Struggling to work out what to pack for Pony Club camp? You don’t want your child to be missing anything, but you don’t want to send them with everything but the kitchen sink, either. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time to prepare and plug any gaps in your kit.

Your Pony Club may have a specific list tailored to their camp, but between the team at H&H, we’ve got many Pony Club camps under our belt – both as children and as parents – so we’re here with plenty of advice and ideas. Our top tip – make sure absolutely everything is named.

Pony Club camp packing list

Because the quintessential Pony Club camp packing list is rather long, we’re going to break it down into categories. We’ll start with the thing you definitely don’t want to leave at home – your pony!

Tack and horsewear

• saddle
• bridle
• neck strap
• martingale (if using)
• girth
• stirrups and leathers
• saddle cloths or numnahs in your branch or centre’s permitted colours – take more than one in case they get dirty or sweaty
• any legwear your pony uses, such as overreach boots, brushing boots or tendon boots
• stud kit (if used)
• headcollar and leadrope
• tail and stable bandages
• tack cleaning equipment, like saddle soap and a sponge
• all your travel kit, to get your pony there in the first place

Pony care

First and foremost, check with your branch or centre about whether they will provide bedding that is suitable for your pony. If not, make sure to pack your own.

Also, check what your pony’s living arrangements will be. Will he be living out, and do you need to bring some electric fencing? Will you have access to a stable? Find out in advance so you can prepare.

You’ll want your own of most things, but you might be able to team up with other campers when it comes to the big items, such as wheelbarrows.

• enough of your pony’s hay/haylage, feed and supplements to last the duration of camp
• feed bin (like this one)
• buckets for water and feed
• haynets
• wheelbarrow, large trug or garden bag (like this one) for mucking out
• mucking out tools
• grooming kit with all your brushes
• sweat scraper and sponge
• stud kit, if needed
• your best horse shampoo
• fly spray
• horse sun cream, if needed
• other grooming sprays if you use them, like mane and tail detangler or stain remover
• rugs, such as a cooler or fly rug and fly mask if needed

Rider kit

If you plan to stay overnight, pack accordingly for your accommodation. You may want a warm layer or two if you are camping!

• Pony Club sweatshirt
• Pony Club tie
• white shirts
• a few pairs of jodhpurs or riding tights (usually beige, black or navy, check your branch or centre’s rules)
• tweed or show jacket (if needed)
• plenty of riding socks and underwear
• riding boots, either long or short with jodhpur clips or chaps/gaiters
• hairnet and scrunchie (if needed)
• riding gloves
• whip
• up-to-standard and tagged riding hat
• up-to-standard body protector
• casual tops and bottoms for off-horse activities
• coveralls or waterproof trousers for mucking out
• stout boots or wellies for the yard
• trainers or comfy shoes for off the yard
• sun hat
• waterproof coat
• pyjamas

Other essentials

• toiletries
• sun lotion
• insect repellent
• prescription medication (if used)
• pillow and sleeping bag
• camp bed (like this one, if needed) or airbed
• towels
• plate, mug and cutlery for mealtimes (if needed)
• boot cleaning equipment
• notebook and pen
• Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship
• water bottle
• small personal first aid kit
• torch
• watch or alarm clock

Extras

• pack of cards
• book to read (check out the best horse books for kids)
• torch
• small amount of money for tuck
• hand sanitiser
• hair bobbles
• swimming kit, if required
• portable fan, for you or your pony if it’s hot
• portable power bank (like this one)

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Calling all future Rachael Blackmores and William Buicks! If you love nothing more than shortening your stirrups for an exhilarating gallop, why not give pony racing a try?

This fast-growing, adrenaline-fuelled sport for riders aged nine to 16 is a great way to experience the thrill of riding on some of Britain’s premier racetracks.

But it’s also proving an essential foundation for future jockeys and point-to-point riders. Champion jump jockey Sean Bowen, young Flat racing star Billy Loughnane and Grand National hero Rachael Blackmore all learned their craft in pony ranks.

Group One-winning Flat jockey Hollie Doyle started out as an “uncompetitive” youngster on her Pony Club pony.

“As soon as I rode in a pony race, I knew I wanted to be a jockey,” she says.

The sport’s governing body, the Pony Racing Authority (PRA) is there to guide you every step of the way, from teaching you the basics through to your first official race and beyond, ensuring you and your pony progress at your own pace.

Pony racing: three steps to the racetrack

Step one: join a taster day

If you’re tempted by pony racing but unsure how to begin, your first port of call is to attend a PRA taster day. They are normally unmounted and tend to take place on the morning of a Pony Club race day, offering a great opportunity to watch the action as well as getting involved in all sorts of activities, such as refining your racing position on a mechanical horse and learning what tack and equipment is needed.

