29 stunning combinations H&H captured at the 2021 BSPS winter championships
The highly anticipated British Show Pony Society (BSPS) winter championships took place at Arena UK (17-18 April). The two-day show welcomed top combinations as well as some fresh faces. The BSPS winter championships marks the start of the main showing season and is one of the biggest championship shows of the year.
Check out these combinations who stood out from the crowd and impressed the judges…
1. Mexican Summer
Gary Parr is crowned Royal International (RIHS) intermediate champion riding Georgina Wilkes’ prolific mare, a former Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) winner in this class.
2. Cwmtynant Cardiganbay
Home-producer Molly Mercer tops the novice Heritage working hunter pony championship riding her mother Katie Mercer’s Welsh section D gelding.
3. Rotherwood Maestro
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Despite taking second in the 138cm class, Isabella O’Donnell and the bay gelding secure reserve in the overall novice show pony championship.
4. Wilderness Early Bird
The Team-Ahern produced 2019 RIHS winner is top of the RIHS anglo and part-bred Arab championship with Mia Donaldson on board.
5. Broadgrove Family Silver
Megan Gilbert’s 128cm winner is crowned novice show pony champion with Milly Gilbert.
6. Sks First Waltz
Melissa McCluskey makes it two RIHS qualifier wins in two weeks with her new ride, the intermediate show hunter who also takes section reserve.
7. Ellister Islay Spruce
Julie Barton’s big-winning Highland stallion and Rebecca Penny land the Heritage open ridden spoils, achieving their second RIHS championship victory in as many weeks.
8. Witchhill Candy Cotton
The Welsh section A and Ilayda Aydin net the restricted Heritage mini spoils for owner Deanna Tugcu.
9. Tyan Ma Lady
The Connemara mare — a former H&H cover star — picks up an RIHS ticket and the section reserve for owner Janine Sehne and rider Sue Deakin.
10. Noble Peppermint
Ruby Ward lands two working hunter titles, including the restricted open championship riding Noble Cartier and the RIHS open championship with former 133cm HOYS winner and overall champion Noble Peppermint.
11. Stretcholt About Time
The Team Jinks-produced 148cm show pony and Reise Shakespeare net the RIHS show pony tri-colour for Antony Gribbin.
13. Barnby Silhouette
The lovely show riding type tops the novice intermediate championship with owner/rider Olivia Bowen.
15. Ardenhall Blenheim
Jenny Harker’s 128cm winner and Lola Carabine trot to reserve in the RIHS show pony championship.
16. Ebony King
Harriet Dennison pilots Freda Newton’s intermediate show hunter — another former HOYS champion —to lift the RIHS intermediate accolade.
17. Nipna Midnight Rambler
Producer Sarah Parker is on board Julie Pennell’s Dales stallion to be crowned top of the Heritage restricted open ridden field.
18. Thistledown Sea Mariner
Lily Brennan takes home a Hickstead ticket and a reserve championship sash with her 2019 RIHS winner.
19. Crafton Indian Spirit
The show riding type and Myles Cooper pick up two section reserves over the weekend, including in the novice intermediate championship.
20. Bronheulog Gold Dust
Top restricted show hunter pony is Samantha Taylor at the helm of Rebecca Abba’s striking 122cm winner.
21. Warleigh Valentino
Lizzie Harrison rides Bridget Edmondson’s 133cm contender to reserve of the restricted open field.
22. Tuscany Sweet Serenade
The Team Edward Young-produced 128cm mare — who is owned by Claire Smith — picks up her second RIHS championship this season with Cate Mitchell.
23. Sarison Heavenly Silk
Lucy Glover gets a tune out of Sharon Harrison’s part-bred mare to score the restricted part-bred honours before lifting the overall restricted supreme title.
24. Balmoral Merlin
Lynda Crayston’s Highland gelding and Sophie Barker earn two RIHS tickets in the UK Ponies and Horses classes as well as the section accolade.
25. Greylands Ace High
As well as standing RIHS reserve, Glen Allen and his own intermediate show riding type are crowned overall restricted champions.
26. Larnleighs Dictator
Rebecca Penny posts her second RIHS Heritage championship of the show, this time riding Nicki Oldershaw-Glenn’s seasoned Welsh section D stallion.
27. Romanno Spot Of Distinction
As well as standing supreme novice for the second time, Charlotte Caulfield — who had a tremendous weekend in the show ring — and the 143cm show hunter pony pick up a Hickstead ticket and RIHS championship.
28. Salcombe Starehole Bay
The first-season Dartmoor stallion is victorious in the restricted Heritage small breeds class before capturing reserve for producer Katy Marriott-Payne and owner Felicity Thompson.
29. Murvey George
The Connemara stallion heads a competitive novice Heritage field with Sarah Field on their pair’s season debut.
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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.