With the cancellation or postponement of all shows for the forseable, it’s going to be a hard few months for the showing community.

However, in an attempt to keep our spirits up let’s throw it back to happier times and a select batch of in-hand horses and ponies who shone in the show ring.

Which one is your winner?

1. Custom Made The Watchman

Laura Matthews’ stunning traditional and handler John Cutts had their centre line moment at the CHAPS championships in August. The stallion took home the sash for the youngstock supreme before landing the overall supreme of show.

2. Springwater Tactician

The Dartmoor colt (Hisley Diplomat x Springwater Tatyana) — who has now been gelded and is persuing a career as a lead-rein pony — was TopSpec supreme in-hand champion at NPS Area 4 with producer Craig Elenor.

3. Rhos Exotic

Jill Godden’s riding pony (Derwent Rainbow Bandit x Rhos Eloquence) was crowned in-hand supreme under glorious sunshine at Royal Norfolk in June.

4. Betws Onid

The big-moving Welsh section A stallion (Garnelog Arwr x Betws Awyr) trotted to victory at the National Welsh Championships for owners Sue Kernan and Aimee Stunt and handler Tom Clark.

5. Greenhall Treasure Island

The then three-year-old gelding by Island Commander, owned by Gill Day, was hunter youngstock champion at the Great Yorkshire with producer Robert Walker at the bridle.

6. Dhanak Prudence

The Chesnut mare (Dhanak RS x Dhanak Petruska) scooped the Welsh section C breed title at the Royal Highland show.

7. Hillocks Morning Watch

Supreme at Hambleton was Kyle Baboth leading this then two-year-old son of Tiger Attack.

8. Ready Teddy Go

Another CHAPS champs victor was the red and white traditional stallion Ready Teddy Go who won the in-hand native, cob and traditional of the year accolade.

9. King Arthur

Emma Message led Lucinda Baldry’s veteran pony to take the senior showing title at Royal Windsor.

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Is the mini ridden combination the hardest nut to crack, and how do you produce one to succeed at top level? Tricia Johnson finds out

Britain’s plaited “mini” ponies – lead-rein and first ridden – have long been the envy of the world for their quality and manners, and have also launched stellar careers for riders across the disciplines.

These classes continue to attract huge entries, but priorities appear to have changed in recent years, and today’s picture is not always a pleasant or instructive one. The sight of highly strung mini ponies going in a fixed, overbent outline – unable to walk out correctly – is becoming increasingly common.

In January, H&H went to visit show producers Mark Robert Reeves and Steven Hulston of the Cheshire-based Cuddington stud to see what they’ve been up to over winter and ask about their plans for the future.

He are 10 things you might not know about the rising production duo:

1. They met over a Facebook advert

“I advertised looking for a Fell stallion to use on a client’s mare and Mark answered,” says Steven. “The rest is history.”

2. They both started out at local riding schools

Neither are from horsey families but both caught the bug when they started riding at local schools.

“I then got my first horse when I was 14; she was a proper hairy cob called Molly,” says Mark.

“My brothers both played football so I started at the stables to get me away from that,”  laughs Steven.

3. They have both had careers out of the saddle

After working at his local riding school for some time, Steven took a break from the horse world and worked as cabin crew for British Airways for 13 years. After he left school, Mark worked for equestrian company Derby House in retail and sales. He helped set up the brand and worked on it moving into full time show production.

4. They are sticklers for correct ground work

“We do about 70% of our work on the ground,”  says Steven. “We do lots of lungeing and long reining in the arena; we swear by it.”

5. Both have had older horses win at the top

“If you look after the horses when they’re younger they will last a lifetime,” says Steven. Their hack mare Graceful Monarch was 15 was she stood second at the Royal International, while Mark’s Welsh cob stallion Fflosas Ceredig was also 15 when he stood second at Horse of the Year Show in the open final.

6. Organisation is key at Cuddington

“Our lives are on spreadsheets,” says Mark. “Everything from feeding regimes to work schedules, to worming and flu jab plans. It means that if something isn’t going quite right you can look back and perhaps change tack a bit.”

7. Both judge and steward

Both Mark and Steven are on panels for BSPS M&Ms and Steven is also on Ponies (UK), The Showing Register and BSPS show pony and hunter pony panels. While Mark is involved with the NPS riding pony stud book, Steven is on councils for both NPS and NPS Area 4. He also stewards reguarly and is chief steward at the growing STARS championship shows.

