Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 10

When Piper Kulkin got to the Kentucky Horse Park the week before USEF Pony Finals, she wasn’t sure which pony she was going to ride at the championship. Her own pony, Fritella Della Monica, had just recovered from an injury and hadn’t shown since May, so she brought along her sister’s mount, The Duchess, as well. She showed both ponies at Kentucky Summer Classic the week before and picked her own Fritella Della Monica, even if she was a bit out of practice.

That decision paid off when the pair won the USEF National Pony Jumper Individual Championship during Pony Finals.

Over the first two days of jumping Kulkin and “Tella” were the only riders to keep a clean sheet, and they faulted once in today’s individual final. That meant the pair were tied with Elina Liebert (Diarado Des Cibaudes) and Kinser Vale (Praise On) on 4 faults, prompting a three-way jump-off for medals.

When both Liebert and Vale faulted, Kulkin knew she could go for a steady clear, so she opted out of one inside turn she and trainer Ned Glynn had originally planned. Tella, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse pony, kept all the rails in the cups to score the gold medal. Liebert took silver and Vale took bronze.

“I was really nervous,” said Kulkin, 15, of coming back last on 0 faults in the first round. “I think that’s probably why I had my mistake in the first round. I was nervous, but my horse is amazing and she got me there and she was great.”

Kulkin and Tella paired up in November.

“It kind of just started off from the beginning and was great from Day 1,” said Kulkin, Santa Barbara, California. “This is where we wanted to be and we made it. She’s the best horse ever. She’s so scrappy.”

The judges also selected Kulkin to win the style of riding award, which Glynn was especially proud of.

“They were not perfect, they had a few mistakes, but because Piper has worked so hard on her position [she stayed clear],” said Glynn. “She really is sitting down and holding her body really well. She fought. She lost an iron yesterday—she chipped at one of the jumps and lost an iron. She kept going and got that iron back. We’re really proud of that. We work hard on her style and equitation.”

While yesterday’s team jumping competition saw rails—and riders—falling regularly, the seven pony-and-rider combinations who qualified for today’s individual final put in solid rounds, with the lowest ranked riders finishing on 12 faults over four rounds of jumping.

Glynn, who also served as the Zone 10 chef d’equipe, said that he didn’t think the courses in Kentucky were too hard, despite yesterday’s problems. He pointed out that pony jumper classes can be hard to come by, which forces many riders to practice over distances—and combinations—set for horses.

“Actually for me, the course was a little technical but it was really nice to walk a course that was built for ponies,” he said. “Walking the combinations that are actually the correct distance is so nice. I didn’t realize how stressed I was putting the kids in when the distances were set for horses. It’s really not great for training or for a rider for you’re riding in the combination thinking, ‘If I chip in I have to add, and if I jump in good, I’ve got to kick.’ ”

He said he’s been in conversations with U.S. Equestrian Federation representatives and show managers to brainstorm ways to revive and improve the division. One idea he suggested was adding in a lower level of pony jumpers for kids starting out in the division.

“In the hunters we have child pony hunters as a stepping stone,” he said. “In our pony jumpers we just have the championship level, so we don’t have a stepping stone to get these kids in the ring riding safe courses built for them that have combinations and distances set properly.”

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You can see all the Chronicle’s coverage from USEF Pony Finals here, and check out the Sept. 23 issue of the magazine as well. Be sure you’re following the Chronicle on Instagram and Facebook @Chronofhorse.