Special Events at the 2026 USPC Festival
Brought to You by Stoneleigh-Burnham School
The countdown to Festival is heating up! As you are planning and preparing for your trip, here are some special events at the 2026 USPC Festival that you won’t want to miss.
Evening Education & Exhibitions
July 13–15, 7 p.m. in the Alltech Arena
After a day of learning and fun at the Kentucky Horse Park, relax in the air-conditioned Alltech Arena and enjoy master clinics with an amazing lineup of experts–including Olympians! These special evening events are open to anyone with a Festival Education Mounted or Education All Access or Day pass, and their family.
Monday, July 13: Lendon Gray Dressage Master Clinic
Lendon Gray, a Pony Club “A” alum and a two-time Olympian, will be demonstrating her expert Dressage teaching and training skills.
Tuesday, July 14: Doug Payne Show Jumping Master Clinic
Doug Payne, a Pony Club “A” alum, Olympian, and Pan American Games gold medalist, will demonstrate jumping with a focus on rideability regardless of discipline.
Wednesday, July 15: Liberty Demonstration
Liberty training showcases the ultimate communication between horse and human—all without any tack! Midwest Liberty Horse Club and Kentucky Liberty will host this demonstration of liberty training and techniques.
Thoroughbred Experience
Tuesday, July 14, 8 a.m.–noon
If you love Thoroughbreds, be sure to sign up for this special half-day program for Festival education participants. Amplify Horse Racing and the Retired Racehorse Project are collaborating to provide an immersive learning experience that will showcase the full training lifecycle of a Thoroughbred. This opportunity will be held off-site, going behind the scenes in the Thoroughbred industry.
Sign-up is online in both Mounted and Unmounted registration, available with an Education All-Access Pass, Day Pass, or a Mounted Registration. Participants must have their own transportation, and parents are welcome with a registered participant.
Canter to Campus: Career and Education Roundtable
Wednesday, July 15, 1:15 p.m.–2 p.m., in the Alltech Arena Exhibit North Hall A
This informal roundtable will serve as an opportunity for parents and students to learn more about navigating college with a horse, including equine studies programs, riding in college, and equine industry careers. Representatives from colleges and schools will be on hand to answer questions and share advice. The session is free for anyone interested.
Lunchtime Driving Demonstrations with the American Driving Society
Alltech Arena
Tuesday, July 14: Carriage Driving
Come have a seat in the Alltech arena during lunch break and enjoy learning more about the sport of driving. The American Driving Society will present a demonstration of different types of carriages, carts, and hitches. Learn about the different types of driving activities you can do— pleasure shows, combined driving events, distance driving, and just driving for fun!
Wednesday, July 15: Combined Driving Derby
Enjoy this fun demonstration of a mock driving derby, presented by the American Driving Society. Cheer on the drivers through obstacles and cones at a high rate of speed—kind of like watching the jump-off round in show jumping! If you have ever been curious about the sport of combined driving, this is a great opportunity to learn more.
Opening Ceremony and Competitor Party
Thursday, July 16, 6:30 p.m. in the Alltech Arena
USPC welcomes and celebrates all attending the 2026 USPC Festival! Join us for this short ceremony to kick off Festival Championships, with the parade of regions followed by the competitor party. All Pony Club participating members are invited to walk with their region in the Opening Ceremony in the Alltech Arena. Line up for the Opening Ceremony starts at 6 p.m. in the Alltech Arena warmup—you won’t want to miss out on this experience!
Horse Management Seminar
Friday and Saturday, July 17–18
A Horse Management seminar will be held during Championships, designed for adults who would like to use this opportunity to expand their Horse Management knowledge through an active, hands-on seminar format that will get them into the barns during competition. Participants will be able to observe and participate in all facets of USPC Horse Management judging, including equipment checks, stable checks, and turnout inspections. No prior experience is necessary, only a desire to learn and expand your knowledge base. There will truly be something for everyone: parents, club leaders, instructors, Horse Management Organizers, Regional Instruction Coordinators, Regional Supervisors, and active Pony Club members over 18 years of age. We will learn with and from each other. Registration and fee information TBA; check the Festival Education page for details.
Frances E. Pitts Pony Club International Alliance International Mounted Games Exchange Competition sponsored by the US Mounted Games Association
Sunday, July 19 in the Alltech Arena
USPC is honored to host this year’s Pony Club International Alliance International Mounted Games Exchange. Pony Club members from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States will compete in a high-octane Mounted Games competition to close out their weeklong cultural exchange in the USA. The competition is hosted in memory of Frances E. Pitts, a member of the 1995 USPC International Mounted Games Team. Come watch this exciting event, sponsored by the United States Mounted Games Association!
Join us for the 2026 USPC Festival
Visit the Festival page to stay up to date on all 2026 USPC Festival information and sign up for Festival emails to stay in the know.
About Stoneleigh-Burnham School
At Stoneleigh-Burnham School, we’re serious about helping our student-riders achieve their equestrian dreams and goals. Stoneleigh-Burnham School is one of the few programs boasting an on-campus barn and riding rings with an indoor viewing lounge. Every rider, from beginner to advanced, receives personalized instruction that reflects her interests, goals, and abilities. Licensed coaches provide instruction tailored to all levels, with training in equitation, hunters, jumpers, eventing, dressage, and an internship for students looking to take their knowledge beyond the ring. Group classes are typically comprised of four to six students, with great care taken to match ability levels within a group. Private and semi-private lessons are also available.
USPC National Office
The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club) is the largest equestrian educational organization in North America. Started in 1954, the organization has developed curriculum that teaches safe riding skills and the care of horses through mounted and unmounted lessons. Through Pony Club, members have fun with horses and make lifelong friends while they develop skills, habits, and values that extend well beyond the barn and last a lifetime. Many members apply what they have learned in the USPC program successfully in their careers, educational and volunteer opportunities, and other life pursuits.
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