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‘No fat ponies will be getting top marks from me’: meet HOYS mountain and moorland mini and working hunter judge Erik Mackechnie-Guire
In our latest exclusive article for H&H subscribers on what the judges will be looking for in specific classes at HOYS, M&M judge Erik Mackechnie-Guire explains what he will be prioritising in both the mini and working hunter classes, what his pet peeves are to avoid, and offers some important advice for those riding at the show for the first time
With the 2025 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) just around the corner, we catch up with mountain and moorland (M&M) mini and working hunter judge Erik Mackechnie-Guire to find out what he’ll be looking for.
Who is mountain and moorland mini and working hunter judge Erik Mackechnie-Guire?
“During my early years, my involvement in ponies was through a local trekking centre, which kept a mixture of native and native crosses. That’s where I first became interested in the native breeds and at around 16 years old, I had a native of my own for the first time – a Shetland pony,” says Erik.
After finishing school, Erik decided to pursue working in the equestrian world, and trained via the British Horse Society (BHS) system before embarking on his career. A period of working on various good training yards and facilities ensued, including over 20 years as head trainer at Gleneagles.
He has competed to advanced level in dressage, and is an experienced coach who has worked with the British para-equestrian dressage team and as para-equestrian high performance manager with Team Australia.
In May 2019 he was appointed as the BEF’s new pathway manager for para-equestrian dressage, and has since become a Fellow of the BHS.
Erik joined the Highland Pony Society in his teens, and progressed onto the judging panel in his early twenties. His involvement in the breed has continued to this day and he now keeps a small herd of ponies, and breeds under the Dunstaffanage prefix.
As well as the Highland Pony Society’s breed panel, Erik sits on the UK Ponies & Horses (UK P&H), the National Pony Society (NPS) and the British Show Pony Society (BSPS).
“Overall presentation will be vital to catch the eye” in the mini M&M classes, says Erik, adding: “I tend to see lead rein competitors as three components: first, the pony, then the child on board, and lastly the leader.
“With that in mind, I consider the pony’s type and conformation as well as their way of going. Then the proportions of the pony and the rider – they should compliment each other. The balance of the combination matters.”
What about the handler?
“As long as the pony is handled well and goes well, I am not worried about details such as which hand the handler uses to hold the reins. I’m simply looking for the best pony of breed type and the one that goes the best.
“Manners are everything for a mini pony. This can be a challenge at the likes of HOYS, where you cannot truly train for as there’s no other show like it. But the best ponies will have presence, too. I like to think of showing animals as pans on a stove. They should be simmering, but not boiling over and giddy in the environment.”
What about the conformation phase of the M&M working hunter pony classes?
“Let me be very clear,” he says, “no fat ponies will be getting top marks from me. Ponies should look fit and like they could do a day’s hunting.
“I’ll also be taking into account breed type. Whilst they need to look fit and able to do the job, I’ll still be wanting them to epitomise their breed descriptions.”
Anything else?
“In showing there is a lot of emphasis on what the head and neck and front end are doing, but that’s not where I look first. I look first of all to the engine. If the hind leg is not at least tracking up so the back foot steps in to the print left by the front foot, that will be a negative for me.
“If a pony doesn’t have an engine, it can’t work in any sphere, whether that’s driving, riding, taking a deer off a hill or jumping.”
Any show ring pet hates to be mindful of?
“A pony not going correctly and over-bitting,” says Erik. “For me, horses and ponies are generally amazing, extremely generous animals, so everything in their training should be as simple as possible.”
What makes HOYS so special?
“As a competitor and as a young equestrian, you look up to HOYS as the pinnacle – it’s one of the biggest events in the calendar. So to be asked to judge is a huge honour. When I judged the mountain and moorlands in 2014, I almost considered turning it down. I was in my early forties and felt I still had so much to learn – I still do feel that way – and HOYS is a huge responsibility.
“Competitors will have made a huge investment – both financially and emotionally – to be there. To qualify is fantastic, but to be in the top 10 is amazing, and as a judge, I feel the responsibility to get those ponies right.”
Any sign off advice for those riding there for the first time?
“Get yourself into a positive mindset ahead of your class. Do the work and hope your pony will go well. If you head in with a positive attitude you’re more likely to leave with a positive outcome,” says Erik.
“With so much emphasis on HOYS as the pinnacle of the year, it’s easy to forget to enjoy it, so make a conscious effort to; you can’t presume you’ll ever be back again. And remember, the people there with you – your family, friends and entourage – will be pleased for you whether you are first or 10th or don’t make the lineup. The memories you’ll share with those people will be lifelong ones – ensure you leave with good ones which you can look back on fondly.”
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Bethan joined Horse & Hound as showing editor in January 2025, after spending two years as Editor for Showing World. Having adored ponies since childhood, she started showing as a teenager and has enjoyed wins at major shows up and down the country, including Royal Highland, New Forest, and the Royal Welsh, as well as HOYS, RIHS and London. She is particularly passionate about Welsh breeds and is also a Welsh language commentator.
