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‘A native pony must scream type, including in its movement’: meet the 2025 Royal International M&M judge for conformation
In the next of our exclusive articles for H&H subscribers on what the judges will be looking for in specific classes at the Agria Royal International Horse Show, M&M conformation judge Cheryl Scott explains how she developed a passion for natives, shares details about her equestrian background and what she will be prioritising at Hickstead
The Royal International mountain and moorland (M&M) classes will be among the biggest at the show. This means there will be no shortage of quality at the final. 2025 Royal International M&M judge Cheryl Scott will have the tough task of assessing each one’s conformation.
So who is Cheryl and what will she be looking for?
Cheryl’s background
At the age of 11, Cheryl began working at a riding school to earn free lessons, which had her hooked on ponies. She later swapped to working at a saddlery in order to keep a Welsh part-bred she had on loan, introducing her to the breed.
“Then I got asked to ride a Welsh cob that I showjumped,” she says, “and we drove him during the winter. My passion ever since has been showing my own and other people’s native ponies. I have owned, produced or ridden all the native breeds.”
Though Cheryl is most passionate about the natives, her career has seen her work with a whole host of different types.
“I went into working on a racing yard. Then wound up yard manager at a different racing yard, as well as a livery yard dedicated to dressage horses,” she explains. “I have also worked for a master of the Meynell hunt, hunted, and team chased over the years.”
Cheryl’s judging experience
Cheryl’s judging experience began more than 15 years ago on the Northern Counties Pony Association (NCPA) panel. Later, she progressed to the British Show Pony Society (BSPS), UK Ponies and Horses (UKP&H), and The Showing Register (TSR) panels, and eventually, the National Pony Society (NPS).
“I have been on show committees for almost 20 years, too, and am currently show secretary for NCPA Staffordshire and Ashbourne Show,” she adds.
So what will the 2025 Royal International M&M judge be looking for?
“You can make the top but never the bottom” is Cheryl’s ethos, so she starts at the foot when assessing a pony. “I progress to the correct angles of the foot and fetlock, then short strong cannons, flat bone, well-shaped shields and clean, well-set hocks. A pony’s bone must also be in proportion with the rest of it.
“Then I like a well-set shoulder, clean neck and throat, room to carry a saddle and strong quarters with a good second thigh.”
Beyond its basic conformation, for Cheryl, a pony must “scream type” including when it comes to movement. “A pony must move correctly for its type,” she says.
When assessing their movement, Cheryl also keenly critiques the walk. “The walk, for me, is the most important gait. If a pony can’t walk freely and cover the ground, it will never negotiate the terrain it was bred to live and thrive on.”
And as for pet hates? “Over-topped, under-pinned and over-produced ponies,” she says without hesitation.
“I like a native pony to be just that: a pony. Fat should not be mistaken for substance. I don’t like ponies fattened to the point they end with weakened joints and the health issues that go with being overweight. Let a young pony look and be a young pony.”
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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.