8. Royal Windsor is their favourite show

“While HOYS and RIHS is the goal, we always try and get our clients to understand the prestige of winning at some of the big county shows,” says Mark. “Windsor is one of our favourite shows. Other early shows we always attend are Ponies UK Spring classic and North of England spring show.”

Article continues below…

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9. HOYS week is manic

“This year we took five ponies with a few first-time jockeys, so we commuted from home each day,” says Steven. We were up from 11pm on Friday until 11pm on Sunday.”

10. It’s a family affair

Last season, Steven’s nieces Isabelle and Ciara joined the show team and they have five exciting mini ponies between them for 2020. Isabelle finished last term standing fourth at HOYS with the four-year-old show pony Tirissa Party Girl.

Read the full interview in the 2020 showing special (26 March issue).

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The mountain and moorland working hunter pony classes are some of the most popular and well contended, but how do competitors really feel about the current system? Rebecca Haywood investigates

Do you have an in-height native pony who is over-height for the mountain and moorland (M&M) working hunter pony classes? This is the question one exhibitor posted on social media that has led to a debate on the current structure of the classes. The current system used in qualifiers for both the Royal International (RIHS) and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) has been in place since 2013, but a survey launched on Facebook could suggest a shake-up is needed.

Helen Gheorghiu Gould presented a survey to competitors in these classes to gauge how many would like to see a change, how they would implement it and what advantages could be gained.

Alex Robinson meets the savvy production duo who are confirming there are still proper horse people in the sport

As last month’s chaotic weather raged on, the equestrian world came to a virtual standstill and there hasn’t been much time to think ahead to the coming summer season. But for producers Mark Robert Reeves and Steven Hulston of the Cuddington Stud, the show must go on. With all of their 23 stables occupied, the team has been hard at work all winter in preparation for another year on the circuit, despite the current uncertainty surrounding coronavirus.

Their Cheshire base has been hit by unrelenting rainfall for several days, but as you drive into the pretty courtyard at the entrance to their yard, there isn’t a hair out of place.

There is a calm, peaceful atmosphere, and heading into the main barn, the horses are relaxing in spacious boxes with thick straw beds without a care in the world. Pretty trimmed heads look over stable doors to greet us and you can’t help but be impressed by the assembly and cleanliness of the place.

Show producer Sam Quiney (pictured) gives her advice on how she encourages her young horses to use their hindlegs correctly when schooling at home

*NB: the latest recommendation from the British Equestrian Federation is “not to ride” but we hope this article will be prove useful to readers when the current coronavirus restrictions are lifted*

Sam Quiney and her husband Julian have been producing show animals for the past 24 years. At the Horse of the Year show (HOYS) this year they produced three winners — Royal Engagement, Gryngallt Page Too and Little Miss Darcey — from a small yard in Somerset. The couple have now joined Vanessa Ramm in Northumberland for the foreseeable future.

Training the stars

We produced Royal Engagement for seven years before his retirement at HOYS in October. When schooling him before a show we would always work on bending exercises and leg-yielding. This would soften his front end and engage his hindleg.

From the beginning of a horse’s education, the two main aims are to get him going forward and working correctly from behind. You want the horse to place his hindleg underneath him so he can propel himself forward in a balanced and naturally collected outline.

True self-carriage comes from behind. I see so many ponies forced into a false head carriage — they are often over bitted and run too fast off their feet, which can result in hollowness through the back and trailing hocks.

Providing your horse is at a stage in his education at which he’s going forward freely and is confident through transitions, you can try the following exercises.

Tackling the issue

1. Ride a 20-metre circle in each pace — walk, trot and then canter. Ride downwards transitions while staying on the circle as this will encourage the horse to engage his hocks through the transition.

2. Ride large around the arena. Use your outside leg to move the horse on to a smaller circle and then go large again using your inside leg. You can ride this exercise in any gait, but you must keep using forward propulsion.

3. Serpentines are a really useful exercise for working on straightness and changing the bend. Start in trot and ride serpentines with varying numbers of loops to help keep it interesting for the horse. The frequent changes of bend in a serpentine will encourage relaxation of the main muscle groups your horse engages as he bends.

