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  • Pony Project

  • Pony Requirements

    14.2 hands or under 

    2 to 5 years in age

    If you plan to compete yearly you will need a different pony each year. 

    Minis, burros and mini donkeys are accepted to be used for competition. Same rules will apply and they compete in same category. 

    Pony needs to be a project pony. 

    Pony CANNOT have had previous training professionally. 

    Age 7-9 Division can have a pony with training, just needs to not be a finished with a lot of experience pony.

    Pony needs to be sound 

    Pony will need to be up to date on vaccinations and worming before competing at the Teton Horse Experience. 

     

     

    Rider Requirements

    The youth rider must proportionally fit the pony. Not be to heavy/big/tall for the pony they choose. If this is not followed disqualified from competition and entry fee will not be refunded. 

    Youth Rider must be comfortable riding and working with a project pony. 

    Please pick a pony that suits the level of rider ( meaning not to easy for the handy youth and not to wild for the gaining experience youth) 

    A headshot picture of youth rider and a picture of the youth working with a horse is required after application has been accepted. 

     After your application is accepted, you will need to submit a short video of your pony to show the level the pony your working with is at. 

     

    This will help judges and audience see the improvement you have made over the months.

    The final montly video submitted will determine if your pony is ready to compete in an indoor arena with an audience watching. If youth rider or pony do not look to be able to safely complete the freestyle, you will not be able to compete at the event.

    Entry fees are not refunded if you are not ready to compete, if your horse becomes sick or injured anytime before the event. 

     

     

  • Rules- 

    The pony project comptetion starts when your application is accepted and ends March 13-15 2026 at the Teton Horse Experience. 

    Applications will close Novemeber 1st 2025.

    We ask that you use fair and safe training practices. 

    Any animal abuse or inappropriate mishandling of pony by rider or by rider parent, coaches etc... will result in deduction of points or disqualified from competition.

    You will need to send a video of your pony so there is a visual of where you started. 

    You must submit monthly progress videos of your pony and your final video first week of March. 

    You can have professionals and parents coach you but they can not be the ones working the pony. 

    Ages 10-17-  has up to 5 minutes to perform a freestyle performance that must include basic horsemanship skills, obstacles, costume for pony and rider. You are not deducted points for going under but you will be deducted if you go over! 

    Age 7-9 -has up to 3-4 minutues to perform a freestyle performance that must include the basic horsmanship skills, ( they can trot instead of lope) obstacles, costume for pony and rider. 

    You choose your music, you want to use. If you are going to have someone blend your music with a couple of different songs we will have you get in contact with our sound guy to make sure everything is compatible and will work. 

    If you are choosing just one song to use, please let us know when you choose the music and we can make sure that it is added to the playlist. Dont wait till last minutes to choose your costume and music! 

     

    The youth rider will come up with their freestyle pattern that matches the music and costume. The pattern needs to include these horsemanship skills and the required obstacles.

    Walk 

    Trot

    Lope

    Back Up

    Lope a circle to the right ( 7-9 division can do this at a trot) 

    Lope a circle to the left ( 7-9 division can do this at a trot) 

    side pass to the right and to the left

    There will be 3 obstacles set up in the arena that you will be judged on. The exact obstacles will be shared later when the judge decides what these obstacles will be. 

    You can bring in outside obstacles/props to use during your pattern and on the scorecard there will be freestyle points. Meaning you can be creative and do something to stand out the judges and audience.  

    When it is your turn you, will have 5 minutes to set up the course with outside obstacles/props you are bringing and to get arena ready for there freestyle. 

    You will have 5 minutes to take down the course of obstacles/props after you are finished. While you are taking your things down the next competitor will be allowed to start setting up for their freestyle. 

    There is a penalty for going over the 5 minute time alotted for setting up and taking them down.

    Youth can bring 3 other people to help them set up and take down.

    Teton Horse Experience will have tarps. poles, logs, flags, and some other basic obstacles available for you to use day of the freestyle competition if you need to borrow them. 

    Shooting guns we are working on clearing this with the venue, if they allow this we will allow shooting guns as long as the blanks are not being shot towards the audience. We will keep everyone up to date on if the venue gives permission or not. 

    All obstacles and extras need to be safe for the pony, rider and the audience members. 

     

     

  • There is not a set pattern to follow you just have to make sure to include a walk, trot, lope, back up, circle to right and left, side pass and the required obstacles.

    Everything else you can add into your freestyle as long as it is safe. 

     

    Horsemanship skills

    Walk- 10 Points

    Trot- 10 Points

    Lope Circle to Right- 10 Points ( 7-9 can trot or lope) 

    Lope Circle to Left- 10 Points ( 7-9 can trot or lope)

    Sidepass to the left/right- 10 Points 

    Back up- 10 Points

    Freestyle Skills- 10 Points

     

    Willingness to do Obstacles 

    Obstacle 1- 10 Points

    Obstacle 2- 10 Points

    Obstacle 3- 10 Points

    Freestyle obstacles of your choice- 20 Points ( you can do as many as you would like within your time) 

     

     

    Creativity of Freestyle

    Let your imagination run wild and have fun with the competition. Add in more horsemanship skills,tricks, liberty, fun obstacles that you may have taught your pony. 

    Music matches costume and pattern- 10 Points

    Costume Creativity- 10 Points

    Creativity of Freestyle- 10 Points

    Freestyle Extras- 20 Points

     

    Horse Welfare- 10 Points

    This is judged on fairness to the pony and his abililites to perform what you are asking. Pony appears to be willing to try and not stressed 

    Horse Condition- 10 points

    Pony is in good body condition, sound and looks healthy

    Improvement from first video to final performance- 20 Points

    Judges will be viewing the video footage from your progress videos and judging on the improvement for you and your pony over the 6 months. 

