9 superstar in-handers who caught the eye last show season
With the cancellation or postponement of all shows for the forseable, it’s going to be a hard few months for the showing community.
However, in an attempt to keep our spirits up let’s throw it back to happier times and a select batch of in-hand horses and ponies who shone in the show ring.
Which one is your winner?
1. Custom Made The Watchman
Laura Matthews’ stunning traditional and handler John Cutts had their centre line moment at the CHAPS championships in August. The stallion took home the sash for the youngstock supreme before landing the overall supreme of show.
2. Springwater Tactician
The Dartmoor colt (Hisley Diplomat x Springwater Tatyana) — who has now been gelded and is persuing a career as a lead-rein pony — was TopSpec supreme in-hand champion at NPS Area 4 with producer Craig Elenor.
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3. Rhos Exotic
Jill Godden’s riding pony (Derwent Rainbow Bandit x Rhos Eloquence) was crowned in-hand supreme under glorious sunshine at Royal Norfolk in June.
4. Betws Onid
The big-moving Welsh section A stallion (Garnelog Arwr x Betws Awyr) trotted to victory at the National Welsh Championships for owners Sue Kernan and Aimee Stunt and handler Tom Clark.
5. Greenhall Treasure Island
The then three-year-old gelding by Island Commander, owned by Gill Day, was hunter youngstock champion at the Great Yorkshire with producer Robert Walker at the bridle.
6. Dhanak Prudence
The Chesnut mare (Dhanak RS x Dhanak Petruska) scooped the Welsh section C breed title at the Royal Highland show.
7. Hillocks Morning Watch
Supreme at Hambleton was Kyle Baboth leading this then two-year-old son of Tiger Attack.
8. Ready Teddy Go
Another CHAPS champs victor was the red and white traditional stallion Ready Teddy Go who won the in-hand native, cob and traditional of the year accolade.
9. King Arthur
Emma Message led Lucinda Baldry’s veteran pony to take the senior showing title at Royal Windsor.
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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.