Step two: practice makes perfect on a training day

The next step is to take your pony to a PRA or Pony Club training day, where you’ll learn all the ingredients that go into race riding, from how to line up at the start to the balance, control and fitness required for riding in a forward seat.

These events also act as qualification for the upcoming season and are a great opportunity to meet fellow rookie jockeys. PRA advanced training days focus on the finer details, while the British Racing School, Scottish Racing Academy and National Horseracing College offer further courses.

Step three: under starters orders!

There are essentially three types of racing to take part in:

• Stand-alone Pony Club race days
• The point-to-point pony racing series 
• The PRA racecourse series, which is the premier league of pony racing and held at professional racecourses between May and October (suspended in May 2026 due to a flu outbreak)

Vine branch member William King-Harris, 11, competes in Pony Club race days and was hooked from day one.

“He came last in his first race, but he didn’t care, he just loved being a part of it. There’s great camaraderie and he loves the thrill of it all,” says his mother Charlotte King-Harris, who teams up with other families to hire out local gallops and makes use of the regular racing rallies hosted by their Pony Club.

William, who rides 148cm Bowhaylands Midnight, says: “I love it because you get to race with your friends and riding at proper racecourses makes you feel like a real jockey.”

Up to 10 races take place on Pony Club racedays, split into height sections, with categories from beginners to open riders. Two or three races are held at the point-to-point fixtures, catering for both novice and more experienced riders, with various championships to aim for.

When you’re ready to graduate to the showcase racecourse series, you’ll be competing either before or after professional racing, with each contest (138cm or 148cm and under) mirroring that of a real race, right down to a best turned out award.

Lucas Murphy, 16, who won his first race against the professionals in April, progressed through all three levels alongside his younger brother Finn.

“There’s no gender issue in pony racing – or racing itself – everyone’s on a level playing field,” says their mother Verity Green, who organises the popular Area 9 Pony Club race day at Cheltenham Racecourse.

“With the changing landscape of the UK, riding at speed across open fields is difficult for a lot of people, so pony racing gives you that opportunity.

“But it’s not just about lining up and going as fast as you can! Pony racing is a great skill for any rider to learn – it helps with balance, fitness and judgement of pace, which then applies across the disciplines.”

What you need to take up pony racing

Do I need a flashy pony, fancy silks and expensive racing saddle?

You absolutely don’t need a specialist pony – you don’t need a pony at all!

Head of the PRA Lucinda Campbell-Dutton says, “You can race any type of pony under 148cm”, with the only stipulation being that it is aged between four and 20. The only specialist equipment you need is the requisite safety gear.

Riders aged 11-16 who don’t have a pony but have regularly attended a riding school can apply to the PRA academy scheme, funded by The Racing Foundation and the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

Sally-Ann Dale, whose 12-year-old daughter Lucie competes in Pony Club race days on her home-produced ponies, hosts the PRA academy at her Ghyll Park Equestrian in East Sussex.

“What I think we lack at schools nowadays is team spirit and that’s what Ghyll Park is all about,” says Sally Ann. “I tell the kids that racing is not a team sport, but when you go to the start, you’re a team. Talk to each other and jump off together. I’m more than happy to help anyone.”

As Verity Green sums up, “The way that racing opens its doors and looks after the progression of its young riders is phenomenal. My children have had an absolute ball.”

So what are you waiting for? Head to ponyracingauthority.co.uk for further information and above all enjoy yourselves – let us know how you get on!

Meet the 2025 pony racing champion

Last season, Chloe Fox-Pitt notched up 15 straight wins with Avalon Dancer in the 138cm PRA racecourse series, including the Aintree final. The now 13-year-old is back with the mare in 2026, having also secured the ride on the prolific 148cm She’s A Corker. Chloe, daughter of racing presenter Alice Plunkett and retired five-star event rider William Fox-Pitt, also enjoys eventing, Pony Club and hunting.

How I began racing: “I got a racing Shetland for a Christmas present and did two seasons on him before I got former show pony Maesteg Ruth to do pony racing on. She was very experienced and taught lots of people to race ride.”

Top tips for starting out: “Get as much experience as you can. I went to various places to get training on the mechanical horse. I did three race training days with my pony just to get to grips with it all and to learn what to do.”

The secret of success: “A big part is having a fast pony, but learning when to go, when to pull and how to start a race are equally important. It took me a while to get to grips with Avalon Dancer because she was much hotter than my first pony, but having a pony as good as her last season was so much fun.”

