Tiny ponies and young jockeys tackle enormous fences out hunting [PICS]
We celebrate those often at least a third of our age, who make us feel embarrassingly feeble on the hunting field.
Armed with a pony who thinks he is a Milton/Denman/Avebury hybrid, these children are blessed with the feeling we have long since lost of fearlessness and a dogged determintation to keep up with the front of the field. Oh and they’re often pretty stylish too.
Sit back, reminisce and enjoy…
13-year-old Ed Carter-Griffiths and his pony Teddy make light work of a hedge out hunting with the Mid Surrey Farmers Draghounds at Heaverham. Photograph courtesy of Claire Owen, Attic Photography
Nia Kerslake and her 14.1hh pony Brooke fly a hedge jumped by very few of the field on Lady Denbigh’s private drag hunt with the Readyfield Bloodyhounds at Newnham Paddox. 13-year-old Nia hunts regularly and is a subscriber to the Fernie. She also team chases and has started pony racing — her dream is to be a jump jockey. Watch this space…
Elise Cadman, 11-years-old, and her 14hh pony Scarlet tackle a Portman hedge on their first ever vale day. Impressively, this was Elise’s first season hunting. Photo courtesy of Mark Thistlewood
13-year-old Libby Colmer riding 14hh Tommy at the closing meet of the Cheshire Forest Hunt. You would hardly believe Libby had jumped her first ever hedge earlier in the day. Libby, who has qualified and ridden at the Horse of the Year Show for the past two years is currently preparing for her first BE80(T) at Northallerton. Photo courtesy of Country Style Photography
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Charlotte Caulfield, who is just nine years old, flies a rail with her 11.2hh pony Maisie. Charlotte goes out every week with the Cheshire Bloodhounds and recently won ‘the most improved junior rider’ award. Charlotte’s mother Louise says, “she goes out spotless and comes home filthy, grinning from ear to ear with tales of jumping, galloping and laughter.”
13-year-old Fliss Calverley flying with the Cheshire Bloodhounds on six-year-old Ballyard Rebel Tim
Ten-year-old Harvey Trowbridge jumping his first hedge out hunting with the Portman on the six-year-old Irish cob Gale Force
Scooby flies a hedge with his young jockey, Megan Fox out with the Tedworth. Photo courtesy of Sarah Jane Bullock Photography
Ellie Morgan and her 13.2hh pony Lilly, making a 4ft9 Monmouthshire hedge look effortless
13-year-old Jack Butcher and his pony, 13.1hh Cookie make nothing of a hedge out hunting with the North Hereford, in what is only Jack’s second season of hunting. Photo courtesy of Sam Smith
Eight-year-old Emily Bailey and her 13.2hh pony Sophie tackle a Cornish bank out with the Four Burrow Hunt. Emily is the fourth child Sophie has taught to bank and hunt with the Four Burrow and is a legend among the field. Photo courtesy of Lisa Wood
Eleven-year-old Aideen Quinlan and her 14hh pony Duke tackle a bank out hunting with the Kerry Hunt Club. The pair have hunted all season with the pack in Ireland.
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Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.