Show a native? Find out all you need to know about the 2018 breed shows
If you’re lucky enough to own one of the 12 British native breeds, then attending the society’s annual breed show is a must. Check out these shows that are dedicated to your favourite native breed, complete with information on those all important Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers:
Exmoor breed show
When? 9 August 2018
Where? Exford Showground, Minehead, Somerset
Judges? TBC
Details on: exmoorponysociety.org.uk
Last year’s winners: Taking the HOYS qualifier, ridden championship and supreme of show was the consistent gelding Eddra Chillies who was ridden by Serena Raftery. Reserve supreme and overall in-hand victor was the yearling colt Blackthorn Poldark.
Fell breed show
When? 5 August 2018
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Where? Dalemain, Penrith
Qualifier judges? J. Charlton / R. Williams.
Details on: fellponysociety.org.uk
Last year’s winners: It was Iysha Pitman and the gelding Bybeck Kasper who won the HOYS class, but having already bagged their ticket earlier in the season, the qualifying card was passed down to the second placed Lunesdale Aurora. In-hand and overall supreme was the two-year-old filly Greenholme Jasmin from Mrs P. J. Steeples, while reserve was the ridden champion, Raisbeck Calico and Annabel Dickinson.
Dales breed show
When? 4 August 2018
Where? Streatlam Park, Barnard Castle
Qualifier judges? TBC
Details on: dalespony.org
Last year’s winners: Kate Wilson rode Glynis Cockbain’s mare Tarbarl Mary Jane to claim her final HOYS ticket, before she retired to stud after taking eighth place at the final. In-hand supreme was Stuffynwood Daffodil, while the ridden title went to Morlandsdale Mia.
Connemara breed show
When? 14 July 2018
Where? Vale View EC, Melton Mowbray
Qualifier judges? J. Holderness-Roddam / K. Gibb
Details on: britishconnemaras.co.uk
Last year’s winners: The stallion Spinway Blackthorn and Jo Williams trotted their way to the HOYS class, but it was Janine Sehne’s mare Tyan Ma’Lady who went overall ridden champion. In-hand supreme was the reserve ridden champion and 2017 Olympia finalist, the Fallon’s home-bred stallion Cashelbay Rocket.
New Forest breed show
When? 25 and 27 August 2018
Where? Brockenhurst Park
Qualifier judges? A. Perkins / TBC
Details on: newforestpony.com
Last year’s winners: The Chestnut stallion Ashley Rancher took top spot in the HOYS qualifying class, and went on to stand a very respectable third in the breed final in October. Ridden champion was Fiona King piloting her own Fijal Jupiter, while in-hand champion and supreme of show was Michael Maton’s Forest-run stallion Brookshill Brumby.
Highland breed show
When? 8 July 2018
Where? Strathallan Castle, Auchterarder
Qualifier judges? TBC
Details on: highlandponysociety.org
Last year’s winners: Heading the ridden line-up was the winner of the HOYS qualifier, Katherine Bowling-Hartenfield and her own Ruby Rose of Strathmore, while taking the in-hand honours was Heather Gow’s mare Westray of Alltnacailleach.
National Welsh championship show (Welsh A, B, C and D)
When? 5 August 2018
Where? Three Counties Showground, Malvern
Qualifier judges? TBC
Details on: wpcs.com
Last year’s winners: With qualifiers for all the respective Welsh breeds, the following ponies picked up their well-earned HOYS tickets: Welsh section A: Waxwing Painter, Welsh section B: Janpete Tom Thumb, Welsh section C: Glebedale Johnny Depp, Welsh section D: Ballycannon Prince
Shetland breed show
When? 26 August 2018
Where? Three Counties Showground, Malvern
Qualifier judges? J. Paterson/ Mrs L. Joslin
Details on: shetlandponystudbook.co.uk
Last year’s winners: Mr I. Spence and Mr S. Rendall took the supreme accolade with the stallion Strauss of Auckhorn, while the ridden tricolours went to Harviestoun Romanov who also took the HOYS ticket.
Dartmoor breed show
When? 5 August 2018
Where? Lady Willingdon Field, Whiddon Down
Qualifier judges? TBC
Details on: dartmoorponysociety.com
Last year’s winners: Top of the HOYS qualifier was the mare Langworthy Swift Ghost, owned by Elizabeth Houghton.
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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.