The best aspect of pony racing: “I’ve made so many friends, got to ride at the big racecourses and speak to some amazing people about racing.”

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The Friday audience at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) will be able to watch the “precision, creativity and exceptional teamwork” of the best Pony Club musical ride in the country.

HOYS organiser Grandstand has confirmed that the winning team in the Agria musical ride at the JCB Pony Club National Championships will perform in the Andrews Bowen international arena on 10 October. The East Cheshire has performed a ride at HOYS before, by invitation, but this is the first time the championship winners will earn a ticket.

“We are delighted to welcome the winning team from the Pony Club National Championships to the HOYS 2026 programme,” said HOYS event director Emma Williams. “Pony Club musical rides are always a crowd favourite and perfectly embody the teamwork, dedication and community spirit that sit at the heart of the Pony Club, as well as the commitment to young riders that Horse of the Year Show champions.”

Pony Club musical rides are performed by teams of six to 12 Pony Club members of any age, who “work together to create a choreographed display set to music of their choice, showcasing precision, creativity and exceptional teamwork”, a HOYS spokesperson said.

She added: “With a coveted Horse of the Year Show appearance now at stake, spectators can expect an unforgettable spectacle at the Pony Club National Championships on Saturday, 22 August at Offchurch Bury, as teams bring energy, colour and creativity to the arena in pursuit of the title.”

The spokesperson promised that the musical ride would be a highlight of the show.

Pony Club dressage chair Helen Griffiths said: “To see our Pony Club musical ride champions earn the opportunity to perform at HOYS 2026 is incredibly exciting and a real testament to the dedication, teamwork and talent of everyone involved.

“We’re thrilled that this talented team will have the chance to perform on such a prestigious stage in front of the wider equestrian community.”

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

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Keeping your child safe in the saddle is every parent’s top priority, which is why choosing one of the best children’s body protectors for horse riding is so important. Whether they’re learning to ride or competing regularly, a properly fitted body protector offers vital impact protection in the event of a fall. It’s also really important that they are comfortable and easy to adjust so that you don’t end up having a battle every time they need to put it on.

Body protectors are also increasingly commonplace in riding schools and at Pony Club, where they are recommended for all riding. Wherever you choose to buy, we strongly recommend that you have your body protector for horse riding fitted by a professional at a BETA-trained retailer as body protectors can’t be appropriately fitted by simply selecting your age or clothing size.

Best children’s body protectors for horse riding

Does my child need a body protector for horse riding?

A body protector should provide your child with an extra layer of protection and will absorb the shock impact caused by a fall, kick or being stepped on. Body protectors can be used by all riders, from the complete beginner who is just starting lessons to the elite riders you’ll see at the Olympics. They are compulsory if you’re eventing at any level, are recommended for all riding Pony Club (and required for cross-country and pony racing), and must be worn if competing in working hunter pony classes under BSPS rules.

More riders than ever before are opting to wear body protectors and the latest designs are far more lightweight and flexible than they have ever been in the past. When choosing body protectors for children, it’s worth considering designs that have adjustable features so that the fit lasts that little bit longer. Children can find some body protectors uncomfortable, so finding one that’s flexible, quick to put on and easy to adjust is beneficial.

Wherever you choose to buy, we strongly recommend that you have your body protector fitted by a professional at a BETA-trained retailer as body protectors can’t be fitted as easily as selecting a child’s age or clothing size.

What standard do children’s body protectors need to be?

There are three levels of protection that one of the best children’s body protectors for horse riding can offer, but if you’re shopping for a child you should look for BETA level 3 (2018) as this is the highest body protector standard for horse riding. Moreover, if your governing body or organisation (for example, The Pony Club) requires that you wear a body protector, this the standard they’re looking for.

Governing bodies and rider organisations that require a body protector no longer recognise the 2009 purple label, so if there’s any chance your child is going to compete or attend a Pony Club event, make sure your body protector is up to standard with a blue 2018 label.

All the children’s body protectors in this guide conform to the latest BETA level 3 standard (2018).

How long do body protectors last?

Under normal circumstances, a body protector should be replaced at least every three to five years because after this time the impact absorption properties of the foam may have started to decline, which means it will no longer provide your child with the same level of protection that it did the first day they wore it. Coupled with that, although even the best children’s body protectors for horse riding usually offer a good level of adjustment, it’s likely that your child will outgrow theirs and need a new one before it has reached the end of its life.

