Latest from Horse & Hound in Coloured-horses

‘He’s been through a lot in his short life’: pony defies the odds to stand champion

Bethan Simons — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:23:44 +0000

Native type coloured pony Burghwallis Rainbow Warrior defied his odds and won a cracking coloured championship at the Great Yorkshire Show.

He was ridden by his owner Lucie Gordon Burgess, who had already steered him to win their class at The Lincolnshire to pick up a Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket, only to go one better and stand champion coloured at Harrogate.

Lucie has had the six-year-old since he was three, and had lightly shown him until this season.

“He was backed and ridden away, then left to mature over winter and did a handful of novice shows in 2024, then again last year.

“He has come out this year completely on form after a tough start to the year with me moving bases and setting up completely on my own.”

The pair have also qualified for the Royal International Horse Show and London International Horse Show.

His rise through the ranks is all the more special to his team as he incurred a catalogue of issues as a youngster.

“He was a red bag delivery and never stood up for the first 24hrs of his life; vets thought he had neurological problems or some sort of toxin in his body as he really wasn’t well,” Lucie said.

“He came through it only to have major stress laminitis from the stress of weaning from his mother. As a yearling he was castrated and got the most horrific infection , which led to lots and lots of antibiotics which in turn gave him grade four gastric ulcers at 14 months old.

“He’s been through a lot in his short life and he really doesn’t know how special he is; he’s the happiest little pony.”

Reserve for the coloured championship at Great Yorkshire was Gail Conroy and Gillian Richardson’s Hykos Valentino (Finn), piloted by a beaming Anna Teague, 14, who had earlier netted Anna’s first HOYS pass in the non-native pony division.

“We have been lucky to have Finn on our yard since he was an unbroken four-year-old, and he first qualified the following year,” said Anna’s aunt, Jennifer Cowen.

This will be Finn’s third NEC trip.

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‘She has a beautiful soul’: Former riding school pony once found tied to a lamp-post is off to HOYS

Bethan Simons — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 13:29:31 +0000

A mare who was found abandoned and skinny, tied to a lamp-post, and then spent time in a riding school, has picked up her ticket to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

There were tears of joy as Matilda “Tilly” Mason, 11, and Flash Dance (Dolly) were called forwards as winners of the junior coloured HOYS qualifier at the Lincolnshire Show (17-18 June).

“We didn’t realise they were in reverse order!” said Tilly’s mother Katie Mason.

The family bought Dolly for Tilly’s older sister Clara, as a five-year-old, three years ago.

“Her previous owner had found her skinny, tied to a lamp post and then she’d been working in a riding school when we bought her,” said Katie. “We’d previously bought a disastrous first pony so Clara had said she never wanted to ride again. Someone suggested we look at some coloured ponies, and Clara tried about 15 before deciding Dolly was the one for her. She was just bought as a safe hack, and was the clumsiest pony – she’d crash through poles.”

Finding that Dolly had good paces, the family contested some dressage with her, and turned to local showing but with little success.

“We weren’t even placed,” said Katie, “But last year we started to crack it.”

Their luck began to change slowly, and Clara bagged the family’s first Hickstead pass with Dolly this term.

“I’m not horsey,” said Katie, “Clara does Dolly entirely herself so we have been watching YouTube videos on turnout and so on.”

Tilly began riding Flash Dance last year and won the 60-strong equitation class at STARS, so when her own pony sadly suffered a bout of laminitis, Clara offered further opportunities to show Dolly. This was their first attempt at a HOYS junior coloured qualifier.

The girls, who now take weekly lessons with producer Kirsty Pickles, also share Dolly with their father, Richard, who is learning to ride.

“She’s a beautiful pony inside and out so she’ll be at a county show one day, then helping Richard practice his up-downs,” Katie said “She has a truly beautiful soul.”

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Your one-stop shop for the 2026 HOYS coloured qualifiers

Bethan Simons — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:30:37 +0000

I’ve collated your need-to-know information for the 2026 HOYS coloured qualifiers because I know first-hand how hard it is to find Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifier details and keep on top of planning your season.

Here you’ll find complete list of qualifying fixtures, judges and entry closing dates for all coloured ridden horse and pony of the year classes, sponsored by CHAPS (UK).

While the full list of HOYS qualifiers has been announced for 2026, many of the hosts are waiting for their judges and schedules to be confirmed. I’m frequently updating this page with all the new details as they are released so it can be your one-stop-shop for planning your HOYS qualification.

2026 coloured HOYS qualifiers

Coloured Ridden Horse and Pony of the Year sponsored by CHAPS (UK)

Qualifying rounds for these finals will be held at the following fixtures. Be sure to take note of added information in brackets to know if there are, for example, junior or pony classes included.

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

Qualifier	Venue	Date	Judges	Entries close
Royal Bath & West Show	Arena UK, Lincolnshire	30-31 May	Mrs Sarah Chapman (R) Mrs Alison Gladwin (C)	28 April
Rutland County Show (including juniors)	Rutland Showground, Oakham	19 May	Mrs C Richardson (R) Mrs K Atkin Bowdler (C)	12 May
Derbyshire Festival (including juniors)	Somerford Park, Congleton, Cheshire	6-7 June	Ms M Bowling (R) Mrs S Draper (C)	19 May
Lincolnshire Show (including x2 juniors)	Lincolnshire Showground, Lincolnshire	17-18 June	Ms Stephanie Turner (R) Mr David Bartram-Lawton (C)	27 April
Royal Highland Show (including juniors)	Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh	18-21 June	Ms Vicky Smith (R) Mr Ian Smeeth (C)	15 April
The Royal Norfolk Show	Norfolk Showground, Norfolk	24-25 June	Tracey Brooks (R) Louise Gaunt (C)	6 May; late entries close 10 May
CHAPS Midlands (including juniors)	Pickering Grange Equestrian Centre, Leicestershire	28 June	Ms Pamela Brown (R) Mr Richard Grace (C)	21 June; entries reopen on the day at a higher rate
Scottish Horse Show	Highfield Equestrian, Howe	11-12 July	Mrs Katherine Hartenfeld-Bowling (R) Mrs Emma Burrow (C)	26 June; late entries 6th July. Entries taken on the day
Great Yorkshire	Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire	14-17 July	Miss Nicola Taylor (R) Mrs Lin Herridge (C)	5 May
Stoneleigh Horse Show July	Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire	18-19 July	Emma Green (R) Dawn Christie (C)	3 July; late entries at a higher rate until 13 July
RWAS Royal Welsh Show (including juniors)	RWAS Showground, Powys	20-23 July	Mrs Polly Archer (R) Mr John Helme (C)	20 May
New Forest & Hampshire County Show (including juniors)	The Showground, Hampshire	28-30 July	Mrs N Turner (R) Mr V Seddon (C)	22 June; late entries close 19 July
Traditional of the Year Show (native/cob/traditional only)	Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre, Warwickshire	30 July – 1 Aug	Ms Sue-Helen Shuttleworth (R) Mrs Rosemary Keeling (C)	TBC
Stoneleigh Horse Show August	Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire	16-17 Aug	TBC	TBC
Chaps UK Championship Show (including x2 juniors)	Arena UK, Lincolnshire	20-22 Aug	TBC	13 August
Edenbridge & Oxted Show (including juniors)	Ardenrun Showground, Lingfield	30-31 Aug	James Van Praagh (R) Leanne Pickford (C)	TBC
Moreton Show	Moreton Showground, Gloucestershire	5 Sept	TBC	TBC
The Showing Register (including juniors)	Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire	5-6 Sept	Ben Hester (R) Ross Beeston-Delap (C)	TBC

