Preview the Mounted Clinic Lineup for the 2026 USPC Festival

Brought to You by Stoneleigh-Burnham School

What’s the most fun you can have on horseback? If you sign up to attend the 2026 USPC Festival Education sessions, you will discover that it is the mounted clinics at Festival. Enjoy this preview of the scheduled mounted clinics and start planning your learning experience today. Registration opens on May 1.

A Fun Way to Improve Your Riding

The United States Pony Clubs offers instruction in nearly a dozen English and Western disciplines. Mounted clinics at Festival are a great opportunity to try some that you haven’t tried yet, or ones that you don’t ride very often. Not only is trying a new horse sport lots of fun; you can also improve your riding skills by learning how to cross-train in a different discipline.

For example, Mounted Games teaches skills like leg yielding, bending, and transitions—building blocks for flatwork in every discipline—while also improving balance and coordination.

“We use those same skills found in dressage tests when we are playing Games; we are just going much faster,” shared USPC Mounted Games clinician Lexi Ray in a previous blog.

Playing Polocrosse or working through Trail obstacles gives purpose to your riding as you go after the ball or practice maneuvering your horse through a gate or across a bridge.

Registering for Mounted Clinics

Signing up early, as soon as registration opens on May 1, gives you the best shot at getting into the clinics you’re most excited about. When choosing your level, it’s important to go with where you and your horse are right now—not where you hope to be soon. You’ll get so much more out of the experience by riding at a level that truly matches your current skills. If you aim too high, it can make it harder to fully participate and enjoy the sessions alongside your group.

Mounted clinics run on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, and are open to non-members and to any USPC member that is at least 10 years old. USPC members must hold a D-2 riding certification or above.

Learn from Top-Level Instructors

Mounted clinics at Festival offer a mix of small-group and individual instruction from experienced top-level instructors. The 2026 USPC Festival has an incredible lineup of equestrian experts who will be teaching a multitude of disciplines. You’ll have the chance to learn from judges, seasoned riders, coaches, and trainers—including many USPC “A” members and alumni—who are excited to share their expertise and help you grow.

This year also features special evening Master Clinics with Olympians Lendon Gray and Doug Payne, along with international eventing rider Lynn Symansky—all got their start through Pony Club and achieved their A-level certification. This is a rare chance to learn from riders who have reached the pinnacle of equestrian sport.

At Festival, each mounted clinic group is kept small so that each rider gets plenty of personal attention. This allows clinicians to really focus on your individual skills and make the experience as helpful and rewarding as possible.

Get ready to saddle up for these disciplines at the 2026 USPC Festival:

Dressage
Develop your riding skills and improve your knowledge of the components necessary to successfully ride Dressage tests. Lessons will be either semi-private (two riders) or private, with instruction from Dressage experts experienced in coaching riders of all levels. They include judges, upper-level USPC riders, USPC National Examiners, and United States Dressage Federation (USDF) bronze, silver, and gold medalists.
Clinicians: Stacy Anderson, Katy Barglow, Jane Kelly, Reese Koffler-Stanfield, Joan Leuck-Waak, Susan Perellis, Brynne Varvel, Jen Verharen

Eventing Cross-Country
Eventing Cross-Country clinics will give you the opportunity to school the wide variety of fences at the Kentucky Horse Park at your level that matches your skills and work on pace, terrain, and essential techniques to compete in horse trials and three-day events. Levels offered run from Starter (2’3″) on up through Modified (3’5″).
Clinicians: Alexa Ehlers Thompson, Allie Sacksen, Lynn Symansky, Ciaran Thompson, Cathy Wieschhoff

Foxhunting
Start your final day of Festival Education with a memorable early morning mock foxhunt across parts of the iconic Kentucky Horse Park. On Thursday, July 16, at 6:30 a.m., ride with members of a local hunt club across beautiful open terrain as you participate in a long-standing Festival tradition that celebrates Pony Club’s roots in Foxhunting and is a favorite with riders and spectators alike. It’s a thrilling way to experience riding to hounds and learn about Foxhunting. Before signing up, ensure your horse is comfortable and suitable for traveling in a large group in an open setting.

Ground Work and Horsemanship
Learn to apply natural horsemanship principles when handling and riding your mount. Pros from the Kentucky Horse Park Mounted Police will work with you and your horse in groups to negotiate a variety of obstacles on the ground and under saddle. These sessions are always a favorite at Festival!

Hunter Seat Equitation
For those pursuing the Pony Club Hunter Seat Equitation (HSE) certification track or who prefer hunt seat, these clinics will focus on maintaining the correct HSE position and being effective throughout your coursework. It’s a great opportunity to better understand USPC’s HSE certification track and how it could lead to the Show Jumping certification track at the national level (C-3 through A).
Clinician: India Anderson

Mounted Games
Whether you are an experienced player or just want to give Mounted Games a try, you will be sure to enjoy this clinic. Learn basic skills plus secrets for success in the trickiest games. Horses and ponies are welcome. This is also a great opportunity for leaders and parents to gain ideas for developing a Games program in their club or center.
Clinician: Lexi Ray

Polocrosse
Here is your chance to try the exciting sport of Polocrosse. Beginners will learn skills on the ground and then on horseback. Experienced players will develop their skills on the field under expert instruction while having fun playing with others.
Clinician: Robert Noiles

Show Jumping
Show Jumping clinics will emphasize equitation over fences and course-riding skills.
Clinicians: India Anderson, Cherie Gaebel, Jennifer Merrick-Brooks, Doug Payne, Sarah Shade

Trail
Learn how to negotiate obstacles and improve your horse’s maneuverability, training, and obedience, as well as your own horsemanship skills. Opening gates, crossing bridges, and carrying objects are just some of the types of Trail tasks featured in this clinic, all of which you might encounter in a working ranch environment or riding out in the open. Check out Pony Club’s Trail discipline using English or Western tack.
Clinician: Morgan Kastner-Koenig

Western Dressage
Western Dressage is growing in popularity. If you have ever wanted to give it a try, here is your chance! Learn about what type of tack to use, how Western Dressage riders train, and what judges are looking for when riding a test. Come ride with a Western Dressage instructor and learn how to get started in this discipline. Western tack is preferred, but not required, for this clinic.
Clinician: Joan Leuck-Waak

Join Us for 2026 USPC Festival Education

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.

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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.

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