4. Simple lateral work, such as leg-yielding, improves straightness, suppleness and acceptance of the aids. Your inside leg asks the horse to move to the side, while your outside leg maintains straightness and forward motion. The inside rein asks for slight flexion, while the outside rein helps maintain straightness and tempo.

5. All these exercises encourage the horse to flex his hocks. Riding exercises on a bend means that the outside hindleg takes a larger stride and the inside hindleg a smaller one. This encourages full movement of all joints, improving suppleness and strength. Introduce movements slowly and avoid asking for too much at once, as a young horse may not be strong in his back.

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Things to consider…

• Your horse’s conformation may affect how long it takes to teach him how to come through from behind properly — for example, if he’s slightly long through the back it will take longer.
• If your horse is not responding as expected to the exercises, ask your vet to check there isn’t anything physically wrong.

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Some of the world’s best jockeys, eventers, showjumpers and dressage riders started their equestrian careers in the show ring. Tricia Johnson finds out why it’s the perfect foundation...

Over the years, the show ring has been the launchpad of many stellar careers in other disciplines. Sometimes, the “new” careers might seem far removed, but many aspects of that showing experience have proved the ideal grounding for young talent.

Top jump jockey Nico de Boinville showed ponies as a child, and his successes began with winning the SEIB Search For A Star final at Horse Of The Year Show (HOYS) in 1998 on Barkway Black Magic. His racing CV now includes three Queen Mother Champion Chase wins – two on Altior and one on Sprinter Sacre – and a Cheltenham Gold Cup victory on Coneygree; he has ridden more than 350 winners.

Not only are they easy to keep, low-maintenance (no plaiting, yay) and fun, natives can also be super athletic. Last show season we saw a host of mountain and moorland (M&M) ponies and their plucky jockeys take on some challenging working hunter tracks at shows up and down the country. With mammouth classes across each of the height sections, it takes talent, breed type and quality conformation as well as that all important show ring sparkle to win.

But which one of these seven stunning victors would you like to see in your stable?

1. Danny’s Pride

This Connemara and Amber Marnane qualified for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in both plaited and M&M worker finals at Lincolnshire county show. The duo ended up being crowned 143cm working hunter pony of the year at the NEC in October.

2. Penstrumbly Calon Lan

Ellie Callwood rode the scopey Welsh section D — who was in his first season of working hunter classes — to victory at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).

3. Chetwynd Jasper

The Countess of Shrewsbury’s Welsh section A stood Heritage restricted worker champion at the BSPS winter championships with producer Sarah Parker in the saddle.

4. Lahinch Teddy

At the New Forest and Hampshire county show Sharon Goodman’s roan gelding galloped to the M&M worker honours with Janine Paterson.

5. Tullaree Fear Bui

Emily Magowan started her 2019 season winning the Connemara working hunter pony championship at the Northern Ireland Festival, the same title they also netted at Balmoral later in the year.

6. Bronheulog Harvey

The prolific Welsh section B picked up a HOYS ticket at Staffordshire Country Festival in the 133cm section with Brooke Pickering. They ended up in second position in the final reckoning in October.

7. Lettergesh Bobby

Katie Bettison was at the helm when her grey gelding flew to a HOYS ticket as well as the section title at Monmouthshire.

(Do you think the structure of the M&M working hunter pony classes needs to change? Check out the showing special feature here)

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

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As we embark on another decade of showing, we also find ourselves living amid an unprecedented and movie-like crisis with increases of Covid-19 cases reported daily throughout the world. The motivational poster published by the British Government in 1939 in preparation for World War II, stating “Keep calm and carry on”, has never been more relevant.

Last month, as show secretary of the now-postponed North of England spring show – originally scheduled for Easter – I felt as if I was preparing for an exam I was not likely to pass. The nearest comparable scenario I’ve encountered was in 2001, when county shows and events fell victim to the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

While we can’t get out and about to any shows for the foreseeable due to the Coronavirus lockdown, H&H takes a look back at its April 2019 showing reports to bring you our favourite stories, best quotes, horse of the month and some top tips for when showing kicks off again…

Quotes that stuck…

“She has tremendous feet and her limbs are as good as they get — smooth as glass” — Paul Bedford on Felthorpe Esther Jane who took the mare championship at the National Shire Show.