For all your need-to-know information for other 2026 HOYS qualifiers, plus more expert showing advice from top riders and updates on shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘Go find a space where you stand out’: meet Royal International coloured ponies’ judge Nathan Arnold

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‘He’ll go out tomorrow for the summer’: low mileage three-year-old colt takes Royal Windsor coloured in-hand spoils

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‘He’s a proper geezer’: coloured cob with plenty of swagger stands champion at Royal Windsor Horse Show

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‘Go find a space where you stand out’: meet Royal International coloured ponies’ judge Nathan Arnold

Bethan Simons — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:29:07 +0000

The qualifiers for the coloured classes at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) are among the most popular and the finals are always well supported on the show’s opening day (21 July). Four judges have been appointed to sort through competitors. Lauren Brill and Jo Jefferson will preside over the horse classes, and Lesley Bradfield and Nathan Arnold will sort through the ponies.

Later in the day, Jo and Nathan will be the ones putting the lucky few through their paces to decide the championships. Here, Nathan gives us insight into his background, his judging experience, and – crucially for competitors and onlookers – what he is looking for in the ring.

Meet the judge: Nathan Arnold

Nathan started riding at the age of 12.

“My dad was a lighthouse keeper stationed at the time on the Isles of Scilly so I started riding at a local riding school nearby,” says Nathan.

The family moved back to Kent then to Cornwall where friends kept horses and his passion for them grew.

Once he left school, Nathan worked in hunt yards and for friends then began riding competitively at around the age of 21.

“It just happened. Some friends asked me to ride and compete their horses and that’s where it began,” he says.

He then produced show horses in his own right on a yard in Cornwall, based on the outskirts of Truro.

From there he and Brett McKinnon proved a competitive force, as with horses produced by Brett and ridden by Nathan were placed at premier shows including Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and RIHS, and thrice lightweight hunter champion at Devon County and Royal Cornwall.

Nathan began working exclusively for Polly Coles eight years ago, so he is now based on outskirts of Doncaster in Yorkshire.

“We’ve got a range of horses here – hunters, cobs, heavy horses and a hack this year,” he says.

Since working for Polly, team highlights include the champion hunter at the Hickstead Derby Meeting, the 2022 Maxi Cob of the Year and the 2023 Heavyweight Cob of the Year.

Nathan Arnold’s judging experience

Nathan sits on the British Show Horse Association (BSHA), the Sport Horse Breeding (GB) (SHB (GB)), the British Skewbald and Piebald Association (BSPA) and the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) panels.

Nathan has judged at a whole host of the UK’s leading fixtures, including at the Royal Welsh twice, something he describes as “great fun”.

“I rode the Welsh section Ds there the first time in 2016. I have no involvement in mountain and moorland ponies so it was a totally different experience,” he admits.

More recently, Nathan thoroughly enjoyed his second appointment at Royal Windsor where The King watched on as he presided over the riding horses.

“That was absolutely amazing,” said Nathan. “What an experience to ride judge there – and with The King watching.”

Nathan also judged in Australia in 2018 and the South African HOYS in 2023.

“South Africa was another highlight for me,” he says. “I just did not anticipate how high the standard would be out there.”

This will be Nathan’s second appointment at the RIHS. He has previously judged the the maxi cobs and amateur hacks.

What Nathan Arnold will be looking for at Hickstead?

During the go-round, he will be looking for a pony that draws the eye, covers the ground and that moves appropriately for its type.

He is assessing the conformation of the pony classes, and again, type is important.

“I want a pony that is true to type, with the correct amount of limb for its type.”

This applies in the championship, too, where he will expect to find an animal that is true to type as a native, traditional or non-native from either the pony classes or the horse classes.

During the championship, combinations will need to also prove they are worthy contenders for the supreme coloured crown by giving mannerly yet sparkly performances.

Competitors beware, Nathan’s pet hate in the ring is “competitors who constantly circle around the judges, and carve other competitors up.

“Go find a space where you stand out, keep your pony in a nice balanced rhythm, and don’t push it out of its step.”

A last minute bit of advice to someone competing at Hickstead for the first time?

“Enjoy every moment and don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” says Nathan, adding, “You’ve qualified to go there so enjoy every minute of it.”

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‘He’ll go out tomorrow for the summer’: low mileage three-year-old colt takes Royal Windsor coloured in-hand spoils

Millie Bowles — Fri, 15 May 2026 16:09:50 +0000

A low-mileage colt beat more seasoned ponies to the 2026 Royal Windsor in-hand coloured championship, sponsored by Smart Grooming. Owner, breeder and handler Daniel Kinson took the sash with Greateaves Santino colt Greateaves Just Jethro.

“I also bred Santino, so he’s part of a breeding plan,” said Daniel of the three-year-old out of R Lass. “He didn’t come in until Christmas, and then we’d just been taking it steady.”

Daniel added: “He leads a normal life and goes out every day. He gets turned out with his mate, who is another colt, to try and keep them as normal as possible.”

The pair booked Jethro’s spot in the championship after winning the native, cob and traditional type youngstock class.

In the ring, Jethro gave a mannerly account of himself to impress judge Lesley Stewart.

Daniel said: “He’s just got the right balance. He’s got enough perk to go and do something.”

At home, the skewbald traditional is just as well behaved, and he is destined to be in the ring under saddle in the future.

“He’s really easy to do. He’s just got a wonderful temperament,” Daniel explained. “He’s a lovely boy. I’m just trying to promote him and train him and make him for the ridden job.

“We’ve just done a few shows and this is the last show for this year. He’ll go out tomorrow for the summer.”

It was success throughout the day for Daniel’s breeding programme, with two other Greateaves coloureds joining Jethro in the championship.

