Sometimes size isn’t everything, as proved by these miniature eventing power houses who don’t seem to realise that they are a little smaller than the usual stamp of event horse.

Although some of these greats are a smidge over 14.2hh, as the cross-country phase gets underway at the Pony European Championships in Poland (17 August), here are some other diminutive event greats, past and present…

Our Nobby

Height: 14.3 1/2hh

Achievements: Ridden by Jane Bullen (now Holderness-Roddam), Our Nobby began his glittering career with a win at the junior Pony Club Championships. Jane’s mother bought him for £120 with the hope that they could sell him on quite easily, but he developed a napping habit and he never left. The pair went on to win Badminton in 1968 and followed this up with a team gold medal at the Mexico Olympics where, aged 20, Jane became the first British woman to win a medal in the sport.

Theodore O’Connor

Height: 14.1 3/4hh

Achievements: “Teddy” was by the 16.2hh racehorse Witty Boy, out of a 13hh mare with 50% thoroughbred, 25% Arabian and 25% Shetland pony breeding. Teddy began his eventing career when he was six-years-old with Nicole Villers at preliminary level. Christan Trainor then took him to advanced and he finished eighth at his first CIC2* (now CCI3*-S) before Karen O’Connor took over the ride. Karen piloted Teddy around his first four-star at Rolex Kentucky in 2007 where they finished third. They followed this up with team and individual gold at the Pan American Games the same year. They returned to the Rolex Kentucky four-star in 2008 where they finished sixth. Unfortunately Teddy’s life was cut short after a freak accident at home just a month after Kentucky.

Little Tiger

Height: 14.3hh

Achievements: “Frosty” was a 7/8ths thoroughbred mare by Java Tiger. She began her eventing career with her owner, Dr Polly Taylor before her long-term rider Phoebe Buckley took over the reins. The pair were ninth at Blair Castle CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) in 2006, and completed Badminton the following year. Together Phoebe and Frosty completed six CCI4*s (now CCI5*) including Burghley and Luhmühlen. The mare retired from eventing in 2011 and continued to enjoy hunting and team chasing until she died in 2013.

Forrest Nymph

Height: 14.2hh

Achievements: This 14.2hh New Forest pony took the US eventing world by storm in 2014 and 2015. Lauren De Neve brought “Farrah” out at the lower levels before accomplished event rider Sinead Halpin took over the ride. Together they completed three CIC2*s and two CCI2*’s all clear cross-country (now CCI3*-S and CCI3*-L). Farrah has now been retired from competition due to injury and her owners hope to breed from her.

Continued below…

Short Changed

Height: 15.1hh

Achievements: Bred by owner and rider Ellie Crosbie, this little horse by Fleetwater Opposition earnt his name when his breeders realised he wasn’t quite going to grow as tall as they hoped. Despite his size he has jumped clear around advanced and two-star tracks (now three-star).

The Little Frenchman

Height: 15hh

Achievements: Originally produced by Elle Twentyman, young rider Alice Goring has brought this flashy little pocket rocket up through the grades to advanced and CCI3*-S level.

Glengarrick

Height: 15.2hh

Achievements: A prolific event horse for New Zealand, “Nugget” was seventh at the 2004 Athens Olympics with his rider Heelan Tompkins. Other notable results included winning the CCI4*-L at Puhinui in Auckland aged 19 in 2005, 17th at Badminton in 2003, fifth at Chatsworth CIC4*-S and second at Boekelo CCI4*-L both in 2002. Glengarrick’s final championships appearance was at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006, by which time he was 20-years-old. But he still recorded an outstanding result, taking seventh. He died in 2015, aged 29.

Patris Filius

Height: 15.1hh

Achievements: Originally produced by Vicky Tuffs, Ailie Haddow took the diminutive gelding up to intermediate and CCI2*-L level before her sister Olivia Haddow (now Wilmot) took over the reins. Together they represented Great Britain at two young rider European championships in 2004 and 2005 (where they scooped team gold), completed five CCI4*-L’s and finished at Badminton in 2008. “Filius” ended his eventing career with a BE100open win back with Ailie in 2013.

Our Solo

Height: 15hh

Achievements: Mount of the famous Australian event rider Bill Roycroft, this little horse won Badminton in 1960. Later that year, the duo played an instrumental part in securing team gold at the Mexico Olympics. Bill and Our Solo suffered a nasty fall on the cross-country, but went on to finish the course before Bill was taken to hospital. Here it was discovered that he had broken his shoulder, suffered a dislocated collarbone and had concussion. Despite these injuries Bill discharged himself from hospital to help the team complete and win the competition the next day.

Lakevale Toyman

Height: 13.2hh

Achievements: ‘Tommy’ made history in 2018 when he became the smallest pony to ever be entered into the CCI2*-L at Melbourne three-day event (7-11 June). Ridden and owned by Australian Jackie Wright, the 14-year-old was originally bought as a companion, but he soon showed his aptitude for jumping and progressed up the levels. Together the pair have completed several international and national two-star events.

