‘I judge how I like my daughters to be judged’: meet the 2025 Royal International mini ride judge Sharron Kivlochlan

The mini classes lay the foundations for many a generation of show-ring and equestrian personalities, and make for super-cute viewing to boot. The 2025 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) mini ride judge, Sharron Kivlochlan, will be putting each combination through their paces alongside conformation judge Mathew Lawrence.

Meet Sharron Kivlochlan, the 2025 Royal International mini ride judge

It may surprise some to learn that Sharron’s own competitive efforts were actually in the showjumping arena. It was only when she purchased a pony for her eldest daughter Elle — now a mother herself — that Sharron became involved in showing.

Both Elle and her younger sister Maisie progressed through the mini ranks, and both girls had a variety of ponies, from show ponies to mountain and moorlands and working hunter ponies. Most recently, we’ve seen Maisie enjoy success with the multi-garlanded Cashelbay JJ in the mountain and moorland working hunter pony classes.

As the sisters grew up, Sharron decided to pursue judging as a way to give back to a sport and discipline that they’d enjoyed as a family. She sits on the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) panel.

This will be Sharron’s third time judging at the RIHS and she says she feels “very honoured” to be appointed.

What will Sharron be looking for?

“I judge how I like my girls to be judged,” she says, adding, “I always judge as I see on the day and like to reward good performances.”

For Sharron, the performance aspect is foremost.

She says: “Obviously a lovely pony is a lovely pony, but for me it’s really important that good performances reap rewards for children. I know they will have worked very hard for that performance, and should be given reward for their work.”

Balance is important, too.

“When judging these classes, it’s the overall picture and performance and you have to weigh it all up. You might forgive a pony for being above the bridle if they have a very little child on board, for example.”

And any dislikes?

“I like to see corners used correctly when I am judging. That’s very difficult for little riders but I would expect that at the final, they don’t perform their show on a ‘postage stamp’ and they try to use the ring. It doesn’t need to be a long show, just one that uses the ring.

“In the lead rein, I would expect that leaders can use their ring correctly to show the pony off to the best of their abilities.”

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