Paparazzi and Kenzie Smith Crowned USEF Grand Green Pony Hunter National Championship

Lexington, KY – August 7, 2026 – It was all about the green ponies on Friday afternoon at the 2026 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Marshall and Sterling. The Medium Greens kicked things off with their over-fences phase, where Kenzie Smith (Shoreham, N.Y.) and Paparazzi, a German Riding Pony gelding (Dreidimensional AT x Crazy Girl) owned by Rivers Edge, wowed the crowd and judges to earn a 546.10. Combined with their model score of 262.25 and their under saddle score of 263.13, they had a decisive victory with an overall total of 1071.48. They earned the USEF Medium Green Pony Hunter National Champion title, and their top score made them the Grand Champions for the greens.

While this is Smith’s fourth trip to the USEF Pony Finals, this week’s accomplishment marks her first championship, as well as her first grand championship at the national event. “It feels amazing, and I’m really glad I won it with him because he’s really special,” she expressed. “He’s come a really long way. His canter is really nice. He goes like a nice junior hunter – he really covers the ground, and he jumps up so nicely.”

Smith and Paparazzi were in the lead in the overall standings heading into the final over fences phase, but she did not let the pressure get to her, saying, “I was definitely a little bit nervous. It wasn’t crazy, but I definitely felt a little bit of pressure since the rider that was second and I were really close for points.”

Paparazzi is owned and trained by Scott Stewart and Ken Berkely of Rivers Edge, and Smith began riding the talented pony last year. “I rode him a few times last year, and then I really started riding him midway through winter. He’s grown up a lot since then. In Florida, I rode him every day. Today, [Scott] told me to just be confident, know your horse, and sit up tall.”

This year’s USEF Pony Finals was extra special for Smith, but she loves coming every year and concluded, “I really like that most of my friends that I don’t get to see at all the horse shows, they always come here. It’s really nice seeing everybody and having all the support!”

Just six-tenths of a point separated second and third in the Medium Green Pony Hunters, with Evynn Morelli (Suffolk, VA) claiming the reserve championship title aboard her own Smallwood Emma, a 10-year-old Welsh Pony mare (Maple Side Wish List x Walnut Creek Ice Angel). Marlowe Martin (Pendleton, IN) rounded out the top three with her own It’s Always Sunny, a 10-year-old Welsh Pony gelding (Boston Bonaparte x Woldberg’s Foxtrot).

Large Green Pony Hunter National Championship

Grace Stenbeck-Werner (North Salem, N.Y.) returned to the winners’ circle on Friday afternoon, this time to claim the USEF Large Green Pony Hunter National Championship, as well as the Reserve Grand Green title. She was aboard Royal Encore, a 10-year-old New Forest Pony gelding (AB Jetstream x Unknown), owned by Catine Golia. The duo scored 527.82 during Friday’s jumping phase, combined with their model score of 262.49 and under saddle score of 256.78 for a total of 1047.09.

Earning two championships in as many days, Stenbeck-Werner is having a great Pony Finals and was thrilled with the results. “I feel really good – I’m really happy,” she smiled. “I really liked being in [the second] position today. I walked in the ring feeling really confident. With green ponies, it’s kind of hard to tell, but I got so lucky with Royal Encore. He’s the same every single round, and I knew he’d be perfect, so I just had to do my part, and I knew it’d all come together.”

Stenbeck-Werner just began riding Royal Encore last summer, but has enjoyed getting to know the talented pony, saying, “I always knew he’d be perfect. He always has to have his balance up, and it’s kind of easy to get long and low. He’s a really easy ride once you put him together, and then you can just continue your course.”

The Reserve Large Green Pony Hunter National Championship title went to Lacey Powers (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Summertime, a 7-year-old German Riding Pony mare (Cover Noble x Castenraysweg’s Romance) owned by Beyaert Farm. The third place prize was awarded to Kenzie Smith and Chesterfield, a 7-year-old German Riding Pony mare (Morgensterns Dalai x Steendieks Lady Diana) owned by Rivers Edge.