‘He’s my all-time favourite’: champion mini pony is ‘perfect in every way’
Archwood Finley lifts mini title at the 2026 Royal International, adding another to his growing CV
First-ridden winners Scarlett Smith and the Woodview Filidori six-year-old Archwood Finley went on to stand mini show pony supremes at the 2026 Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).
Finley is owned by his producers, David Jinks and Adam Forster, who bought him as a three-year-old from his breeder Yvonne Evans. He already has an enviable record, having won Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Windsor with Lara Rae Jones in the saddle. He was also bridesmaid here last term.
Adam said: “He’s beautiful conformationally, but he has the most charming, delightful, adorable temperament. I can’t think of enough ways to tell you how perfect he is in every way – to do, to lead, to ride. The kids all adore him; he is my all-time favourite pony.”
Finley is Birmingham-bound already this term having won two HOYS qualifiers – Royal Cheshire County and the NCPA Derbyshire Festival.
In the supreme, Finley duly didn't miss a beat again with his little rider, behaving far beyond his years to finish on 26 marks, and the judges’ choice for first reserve.
The lead-rein show pony division was topped by Laura Holly with five-year-old Sienna Chadwick on the Rachael Helliwell-produced four-year-old Megland Spring Fox – Freddie Fox to his friends.
They did just the one qualifier, which they won, and then won the final.
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"He really looks after Sienna in the ring. He's a really sweet pony, he literally needs no working in, he just comes into ring and performs beautifully."
In reserve were the second placed lead-rein combination, India Earnshaw aboard Marianne Stewart-Wood and Millie Earnshaw’s Royalview Gossip Girl.
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Bethan joined Horse & Hound as showing editor in January 2025, after spending two years as Editor for Showing World. Having adored ponies since childhood, she started showing as a teenager and has enjoyed wins at major shows up and down the country, including Royal Highland, New Forest, and the Royal Welsh, as well as HOYS, RIHS and London. She is particularly passionate about Welsh breeds and is also a Welsh language commentator.