“She’s a real darling,” said Phil Shield of Caroline Mackness’ five-year-old cob Montpelier Daisy who won the novice hack, cob and riding horse title at South of England spring show. “I saw her advertised, said I had to have her and luckily Caroline bought her.”

Stories we loved…

The organisers of Ponies UK spring classic upped their prize game during the 2019 fixture. Floral sashes were on offer for champions, plus an Easter egg hunt on day two, while the decision to give teddy bears wearing Ponies (UK) (PUK) T-shirts as extra prizes in the tiny tots section proved inspired.

“I’ve been working so hard to get the fun back into showing and I hope it’s working. We’ve had record entries this year,” said PUK chairman Carol Cooper.

Katie Ockendeon-Evans won the RIHS large riding horse class at Brook Farm on her 14-year-old Simexico, at their first affiliated show together. Katie is better known as a side-saddle instructor: “It’s weird to go into the ring riding astride,” she said.

Simexico kept his cool after a loose horse escaped from the lorry park and galloped into the warm-up arena and stopped to be caught next to him just before his class.

“He was a little traumatised when we got into the ring, but he tried so hard,” added Katie. “I can’t believe it. I never expected to qualify in our first ever class.”

Tips we took home…

In the 18 April issue, we met judge Jenny Banks who officiated at the spring fixture held by SHB(GB) in the northwest.

“I don’t like hunters that go like hacks, or obese cobs,” she explained. “My must-haves are good feet 
and limbs. I also like a horse that sits 
up and 
goes forward with its ears pricked.”

Article continues below…

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The horses we wanted in our stables…

At BSHA Southern Spring, physiotherapist Emily Proud won two championships on the Phillips’ superb coloured cob Randalstown Top Notch before standing reserve supreme of show to Jayne Ross and Temple Ogue.

“He comes in the ring with a big smile on his face and he wants to do the job,” said Mathew Lawrence, who judged him for both sections.

The show hunter pony Tremarl Tic Toc was pitted as one to watch after standing supreme at NCPA Notts/Lincs spring show. By the late Kilvington Scoundrel and ridden by Talia Aristidou, the mare won the title for her producer Lucy Glover.

“This was her first open class,” said Lucy. “She’s got a lovely laid-back nature and doesn’t seem to be fazed by much at all.”

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Kirstine is a leading showing figure who is based in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. She has been producing horses and ponies for just under 30 years and over that time she has won accolades at all major shows, including championships at Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International. She is also a British Horse Society (BHS) accredited trainer.

When I was 28, I was unlucky enough to have a life-threatening blood clot. It went right from the top of my lungs down to my groin and I was in intensive care for five weeks. On leaving, I was under strict instructions from the consultant to take it easy and not ride. But – me being me – within three weeks of being home I was back on a horse. When I went back to see him he couldn’t believe how much the leg had gone down; he was gobsmacked and hailed horse riding as the cure for any swelling.

The injury did change how I used my leg when riding, until in 2004, when I was asked to take on a horse who was due to compete in the Paralympics later in the year. A trainer came over from America to help establish a training and fitness program for him.

They might be the smallest of the British native breeds but don’t be fooled, a quality Shetland pony is more than capable of taking home a top title in the show ring.

Here are seven stunning pint-sized Shetties and their jockeys we captured last show season:

1. Firle Giorgio

Sophie Turner rode Debbie Barr’s six-year-old chestnut stallion to qualify for Olympia at the BSPS Heritage championships after standing third in the semi-final. The pair also qualified for the Royal International (RIHS) where they also finished third.

2. Wells Reliance

The 12-year-old stallion was crowned breed champion at the Royal Highland Show, before winning the overall supreme title for the best of Scotland’s native horse breeds.

3. Briar Snowman

The ultra-consistent gelding — who was also second at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the first ridden final the week previous — was crowned mini supreme at the Hertiage championships with Lily Richardson in the saddle, one of the many overall accolades they won last year.

4. Carmilo Magician

The seasoned working hunter contender — pictured here at South of England — claimed first place in both his 122cm worker finals at HOYS and RIHS with usual partner Bea Shepherd.