Daniel Tarpey showed the mare Greateaves Estralita for second place in the native/traditional horse class, and took the same place in the pony class with Greateaves Centenarian, a four-year-old stallion.

In reserve for the 2026 Royal Windsor in-hand coloured championship was the winner from the native/traditional horse over four years old class, AGS Alter Ego, led by Ross Beeston-Delap. The piebald stallion by Friesian stallion Thomas H is owned by Beth Driver.

In the non-native ranks, Lesley Stewart found a winner for the youngstock class in Lisha Leeman’s Lostock Candyman three-year-old Kellythorpes Sweet Caroline, handled by Daniel Tarpey.

Kevin Lee showed Carol Cooper’s JSW Showkayces Peppermint Blaze to win the non-native ponies over four years old, and finally, Simon Charlesworth led Ashley Anderson’s Copilot nine-year-old Freckleton Untouchable to the horse equivalent.

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‘It’s extra special to win it here’: multi-garlanded mare adds another title at Royal Windsor to her impressive tally

Millie Bowles — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:16:34 +0000

A multi-garlanded duo once again prove a force to be reckoned with when adding another title to their impressive tally by clinching the 2026 Royal Windsor coloured championship.

Despite heavy rain and thunder during her time to shine in the Castle Arena, Diane Stennett’s KBF Lucia (Poppy) and Jayne Ross gave a polished performance and a stand-out gallop to clinch the overall coloured spoils, sponsored here by the Leeman Family.

Poppy — the reigning Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) supreme horse — won the coloured ridden non-native horse class on her way to the overall sash.

The Free Spirit 10-year-old, bred by Michael Cook and Tony Reynolds, took the red rosette in the same class last year.

KBF Lucia and Jayne Ross are undeterred by the torrential rain to take the coloured title. (Image credit: Elli Birch)

The heavens opened just before the cohort of coloureds entered the ring, but the weather did not bother the super-consistent Poppy, who rose to the occasion once again.

“She felt fantastic,” Jayne said. “It’s just the most wonderful place to win. It’s a very special show, so it’s extra special to win it here.

“We didn’t have the best weather for it, but you know what, once you’re in there, you just get on with the job.”

Behind Jayne in reserve for the 2026 Royal Windsor coloured championship was the reigning Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) supreme coloured champion, Lostock Up Till Dark (Susie), piloted by Harrison Taylor, winners of the non-native pony class.

Reserve champions Harrison Taylor and Lostock Up Till Dark with sponsors Richard and Lisha Leeman. (Image credit: Elli Birch)

The striking tobiano seven-year-old mare is owned and bred by Caroline Hamilton and first moved to Harrison’s yard in February 2024.

Young producer Harrison drove through the night to the show, and only brought Susie, who made the trip worthwhile.

Harrison said: “It’s been really good. We only came for the day. The atmosphere and weather were crazy, but she’s been really good.”

Michelle Pickford’s Burghwallis Storm Chaser won the native/traditional/cob pony class and the winning native/traditional/cob horse was Cobert De Niro, ridden by his owner Louise Durdin.

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‘You never get used to something like this’: Ross reigns for eighth supreme champion horse title at HOYS

Bethan Simons — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:02:56 +0000

Jayne Ross punched the air as the inimitable multi-garlanded KBF Lucia (Poppy) was called forwards as the Supreme Products supreme champion horse at the 2025 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS)– Jayne’s eighth HOYS supreme title.

Although coloured horses have been supreme champions in the past, it’s believed that this is the first time a supreme graduated directly from the CHAPS UK coloured horse and pony championship to the overall supreme champion horse spoils.

“You never get used to something like this,” said Jayne. “It’s so special. And I think, because it’s a long week and it’s an emotional win, then if you’re lucky enough to win the supreme, too, it means so much. It’s a weight off your mind. It’s everybody that puts so much work into it; we’re all exhausted but suddenly we’re all OK again.”

With several Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) wins to her name and an enviable tally of five HOYS wins, Poppy was a cool customer in the supreme, looking a picture of elegance and performin a beautiful show.

“She felt amazing,” said Jayne, “All day she’s felt amazing. She was completely on it and completely tuned in to it. Quite often she’s so laid-back about it all but today she just picked up and went. It was her day.”

The Free Spirit daughter is out of Seabourne Swansdown and was bred by Tony Reynolds and Michael Cook. She’s now owned by Lucy Cameron and Diane Stennett.

Lucy said: “We come back every year thinking, ‘She can’t do it again. But she always goes, ‘Yes, I can.’ You hope but you never expect. She deserved the supreme, so this win is for her, and her breeders, too. They’ve bred some cracking horses and they really deserve this so it’s absolutely amazing for them too.”

So what’s next?

Jayne felt she’d enjoy riding Poppy in the cavalcade ”as she’s so steady and level-headed”, it’s a holiday for Poppy before trying to “do it all again.”

”Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Jayne said. ”But you’ll never take this off her.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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‘She’s just right’: Jayne Ross rises to the top in the 2025 coloured championship at HOYS

Bethan Simons — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 17:12:49 +0000

Jayne Ross and consistent campaigner KBF Lucia (Poppy) gave a foot-perfect account of themselves to secure the 2025 coloured championship at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), sponsored here by the Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS).

This triumph came after the nine-year-old netted the coloured ridden non-native horse final, sponsored by CHAPS and the Burghwallis Stud, earlier in the morning, securing their spot in the International Arena showdown, where, Jayne admits, “everything just went to plan”.

The Free Spirit daughter, who shares a sire with KBF Crescendo who stood Royal International (RIHS) coloured supreme champion with Jayne, is out of Seabourne Swansdown and was bred by “very good friends” Tony Reynolds and Michael Cook.

Jayne has won the coloured class here on Lucy Cameron and Diane Stennett’s mare three times now and had brought home the reserve title but today they were able to go one position better than their previous personal best. Jayne brought the mare to the coloured final off the back of fourth place in the ladies’ side-saddle horse of the year final – in which her yard fielded three of the top four placings.

“She’s called Perfect Poppy for a reason,” said Jayne. “She finds it easy because she’s such a beautiful animal.”

Jayne has produced Poppy from the very beginning: “I went down to see her as a three-year-old and she was so beautiful even then. When you’ve produced the horse from the start, they really are special as you feel like you’ve been through everything with them – and I suppose you have. You get to know them inside out.

“Even though I say that she’s easy, you always have little hiccups here and there. Once or twice she’s been perhaps a little too laid-back for life and you need to cajole her a little bit, but part of her appeal is the supreme easiness about her so you don’t want to break that. There’s a balance and I think we’re there.”

It’s clear that Jayne thinks a lot of the mare.

“She’s so lovely to work with and she’s ‘just right’. She’s the right size, she’s the right shape, she’s marked beautifully, she’s a great mover. Everything about her is just lovely.”