If your child has a heavy fall, check the body protector for dents immediately. The foam will return to its original shape within 30 minutes, but a dent would suggest that this part of the body protector will have lost some absorption properties and you should, therefore, replace it.

Taking good care of a body protector means that it will probably last closer to five years than three, which is handy if you have multiple children who are into riding. Avoid leaving it lying around at the yard, in the lorry where it might get damaged, and don’t store it in your hot car or damp tack room – all of these locations are likely to cause it to deteriorate faster. When not in use, it’s best to hang it up in a wardrobe at home with the zips and Velcro fastened.

• For unlimited access to the latest product news, buying guides and reviews, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Body protectors are designed to absorb impact from a fall, a kick or being stepped on by a horse, and certain body protector standards are compulsory for competitions under the rules of governing bodies.

The body protector standards were originally developed by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), with the help of riding organisations, doctors, riders, manufacturers and retailers. In 2000, the new BETA standard superseded all previous standards, but it has been revised twice since – in 2009 and 2018.

As of 1 January 2024, major governing bodies only accept body protectors that meet the latest BETA level 3 (2018) version of the standard, so if you plan to compete and your body protector is not up to standard, you’ll need to buy one of the best up-to-standard body protectors for horse riding or best body protectors for children.

What are the current body protector standards?

There are three levels of protection – and the vast majority of horse riders should look for BETA level 3, which is the highest standard of protection on offer.

BETA level 3 (2018)

This is the latest version of the BETA level 3 standard and it is marked with a blue label. It’s the standard you need to look for if your governing body or rider organisation – for example, The Pony Club, British Eventing, British Riding Clubs or BSPS – requires you to wear a body protector.

All of the body protectors we’ve featured in our buying guides are currently accepted by all major governing bodies.

What about BETA level 3 (2009)?

The 2009 version of the BETA level 3 standard (with a purple label) ceased manufacturing in 2018 and it’s unlikely that you’ll see any of these purple-labelled body protectors in stores or online.

Governing bodies and rider organisations that require a body protector no longer recognise the purple 2009 label, with most ceasing to accept this on 31 December 2023. They can still be worn if you’re competing at British Dressage or British Showjumping as a body protector is optional and no guidance for a standard is given – or, indeed, if you’re not competing at all. However, it’s recommended that you replace your body protector every three to five years and the BETA level 3 (2018) standard offers the highest level of protection.

CE marks

A CE mark which, although not a quality mark, shows that a product is fit for purpose as outlined in personal protective equipment guidelines.

Body protectors that are CE marked to EN 13158:2018 (the European standard for equestrian body protectors) are annually retested to the BETA 2018 standard, which means they consistently meet the very latest in safety standards.

What are the different levels of body protector?

There are three levels of the 2018 revision, each designed for different activities and denoted by a colour-coded label on the garment.

• Level 1 (green label) provides the lowest level of protection that is only considered appropriate for licensed jockeys while racing.
• Level 2 (orange label) is only considered suitable for low-risk situations, which does not include jumping, riding on the road, riding young or excitable horses or riding while inexperienced.
• Level 3 (blue label) is considered appropriate for general riding and competing. Level 3 body protectors should prevent minor injuries, including bruising that would have produced stiffness and pain, reduce soft tissue injuries and prevent some rib fractures.

Shoulder protection standards

There is also a BETA Standard for shoulder protectors. Shoulder pads that are sold to be worn with a particular body protector, such as the Racesafe Motion 3.0 shoulder pads, will have been tested to the same level as the body protector. Research into falls onto the shoulder during eventing competitions has shown that wearing adequate shoulder protection reduces the risk of breaking the collarbone by up to 80%.

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Britain’s best young eventers have a new championship to aim for – one that “brings competition, education, community and celebration together in one inspiring summer showcase”.

British Eventing (BE) has announced that its Festival of Youth will run annually at Bishop Burton College from 2026 to 2031, and the aim is for it to be the “flagship destination for every rider under 21”.

“The Festival of Youth will bring the nation’s most talented young eventers together for a week of top-level sport and unforgettable experiences on and off the field,” a BE spokesperson said. “While the competition will always be the anchor, we are equally committed to creating a genuine sense of community, friendship, education – both equine and human – and a team spirit that runs right through the championships.”

BE chief executive Rosie Williams said the organisation has listened to what young members and their families said they wanted.

“The Festival of Youth isn’t just a championship – it’s an experience,” she said. “It’s about creating a place where young riders feel part of something bigger, where they can compete, learn, connect and celebrate everything they love about our sport.”

The Pony Club will “play a key role” in the sporting programme, “strengthening the pathway between Pony Club eventing and British Eventing”.