5. Sharptor Bellisima

Janey Godfrey—Faussett rode the 10-year-old to second place in the HOYS first ridden qualifier at the New Forest and Hampshire county show. The mare was also a HOYS lead-rein finalist with Freddie Finlayson-Briant.

6. Zennur Saffron

The mannerly chestnut and Jasmine Wharton qualified for the RIHS open first ridden final at NPS Scotland spring show before standing overall mini champions.

7. Lotuspoint Cassius

Another big winner at the BSPS Heritage championships was the pretty gelding and Olivia Brightmore who qualified for Olympia, stood Heritage restricted and open ridden champions and landed the supreme of show honours.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

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Much loved and hughley successful Welsh section B Muskerry Blue Danube has passed away aged 21 after a bout of colic.

The striking roan gelding, known as Billie at home, was crowned mountain and moorland (M&M) ridden supreme at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) in 2009 ridden by Alex Bates. Later that season he also landed the Welsh section B of the Year title at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). He was also a three-time Olympia finalist.

Billie was produced by native specialist Sam Roberts for some of his long career, winning the RIHS with her and standing supreme at the BSPS Heritage championships in 2008.

“We brought Billie from Sam and Suzi (Roberts) in 2005 and I went to HOYS on him that year at 11 years old,” said Alex. “A few years later Sam and Suzi became my producers and have been on and off ever since. We always knew Billie was going to be special; he had the most natural movement and a trot to die for.

“He was such a character and he could be quirky but everyone loved him for it. If he was in a good mood he was untouchable. Catch him in a bad mood and we wouldn’t make it to the ring. But it was so worth it for those times he performed; he made every dream of ours come true.”

Continues below…

‘Heart-wrenching’ final goodbye to Welsh cob who beat the world

‘He was a horse no one expected anything from, but he gave everything’

Princess Anne adopts rescue horse

Princess Anne has adopted a Welsh cob called Annie from World Horse Welfare

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Sam was originally sent Billie to school.

“The owner’s circumstances then changed and we brought him,” she explained. “You could certainly say he caught the eye. He was as big a personality to look after as he was to ride. When on form he gave his heart and was breathtaking.

“He was adored by the Bates family; they treated him like a king. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity I had to be involved with him. I think only of my time with him with a giggle as he always did things his way.”

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In the first of a new online series, Tricia Johnson explains why the British show pony remains the envy of the world, what it takes for a pony to succeed and shares exclusive insight from top judges on what they will – and won’t – forgive...

The British show pony, one of the longest-established showing categories dating back to the 1920s, is alive, well and indeed flourishing.

More than six decades after providing the inspiration for the society which bears its name (British Show Pony Society (BSPS)), the ‘children’s riding pony’ — as it is usually described in schedules — is still the envy of the world.

Show pony classes are held at all levels, ranging from “fun” local or riding club shows right up to the championship peaks at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) — where they have been part of the schedule since the show’s inception in 1949 — and the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), which began in 1907.

Classes are held at most major county and society area shows too, with some very old and much-cherished trophies on offer for section champions. The BSPS summer championships have a particularly impressive trophy collection on offer with some cups dating back to 1949.

Credit: The British Show Pony Society

Also included below:

• What makes the show pony so special?
• Which ponies can compete?
• What is a judge looking for in the ideal pony?
• Judges’ tips to produce a winning performance
• Unacceptable conformation faults
• A judge’s pet hates
• Turnout mistakes to avoid

10 stunning show ponies that stole our hearts during the 2019 show season...

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Julie Templeton: You can’t expect a child to do it *H&H VIP*

H&H’s showing columnist explains why the working-in is different in pony showing

At the start of the 2020 season, I made a mistake and tempted fate. I remember being so excited that we possibly had the best string of horses we have ever had. I was waking up earlier each day in anticipation of working with these beautiful horses; I think I lost a stone with all the riding I was doing.

While we never usually venture south before Windsor, we were all set to attend the Ponies (UK) Spring Classic at Addington during March, as we were so looking forward to getting the novices out. But then coronavirus kicked off and a brick wall was put up.

We all need some light relief from the Covid-19 lockdown, so we invite you to choose your fantasy equestrian lockdown house… which would be your preferred quarantine scenario?

