are no second chances and definitely no room for errors. Parker put in the work and laid down her and Gucci’s months of preparation, all on a HUGE stage with the nicest ponies in the country-literally! I am so proud of the hard work and determination Parker has put into this wonderful pony and watching her walk into the ROLEX arena at the Kentucky Horse Park was such a special moment. This young lady is a stunning rider and I am SO excited to see what the next chapter with her new large pony will bring. It’s really special when a kiddo that started young with SFF hand makes a pony in our program and then get to see that same pony go on to teach the next generation. Gucci and Parker have been such a fun team to watch the last several years and the week in KY was the best way to finish that journey for them as one of the nicest green medium ponies in the country!
🦋Ava and Rosmel Imagine That being a very new team this last year had a lot of growing and learning to do together. Ava had to put a lot of work into breaking some bad habits and learning how to ride a sensitive, dainty pony all while in the midst of the qualifying period. Majik is a huge strided pony who has to have a very particular ride to feel balanced. Ava put in the work not only physically with extra hack days, and longing with siderein sessions, but also mentally. She learned to tap in and reach a horse emotionally, learned to calm her nerves and lock in so she could have the best pony underneath her. Though their partnership is over now that Pony Finals is over, I am so excited to see Ava utilize everything that Majik has taught her over the last year’s lease. They have been such a fun team and I know Ava will be back to Kentucky in the years to come and Majik is more than ready to take the next kiddo back to Pony Finals next year!
🌟Millie and FXF Star of the Show were quite the hit all year. Calvin and Millie came to SFF a little over a year ago and Calvin was quite the project! An American Shetland with some naughty habits and silly antics did not have me thinking we’d get him trained up before Millie outgrew him. Though outgrow him she did, the growing they both had was incredible. Had it not been for trainer Jordan, I would not have believed Calvin was Pony Finals material. Millie put in the work as a tough student. If it wasn’t for her determination and assertiveness, their partnership would not have worked so well. Calvin doesn’t have the most typical pony jumper look, but jumped a 10 every time, took some of the silliest jokes and ended the year ranked as the 12th small pony jumper in the nation!! Every class was like watching a mini Grand Prix. They had zero rails all year, and Calvin found a lease with a wonderful family whose girls plan to get qualified next year with him. We are so excited for both Millie and Calvin’s next step!
🍭Last but not least my own Lauren and SF Penelope Von Sweets. Lauren had goals of the Pony Hunters with Penelope but we just couldn’t get the lead change finished enough to be competitive. Switching Penelope over to the jumpers required a major mental shift and a lot more work to be able to complete in the most competitive pony jumper division at finals. They had lovely rounds with just 6 rails down all week. Lauren is learning to find adjustability and elasticity, and how to get her pony to take the distance that makes the most sense for the course they are on. They have a lot of learning to do but the motivation created at Pony Finals for this next year was sparked big time! They’re ready to put in the work and hope to keep their Pony Finals goal until Lauren ages out. Maybe the next couple years we’ll see them in the 1.05 division!
Not only did all 4 these of these ladies put in the work they needed to, they understood what all had to go on behind the scenes to get them to this point from others. 4 riders to Pony Finals meant every lesson mate also jumped pool floatie fillers and more flowers and greenery than the rainforest every lesson this summer.
SFF’s assistant trainer Jordan took 10 students to the 3rd show of the Summer Circuit Series over the same weekend, and held down the whole fort at home so we could have 10 days away. Riders shifted between watching the Pony Finals live stream and their own show classes to support their SFF pony teammates from afar. Siblings missed back to school shopping and parents emptied love, wallets, and workload into making this week not just a horse show but a magical opportunity and a dream that can last a few more years.
Show groom Ms Alexis mastered the skill of replacing tailbags, over and over again and our ponies couldn’t have looked better.
Everything at home base was left in the hands of several amazing employees and we never had any worry while being away because of them. Nicia, Aubree, Paul, Ashley.
As a trainer I am so proud to call each and every person involved in making this week happen a part of the Sunny Fox family! It takes a village and always will. We at Sunny Fox have the best around!