The festival will include the Pony Club open championship, and a BE v Pony Club friendly team competition.

Pony Club chief executive Marcus Capel said: “The Festival of Youth is an exciting and natural step in strengthening the pathway for young riders. The Pony Club is proud to be working alongside British Eventing to create an environment that champions education, teamwork and enjoyment alongside high-quality sport.

“By bringing our members into a festival that celebrates both performance and personal development, we are helping young people build confidence, skills and lifelong friendships, while supporting their progression, whatever their future ambitions within eventing may be.”

Classes at the festival will be:

• National junior championship, CCIJ2*-S
• National pony championship, CCIP2*-S
• Regional team championship, CCIJ2*-S
• Regional team championships, 100L
• U18 90L
• U21 CCI2*-S
• U21 100L
• British Eventing/the Pony Club 100 national friendly team competition
• The Pony Club open championship

BE head of youth Darrell Scaife said: “The festival will be a place where riders can compete at their best while also enjoying everything that makes eventing special: the friendships, the atmosphere, the learning and the sense of belonging.

“We’re proud to work with Bishop Burton College to create an environment that supports not just performance, but the whole young rider and their family.”

Details including the schedule and entry details are to be announced “in due course”.

• 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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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

Scientists may argue over what is the world’s most precious substance: is it platinum, iridium, oil, antimatter? Parents with children under the age of 16 know — forget the rest, it’s the perfect Pony Club pony.

Rarer than rubies, more valuable per ounce than gold, as sought after as truffles, the Pony Club gem is top of every mother’s wish list.

So what qualifies as the Perfect Pony Club Pony (PPCP)?

They can be divided into two main types — the small, fluffy, safe-as-houses saint who can act as nanny, and the bigger, legendary competition pony who has been on every team for donkey’s years and knows the entire dressage test range off by heart and exactly how many strides they need to fit in through that downhill coffin.

What they have in common is safety. You can trust them not to kick, bite or dump your child unnecessarily. Of course children will always fall off, even if the pony doesn’t put a foot wrong, but a good pony should make reasonable efforts to keep them in the plate.

A child should be able to carry a flapping flag during mounted games, or a polocrosse stick, and go “round-the-world” without objections from below.

Every Pony Club instructor breathes a sigh of relief to see them in their ride at camp — they can be used to demonstrate dressage moves, take part in a rousing game of cowboys and Indians, and won’t bog off back to the lorry if the child does fall off.

7 tips for finding the perfect Pony Club pony

1. Do consider older ponies — in fact, the older the better. Many small ponies improve considerably with age.

2. Don’t buy a young, green pony for a nervous child — 99 times out of 100, it won’t work.

3. Do get it vetted if you are buying it — what you find out may not stop you buying it, but it’s important to know if it has had laminitis or other problems in the past.

4. Keep a close eye out at rallies and competitions for lovely ponies — then suck up to their present owners like mad and make sure you seem like the perfect “next home”.

5. Don’t get too ambitious. If your child is nervous, the pony who will only canter for five strides, after much kicking, is better than the all-singing, all-dancing whizzy competition pony.

6. Remember that just because a pony behaves beautifully for someone else’s child, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will with yours — but try and work out why before you blame the pony.

7. Be prepared to be the envy of everyone if you find a PPCP — and warn your children that others may be jealous.

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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

Pony Club camp is an enjoyable rite of passage for most young equestrians. Many of us at Horse & Hound have happy memories of our days at camp, even if some of the things that we got up to will have most likely been outlawed in these more health-and-safety-conscious days.

Here are some of our special memories of yesteryear…

1. Soaking our chief instructor in a water fight before he had the chance to remove his very expensive made-to-measure dressage boots – this one earnt us a serious ticking off so we don’t recommend it, although the look on his face was hilarious.

2. On the subject of water, if we refused to take a shower while at camp, then we found ourselves being rinsed under the yard hose instead.

3. Nightly exposure to mass catering custard means the yellow stuff still makes us want to gag.

4. But we learnt not to be daunted by washing-up on a huge scale — and importantly, that we wouldn’t be given clean hot water if we tipped half a bowl of leftover cocoa pops and milk into the tub at an early stage.

5. If you were clever, you worked out how to clean your tack to earn a 10 at inspection without showing the hidden bits a sponge. And how to tack up in two minutes flat, because the rest of the time you’d spent running around making sure the rest of your tackroom/team/ride was ready.

6. When you’re young, you don’t need much sleep and it’s easier to see in the dark — we had plenty of practice sneaking around after curfew.