For the purposes of the game, it’s perfectly safe to ride — we know you won’t fall off or hurt yourself, and of course you get to take your own horse along in any of these scenarios. You might even be able to persuade your famous housemates to give you lessons…

House 1

Equestrian facility: a cross-country course, with fences at every level from 70cm up to five-star

Your evening entertainment: you and your housemates take it in turns to read to each other from instructional dressage books

Your famous housemates: Richard Davison (dressage), Simon Reynolds (showing), John Whitaker (showjumping), William Fox-Pitt (eventing), Matt Ramsden (Beaufort master and huntsman)

Your wild card: unlimited wine in a colour of your choice

House 2

Equestrian facility: an indoor school, complete with music on request so you can practise your freestyle or accustom your show horse to the atmosphere for gala evening performances

Your evening entertainment: watching DVDs of Badminton and Burghley from a complete archive set

Your famous housemates: Tiffany Foster (showjumping), Robert McCarthy (Percy huntsman), Mary King (eventing), Anna Ross (dressage), Rob Walker (showing)

Your wild card: you get to play with hound puppies

House 3

Equestrian facility: a smart all-weather outdoor arena, with mirrors for perfecting your position, and white dressage boards and flowers on request

Your evening entertainment: watching DVDs of Olympia showjumping, from a complete archive set

Your famous housemates: Jonelle Price (eventing), Charlotte Dujardin (dressage), Vicky Smith (showing), Nick Skelton (showjumping), Henry Bailey (Ludlow master and huntsman)

Your wild card: swimming pool, with hot tub

House 4

Equestrian facility: grass ring, with perfect going, big enough for a grand prix showjumping course — with the jumps, of course

Your evening entertainment: the complete Jilly Cooper back catalogue is available for you to read

Your famous housemates: Geoff Billington (showjumping), Charles Frampton (Heythrop master and huntsman), Piggy French (eventing), Jayne Ross (showing), Edward Gal (dressage)

Your wild card: a dressage grand prix schoolmaster, on whom you can try out your aids for piaffe and one-time changes

Two more houses below…

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House 5

Equestrian facility: you can go hunting three times a week (with two horses each day, naturally)

Your evening entertainment: watching DVDs of Horse of the Year Show showing, from a complete archive set

Your famous housemates: Sharn Linney (showing), Mark Todd (eventing), Carl Hester (dressage), Cian O’Connor (showjumping), Chris Woodward (Wynnstay huntsman)

Your wild card: fully equipped (human) gym

House 6

Equestrian facility: beautiful hacking over miles of unspoilt countryside, with great fields for galloping

Your evening entertainment: complete back catalogue of old Horse & Hound magazines to read

Your famous housemates: Blyth Tait (eventing), Laura Graves (dressage), Daniel Cherriman (Pytchley huntsman), Scott Brash (showjumping), Katy Carter (showing)

Your wild card: you can bring your own dog

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‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ has never rung so true when it comes to some top riders’ early equestrian memories on ponies...

Zara Tindall, eventer (pictured, above)

My earliest equestrian memory was riding ponies with my brother Peter and doing gymkhanas. My first pony was a Shetland called Smokey.

Trevor Breen, showjumper

My first pony was a 12.2hh grey mare called Skellig Lady — the only pony I ever inherited from my brother, Shane. She loved jumping and would come round every corner, shake her head and take off. I think it gave my mum heart failure every time I went to a show.

Damian Hallam, grand prix dressage rider

My earliest equestrian memory is the amount of time it took to catch my first pony, Magic. We had her on a week’s trial and I got bucked off on day one. I spent the rest of the trial week trying to catch her as she galloped around tacked up — we finally caught her on decision day. I persuaded my non-horsey parents to buy her and she continued to be a little monster. I suppose what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

James Harper, polo player

I remember going cross-country on my New Forest pony, Donut (who I first played polo on). I was flat out, completely out of control, shouting, “Donut, I can’t stop!” He jumped most things, but liked to do it very fast.

Oliver Hood, showing producer

I remember hunting a pony called Cocky with the Suffolk Foxhounds. I didn’t really ride him, I just hung on. Can’t remember how old I was, but I was pretty small — my feet didn’t come past the saddle, anyway.

Sam Roberts, showing producer

Spindle did everything from Pony Club to hunting. I think that first pony is invaluable for kids. You have to enjoy it and if your first experience isn’t a good one then you probably aren’t going to continue.