Jayne hasn’t won a coloured championship at HOYS since 2012, when she recorded her fourth title on the trot with Carol Bardo’s prolific The Humdinger.

Runner-up in the HOYS 2025 coloured championship

Taking the reserve spot in the coloured horse and pony of the year championship was the winner of the native/ traditional type pony class. This was Pippa Kirby’s home-bred Monivea Black Magic (Merlin), ridden by Pippa’s daughter Indianna “Indie” Kirby, 16.

This was Boston seven-year-old stallion Merlin’s third win in this class. He won in 2023 with Pippa in the saddle, and again last year with Indie’s older sister Izzy in the saddle, so he’s won HOYS for three different members of the family.

Does Indianna feel the pressure following Mum and Izzy into the ring?

“Of course,” she said, “it’s hard not to feel a bit of pressure because of all he’s done before, but I tried to enjoy it. When I was called forwards as the winner of the class, it was a mixture of relief and happiness, but I really enjoyed it in the championship.”

She added with a smile, “And now I’ve done the best of us in there”.

Her mother Pippa said: “This is the dream. I didn’t think we’d manage it but it just shows what a brilliant pony he is, and Lucy Glover who produces him for us does a brilliant job.”

And what of his future plans?

“This will be his last time here, now, we won’t bring him back,” said Pippa. “He’ll go to London with Indie; he finished third there last time, and that was their first time together. That’s a different challenge as it’s judged differently so we’ll do that.

“He’ll do other things with him; he can do some dressage and some jumping, and he’s won Royal International twice – with me and with Izzy – so we may take him back there some time for Indie, too, as he had a summer break this year.”

Pippa rode Merlin’s mother Chantilly Lace IV to be third here, and she stood runner-up multiple times with Sarah Harrison in the saddle.

Also in the championship was Stephanie Fitt’s nine-year-old British riding pony Castra, winner of the coloured ridden non-native pony final, whose glittering show-ring CV boasts second place in the HOYS coloured final in 2022 – her first year here – champion the next, second again last year and now another win.

“Her temperament is what makes her so special. She is a yard favourite, all of the kids ride her,” said Elliee. “She’s the easiest person but she’s also full of character. She is an absolute once in a lifetime horse.

“Next year, she’s going in foal, so to win meant a lot to all of us to have her going out on such a high.”

Rhianon, 24, added: “She’s so lovely to ride and because I suppose we’ve learnt together, We both did our first proper shows together and we’ve really gone to the top together.

“I’m very thankful that Steph gave me the ride on Cassie four years ago now and I’ve had it ever since.”

The first class – the junior coloured pony – was taken by Shetland Briar Puzzle with Alexia Lilley, and Kevin Lee enjoyed his second centre line moment in 48 hours having won the traditional and cob type horse class astride reserve cob champion Ad Blue.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘Such a cool horse’: why everyone is talking about far-from-average grand prix winner Ping Pong

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 07:37:44 +0000

Gerit Nieberg’s brilliant partner Ping Pong Van De Lentamel has been causing a stir on the showjumping circuit recently. Not only is the 10-year-old gelding an exceptional jumper with a lightning turn of foot, but his distinctive coloured markings ensure he really stands out in the five-star jumping ring.

The pair have been on an upward trajectory since teaming up two years ago and 2025 has been a real breakthrough year. They started by winning a brace of 1.55m CSI4* grands prix in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, before stepping effortlessly up to five-star level over the summer.

At just their second top tier show – Aachen, no less – Gerit and Ping Pong delivered an eye-catching double clear in the Rolex grand prix, just tipping a rail in the jump-off to finish ninth in the class that Gerit won with Ben 431 in 2022.

The culmination of this partnership’s season came last week in their native Germany when they lifted the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) grand prix of Riesenbeck in sensational style, earning a new legion of fans in the process.

Gerit Nieberg on Ping Pong: “He’s the easiest character every single day”

This tremendous victory in Riesenbeck, close to Gerit’s home town, also marked a milestone first ever LGCT grand prix win for the 32-year-old showjumper, who is the son of Olympian Lars Nieberg.

“He’s such a cool horse,” says Gerit about superstar Ping Pong. “He’s the easiest character every single day.”

Ping Pong was bred by Hulde aan de Bok in Belgium. The gelding is a son of the great stallion Emerald, out of Toulon mare Lieve Vrouwke Van De Lentamel and was produced through his early years by first Kai Schafer followed by Ping Pong’s owner Karin Ernsting.

Gerit is looking at the bigger picture as he slowly and carefully produces the hugely talented Ping Pong – like many riders, but German equestrians in particular, next year’s showjumping world championships in Aachen are the ultimate goal right now.

Gerit Nieberg and Ping Pong Van De Lentamel, winners of the Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Riesenbeck, Germany. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

With all the ingredients needed to make it to the top, the scopey, athletic Ping Pong must surely be destined for even greater stardom.

“He’s an amazing horse,” says Gerit, describing the success in Riesenbeck as, “The highlight of the year”.

“He’s only 10 years old, still quite inexperienced at this level,” he continues.

Swedish maestro Peder Fredricson also paid tribute to Gerit Nieberg and Ping Pong in Riesenbeck, saying: “Gerit is a truly fantastic rider and he really brings out the best in the horses he rides.”

With spotted foal C-Bra Van Het Bokt breaking auction records recently and the likes of young stallion High Offley The Colour Of Money making waves in the sport, could these out-of-the-ordinary coloured horses become a more common sight in the jumping ring? Watch this space – Ping Pong looks sure to continue grabbing our attention, in more ways than one.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

From the diminutive miniature to spectacular cob champion – 10 coloured winners at the 2025 Royal International

Bethan Simons — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 15:30:01 +0000

Coloured horses and ponies were out in force at 2025 Royal International Horse Show. Overall coloured supreme was Caroline Hamilton’s Lostock Up Till Dark, ridden by Harrison Taylor, claiming the claimed the Alan Marnie & Family supreme BSPA skewbald & piebald Indian Trail ridden title, but they weren’t the only coloured winners at the 2025 Royal International…

10 coloured winners at the 2025 Royal International

1. Lostock Up Till Dark

Winner The Alan Marnie & Family Skewbald & Piebald Plaited Large Ridden Pony Championship; Champion of The Alan Marnie & Family Skewbald & Piebald Ridden Pony Championship and Supreme Champion of The Alan Marnie & Family Supreme BSPA Skewbald & Piebald Indian Trail Ridden Championship Harrison Taylor and Lostock Up Till Dark at The Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. July 22nd 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch)

Harrison Taylor and six-year-old Lostock Up Till Dark were coloured supreme on the first day of the Agria Royal International Horse Show 2025.

