Want to go showing in 2025? Find out which showing societies you need to join…
BSPS or BSPA? TSR or SHB? If you’re new to showing, deciding on which society is for you can seem daunting. We’re here to help because knowing which showing society membership you need to ensure that you’re able to compete in the classes you want is important.
Here’s our guide to what some of the biggest showing societies are offering their members this season…
National Pony Society (NPS)
Why join?
If you want to compete in the following HOYS and RIHS qualifiers and respective finals:
- HOYS pony classes (remember both owner and rider need to be a member of a relevant society to compete in HOYS qualifiers)
- NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds M&M WHP RIHS qualifiers – the owner needs to be a member to compete in the qualifying rounds
What do they offer?
There are 18 NPS areas which cover the UK, and most commit to hosting shows throughout the year.
The NPS holds two shows at the Three Counties Showground: the Spring Festival (26 April 2025) hosting a mixture of classes for open and novice ponies, and the Summer Championships (5–7 August 2025) which has an absolute wealth of classes, from fancy dress to HOYS qualifiers as well as finals for all of their championships. There are plenty of classes you can enter on the day at the championships, but if you want to qualify for a final, it’s best to try to crack on early at their area shows. The Great British in-hand show is held in September. You guessed it, the classes are all in hand (14 September at Vale View) but this year is combined with the Autumn Performance Show which hosts the finals of the Anthony Evans Insurance Arena Eventing Challenge.
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The NPS runs its own dressage series which is great for anyone used to dressage and wanting to dip a toe in showing, or visa versa. This year’s finals are on 17 May at Bury Farm with finals for all the M&M breeds and riding ponies, at novice and prelim level, plus a team competition and an evening supreme.
The NPS are the custodians of the British Riding Pony Studbook. Members can enjoy reduced passport applications and transfer fees for ponies in the British Riding Pony Studbook.
While we hope you won’t need it, public liability and accident insurance is included in the membership .
What will it cost me?
The cost of a qualifying membership for one person is £89, while a non-qualifying membership costs £69. This membership covers all ponies eligible for the listed qualifying classes. There is a £5 discount for membership applications completed before 31 January.
Find out more at www.nationalponysociety.com
British Show Pony Society (BSPS)
Why join?
If you want to compete in the following HOYS, RIHS and LIHS qualifiers and respective finals:
- HOYS M&M LR, FR and Open Ridden classes
- HOYS Intermediate Show Horse and Show Hunter
- HOYS SP (LR/FR and height sections)
- HOYS SHP
- HOYS LRHT
- HOYS part-bred class
- HOYS plaited and M&M WHP classes
- All RIHS pony classes including SP, SHP, LR, FR, Heritage M & M LR, M & M FR & Ridden, Anglo and Part Bred Arab, Young Dragonara Riders and Pretty Polly finals
- LIHS M&M Supreme Ridden Championship qualifiers and final
- BSPS London International Performance qualifiers and final
- Burghley Gold Cup qualifiers and final
What do they offer?
There are 17 BSPS areas covering England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, each holding at least one show annually, usually with discounted entry fees to Society members. Various areas also regularly arrange clinics for training and points parties.
There are three BSPS Championship shows held at Arena UK, Grantham: the BSPS Winter Championships (3–5 May 2025), the Summer Championships (19-23 August 2025) and the Heritage Championships (27 and 28 September 2025), which is for native ponies.
BSPS offers members the chance to qualify for the Blue Riband Pony of the Year, BSPS Challenge, Showman’s Award, Best of the Best Championship and Champions of Champions Finals held at the Summer Championships.
The BSPS holds the Land Rover Burghley Gold Cup Sports Pony Finals annually, which is a season must for die-hard working hunter pony competitors.
The performance classes and the Heritage Supreme Ridden Championship (for M&Ms) at the London International Horse Show are also hosted by the BSPS, with qualifying opportunities offered at various shows throughout the year.
What will it cost me?