Harry Dzenis, eventer

My earliest equestrian memory is doing fancy dress on my Shetland pony Treacle and dressing up as the chimney sweep from Mary Poppins.

William Whitaker, showjumper

Peter Pan was an extremely lazy 12.2hh pony. When I was about nine, I went to an RSPCA charity show wearing three-inch dressage spurs and holding a big whip. When we got to the ring, there was a sign saying “no spurs or sticks allowed” and I didn’t get out of walk the entire class.

Richard Johnson, National Hunt jockey

Tasty, a liver chestnut 13hh mare was my first proper pony. I did everything from showjumping to working hunter, Pony Club to polocrosse on her. She is the reason I wanted to be a jockey — she didn’t do walking, only flat out. When she died my dad got quite sentimental about it, which is unusual for a farmer. She was very much a family pet.

Tom McEwen, eventer

My first pony was called Sooty, a little black pony that was passed onto every child in our area. It certainly couldn’t be described as an angel.

Mark Kyle, eventer

My first pony was a naughty 11.2hh grey called Hino, who had a habit of putting his head down causing me to fly straight over his ears.

Continued below…

7 things you wish you’d been told when you were learning to ride

It’s hard being a novice — particularly if you’ve got horsey friends who just seem effortlessly good at it. But

How to choose the ideal riding school for you or your children

Find out how to choose a riding school that suits your needs and make learning to ride a dream come

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Harriet Nuttall, showjumper

My first pony was called Mischief, the name says it all. I had to hack her in a kimblewick because she was so strong, but I did have loads fun on her, especially cross-country. Most of the photos taken of us were pretty blurry because she was so quick.

Harry Skelton, National Hunt jockey

My first pony was Oxo, who was also Dan’s and even my Dad’s [Nick Skelton] first pony — we all learnt on him. I still have some of his tail in my bedside table.

We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

The show producer on forgetting set shows at crucial times, her techy talents and the winning advice she was given as a child...

When I was at school, I was really good at computer programming. I found it interesting and I finished with an A grade at A level. But back then, the internet wasn’t even around; I wish I’d known how much of a “thing” computers were going to be and how important technology would become. When I left school, I went to work for American Express before I got into horses, but in hindsight I should have kept up with the programming.

When I was younger, I looked up to the late showjumper Caroline Bradley. As I’m from a non-horsey family, I admired the way she had worked her way up the ranks. She had nothing handed to her and she was a talented horsewoman.

About Clare

Clare is a leading producer of all types of show animals. Known for her victorious Arabs, she has won with them at the Royal International and has also won at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) six times. She has won HOYS on a Highland and is a regular face at Olympia. She is based with her partner and Arab producer Steve McCormick in Hereford.

Welsh section B gelding Colby Silver Sprite (Toby) has died aged 10.

Following a minor hock injury in the paddock, he had a devastating reaction to anti-inflammatory medication.

The palomino was a big winner under saddle with producer Sam Roberts, winning at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), standing champion at the Hickstead Derby meeting, qualifying and being placed at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and taking best of breed at Olympia. He was also successful in junior ridden ranks, qualifying for HOYS with Chloe Lemieux.

After Olympia in December he was sold to Sharon Wilson and Jenny Vaux for Sharon’s daughter Hannah.

Sam brought Toby from his breeder, Gemma Trevenna, from Cornwall two and a half years ago.

“I had followed him closely,” explained Sam. “The first time I saw him he took my breath away. It took three years of me watching him in awe — and stalking Gemma — to finally get her to sell him to me.”

More of Toby’s career highlights included a second at the RIHS, two seconds at HOYS and a third overall at Olympia. He was champion at Lincoln and Cheshire county shows, won at Royal Windsor twice and took supreme at the British Show Pony Society Heritage championships. He also netted the supreme at the National Pony Society dressage championships and competed regularly in affiliated British Dressage competitions, scoring over 70 percent.

“He was such a gorgeous pony,” said Sam. “He gave a feel like no other; he was like riding a trampoline, so bouncy and powerful with natural cadence and athleticism.

Continues below…

‘Her heart made her’: rider pays tribute to four-star mare

The eventer has said goodbye to her European Championships partner, who would ‘never give up’

HOYS 2018: 11-year-old jockey triumphs in open M&M championship on incredible Welsh pony

Two Welsh ponies took top honours in the M&M championship...