2. Model Farm UK Midnight Meadow

Champion of The BMHS Supreme Miniature Horse Championship at The Agria Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. July 26th 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch)

Model Farm UK Midnight Meadow retired a winner at the 2025 Royal International. She took the British Miniature Horse Society (BMHS) Supreme Miniature Horse Championship title for the third time shown by Harriet Miller.

3. Worsenden Priscilla

Champions. Emma Holder and Worsden Priscilla in The BSPA Skewbald & Piebald Junior Championship at The Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. July 22nd 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch)

A last minute decision by Emma Holder to hand over the reins of her own Worsenden Priscilla to cousin Cerys Holley paid off as they were junior coloured champions, taking home the BSPA Skewbald & Piebald Junior sash.

4. Ottawa

Champions. Penny Williamson and Ottawa in The BSPA Merrigan Memorial Skewbald & Piebald Amateur & Home Produced Championship at The Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. July 22nd 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch)

Penny Williamson and Ottawa in take home the BSPA Merrigan Memorial Skewbald & Piebald Amateur & Home Produced tricolour.

5. Drumacre Sir Patrick

Winner. Milly Philipson and Drumacre Sir Patrick in The Alan Marnie & Family Skewbald & Piebald Plaited Small Ridden Pony Championship at The Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. July 22nd 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch)

Milly Phillipson and Drumacre Sir Patrick take the Alan Marnie Family Piebald and Skewbald Small Plaited Ridden Pony Championship.

6. KBF Lucia

Champions. Jayne Ross and KBF Lucia in The Alan Marnie & Family Skewbald & Piebald Ridden Horse Championship at The Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. July 22nd 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch)

Jayne Ross and the multi-decorated KBF Lucia win the Alan Marnie & Family Skewbald & Piebald Ridden Horse Championship at the 2025 Royal International.

7. Lynuck Look At Me

Winner. David Bennett and Lynuck Look at Me in The Alan Marnie & Family Skewbald & Piebald Native/Traditional Large Ridden Pony Championship at The Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. July 22nd 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch)

David Bennett and Lynuck Look at Me claimed the reserve rosette in the Alan Marnie & Family supreme BSPA skewbald & piebald Indian Trail ridden supreme championship.

8. Mr Vincent

Champions. Danielle Heath and Mr Vincent in The Surrey Envelopes BSHA Supreme Cob Championship at The Agria Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. July 27th 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch)

Danielle Heath and Isabella Mears-Woods’ Mr Vincent top the Surrey Envelopes BSHA Supreme Cob championship.

9. SD Red Gambler

Winner. Hannah Miller-Burton and SD Red Gambler in The Alan Marnie & Family Skewbald & Piebald Native/Traditional Small Ridden Pony Championship at The Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. July 22nd 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch)

Hannah Miller-Burton and SD Red Gambler stand top of the line in the Alan Marnie & Family Skewbald & Piebald Native/Traditional Small Ridden Pony final.

10. Stretcholt He’s Cob Rhythm

Winner. Amy Riley and Stretcholt He’s Cob Rhythm in The Alan Marnie & Family Skewbald & Piebald Hogged Cob Ridden Championship at The Royal International Horse Show, The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Sussex, United Kingdom. July 22nd 2025 (Image credit: Elli Birch)

Amy Riley and Stretcholt He’s Cob Rhythm are winners of the Alan Marnie & Family Skewbald & Piebald Hogged Cob Ridden Championship at the 2025 Royal International.

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‘I’ve not won here for ages – I was ready for this’: six-year-old mare delights to take Royal International coloured supreme

Kim Wilson — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 15:58:21 +0000

A determined Harrison Taylor claimed the Alan Marnie & Family supreme BSPA skewbald & piebald Indian Trail ridden championship with the striking six-year-old tobiano mare, Lostock Up Till Dark (Susie), at the Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).

Susie has been produced and ridden by Harrison, who said: “She came to me in February last year from the breeder. We gave her an easy summer hacking, and she went on to have a very successful novice season.”

This year, the pair have gone from strength to strength, standing champion in the RIHS qualifiers at Area 2a and winning their first Horse of the Year Show qualifier at Derbyshire Festival.

The team went straight through to the first supreme of the 2025 RIHS by winning the Alan Marnie & Family BSPA (plaited) large ridden pony championship.

“She’s super easy and now she deserves an easy life until HOYS,” said Taylor. “I’ve had a bit of a drought when it comes to wins at RIHS, so I was ready for this. She’s just a dream to ride.”

The win marked a particularly special moment for her breeder Caroline Hamilton who reflected on the team effort behind the mare’s production.

“She’s not been out much,” Caroline said. “But she’s kept sweet and happy. It’s amazing – this is the first time I’ve ever competed one of my own at RIHS. To see her go all the way is just incredible.”

Native stands reserve coloured champion at Royal International

Reserve spot went to Lynuck Look At Me, a seven-year-old piebald mare ridden by David Bennett, owned by Francesca Chadwick and bred by Emma Scot, from the Alan Marnie & Family skewbald & piebald native/cob/traditional large ridden pony championship

After finishing second place last year as a novice, she continues to impress with a consistent season.

“She’s been first or second every time out,” said David. “She never questions anything – just goes out and does the job. She’s amazing.”

With judging commitments ruling him out of HOYS this season, David described the reserve supreme as the pinnacle of his year.

“To take a big win like this is the peak of my season – I couldn’t ask for more.”

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‘Everyone recognises him from TikTok’: the story behind this head-turning spotty showjumper

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 15:32:05 +0000

Proving that successful showjumping horses come in every shape, size and colour is the eye-catching “17hh-plus” spotty showjumper TGF Africa.

The seven-year-old is officially registered as tricoloured but that describes a unique blend of buckskin, coloured and spots. Unsurprisingly he is proving to be a big hit on social media under the handle “The spotty showjumper” with his rider Charlie Dawson.

Vanessa Townsend’s stunning gelding is by TGF Asterix In Colour out of the Halona Askari mare TGF Tanqueray. He is stepping up beautifully to jumping clear after clear in newcomers, Foxhunter and talent seekers.

As Vanessa says, the partnership is “seriously something special to watch” and “turning so many heads”.

“Charlie’s ridden him since he was just backed,” she explains. “I bought him as a three-year-old and had him gelded. I owned his mother – she’d just been backed and was so easy and lovely. Then the sellers showed me some pictures of Africa, too, and I couldn’t resist him, even though I didn’t want another horse!

“But I love everything spotty and if I’d seen him out jumping with someone else, having had the opportunity to buy him, I’d have kicked myself.”

Spotty showjumper TGF Africa: “a complete show-off!”

