Bethan Simons

Bethan joined Horse & Hound as showing editor in January 2025, after spending two years as Editor for Grandstand Media’s Showing World.

She was born on a Pembrokeshire farm but did not inherit her father’s love of cows. Instead, a riding lesson at three years old sparked a passion for ponies, fuelled by hours spent with her great uncle’s Welsh ponies and point–to-pointers.

As teens, Bethan and her younger sister began showing in flat, working hunter and in-hand classes, as well as breeding their own ponies. Whilst they have stuck predominantly to the Welsh breeds, there have been forays into the other sections and breeds. They have progressed from grassroots level to wins at shows up and down the country, from the Royal Highland to the New Forest, and have each won ridden championships at the Royal Welsh.

Their Welsh section C stallion, Yrallt Mayday Surprise (Jim) almost made history as the first Welsh section C to take the RIHS championship but finished in reserve, only to become the first and only one of his breed to win the mountain and moorland championship at HOYS later that year. Their Welsh section D stallion, Ballynacoy Prince, also boasts a win and reserve championship at HOYS. Jim and Prince both stood Best of Breed at London International and enjoyed further fame when Jim was invited to meet The Queen (Elizabeth II), and Prince starred alongside Bethan and TV and radio presenter Adrian Chiles in an episode of Welsh documentary series, Iaith Ar Daith.

Bethan began her career as a teacher, before taking the opportunity to marry her love for horses with writing as a journalist and editor. She is also a Welsh language commentator, providing live coverage of Welsh equestrian events including the Royal Welsh and Royal Welsh Winter Fair, and has presented the HOYS breeders awards and the SEIB British Showing World Awards.