7. Talking of which, some of us might be a little more light-fingered than we care to admit after slipping into the adult accommodation and helping ourselves to their alcohol.

8. The above played absolutely no part in us feeling decidedly green about the gills and falling off our horses three times the next day – the aforementioned chief instructor still made us get back on.

9. As payback, we worked out all the possible ways to deliberately sabotage his end-of-camp musical ride, by going freestyle and taking our teams with us, before rescuing it and making it look like that our deviations were actually part of his original plan – except both he and we knew they weren’t.

What are your special memories of Pony Club camp? Share them with us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your stories published in a future edition of Horse & Hound magazine.

• 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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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

A riding hat or helmet is one of the first purchases you’ll make when a child gets into horse riding, so we’ve rounded up a selection of the best children’s horse riding helmets to help you out. It’s an essential part of a child’s riding kit and understanding the hat standards and how they are tested will help you narrow down your choice.

If your child is going for riding lessons or is taking part in Pony Club activities, it’s important to check which helmets will be allowed – riding schools will set their own rules, but we’ve marked the best children’s horse riding helmets suitable for the majority of Pony Club activities below.

Best children’s horse riding helmets

Charles Owen YR8 Sparkly

Colours: Black, black/silver, navy or navy/silver

Sizes: 52–61cm standard or 56–59cm round

Standards: PAS 015 (with Kitemark), VG1 (with Kitemark)

Allowed at Pony Club: Yes

Reasons to buy

• Standard and round fit
• Available in a range of colours/styles

Reasons to avoid

• Harness is not as padded as others

Fully trimmed in microfibre suede, the children’s riding hat features four discreet ventilation holes for added coolness and comfort during extended periods of use. It has a fun sparkly panel and fastens with an adjustable nylon harness. Also available without sparkles (YR8 Classic) and in the US it’s known as the jR8.

Champion Junior X-Air Plus Helmet

Colours: Black, navy, black/slate or navy/pink

Sizes: 6¼–7¾ (51 – 63CM)

Standards: ASTM F1163, PAS 015 (with Kitemark), VG1

Allowed at Pony Club: Yes

Reasons to buy

• Good ventilation
• Available in a range of colours

Reasons to avoid

• Peaked style might not be suitable for your child’s discipline

This lightweight helmet is ventilated and has crown comfort padding with breathable mesh inserts. It has a durable synthetic suede finish and four-point padded nubuck harness with rear lacing adjustment and a quick-release buckle.

Shires Karben Junior Skull Cap

Colours: Black or grey

Sizes: 53–62cm

Standards: PAS 015 (with Kitemark)

Allowed at Pony Club: Yes

Reasons to buy

• Can be worn for cross-country
• Adjustable four-point harness

Reasons to avoid

• Only meets one safety standard (if that’s important to you)

This lightweight skull cap balances safety with affordability. It has a deep fit, plus 16 ventilation holes and mesh sections in the padded lining for enhanced climate control. The adjustable four-point harness is made from hard-wearing, soft web, with a soft cover on the chin strap.

Charles Owen Young Riders Jockey Skull

Colours: Black

Sizes: 49–62cm standard or round fit

Standards: ASTM F1163, PAS 015 (with Kitemark), VG1 (with Kitemark)

Allowed at Pony Club: Yes

Reasons to buy

• Standard and round fit
• Meets three safety standards
• Good ventilation

Reasons to avoid

• Only one colour option available (but endless colour opportunities when a hat silk is purchased)

This jockey skull provides multi-standard protection, plus it has a deep fit with a fully adjustable nylon harness and 10 ventilation holes for breathability.

Whitaker NRG (New Rider Generation) Riding Helmet

Colours: Black, navy, black/sparkle or navy/sparkle

Sizes: XS–L

Standards: ASTM F1163 (with SEI mark), VG1

Allowed at Pony Club: Yes

Reasons to buy

• Removable and washable lining
• Dial fit adjustment

Reasons to avoid

• Dial fit adjustment might not be suitable

This adjustable helmet has a smooth, matte effect outer and two front vents. It also has a breathable Coolmax lining, which is removable and machine washable.

Gatehouse Junior Skull

Colours: Black

Sizes: 52–62cm

Standards: PAS 015 (with Kitemark), VG1 (with Kitemark)

Allowed at Pony Club: Yes

Reasons to buy

• Good value
• Hat bag included

Reasons to avoid

• Smarter looking harnesses available with competitors

This jockey skull for children features a three-point harness and an anti-bacterial lining, which provides protection against odour, staining and deterioration caused by bacteria, fungus and other micro-organisms. It’s approved for all Pony Club activities, and each helmet comes with a padded hat bag.