Despite his dam only standing 15.2hh, Africa has grown to “17hh or 18hh at least”.

“So I decided that when he started jumping he should go to Charlie,” continues Vanessa.

“I think his unusual colouring comes from four or five generations back – there was an appaloosa in there somewhere.

“His sire is TGF Asterix Under Cover, who has gone to America and he was small and tri-coloured, so I think Africa’s a genetic throwback. On his passport he’s tricoloured and I’d say he is coloured but then turns spotty the more you look at him!”

Africa is described as a “complete show-off”, “quite lairy” and “mischievous” – his party piece is to “buck and spin”.

“He doesn’t do it to get you off though, it’s more bunny hops,” says Charlie.

“People stop and stare at him all the time and now we’ve set up his TikTok page, everyone recognises him. He’s become famous and everyone remembers him as the spotty one.”

“He’s like a big rocking horse”

According to Charlie, he never gets jumped in the arena at home.

“He only likes to be ridden in the field and out hacking,” she says. “He likes to enjoy life and a few cross-country fences – he doesn’t like work or pressure or flatwork. You can’t make him go in a particular way so we just go with his way.”

Vanessa was surprised that her youngster has done so well in the ring this year with such little preparation at home.

“All we’ve done is get him very fit, but he just loves Charlie’s sympathetic way of riding,” she says. “He has such personality and I love riding him too, he’s like riding a big rocking horse.

“He’s lovely and he stands out in any ring.”

To read about other unusual showjumping horses who break the mould, order a back issue of 29 May issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

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‘He really does stand out in a crowd’: meet the exciting young stallion everyone is talking about

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 12:12:32 +0000

Setting the showjumping world alight right now is the striking six-year-old stallion High Offley The Colour Of Money.

Owned and bred by Pat and Alan Morris at the High Offley Stud, and now being impeccably produced by Ireland’s Anthony Condon, “Monty” is catching the eye in the ring for his talent as well as his stunning piebald marking.

“Every show we go to, people stop and stare and comment on how beautiful he is,” says rider Anthony of the son of High Offley Fernando (Kannan) x Arab Van Het Molenhof. From the motherline of Fernando is KWPN stallion Samber, who is recognised as a hugely influential coloured stallion.

High Offley The Colour Of Money was produced in his early days by Paul Sims, most notably finishing runner-up in the four-year-old championship at Bolesworth in 2023.

Anthony then took the reins for his five-year-old year, where his consistency shone with clear round after clear round, including at the WBFSH Studbooks Jumping Global Champions Trophy in Valkenswaard.

High Offley The Colour Of Money is “ultra-consistent”

Stepping up to further international competitions this year, Anthony and High Offley The Colour Of Money have just returned from the CSIO3* Nations Cup show in Drammen, Norway, where the duo posted a hat-trick of double clears in the young horse classes, finishing seventh in the high-calibre final won by Norway’s Benedikte Serigstad Endresen riding Obarla T.

“That was his first time travelling such a long way and he was fantastic,” says Anthony, who also jumped double clear for Ireland in the show’s Nations Cup riding Lisa Hales’ 11-year-old stallion Oviedo S.

“Monty was so consistent there, but he’s always been ultra-consistent, that’s just him. He loves his job.”

Perhaps surprisingly, coloured horses remain something of a rarity in top level showjumping, but the good ones always turn heads.

“Monty is an unusual colour but he’s also extremely talented; he’s a flashy, scopey guy and really careful, so even if he wasn’t coloured, people would comment on him for the fact he looks outstanding on the ground then when he jumps it’s just ‘wow’,” says Anthony.

“His markings are amazing though, they add to the whole story and he really does stand out in the crowd. It’s lovely to have a good-looking horse that catches the eye.”

A stallion going places

The breeding stallion went to his first mares last year and he has produced an exciting first crop of foals.

“All his foals have been coloured so far, so he obviously has a very strong gene”, says Anthony Condon. “He’s been very busy with stud duties again this year, so we have to tie all that in with his competing, too, but he does so extremely well.

“He’s only six so he’s still learning his trade, but every question I ask of him he’s answered it,” he says.

“He jumped clear every day in the five-year-old championship at Valkenswaard last year and to tick along in six-year-old classes is the aim for this year. We’re not going to try to break any records at the moment though because I think there’s a big future in the horse – hopefully grands prix and the odd Nations Cup.

“We have big expectations for him and all credit to his breeders.”

Watch this space, High Offley The Colour Of Money is definitely a young horse to keep on your radar.

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‘He was just eating up that arena’: traditional coloured stallion delights the judges at Royal Windsor Horse Show

Celeste Gall — Thu, 15 May 2025 17:01:32 +0000

The 10-year-old piebald traditional pony stallion Chynas Top Deck emerged triumphant in the ridden coloured championship at Royal Windsor Horse Show, ridden by Vicky Smith, sealing his victory with a storming gallop.

Owned by Leisa Woodward and produced by Danielle Garner, this is only their second time out this year, having already stood champion at North of England on their season’s debut.

“He was trotting around that arena like a middleweight hunter, just eating up the ground,” said Vicky, who finished fourth on him at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) last season.

“I think he’s really coming into his own this year. You wouldn’t know he’s a covering stallion, he is such a gentleman and such a delight to do.

“We probably wouldn’t win any classes if I was responsible for getting him clean ready for the ring. That’s what Danielle excels at, so it’s a big team effort!” confessed Vicky.

Royal Windsor Horse Show reserve ridden coloured champion

Paramedic David Bennett rode his own Dallamires Belle Of The Ball to head the non-native coloured pony class, before taking the reserve championship.

The six-year-old piebald mare by Alonby Artisan won their final at Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) last season – and already have their return ticket booked – as well as also finishing fourth at HOYS.

David Bennett and Dallamires Belle of the Ball are reserve ridden coloured champion at Royal Windsor. (Image credit: Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves)

Jayne Ross finally got her chance to show the virtually unbeaten non-native coloured KBF Lucia (Poppy) in the coloured classes at Royal Windsor Horse Show. Last year, they were unable to compete due to a last minute judge change which she had a connection to, and in 2023 she had an allergic reaction the day before and couldn’t compete.

“This is third time lucky for us to show her here in this class so it is actually really emotional because this is her niche and its very fitting that she should win it,” explained Jayne, who won the ladies show horse with her here last season.

Owned by Diane Stennett, Poppy is now eight-years-old, but has already had an illustrious career, winning at HOYS four times and twice at RIHS.

“She is absolutely sublime to ride, you just sit and she floats under you,” said Jayne.

Isabella Mears Wood took the native/traditional/cob type ridden horse class for the second year running with Mr Vincent. Produced by Danielle Heath, the 10-year-old gelding was purchased from Nigel Fuller 18 months ago.

