‘This week has been like a dream’: seven-year-old claims 2026 Royal International mini mountain and moorland supreme
Dykes Blue Moon takes the mini mountain and moorland supreme sash
Seven-year-old Kate Turner enjoyed the biggest success of her young career when she partnered her mum Tracy’s Dykes Blue Moon to victory in the Signature Coachworks BSPS heritage mountain and moorland (M&M) supreme mini championship at the 2026 Agria Royal International Horse Show.
The nine-year-old Dartmoor secured the supreme mini M&M title after Charlotte won the Signature Coachworks BSPS heritage M&M first ridden championship, rounding off an exceptional week for the family. Earlier in the show, the gelding had finished second in the open class with Kate's older sister Charlotte before going on to place fifth in the junior small breeds.
The partnership qualified for Hickstead at BSPS Area 2B Warren Farm and has been carefully produced by Emma Burrow, who backed the pony as a three-year-old. The Turners bought him from his breeder in October 2023 but left him with Emma before bringing him home for the winter, where he’s enjoyed hunting, Pony Club activities and hacking.
“This week has literally been like a dream,” said mum Tracy. “I could never have imagined this happening to us. He's had an incredible week and we’ve still got a couple of HOYS qualifiers left to try to qualify with both girls before he heads off to a fantastic new family.”
Reserve supreme went to 10-year-old Dartmoor Springwater Tactician, who earned his place in the championship after finishing second in the lead rein class. Ridden by seven-year-old Sienna Clay and owned by her mother, Heather Clay, the pony arrived at Hickstead fresh from his championship victory at the Great Yorkshire Show.
“He’s won all three of his outings this season and won his second HOYS qualifier,” said Heather. “I have no words for the memories he continues to give our family. We won this same lead rein championship four years ago with brother Finley, so to do it again with Sienna has been magical.”
Produced by Craig Eleanor Equestrian and bred by Nicola Tyler's Springwater Stud, Tactician has an outstanding record at Hickstead, never finishing outside the top three in four appearances. A previous winner in 2023, this latest result marked his third reserve championship at the Royal International.
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The lead rein championship was won by Zara Constable riding Glyncoch Honey Pot.
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Kim is a Scotland-based freelance equestrian journalist who writes for Horse & Hound and The Scottish Farmer, reporting from many of the UK’s leading showing championships, including the Royal International Horse Show, Horse of the Year Show, Royal Highland Show and Royal Windsor Horse Show. Alongside her journalism, Kim produces and campaigns show ponies for her daughter, Charlotte, giving her first-hand insight into the sport from both a competitor’s and reporter’s perspective.