Ahead of the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Heritage championship show this weekend (17-18 October), we take a look back at who impressed at last year’s show
The best native ponies in the country flocked to Arena UK for the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Heritage championship show (12-13 October 2019), in a final attempt to pick up a ticket to the Mountain and Moorland final at the Olympia International Horse Show held in December.
While the weather certain tested the native spirit of the ponies, star quality was high and several bright combinations shone through.
But which lucky few took home a qualification, and who else stole the other championship titles on offer at this popular end of season show?
1. Okedene Justin
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Hayley Reynolds and the nine-year-old HOYS winning New Forest booked their Olympia ticket after winning their breed class
2. Brynithon Paragon
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The eight-year-old Welsh section D bagged his first Olympia ticket after standing third in his semi-final with producer Sarah Parker at the helm who was riding for owner Keeley Orchard
3. Skellorn Royal Anniversary
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The Welsh section B and Tori Oakes secured their place on the Olympia bus
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4. Lotuspoint Cassius
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The 12-year-old Shetland and Olivia Brightmore picked up a clutch of titles, including the open and restricted championships and an Olympia qualification before netting the supreme of show honours
5. Lunesdale Dixie
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The Fell stallion made his owner Christina Gough’s dreams come true for the fourth year as he secured yet another Olympia place
6. Firle Giorgio
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The stunning chestnut Shetland clinched an Olympia ticket
7. Murrayhall Diezel
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The home produced Welsh section D and Sophie Howard galloped to victory in the novice working hunter championship
8. Walstead Guinness
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Vanessa Clark’s own gelding booked his Olympia ticket after placing third in the New Forest and Connemara semi-final
9. Gems Malt Whiskey
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April Gilmartin rode her own Welsh section C stallion to an Olympia ticket as well as the overall novice ridden accolade
10. Drogeda Valentino
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Producer Aimee Devane took three tickets over the duration of the weekend, including in Welsh section D ranks with Rachel Cooper’s big-moving 11-year-old gelding
11. Cree Marvin
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The eight-year-old Connemara topped a strong Olympia semi-final with his owner Katherine Bowling-Hartenfeld in the saddle
12. Linksbury Shazz
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Harriet Hanger and the eight-year-old roan Welsh section B were champions of the mini working hunter ponies
13. Brynrodyn Danielle
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Jessica Summers piloted the pretty palomino mare to stand mini restricted champion with producer Sharn Linney leading
14. Rekclif Mr Montagu
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The four-year-old Dartmoor stallion topped his Olympia breed class with Jennifer Cowan
15. Briar Snowman
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The ultra-consistent Shetland was crowned mini supreme with Lily Richardson
16. Drummersdale Black Diamond
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Prue Relland’s Fell gelding headed a strong young riders large breeds class before securing the overall championship under the evening performance spotlight with Charlotte Tuck
17. Hywi The Enforcer
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Iysha Pitman landed an Olympia ticket after winning the Welsh section C qualifying class with her own stallion.
18. Highland Chief Of Talisker
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The 2019 Royal International Horse Show reserve supreme pony and his owner/rider Amber Thorpe took the overall young rider supreme championship
19. Greenholme Warbler
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Claire Wigley’s 15-year-old stallion and producer Katy Marriott-Payne took the Fell breed qualifier
20. Boyne Girl
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The classy Connemara mare and William Chatley were foot perfect en-route to an Olympia ticket for owner Jane Andrews
21. Stowbrook Red Kite
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After a standing reserve at Westmorland county a few weeks ago, Davinia Johnson and her own Exmoor ensured they were bound for the December final at Olympia
22. Lledrith Nemesis
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Sam Roberts and Aimee Stunt’s stallion picked up an Olympia ticket and a 2020 RIHS qualification before scooping reserve in the overall supreme championship
23. Dunedin Mcsporran
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Chris Grant and his own Highland gelding battled through rain to earn their place at Olympia
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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.
