Kentucky Three-Day: Inspiring the Next Generation of Equestrians

Zoetis Equine in partnership with the United States Pony Clubs

Every year, riders from around the world travel to Lexington, Ky., for one of the premier competitions of the year. One of only seven annual CCI5*-L-level competitions held worldwide, the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by MARS Equestrian, brings together elite riders from nearly every continent to compete for over $400,000 and their place in history. Being at the same level as an Olympic competition, it offers an opportunity for riders to test their skills against the best and for spectators to get a preview of what they might see at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028.

While events like these showcase the highest level of competitive riding, the impact on the equine world goes far beyond the sport. In short, they provide an opportunity for the equestrian community to celebrate their lifestyle and the horse-human connection. Whether you’re a rider, trainer, breeder, veterinarian, horse owner, organizer, the Defender Kentucky Three-Day and events of its caliber are only possible through the support and passion of the entire community.

At Zoetis, we count ourselves among those ardent equine enthusiasts. It’s why we so fervently pursue innovations that improve the lives of our four-legged friends, why we’re annual sponsors of the Kentucky Three-Day Event, and why we became the Official Health & Wellness Partner of the United States Pony Clubs (USPC or Pony Club). USPC shares our passion for horses and seeks to foster that love in the next generation of riders, horse owners, industry professionals, and even equine future equine veterinarians. We’re entering year four of the partnership, and we’re grateful for opportunities to team up for horse health content and via in-person collaborations at events like the Kentucky Three-Day.

Getting Started With Pony Club

Just like the Kentucky Three-Day Event, USPC has a long history and deep connections with the equine world. One could even argue that there wouldn’t be events like the Kentucky Three-Day without the launching pad that organizations like USPC provide to aspiring riders and the broader impact they have on the industry.

Since its founding in 1954, USPC has helped thousands of kids, teens, and adults learn the skills needed to own, care for, and ride horses. It also cultivates connections and opens doors that would otherwise remain inaccessible to many. “It has given me opportunities I wouldn’t have known existed,” said Mia Valdez, a member of the Mountain Skyline Pony Club in Virginia.

In 2023, Valdez attended the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event through the USPC Ann Haller Media Internship. Named for a highly respected Pony Club member, Ann Haller, a B Eventing- and H-A Horse Management-certified alum from Hood Pony Club in the South Region, went on make a name for herself in the eventing world and in equine media, and still served Pony Club as an instructor, clinician, coach, National Examiner, Chief Horse Management Judge, and a USPC Board of Governors member before her passing. The internship invites young members to attend the event as part of the media team, where they get to see the action up close while forming lifelong memories.

In a blog post recapping her experience, Valdez shared, “Over the course of the weekend, I was able to interview riders after dressage and cross-country, as well as go out on the cross-country course and help capture pictures. Everyone I met was incredibly helpful and kind, answering any questions I had. Getting to experience the busy and exciting workings of the media center allowed me to meet amazing people, as well as get a better understanding of what goes into the social media aspect of our sport.”

If you talk to Valdez or any other Pony Club member, you’ll likely hear about how much they’ve learned and the lifelong skills that have been instilled through their participation. Whether it’s taking care of equipment, feeding, grooming, or other horsemanship skills, the Pony Club gives members, even those without a horse or previous equine knowledge, the opportunity to challenge themselves and become full-fledged equestrians.

“Parents really aren’t allowed,” said Valdez. “It’s us kids and our teams who are in charge of getting each other out for ride times, preparing our horses, and making sure everything is clean and organized afterward. It’s really about the knowledge base and the people you get to meet. Those friendships last a lifetime, and the horse world is so great about helping each other out.”

Valdez’s story is a great example of the positive impact the Pony Club has on members. After first being introduced to riding by her mother through a local summer camp, Valdez’s interest grew, and she became a member a few years later. Since then, in addition to receiving the Ann Haller internship, Valdez has gained long-lasting friendships, invaluable connections, and confidence as a rider. She can even boast about being the youngest person in the state of Virginia to achieve her C-3 certification. Later this year, Valdez will take her USPC A-level certification.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Colleen Rutledge, a USPC alum with her A Eventing certification from Frederick Pony Club in the Capital Region and an international-level event rider, echoed many of Valdez’s sentiments about the impact the organization has had on her, especially when it comes to core knowledge of equine health.

“The base of knowledge I gained was invaluable, especially going on to become a professional,” said Rutledge. “I still maintain the discipline they instilled in me—things like checking my tack every single time that I use it to make sure it’s safe. Not everyone takes the time to do those things.”

Rutledge, who retired her 5* Thoroughbred Covert Rights in 2023, has been a professional rider since 2015, when she made her United States Equestrian Team debut at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen in Germany. Her team manages 12 horses, a number of which participate in 5* events.

“Anytime I look to hire someone for my team, my first question is always, ‘Have you ever done Pony Club?’” said Rutledge. “The skills I picked up in Pony Club helped me identify when things weren’t quite right with my horses and gave me the knowledge to figure out what was needed. Having those skills has made it easier to communicate with my teams, including my veterinarian partners, and ultimately improved the health of my horses and my overall success.”

Not everyone goes on to become a professional rider or goes on to work in the industry, but as showcased by Valdez and Rutledge, the skills ingrained through USPC stick with members, and the doors opened through the organization can change lives.

Zoetis’s very own Dr. Holly Helbig is glad there are organizations like the Pony Club, which can help foster the next generation’s interest in equine medicine, a field that’s experiencing a shortage of interest but that is crucial for horses’ well-being and for the future of events like the Kentucky Three-Day. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, only 1.3% of veterinary graduates enter equine practice each year.

“Of all the organizations I work with, I think Pony Club is doing the best to foster kids’ interest and expand their knowledge of equine health,” said Dr. Helbig. “Knowing the veterinary basics, things like bandaging and taking a horse’s temperature, is expected of them and these kids are incredibly hardworking. It’s part of their culture and one of the reasons I speak at the USPC Convention every year. I know that these are our future veterinarians, technicians and assistants.”

Dr. Helbig, an expert on biosecurity who built her veterinary business working at large-scale horse shows, is no stranger to events like the Kentucky Three-Day and knows firsthand how important taking health precautions is in creating a safe, fun environment for everyone involved. For more on biosecurity, check out Dr. Helbig’s blog, Show-stopping biosecurity: A horse show veterinarian’s personal experience. 

Zoetis and USPC, partners since 2022, share a commitment to supporting the next generation of horse owners. By working to improve the health and wellness of horses and instilling horsemanship, leadership and responsibility in their riders, the partnership has had a positive impact in the equine world and will do so for years to come.  

If you’re attending this year’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, be sure to visit the United States Pony Clubs booth (#183) in the indoor arena to learn how you can get involved, as well as the Zoetis spectator tent near the Claiborne Ring to connect with the team and learn about horse care solutions for your pony or horse.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Ann Haller Media Internship during the Kentucky Three-Day Event or other scholarships and programs for riders of all ages, visit www.ponyclub.org/activities/college-scholarships and www.ponyclub.org/activities.

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