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If you want to keep up with the latest from the equestrian world without leaving home, grab a H&H subscription

“He was big-moving and big-hearted, and always had a smile on his face. He’d follow you anywhere for a Polo. It’s just heartbreaking. I think he was just coming to his best.”

“Toby was the most wonderful pony inside and out, and the short time he was with us he completely stole all of our hearts,” added Sharon. “Hannah and I nursed him throughout and were constantly by his side, we are all totally devastated.”

We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

With the BSPS Winter Championships, which is usually held at the end of April, lost due to the coronavirus pandemic, we take a look back at last year’s winning combinations...

The British Show Pony Society (BSPS) winter championships took place at Arena UK (19-21 April) and was a three-day extravaganza of all things pony showing. It marks the start of the main showing season and is one of the biggest championship shows of the year.

Some stunning combinations — both seasoned and new — took home some of the top titles on offer. Check out these 25 show animals who stole the show:

1. Westerdale Regal Max

Callum Potts rode Ian Darcy’s large show riding type to land the Royal International (RIHS) intermediate championship.

2. Rowfantina Old Romantic

The big moving Welsh section A was the native to beat as he landed both RIHS open and novice ridden championships with Gemma Pallett at the helm.

3. Tremarl Tic Too

After standing supreme at NCPA Lincs/Notts the week previous, Talia Aristidou piloted this promising four-year-old to take the novice show hunter pony spoils under the evening performance spotlight.

4. Tuscany Sweet Serenade

Alina Kozersky-Gillham was aboard this consistent 128cm show pony to take the RIHS tricolours.

5. Pumphill Brosnan

The delightful Dartmoor pony took home an RIHS Heritage Pretty Polly first ridden ticket for his jockey Sophie Simmonds.

6. Thistledown Vodka Soda

Lead rein queen Sharn Linney led out Evie Haywood and her mother Rebecca’s Welsh section A gelding to claim the restricted supreme.

7.Anton Dancing Romance

Reserve in the RIHS show pony championship was Zara Watson riding John Watson’s striking grey.

8. Killaraa Brilliant

Sam Walker took Jill Day’s exciting four-year-old intermediate all the way to take the coveted novice supreme sash.

9. Menai Vicar

The Welsh section C claimed the Heritage restricted championship after a great gallop for his owner Terry Clynes.

10. Culmore Bobby

The seven-year-old gelding who is produced by Sarah Parker won his second RIHS qualifier of the season with usual partner Tayla Lewis.

11. Star Smokey

Leyla Wheelwright had a fabulous show aboard her home-produced 143cm working hunter pony, who booked his Hickstead ticket and also stood restricted champion.

12. Gems Hobo

The Welsh Cob stallion and his owner/rider Verity Murray — one of H&H magazine’s ones to watch — has been on incredible form this season and added the Heritage novice working hunter pony tricolours to his growing tally.

13. Springpond On The Razzle

Sofia Scott was on the classy plaited horse to stand HOYS coloured ridden champion and book an early ticket to the NEC.

14. Redshaws Out Of The Balou

Despite standing second in their class, Alasdair Prickett and the intermediate working hunter stood reserve in the section championship.

15. Chetwynd Jasper

The Countess Of Shrewsbury’s former HOYS winner took to the working hunter ring to come home with the Heritage restricted title under producer Sarah Parker.

16. Danwood Supernova

It was win and championship for Frank Newbould with Sarah Newbould’s Welsh section A in the RIHS Heritage mini ranks.

17. Withymoor Damsel

Champion restricted show hunter pony was Eve Duggan and Monique Drabble’s 15hh mare who also qualified for Hickstead during their champs trip.

18. Vennebos Pearly King

Claire Collier’s flying Welsh section A was ably ridden by Isobel Hartswood-Collier to stand reserve Heritage novice working hunter pony.

19. Stretcholt New Dimension

The restricted show pony title went to Charlotte Caulfield and this elegant gelding.

20. Coppinshill Commemmeration

The mini Heritage novice spoils went to Mia Rainford on Jemma Neish’s mannerly Dartmoor gelding.

21. Thistledown Sea Mariner

Reserve novice show hunter pony was Lily Brennan and the stunning 133cm grey.

We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.