“I just bought him to play about with, but hes the yard favourite – a real supercob!” said Isabella.

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‘As colourful in personality as she is in looks’ – meet the skewbald mare going five-star eventing

Pippa Roome — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:09:00 +0000

Among the bays and greys, there’s a flash of colour in the five-star at Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this week, as the skewbald Fluorescent Adolescent steps forward.

“She is as colourful in personality as she is in looks,” said the mare’s rider, Canada’s Jessica Phoenix, after her dressage test yesterday. “She has a larger than life personality and she loves people, loves treats, loves cameras.”

Jessica adds: “She is a crowd favourite almost everywhere we go and she has a lot of fans asking for photos with her, which she loves. She’s just one of those horses that fills space with her personality.”

“Lacey” was competed up to three-star level by Jessica’s student Makayla Rydzik, who passed on the ride when she didn’t have time to compete her any more. She still owns the now 17-year-old.

Fluorescent Adolescent was actually bred by Jessica’s first eventing coach Kelly Plitz and her husband Ian Roberts, Canadian Olympians who are based at Dreamcrest Farm in Ontario. She was named, and trained and competed from a four-year-old up to the current two-star level, by another Canadian rider, Hannah Rankin.

Her sire is the coloured stallion Gaudy, a son of Fidermark NRW (by Florestan I), and she is out of a mare called Amelia (by Ali Baba), who Kelly and Ian both competed up to current three-star level.

At Kentucky Three-Day Event yesterday, Fluorescent Adolescent – also the name of a song by the Arctic Monkeys – scored 36.8 in her dressage test for 11th overnight.

“Lacey was a real professional in there,” said Jessica. “She definitely is a horse that can feel atmosphere and I was just so pleased that she went in there, felt a little bit of it, calmed down, got to work, felt a little bit of it, calmed down, went back to work.

“She’s just getting so much stronger in that phase and I’m really proud of what she did in there today.

“She is just a phenomenal horse. She is all heart. When she comes to a competition, she’s there to win. She normally does not win on the first day, but she just claws her way up the leaderboard all weekend long. She is a horse that loves being in the atmosphere at the big shows and she really thrives under that type of pressure.”

The pair have completed the CCI4*-S at Kentucky twice, with jumping clears across country both times. Although she did the dressage at Maryland 5 Star last year, Lacey was then withdrawn so this will be her five-star cross-country debut.

Looking forward to Saturday, Jessica said: “She doesn’t have the hugest step cross-country – there’s definitely a couple of options on the course where you can do different striding to still make the quick routes work, so I think we’ll be looking into that with Lacey.

“She is a horse that leaves the start box going to make time so you just want to really protect that heart in her and give her the best ride with the best lines possible so that she stays really confident.”

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‘I’m in shock’: young rider beats the best in the business to lift first HOYS championship

Alex Robinson — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 16:42:50 +0000

At just 14 years old, Oscar Konechny proved he was a showman to watch as he guided his mother Abigail’s Radlee Sudden Impact to the top spot in the ridden coloured horse and pony of the year championship, sponsored by the Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS), at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Judges Jessica Stalling (ride) and James Hunton (conformation) had a quality field of 10 contenders to assess. Oscar made full use of Bentley’s active paces, guiding him on the lightest of reins, Bentley staying forward with his ears on throughout. They sealed the deal with a championship-worthy gallop.

Oscar and the nine-year-old, who was bred by Dawn Lee by Centyfield Censation out of Blaircourt Dena, have only been partnered together for a year. At Hickstead in July, they finished a credible third and highest placed junior.

He was initially produced by Jill Wormal for owner Leisa Woodward and is now based with the dream team of Adam Forster and David Jinks, who qualified 20 ponies for HOYS this year, all placing in the top 10.

Last season, Oscar was riding in 128cm classes, so the big-moving gelding is a big step up for the budding young rider.

“I’m very shocked,” said Oscar.

Adam said: “He’s a very technical and elegant rider. He lives and breathes ponies. Today he just sat there, asked gently and the pony took him around. I’m very proud.”

Jayne Ross achieved a third class win in as many years with Lucy Cameron and Diane Stennett’s stunning plaited horse KBF Lucia. The reigning Royal International Horse Show coloured supreme winner was also a ladies’ victor here in 2023. Despite her impressive CV, the Free Spirit daughter is still just a seven-year-old.

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Meet the striking skewbald mare – with a fantastically fun name – making her five-star debut next week

Pippa Roome — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 07:32:35 +0000

Who doesn’t love a coloured horse? It always shakes up the run of more humdrum bays and chestnuts when one hits the top level of horse sport and when the mare in question also has a fantastically fun name, the joy is doubled. The skewbald mare Fluorescent Adolescent – also the name of a song by the Arctic Monkeys – is ridden by Canada’s Jessica Phoenix and will be heading to Mars Maryland 5 Star for her five-star debut next week (17-20 October).

“One of my students Makayla Rydzik competed ‘Lacey’ up to three-star and did young riders with her,” says Jessica. “Then she was starting to move into real world things and she just didn’t have time to compete at that level anymore, so she said: ‘This horse is so amazing – is there any way you want to keep going with her?’ And I said: ‘Absolutely, I’d love to’.”

The now 16-year-old mare was bred by Jessica’s first eventing coach Kelly Plitz and her husband Ian Roberts, Canadian Olympians who are based at Dreamcrest Farm in Ontario. She was named, and trained and competed from a four-year-old up to the current two-star level, by another Canadian rider, Hannah Rankin.

Fluorescent Adolescent is by the coloured stallion Gaudy, a son of Fidermark NRW (by Florestan I), out of a mare called Amelia (by Ali Baba) who Kelly and Ian both competed up to current three-star level.

“I always thought Lacey was striking and a beautiful horse – the first horse I evented was actually a coloured horse and she stands out anywhere she goes,” says Jessica.

“Her colouring definitely matches her personality – she is a really competitive mare and always just had so much vibrance in all three phases. She is larger than life, like a queen, and super smart.”

Fluorescent Adolescent stepped up to four-star in 2023 and has spent the past two years gaining experience at that level, as well as showjumping up to 1.35m level. This year her results have included sixth in the CCI4*-S at Bromont.

The pair have also completed the tough CCI4*-S at Kentucky Three-Day Event twice with jumping clears across country, performances which Jessica says were important in showing her the mare could be a five-star horse.

“I remember the first time she was just so focused – laser focused – it didn’t matter she had never seen crowds that big, she didn’t mind about the beautiful presentation of the fences which makes everything look bigger,” she says.

