When you were growing up as a showing mad child, what did your dream pony look like?
Perhaps a perfectly plaited show pony with an eye-catching trot, or a chunky little Welsh with a gorgeous dished head? Well these 12 lucky riders have certainly hit the jackpot with their selection of beautiful ponies.
Which one of these 12 combinations who reigned in mini ranks this term would be your overall champion?
1. Manorlea Maverick
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The typey five-year-old Welsh section A was crowned mini mountain and moorland (M&M) champion at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) with Jessica McIntosh in the saddle and producer Kevin Cousins at the bridle.
2. Coppinshill Commemoration
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The lovely Dartmoor gelding and his jockey Mia Rainford started their debut first ridden season by standing novice mini M&M champion at the BSPS winter championships. They went on to qualify for both the RIHS and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
3. Annandale Line Of Fire
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Landing the four-, five- and six-year-old ridden supreme at the Ponies (UK) spring classic was this four-year-old lead-rein of hunter type, ridden by George Levett and handled by Katie White.
4. Barkway Sweet William
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Lilly Ahern-Lee scored the mini show pony tri-colours at the BSPS mid-summer show in July on her prolific nine-year-old gelding.
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5. Broekland Allesandro
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The mini M&M championship at Lincolnshire County was awarded to Demi Appleton and this 12-year-old Welsh section A, who has previously contested in open ridden ranks.
6. Lochar Love In The Mist
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Kim Wilson’s first ridden campaigner and his rider Charlotte Wilson were given the nod in the mini show pony championship at the Royal Highland Show.
7. Newoak Pageboy
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Hayley Came-Boyce led out daughter Amelia Brook to land three championship titles at NCPA Lancashire spring show.
8. Pontadawe Tinkerbell
Bourneside Stud MINI RIDDEN PONY of the YEAR
Champion
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PONTADAWE TINKERBELL
Rider: Amelia Evans
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Amelia Evans was crowned mini pony of the year at the CHAPS championships in September with the Team Holder-produced coloured pony.
9. Rowfantina Hideaway Harry
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The mannerly Welsh section A trotted to the HOYS mini M&M title at Three Counties.
10. Whitchhill Candy Cotton
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Ilayda Aydin, aged four, won the Brynseion lead rein final on her pretty Welsh section A, who is also just four years old.
11. Cayberry Hot Shot
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At Monmouthshire, the 14-year-old Dartmoor and Daisy-May Allen were on form to claim the HOYS mini M&M honours.
12. Ravara Mr Todd
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Milly Gilbert and the first ridden contender bagged a HOYS ticket, the mini championship and reserve mini supreme at NCPA Derbyshire back in June.
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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.
