Fourteen-year-old Scottish rider Isla Smith claimed the ridden pony supreme champion crown at the 2026 Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), producing a polished individual show aboard Sutton Grange Fancy That (FT), owned by mum Laura, to secure one of the most coveted titles in the showing calendar.
Having qualified by winning the New Horizon Plastics Ltd supreme show hunter pony championship, the pair were the final combination to enter the International Arena, where three judges each awarded the partnership a score of nine, giving them a winning total of 27.
“To ride in that ring is just beyond words,” said Isla. “Watching all the other shows before you go in is nerve-racking because the show hunter pony is always last to perform.
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“FT is so special and we love to gallop. I actually hadn’t planned to gallop twice, but I wanted a big finish and he just excelled. I don't have the words to describe it.”
The victory added another prestigious title to the partnership’s growing list of achievements. After being crowned supreme at the BSPS Summer Championships last year, Isla admitted she never imagined another success could top that.
“I didn’t think anything would ever beat that, but this is beyond words.”
Producer Craig Eleanor, who prepares FT alongside Sarah Parrott, praised the 15-year-old pony’s attitude both at home and in the ring.
“He’s a delight to have on the yard,” he said. “Everyone loves riding him and, when he gets to a show, he always rises to the occasion. He had a successful show career, including a win at HOYS, then seven years off before he came to us to be produced so to come back as strong as ever is just wonderful”.
The partnership won the 143cm show hunter pony final at Hickstead last year before finishing reserve champion hunter pony. Returning in 2026, they went one better by claiming the supreme hunter pony title before completing a dream day by being crowned overall pony supreme.
Reserve supreme went to Connie Hutton aboard Noble Peppermint, winners of the LG Show Team O'Donnell Family BSPS supreme working hunter pony championship.
“I just can’t believe I got to watch my daughter ride in that main arena,” said mum and owner Sarah Hutton. “She absolutely loves galloping and I’m just so proud.”
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