Shires Karben Avena

Colours: Black or navy

Sizes: 53–61cm

Standards: PAS015:2011 (with Kitemark)

Allowed at Pony Club: Yes

Reasons to buy

• Modern look
• Dial fit adjustment

Reasons to avoid

• Peaked style might not be suitable for your child’s discipline

This helmet has a smooth outer with attractive shiny accents and smart trims. It has a micro-adjustable dial system, front and rear air vents, a thermoregulating mesh liner and wicking headband.

Rhinegold Glitter Pro Riding Hat

Colours: Black or navy

Sizes: 6⅜–7⅛

Standards: PAS 015 (with Kitemark)

Allowed at Pony Club: Yes

Reasons to buy

• Good value
• Removable, washable liner

Reasons to avoid

• Style not as modern as others

This ventilated hat has a removable, washable liner and a soft suede style Coolmax-lined harness, while the glitter panel adds a touch of glamour.

Uvex Exxential III

Colours: Black, blue matte, anthracite or mocca matt

Sizes: XXS–XL

Standards: VG1 (with Kitemark)

Allowed at Pony Club: Yes

Reasons to buy

• Plenty of colour options
• Great ventilation
• Lightweight

Reasons to avoid

• Sporty style might not suit your style

This slim, lightweight and ergonomically designed helmet has an innovative outer shell that extends over the neck for additional protection, while the ponytail cut-out is a convenient feature for riders with longer hair. It also has large air channels to offer great ventilation. The easy to use dial fit allows for easy adjustment. Also available with MIPS technology.

Abus Pikeur AirDuo Helmet

Colours: Black or midnight blue, in gloss or matt

Sizes: XS–M

Standards: ASTM F1163 (with SEI mark), VG1, PAS 015 (with Kitemark), SNELL

Allowed at Pony Club: Yes

Reasons to buy

• Meets four safety standards
• Dial fit adjustment

Reasons to avoid

• Chin strap not as padded as others

This adjustable helmet is the result of a new collaboration between equestrian stalwart Pikeur and Abus, which is a leading bicycle safety brand. The Air Duo is a hybrid helmet with a detachable visor. It has a slightly rounder shape with a low-profile cut, plus a ratchet buckle, pony tail cut-out and 18 ventilation channels.

Get a riding hat fitted

The best children’s horse riding helmets are only the best if they fit well. Horse & Hound strongly advises that you get your hat fitted by a BETA-trained professional before making a purchase – the same advice goes for buying the best body protectors for children, too. Find out if your local tack shop can provide this service here.

It’s also a good idea to invest in one of the best riding hat bags, to ensure your new riding hat is protected while being carried to and from lessons or the yard.

Jockey skull vs peaked helmet

When choosing a new children’s horse riding helmet, you’ll need to decide between two main styles – a peaked helmet or a jockey skull. While some peaked helmets can look more fun and appealing, especially those that are coloured or have glittered sections, you can choose between thousands of hat silks to cover a jockey skull, which makes them perfect for a fan of the matchy-matchy trend. If your child is likely to be going cross-country, they’ll need to have a helmet without a peak to comply with safety rules.

What are adjustable dial fit hats?

More riding hats than ever before incorporate an adjustable dial that allows you to tailor the fit. The best adjustable riding hats are particularly handy for children because they’ll fit for longer while your child is growing.

You might also like:

Hat bags that offer extra protection

Children’s riding boots for all ages, abilities and budgets

14 pairs of children’s riding gloves suitable for first timers and competitive riders

8 pairs of comfy and casual riding tights for young riders – ages 3-14

8 riding hats you can get your hands on for less than £100

7 adjustable riding helmets to help you find the perfect fit

Use your head: how riding hats are tried and tested before use

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Double Olympic gold medallist Tom McEwen went back to his roots to present awards to members of his former Pony Club branch – and share pizza with them.

Tom, who won team gold in Tokyo and Paris, and individual silver in Tokyo, hot-footed it straight from competing to the Vale of the White Horse (VWH) branch celebration evening.

Branch secretary Joanna Ramage told H&H organisers kept Tom’s attendance a secret in advance.

“He’s always really supportive of us, which is lovely,” she said. “He’d been jumping at Hartpury and he literally leapt off and high-tailed it here. We’d kept it secret but had said lots of ‘You need to come to the awards; it’s going to be a really amazing evening’. He’s so generous with his time; he must have been knackered – but he did get some pizza at the end!”

