The highly-anticipated 2023 BSPS Heritage championships took place at Arena UK (14–15 October) and competition was hot across all the classes, from the novice sections to the qualifiers for the London International Horse Show in December. Those riders who took the top spots over the weekend were delighted, and H&H’s official photographer captured some of those joyous moments.
Here are 27 jolly riders and their lovely native ponies who reigned at the 2023 BSPS Heritage championships…
Winners from the 2023 BSPS Heritage championships:
The Dales gelding secures the junior championship title for the third time in his partnership with Caitlin Hamilton before lifting the supreme of show accolade.
2. Menai Georgie Boy
Heritage Show 15.10.23
London Int. Semi Final Welsh C
Cl.80 No.159 Menai Georgie Boy
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Sarah Parker pilots Leah May’s Welsh section C stallion, a runner-up at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at the beginning of the month, to his first London ticket.
Molly Mercer bags her first trip to the Big Smoke riding Julie Barton’s multi-garlanded Highland stallion.
4. Burley Burberry
Heritage Show 15.10.23
London Int. Semi Final N/F & Conn
Cl.79 No. 190 Burley Burberry
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
After finishing second at HOYS earlier this month, Georgia Love’s New Forest stallion clinches his place at London International.
5. Lantau Supernova
Heritage Show 15.10.23
London Int. Semi Final Welsh C
Cl.80 No.175 Lantau Supernova
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Jodie Haywood and her own Welsh section C stallion ensure they will return to London after qualifying for the second time together.
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6. Willmont Braveheart
Heritage Show 15.10.23
London Int. Semi Final Fells, High & Dales
Cl. 82 No 234 Willmont Braveheart
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Antonia Mitchell’s Fell gelding and Emma Burrow, 2022 HOYS winners, are third in their semi-final, qualifying for London.
7. Langrigg Thomas
Heritage Show 15.10.23
London Int. Semi Final Fells, High & Dales
Cl. 82 No 181 Langrigg Thomas
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Brooke Harvey’s reigning HOYS Dales pony of the year and Emma Hodge finish second in the large breeds semi-final en route to their first London pass as a combination.
Libby Grota and the five-year-old Welsh section B stallion not only book a London place but are crowned 2023 BSPS Heritage championships novice supreme.
9. Amilas Clicquot
Heritage Show 14.10.23
Heritage Novice Mini WHP Champs.
Champion No. 323 Amilas Clicquot
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Evie Walker clinches the novice mini working hunter tricolour after finishing second in the cradle stakes class.
10. Rothvale First Edition
Heritage Show 14.10.23
Heritage Restricted Mini Champs.
Champion No. 386 Rothvale First Edition
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Jemimah Harper Chambers takes the restricted mini championship riding Clare Jubb’s winning lead rein Dartmoor contender.
Ellena Thomas’ own stallion captures top honours in the Welsh section D London qualifier.
19. Menai George
Heritage Show 15.10.23
London Int. Semi Final Welsh C
Cl.80 No.101Menai George
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Hannah Turnock is London bound on her own Welsh section C stallion.
20. Rookery Bold As Brass
Heritage Show 15.10.23
London Int. Semi Final Welsh A & B
Cl. 78 No. 125 Rookery Bold As Brass
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Jessica Talbot is the rider to beat over the weekend as she secures three London qualifications, including with Fiamma Sutton’s Welsh section A stallion.
21. Larnleighs Dictator
Heritage Show 15.10.23
London Int. Semi Final Welsh D
Cl. 81 No. 324 Larnleighs Dictator
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Aimee Devane gets a catch ride on Nicki Oldershaw-Glenn’s home-bred stallion to qualify for London.
22. Linksbury Royal Celebration
Heritage Show 14.10.23
Cl 313 winner
No. Linksbury Royal Celebration
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Sam Roberts and Sophie Garner’s Welsh section B stallion lead the London breed line-up.
23. Brynrodyn Danielle
Heritage Show 14.10.23
Heritage RIHS Mini Champs.
Champion No. 103 Brynrodyn Danielle
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Siwan Ward’s palomino mare and Victoria Neachell, runners up at HOYS a few weeks ago, trot to victory in the mini RIHS championship.
24. Thistledown El Toro
Heritage Show 15.10.23
London Int. Semi Final Welsh A & B
Cl. 78 No. 155 Thistledown El Toro
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Kashia Bhogal and Sharn Linney’s Welsh section A stallion net a first-ever London place.
25. Abergavenny Boneddiges
Heritage Show 15.10.23
London Int. Semi Final Welsh D
Cl. 81 No. 283 Abergavenny Boneddiges
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Beth Simons is third in the Welsh section D semi-final to qualify on this London debutante.
26. Carrock Comet
Heritage Show 14.10.23
Cl 94 winner
No. 482 Carroce Comet
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Leading the Dales London qualifier is Sarah Field aboard Abigail Allen’s six-year-old.
27. Maesymor Cindy
Heritage Show 15.10.23
London Int. Semi Final Welsh D
Cl. 81 No. 212 Maesymor Cindy
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Another combination off to London is Alice Barr and her own and mother Debbie Barr’s Welsh section D mare.
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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.