Wynara Bronze Medal

Height: 14.3hh

Achievements: Also competing in the CCI2*-L at Melbourne in 2018 was Wynara Bronze Medal, who is owned and ridden by Danni Hampton. The 11-year-old gelding and 28-year-old Danni finished 44th out of 80 starters with a clear cross-country round. Danni said: “I am looking forward to a big future with this little guy as he definitely has more to give”.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

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From time to time you have that moment when you spot someone completely out of context and can’t put a name to their face. It’s that teacher in the supermarket situation.

In an equestrian context, it may have happened to you on the hunting field — but with a horse rather than a rider. Some of our biggest equine heroes — from a double Badminton winner to a four-time Cheltenham World Hurdle winner — have taken to hunting in their retirement.

Equine superstars who’ve hunted in their retirement

1. Lenamore, eventing

The 21-year-old former eventer has been spotted out autumn hunting with the Warwickshire. “Everyone thought I was completely bonkers, but he was actually very well behaved,” said owner Lexi Jackson. “He loved it!”

2. Denman, racing

The 2008 Gold Cup winner has had a second lease of life hunting and team chasing under Charlotte Alexander. Denman had a life-threatening blood and bone infection in October 2012, but has since found a new career on the hunting field.

3. Supreme Rock, eventing

Pippa Funnell’s double Badminton winner was still seen out with the Grafton at the age of 24. A visitor famously once told his owner Emma Pitt that she should “try eventing him”.

4. Big Buck’s, racing

Andy Stewart’s four-time Cheltenham World Hurdle winner, who retired last season, was out autumn hunting with Lucy Tucker last month.

5. Little Tiger, eventing

Phoebe Buckley’s 14.3hh Little Tiger spent her life after eventing hunting and team chasing, having been retired at the age of 16. The gutsy mare even came third in the Melton Hunt Ride in 2012.

Don’t miss this week’s special hunting issue of Horse & Hound magazine (23 October 2014), featuring our complete hunt directory, a look at modern and traditional hunting gear and the true cost of keeping a hunter

Never been hunting but would love to have a go? Take a look at our guide for beginners

Have you spotted any famous horses out hunting? Let us know below…

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Little Tiger is to have a trophy presented in her honour at this weekend’s Little Downham Horse trials in Cambridgeshire (31 May –2 June).

The tiny eventer — she stood at just 14.3hh — was put down yesterday (Wednesday 29 May) aged 18 due to problems with her joints.

Frosty, who competed at four-star with Phoebe Buckley, won many fans with her gutsy performances.

And in her memory owner Polly Taylor has donated the “Little Tiger Trophy” at Little Downham Horse Trials.

“It’s very sad,” said Polly. “She was a wonderful mare to have about — she was a real character and did so much more than we could have expected. She was still full of herself, but we didn’t want her to go downhill.”

The trophy will be awarded to the smallest horse to go clear cross-country around the advanced course.

Polly added: “Frosty was the trailblazer the first time this event ran an advanced section in 2010, so this is in her memory.

“She had two seasons hunting and team chasing since retiring from eventing, but finally the old fetlock injury caught up with her. She was always keen to go out and jump, but clearly had developed constant nagging pain whenever she was standing still.”

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Phoebe Buckley’s popular mare Little Tiger has been put down aged 18.

Frosty, as she was known at home, was put down at 8am this morning (Wednesday 29 May) due to joint issues in her off-fore.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Phoebe told H&H. “I will miss her so much. But we had to make a decision sooner rather than later and we didn’t want her to suffer.”

The diminutive mare — she stood just 14.3hh — gained a huge following eventing at four-star level with Phoebe.

She was retired from the sport in July 2011 aged 16 and has been hunting and team chasing since. (Photo below by Nico Morgan of Pheobe and Frosty out with the Cottesmore.)

“She’d been hunting and had loved it,” said Phoebe. “Her joints would be a bit creaky the next day but she was fine.

“But the past six weeks she’d looked more uncomfortable. We had her X-rayed and weren’t happy with it. There was a lot more going on there than she’d been telling us. Her tough mentality had kept her going.”

Phoebe added that she had cross-country schooled her just three weeks ago. “She gave the young horses a lead and was amazing,” she said.

The gutsy mare was also notoriously difficult to catch.

“I went to say a sentimental goodbye on Monday, and spent 45min chasing her around the field,” added Phoebe. “She was so happy.”

By Java Tiger, Frosty started eventing with her owner, Dr Polly Taylor, with Phoebe taking over in 2003.

The pair went on to complete six four-star three-day events: Badminton four times in a row (2007-2010), Burghley in 2008 — where she gained her best placing, 16th — and Luhmühlen in 2010.

“Two memories really stick out,” said Phoebe. “Her last run round Burghley, she fell but had been going so well. I just remember thinking ‘this is easy! Going round Burghley shouldn’t be easy…’.