An adult showing membership costs £60. The BSPS also requires separate pony registrations, which costs £38 per animal.
Find out more: www.bsps.com
Northern Counties Pony Association (NCPA)
What can they offer me?
The NCPA has 10 branches spanning from Cumbria to Shropshire areas, with most holding a number of shows and events during the course of the year where members are offered discounted entry fees.
The NCPA Spring Spectacular will be on 9 March, and Pony of the Year Show will be held on 14 September 2025.
Members are given the opportunity to win a bursary to be used for an equestrian training course at any approved NCPA establishment.
NCPA members can win the Star Rosette at affiliated shows.
What will it cost me?
A single adult membership is £40 per person (£35 online) or family membership is £50 (£45 online) providing children are under 18.
Details on: www.thencpa.co.uk
UK Ponies & Horses (UKPH)
Why join?
If you want to compete in the following qualifiers and respective finals:
- RIHS M&M young riders
- RIHS M&M amateur riders
- Multiple HOYS qualifiers
What can they offer?
The UKHP Spring Classic (15–16 March 2025) is held at Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre, Warwickshire. There is also an autumn show held at Newbold Equestrian Centre (21 September 2025) with London International qualifiers.
What will it cost me?
An annual adult membership is £50 per person. Horse and pony registrations cost £40 per animal. A rider membership costs £40 per person.
Details on: www.ukponieshorses.com
British Show Horse Association (BSHA)
Why join?
If you want to compete in the following HOYS, RIHS and LIHS qualifiers and respective finals:
- HOYS cobs (including maxi cobs)
- HOYS riding horses
- HOYS ridden hunters
- HOYS hacks
- HOYS ladies show horse
- HOYS intermediate show horse
- RIHS open and amateur hacks, cobs (including maxis) and riding horses
- RIHS working show horse
- LIHS Rising Stars amateur classes
What can they offer?
The BSHA holds several shows throughout the year, including the BSHA Northern Spring Show (13 April), BSHA Southern Spring Show (10 May), the BSHA National Championships Show, (11–13 September) and the BSHA Rising Star Show (14 September).
As well as the amateur classes at the RIHS, the BSHA host a series of amateur-only and home-produced ridden finals at London International Horse Show, with qualifiers being held across the season. New for this year are performance-led classes where conformation won’t be considered.
What will it cost me?
BSHA have a variety of options, depending on which classes you wish to enter. Full adult membership is £65, allowing you to do the full range of HOYS and RIHS classes, but hunter only membership is less, at £45, and LIHS Rising Star membership is £30, including a £5 pre-registration fee. There are further discounts offered such as family, junior and life memberships. Horses need to be registered too, and there are various options for you to choose from.
Find out more at britishshowhorse.org
Sports Horse Breeding of GB (SHB(GB))
Why join?
If you want to compete in the following HOYS and RIHS qualifiers and respective finals:
- RIHS ridden hunter qualifiers.
- HOYS ridden hunter and working hunter qualifiers
- All ridden hunter and sport horse classes that are run under SHB (GB) rules.
- Eligibility to compete for the £200 broodmare premiums which are awarded at shows across the country.
What can they offer?
SHB (GB) is the governing body for hunter and sport horse classes which are held at major shows throughout the country.
Grading system for stallions, mares and foals. There is also an annual stallion parade which takes place at Badminton Horse Trials and showcases stallions graded within the society.
The SHB(GB) Spring Show will take place at Addington Equestrian (27 April 2025). The National Hunter Supreme Championship show will take place at Addington Equestrian (12–13 August 2025). A Burghley Young Event Horse qualifier is also held at the National Hunter Supreme Championship Show.
At both shows there are classes that are open to non-members of the society.
What will it cost me?