“She left the start box with her game face on and I thought then she’d be a candidate for the five-star level. The biggest thing was getting her stronger in her own body for flatwork. She certainly has the desire to want to do it, but would lack a bit of strength in her step at combinations. Now she feels strong in herself and confident in her body, so it felt like a good time to step up. I can’t wait to see what she makes of five-star level.”

Goals for Maryland with Fluorescent Adolescent

Asked about her aims for the week, Jessica says: “I want her to have a really great experience. I feel like the first time you take a horse round a five-star you go one jump at a time. That said, she runs cross-country one way and that’s forward, so when you leave the start box on Lacey all she’s wanting you do to is show her the flags – sometimes it feels like she can count herself. I want to give her a confident run round her first five-star and knowing her, she’ll be close to the time.

“I have taken her round a bunch of tracks and never found one she suits more than another. She lives for cross-country. But the footing and preparation at Maryland, the fact they are such open, galloping tracks gives horses such a good run. Generally they can see the questions in front of them and there aren’t things that are tricky and catch them off guard. It should be a good five-star for her to go out and get forward and confident at the level.”

Jessica also rides Jim Phillips’ and her own experienced Wabbit at Maryland, where he was 19th in 2022. The ex-racehorse was 11th at Burghley Horse Trials last year and 30th at Badminton Horse Trials this spring.

“He feels amazing and I’m so excited for him to be at Maryland,” she says.

Luckily Jessica says she is fit and has “the best crew I could ask for to be on top of things in the barn” as the Maryland 5 Star field is small, so she is likely have a fairly tight turnaround between horses on cross-country day.

“I’m blessed to be able to ride a lot of horses. It’s nothing for us to do six horses at a one-day, so doing two at a five-star shouldn’t be physically a massive effort at this point in the season,” she says.

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‘He took us past Big Ben’: family’s driving pony off to HOYS and London International under-saddle

Alex Robinson — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 17:30:55 +0000

A family’s much-loved driving pony has flourished in his new career under-saddle, qualifying for both the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and London International Horse Show (LIHS) during his first season.

Staffordshire-based Eve Meer’s traditional stallion Puzzel, who stands at 14hh, qualified for the traditional, native and cob pony of the year final at HOYS at Denbigh and Flint County last month with his rider, Eve’s friend and neighbour Ellena Thomas.

“It was Ellena who said he was far too good not to be doing the ridden job,” says Eve, who bought Puzzel solely for driving.

Puzzel was bought out of a field in Wales. He’d done very little and Eve and her family introduced him to being driven.

“He is a true Gypsy driving cob; he’d usually drive between seven and eight miles per day, regularly taking us to the pub on a Thursday night for dinner,” Eve says. “We also took him on the London Drive where we drove around the city with 130 other outfits. He was perfect and didn’t bat an eyelid, driving us down Oxford Street, and past Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.”

Puzzel, who has also covered a handful of mares, had done very little ridden work prior to eight months ago, as Eve explains: “He couldn’t even canter earlier this year. Ellena is just up the road from us and she regularly came to ride him. They’ve had some big wins together, though we can’t believe he’s going to both major finals in his first year.

“We’re just a family who aren’t majorly competitive,” Eve adds. “Puzzel is our family driving cob, our pet really. I hope this proves that it is achievable to anyone. He’s a true Gypsy cob who has made our dreams in the show ring come true.”

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‘No amount would buy him now’: meet the multi-garlanded gypsy cob bought for £1

Tricia Johnson — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 17:30:25 +0000

A gypsy cob who was bought for £1 has recently lifted a supreme of show title at a prestigious championship show. Hayley Mossop’s gelding Stoney Meadow Aurora topped the in-hand gelding and best of breed in-hand titles en route to the ultimate supreme accolade at the Traditional Of The Year Show (30 July — 4 August) held at Onley Grounds in Warwickshire.

Stoney Meadow Aurora is known as Dougal at home. He joined Colchester-based Hayley in 2016 as a rescue.

“A group of about 30 horses had been rescued in poor condition by a kind individual who then desperately needed to find homes for them,” says Hayley, who also produces showjumpers and competes up to 1.40m level.

“I picked him out in the field and paid the princely sum of £1 for him – since then I’ve had many offers for him, including an extremely large sum by someone in America. I declined because he’s the cob that started my passion and that passion still keeps growing every day.

“Originally, we bought him just to keep my stallion company on the lorry, with the aim of breaking him in and selling him as a kids’ pony when the stallion was broken and ridden away,” added Hayley, who runs TTA Equine with partner Luke Sadler.

“Then circumstances changed so we broke Dougal in and sold him for a nominal amount to ensure he had a good home. He was only there for three days when I got a phone call to say he was causing chaos. No-one could catch him and I needed to collect him!

“We drove there straight away, called his name across the field and he galloped over to us. He practically loaded himself back up. I think it’s safe to say Dougal had chosen us and we’ve never looked back. No amount of money would be enough to buy him now.”

Dougal has enjoyed many showing successes, both in-hand and ridden, but he also lives a completely normal life.

“He attends Pony Club camps, rallies, beach rides, cross-country – even Easter egg hunts, and all with a smile on his face!”

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‘We weren’t sure if she’d come back’: pony who survived freak lorry accident reigns at Royal International

Alex Robinson — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 11:48:30 +0000

A home-produced coloured mare enjoyed a superb run at her first Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) as she won the small plaited coloured ridden pony class on day one of the show. Megan Champney and her mother Jan Champney’s Penrock Perfect Puzzle (Portia) were initially pulled in eighth after the go-round, but a dazzling show accelerated them up the line-up.

“It was a big shock to win,” said Isle-of-Wight-based Megan, who works front line for the emergency services. “I knew we had nothing to lose, so I rode a walk-to-cancer serpentine and had a really good gallop up the hill. Portia can be a tricky mare, but she pulled it out of the bag. This was my first time riding my own pony at the RIHS final, too.”

The former Royal Windsor in-hand champion provided Megan with her first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ride in 2023, finishing fourth at the final.

Despite her exceptional tally, Portia has done few shows, and mid-way through 2022 her career nearly came to a halt after she had a freak accident in Megan’s 3.5tonne lorry while at Isle-of-Wight county show.

“She came over the front partition and fell out of the jockey door,” Megan explained. “It was so horrendous. She had 14 stitches in her eye, had de-gloved one hind-leg and had 30 staples in another. We weren’t sure if she would come back from it.”

After a long stint out of action, Portia made a full recovery. Since, she’s returned to top-level competition. She went straight back to being worry-free in the lorry, too.

“She’s very tenacious; when she was loaded up in a friend’s lorry to get her home after the accident she went in like nothing had even happened,” said Megan.

Portia was originally bought by Megan’s father from her breeder Michelle Findlay for Jan’s 60th birthday. Megan home-produces Portia and showing is a family affair.