    Penalties

    Overtime setting up   - 10 points

    Overtime taking down  - 10 points

    Penalties that will apply to the scorecard if the youth rider, parents, support team, coaches, trainers or anyone associated with rider/pony. 

    Inappropraite Pony Handling - 50 point

    Unsportsmans like conduct- 30 points

     

     

     

  • Their age will be considered how old they are on March 12 2026. 

     Entry Fee $65

     7-9 yrs of age

     Champion awarded Belt Buckle

     Reserved Champion 

    Entry Fee $100

     10 -13 years of age

    Champion awarded Belt Buckle 

    Reserved Champion 

    Entry Fee $100

     14-17 years of age

    If you are 18 and finishing your senior year of high school you can apply

    Champion awarded Belt Buckle

    Reserve Champion 

     

    Some prizes and awards are still being negotiatied while sponsors are being found and more details for prizes will be updated when we have more updates. 

     

     

     

  • For the first video please submit 

     

    If pony has been ridden before:

    Only do videos of what the pony currently knows how to do

    Groundwork the pony has been taught

     Ground driving 

    Liberty

    Riding at a walk trot lope and back up

    Driving a cart

     

    If pony hasnt been ridden before:

    Only do videos of what the pony currently knows how to do

    Groundwork the pony has been taught

      Liberty work

    Driving a cart 

    If it has only been ground drove, you can submit a video of that

     

  • Contestant Information

  • Waiver

  • For and in consideration of Teton Horse Experience,for allowing me, the undersigned, to participate in any capacity (including as a rider, driver, handler, longeur, lessee, owner, agent, coach, official, trainer, staff, independent contractor, vendor or volunteer, spectator, speaker, demonstrator, announcer, flag presentation, emts, clinicians, and anyone participating or spectating) at the Teton Horse Experience, including but not limited to equestrian clinics, practices, shows,warm ups and related or incidental activities,working the event, spectating or being an audience member and parking.


     I, for myself, and on behalf of my spouse, children, heirs and next of kin, and any legal and personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, hereby agree to and make the following contractual representations pursuant to this Agreement (the “Agreement”):

     

     ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISK: I knowingly, willingly, and voluntarily acknowledge the inherent risks associated with the sport of equestrian and know that horseback riding and related equestrian activities, including being a spectators around Equine, Mules and Ponies are inherently dangerous, and that participation in any Teton Horse Experience Event involves risks and dangers including, without limitation, the potential for serious bodily injury (including broken bones, head or neck injuries), sickness and disease (including communicable diseases), trauma, pain & suffering, permanent disability, paralysis and death; loss of or damage to personal property (including my horse(s), personal property & equipment) arising out of the unpredictable behavior of horses; exposure to extreme conditions and circumstances; accidents involving other participants, event staff, volunteers or spectators; contact or collision with other participants and horses, natural or manmade objects; adverse weather conditions; facilities issues and premises conditions; failure of protective equipment (including helmets); inadequate safety measures; participants of varying skill levels; situations beyond the immediate control of the Teton Horse Experience Event organizers, staff, independent contractors and volunteers ; and other undefined, not readily foreseeable and presently unknown risks and dangers.

     

    ASSUMPTION OF RISK: I understand that the aforementioned Risks may be caused in whole or in part or result directly or indirectly from the negligence of my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the at Teton Horse Experience, or the negligent acts or omissions of the Released Parties defined below, and I hereby voluntarily and knowingly assume all such Risks and responsibility for any damages, liabilities, losses, or expenses that I incur as a result of my presence at Teton Horse Experience. I also agree to be responsible for any injury or damage caused by me, my horse, my employees or contractors under my direction and control at Teton Horse Experience


     WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNITY: In conjunction with my participation in any Teton Horse Experience, I hereby release, waive and covenant not to sue, and further agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the following parties: Teton Horse Experience, Staff and Volunteers, Contractors Wind River Arena, Clinicians, Speakers, Equine Professional and Event participants (including athletes/riders, coaches, trainers, judges/officials, and other personnel), the Event owner, licensee, and managers; the promoters, sponsors, or advertisers of any Teton Horse Experience; any charity, nonprofit or other beneficiary which may benefit from the Teton Horse Experience; the owners, managers, or lessors of any facilities or premises where a Teton Horse Experience may be held; and all directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, and volunteers of any of the aforementioned parties (Individually and Collectively, the “Released Parties” or “Event Organizers”), with respect to any liability, claim(s), demand(s), cause(s) of action, damage(s), loss, or expense (including court costs and reasonable attorney fees) of any kind or nature (“Liability”) which may arise out of, result from, or relate in any way to my participation in the Teton Horse Experience, including claims for Liability caused in whole or in part by the negligent acts or omissions of the Released Parties


    COMPLETE AGREEMENT AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE: This Agreement represents the complete understanding between the parties regarding these issues and no oral representations, statements or inducements have been made apart from this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from this Agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions


    I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS DOCUMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY, UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND KNOW IT CONTAINS AN ASSUMPTION OF RISK, RELEASE AND WAIVER FROM LIABILITY, AS WELL AS A HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS. 


    By signing below, that I have read, understand, and agree to be bound by all applicable  Bylaws, rules, and policies. If, despite this Agreement, I, or anyone on my behalf or the minor’s behalf, makes a claim for Liability against any of the Released Parties, I will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of the Released Parties from any such Liabilities as the result of such claim


    The parties agree that this agreement may be electronically signed. The parties agree that the electronic signatures appearing on this agreement are the same as handwritten signatures for the purposes of validity, enforceability, and admissibility.

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