A membership costs £95 per person per year. But, if you’re new to showing and want to dip a toe in these classes, you can purchase a day ticket for £42. A maximum of two day tickets may be purchased per year, and this entitles competitors to compete at a maximum of two shows in the year, covering owner and rider membership, together with horse registration/overstamp for those shows. But stand warned: if the class is a qualifying class for RIHS, in order for the qualification to be valid, application for full owner/rider membership and horse registration/overstamp must be received in the SHB(GB) office within 14 days.
Details on: www.sporthorsegb.co.uk
The Showing Register (TSR)
Why join?
If you want to compete in the following HOYS qualifiers and respective finals:
- HOYS M&M qualifying classes
- HOYS coloured horse and pony classes
- HOYS plaited pony classes (SP, SHP, LR/FR, INT, PB, WHP)
- HOYS hunter weights, small hunters, working hunter and side-saddle
What can they offer?
TSR run three shows: the Spring Show (26 May 2025) the Premier Amateur Show (6–7 September 2025) and the Eligibility to qualify for the New Amateur of the Year Show, the HOYS Amateur Points League, and Talent Spotting finals in September 2025. Members also get discounted entries at TSR shows and clinics. Added perks include a complimentary Horse of the Year Show evening performance ticket for Sunday 2025, 10% discount on Equibalancer products and 15% discount on Supreme Products items.
What will it cost me?
Entry level membership at £30 for you and £10 for your pony or horse entitles you to compete at all TSR Shows, Talent Spotting finals, qualify for Amateur of the Year and all other non-HOYS benefits. If you want to compete in HOYS classes or enter the Premier Amateur points league, you’ll need full membership at £50 plus £20 for your horse or pony. A package rate of £65 covers one adult, one child and one pony.
Details on: www.theshowingregister.co.uk
British Skewbald and Piebald Association (BSPA)
Why join?
If you want to compete in the following RIHS qualifiers and respective finals:
- RIHS coloured horse and pony classes
What can they offer?
The BSPA has 13 regional areas, which offer support and assistance to members.
Grading system for stallions and mares registered in the society.
The BSPA hosts the Festival of Showing winter championships (TBC) and the BSPA World of Colour Show (TBC) at the same venue.
What will it cost me?
An adult membership costs £60 per person, while a RIHS qualifying card costs £30 per horse/pony.
Details on: bspaonline.com
Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS)
Why join?
If you want to compete in the following qualifiers and respective finals:qualifiers and respective finals:
- HOYS coloured horse and pony series
- CHAPS area and championship shows
What can they offer?
CHAPS UK run several shows and events through the year. The CHAPS summer championship show takes place at Arena UK (14–16 August 2025), and you’ll find sections for everyone, from HOYS qualifiers to in hand and ridden classes for amateur, home produced, novice, open, junior and golden oldies.
CHAPS UK offers grading opportunities for registered stallions and mares.
What will it cost me?
An adult showing membership costs £48 per person.
Details on: www.chapsuk.com
Veteran Horse Society (VHS)
Why join?
If you want to compete a horse or pony, 15-years-old or over, in showing or dressage.
What can they offer?
The VHS championship show takes place at Arena UK (29 August–31 September 2025).
What will it cost me?
A VHS showing membership costs £35 per person. Showing and dressage cards cost between £12.50 and £17.50.
Details on: www.veteran-horse-society.co.uk
Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd (SSADL)
Why join?
If you are a home-produced competitor with a senior horse or pony (aged over 15) and want to show at either RIHS or LIHS.
What can they offer?
Two prestigious finals held at the RIHS and at London International, for both in-hand and ridden show horses and ponies. A national championship show (20–21 September) which is open to all home produced ponies and horses 15 years of age and over. You don’t have to be a member to compete at the championships, but you will need to be a member in advance if you hope to qualify for the RIHS or LIHS finals and the Senior of the Year final. There is also a dressage series and other benefits.
What will it cost me?
For newcomers, showing membership costs £75, but renewal before the end of February is discounted to £70. There are also non-showing options which are cheaper.
Find out more at www.seniorshowinganddressage.co.uk
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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.