There is certainly more to a show pony than a blingy brow band and a big trot, as displayed by these nine gorgeous steeds who each reigned in the ring this show season.
But which one of these riding pony champions would you like to have in your yard?
1. Barkway Chit Chat
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The heavenly 138cm campaigner stood show pony champion at Royal Cheshire County with Olivia Bennett.
2. Blakestones Moonlight Serenade
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The novice tri-colours at the BSPS winter championships went to the Harker family’s home-produced 148cm contender ridden by Victoria Harker.
3. Drakemyre Puttin On The Ritz
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India Till clinched the supreme pony accolade at the 2019 Royal International Horse Show with the impeccable six-year-old gelding, who had landed both riding pony and part-bred titles during the week.
4. Wilderness Early Bird
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At Lincolnshire County the Team Ahern-produced 148cm trotted to the show pony championship with Mia Donaldson.
5. Meadowmarsh Cinderella
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Claudia Groves and her 128cm ride have had an exceptional season in the show ring and are pictured here qualifying for HOYS at New Forest and Hampshire county show.
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6. Basford Black Prince
OPEN SHOW PONY CHAMPIONSHIP
CHAMPION
108 BASFORD BLACK PRINCE
R: Poppy Carter
(Image credit: Steve Dawe/www.realtimeimaging.c)
The striking black gelding and Poppy Carter were crowned RIHS open show pony champions at BSPS Area 2B back in May.
7. Whiteleaze Secret Charm
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Eva Herring rode the late Ghita Jago’s 128cm mount to land the open honours at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
8. Jackets Destiny
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The Parkhouse family’s home-produced gelding was on form to win at Kent county show.
9. Stretcholt New Dimension
Louise Caulfield riding STRETCHOLT NEW DIMENSION, winner of British Show Pony Society Children's Riding Pony of the Year Championship during the Horse of The Year Show at the NEC in Birmingham in the UK between the 2nd - 6th October 2019
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Despite being a first season novice, the young 138cm was crowned riding pony of the year at HOYS in October with Louise Caulfield at the helm.
10. Small-land Dream Maker
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Ellis Taverner-Burns piloted the extravagant grey to the top of the supreme show pony field at the BSPS summer championships.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