“And the other was when she came third in the Melton Hunt Ride. Everyone said I was barking mad to take her round as she’s so small but she loved it! By the end she wanted to go again.”

• Look back at Little Tiger’s career in pictures

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Following the sad news that Little Tiger has been put down at the age of 18, Horse & Hound looks back through the archives at the diminutive mare’s impressive career.

About Little Tiger

By Java Tiger, Little Tiger (aka Frosty) started eventing in 2001 with her owner, Dr Polly Taylor, with Phoebe taking over in 2003.

The pair went on to complete six four-star three-day events: Badminton four times in a row (2007-2010), Burghley in 2008 — where she gained her best placing, 16th — and Luhmühlen in 2010.

Little Tiger’s British Eventing record

If you enjoyed these pictures why not browse our other galleries?

Autumn hunting 2014: in pictures

There are plenty of things for us to moan about when the evenings draw in and the leaves turn — mucking out, mud and wet rugs spring to mind. But surely the joys of autumn hunting make it all worthwhile?

Horse & Hound celebrates Prince Philip’s 93rd birthday in pictures

For a lot of people in their 90s, a lunchtime drinks party is a serious social engagement that requires the majority of their weekly energy reserves. But as Prince Philip turns 93 today, his schedule is as packed and energetic as ever. To celebrate his birthday we’ve dug deep into our archives to take a look back at his equestrian career — whether driving, playing polo or watching his grandaughter Zara Phillips in action at the London 2012 Olympic games.

Mother’s Day 2014: Celebrating top horsey mums in pictures

Balancing top level competition with motherhood can’t be easy — just finding enough space in the lorry for all the baby and horsey clobber is a challenge in itself. To celebrate this year’s Mother’s Day (30 March 2014), we’ve found some great pictures of competing mums at home and in action across the disciplines.

William Fox-Pitt’s top horses: in pictures

To mark William Fox-Pitt taking the role as guest Editor for our eventing special issue of Horse & Hound magazine, we take a look back through the H&H picture archives at some of his most popular and influential equine partners during his career to date.

Horses embrace Movember 2013: in pictures

It’s that time of year again — when ‘taches sprout on the most unlikely of men and we have to put up with boyfriends, husbands, brothers and Dads waving goodbye to their razors for the 30-days of November, in the name of the charitable fundraiser Movember. The event aims to raise awareness and funds for men’s health, prompting conversations about often ignored issues — including prostate and testicular cancer.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Rider Phoebe Buckley tells H&H about the diminutive mare who gallops and jumps for fun.

Fact file

Stable name: Frosty

Age: 17

Height: 14.3hh without shoes, 15hh on tiptoes

Breeding: 7⁄8 thoroughbred by Java Tiger out of Hopper VII

Rider: Phoebe Buckley

Owner: Polly Taylor, who has gifted her to Phoebe

Groom: at three-day events it was Simon Grieve, but usually Phoebe

Discipline: formerly eventing now team chasing and hunting

Best result: 16th at Burghley in 2008

Four things you didn’t know…

1 It had been the ambition of Val Gingell, Little Tiger’s breeder and one of Phoebe’s mentors and supporters, to own a four-star horse.

“The irony is the only one she’s had – Little Tiger – she sold because she thought she was too small,” says Phoebe.

2 Little Tiger is allergic to many things, including dandelions, dust mites and washing powder. She has to wear a fly sheet for most of the year to stop her nibbling herself.

3 While she was eventing, Little Tiger would never let Phoebe catch her. “I suspect she associated me with dressage, which she hated. These days, she thinks there’s a chance we might be going hunting, so I’ve become more acceptable and it is worth a gamble for her.”

4 During her eventing career, she always went best jumping out of deep ground – “the wetter the better“, says Phoebe.

To read the full interview with Phoebe Buckley about Little Tiger read the 17 May issue of H&H

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Little Tiger, the diminutive mare who gained a huge following through her success eventing at four-star with Phoebe Buckley, has been retired from the sport, aged 16.

“This year she has just been a bit ‘feely’ with her front joints and is beginning to feel her age,” said Phoebe.

“She’s been so fantastic that we don’t want to push her, so we have made the decision to retire her to the hunting field and to hunt rides — we’ll try and win the Melton, the Golden Button and the Harborough!

“She tries her heart out and we would hate her to fail the trot-up at Burghley, for instance — we owe her so much and she owes us so little.”

By Java Tiger, the 15hh grey known as “Frosty” started eventing with her owner, Dr Polly Taylor, with Phoebe taking over in 2003.

The pair went on to complete six four-star three-day events: Badminton four times in a row (2007-2010), Burghley in 2008 — where she gained her best placing, 16th — and Luhmühlen in 2010.

Little Tiger’s bravery and gutsy cross-country performances despite her tiny stature won her many fans.

She has had three foals by embryo transfer, a four-year-old and a yearling by Catherston Liberator and another yearling by Jaguar Mail.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now