The event takes place over six days and is typically held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. More than 600 ponies compete at the championship every year.

[3] The green pony hunter division was created in 1978, and was further divided into two sections (small/medium and large) in 1983.

It was held five times at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Connecticut, and also was hosted at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, the Virginia Horse Center, and The Andrews Osborne Academy in Willoughby, Ohio before finding its permanent home at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2005.

[4] Many top American riders have competed and won at Pony Finals, including Gregory Best in 1975, Lauren Hough in 1985, and Reed Kessler in 2006.

The under saddle is a standard flat class where ponies are judged on their movement, manners, and soundness at the walk, trot, and canter.

On Thursday, all riders compete in an individual welcome class at a maximum height of 1.05m, followed by two identical rounds on Friday that makes up the team championship, and an individual championship class on Saturday where fences can reach a maximum height of 1.15m.

Those that do not qualify for the individual final may compete in the farewell class on Saturday where fences are up to 1.05m.

The rider may choose any pony to compete on in the final, although the same age rules as the hunter divisions apply.