Live Oak Hounds–USPC Foxhunting Challenge 2025

It was another great year for the Live Oak Hounds-USPC Foxhunting Challenge! The Live Oak Hounds–USPC Foxhunting Challenge is designed to encourage Pony Club members to try the sport and to reward members who hunt on a regular basis and who serve as mentors for newcomers. Cash prizes are awarded annually to the top six participating Pony Clubs and Pony Club Riding Centers to reward their achievements. Prizes are made possible through the generous support of C. Martin Wood III and Daphne Flowers Wood. The Woods are Joint Masters of the Live Oak Hounds in Monticello, Fla., and past presidents of the Masters of Foxhounds Association of North America (MFHA).

We had 121 Pony Club members, 13 Pony Clubs and 18 Hunts participating for a total of 793 days out in the hunt field. The top six clubs split a cash prize of $10,000 with the first-place De La Brooke Pony Club receiving $3,100.

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Live Oak Hounds–USPC Foxhunting Challenge Winners:

1st Place: De La Brooke Pony Club
2nd Place: Cedar Knob Pony Club
3rd Place: Live Oak Hounds Pony Club
4th Place: Wilton Pony Club
5th Place: Old Dominion Hounds Pony Club
6th Place: Sante Fe Pony Club

Honorable Mention to the other Pony Clubs participating:

Elkridge-Harford Pony Club
Sandhills Pony Club
Wayne DuDage Hunt Pony Club
St. Margaret’s Pony Club
Deep Run Hunt Pony Club
Spring Valley Hounds Pony Club
Horsemanship Academy Pony Club Riding Center

Thank you to the following Hunts, their Masters, and staff who allow Pony Club members to participate: De La Brooke Foxhounds, Hillsboro Hounds, Live Oak Hounds, Golden’s Bridge Hounds, Old Dominion Hounds, Caza Ladron Hunt, Elkridge-Harford Hunt, Moore County Hounds, Wayne DuPage Hunt, Marlborough Hunt, Deep Run Hunt, Spring Valley Hounds, Santa Fe West Hills Hunt, Camden Hunt, Mells Foxhounds, Princess Anne Hunt, Green Spring Valley Hounds, Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds.

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. has maintained a close relationship with the world of foxhunting ever since it was founded in 1954 by a group of avid foxhunters. Pony Club offers a variety of opportunities for members to explore foxhunting as a group or individually through club or center activities. Visit ponyclub.org for more information and to get involved.

About MFHA – Founded in 1907, the Masters of Foxhounds Association of North America (MFHA) is the governing body of organized mounted hunting with hounds in the United States and Canada. The MFHA has actively conserved 1.5 million acres of land, preserving habitat and biodiversity across North America. Learn more at mfha.com.

About The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. — The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization that builds the foundation of teamwork and sportsmanship through riding, mounted sports, and care of horses and ponies, while developing and enhancing leadership, confidence, responsibility, and a sense of community in its youth and adult members. USPC is proud to offer instruction and competitive opportunities in 11 competitive disciplines through hundreds of clubs and centers across the United States. USPC’s educational standards continue to be instrumental in curriculum development for schools, universities, equestrian professionals, and organizations across the United States. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including Olympic team members, as well as successful business professionals and leaders in a variety of fields, have roots in Pony Club. For more information, please visit ponyclub.org.