Joanna said the branch is competitive but that its ethos is very much being friendly and supportive, as well as about horsemanship and pony care, not just riding. The winter awards evening is about celebrating every level and achievement of the riders, but also the volunteers.

“We had long-service awards to present too,” Joanna said. “Pamela Ormond, our president, has hosted the mini and junior camps for years and it was important he gave her her 50-year Cubitt award as he’s known her for years too.”

Joanna said Tom is “very much interwoven” with the branch; on a previous visit he handed round his Olympic medals so all the young riders could see and touch them.

“I said I’d be possessive about them but he said no, because who knows, they might be future Olympians, and he shared them with everybody, which was lovely,” she said. “Last summer, we were running camp and he’d hired some of the facilities; he was there for a job but took the time to speak to them all, and signed their T-shirts – there were a lot of camp T-shirts that didn’t get washed afterwards!”

Joanna said some of the children at the awards were “in awe” of Tom, while others “took it in their stride”.

“He went to the mini and junior camps when he was little, and Pam and Ursula [Scott] and the other fantastic award winners have known him for years,” she said. “His mum teaches for us too. We’re so lucky to have that connection so the children can see that anything is possible.”

The group between them tucked into 56 pizzas on the awards evening including Tom, who became a father late last year.

“Our retiring district commissioner Georgie Davies managed to find a tiny VWH sweatshirt and gave it to him,” Joanna said. “So in a couple of years, maybe Tom will be back at mini camp as a parent, we will wait and see!”

• 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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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

Whip and spur rules brought in across disciplines are having an effect – in making riders consider their use as much as the use itself.

Those competing under British Showjumping (BS) rules join The Pony Club and British Riding Clubs (BRC) riders in that whips may only be used to back up leg aids, never as discipline or punishment of the horse.

The Pony Club rules on spurs now apply from this month; riders who want to use them must either have passed their C+ test or an assessment showing that they understand spurs’ use and have a stable enough lower leg to wear them appropriately. Coaches and officials may remove spurs if at any time they feel they are being used incorrectly.

Leading physiotherapist Gillian Tabor was stewarding at an Eggesford Hunt branch mini showjumping competition in early January, and she told H&H the rules are making a difference.

“It was amazing,” she said. “All the kids had their tack checked as they came into the warm-up and anyone carrying a whip, I asked if they knew the rules and they all did. I don’t know if there were fewer children carrying them, but we didn’t have to pull anyone up [for misuse].”

Dr Tabor pointed out that using a whip on a horse who has refused a fence “doesn’t make sense” in light of what we know about horses’ learning processes and cognition, so it is ineffective as a punishment anyway.

She said the spur rule is a “massive step forward”.

“There were a handful wearing them at the show and I’m sure there would have been a lot more previously,” she said. “One member usually wore them; she took them off and there was no difference to how her pony went. These are steps in the right direction.”

The Pony Club CEO Marcus Capel told H&H that the club’s responsibility is to help young riders and their parents improve understanding and foster the mindset of putting the horse’s interests first at all times.

“We’ve got people talking, which is good. I’m so pleased people are talking about it and about The Pony Club,” he said. “All-round horsemanship is what we’re teaching. We’re getting back to where we should be as the source of knowledge for young riders and their parents.”

The new BS rule applied from 1 January; the padded baton, which replaced the whip in 2020, “may only be used as an aid to support the natural aids in encouraging the horse forward; [it] may be used to support the shoulder to encourage the horse in the desired direction.

“The padded baton must not be used to discipline or punish the horse/pony nor to vent an athlete’s temper,” the rules add. “Such use is always excessive.”

BS CEO Iain Graham told H&H there had been no negative reaction to the new rule.

“It’s not a rule where it’s been hard to get the message across to members about why it’s come in,” he said. “I think they understand the need to change, to show we’re treating and training horses in the correct way.”

BRC brought in similar whip rules last year and, from 2025, may be used a maximum of twice per incident. Any mark means excessive use. Spurs will only be allowed for prelim level dressage and above at BRC qualifiers and championships.

“Spurs must only be used to enhance the normal leg aids and allow for better communication from rider to horse,” the rule states. “Spurs must never be used to vent a rider’s temper or to reprimand a horse; any use for such a reason is automatically excessive.”

Head of BRC Rachael Hollely-Thompson told H&H: “Throughout all BRC competitive opportunities, the welfare of the horse is of paramount importance. To make sure the best practices are followed, we regularly review the rules we have.

“We believe these revisions will play a key role in supporting all those involved in BRC events and activities, helping us to continue to uphold the highest level of horse welfare.”

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

You may also be interested in:

Whips may not be used to discipline horses in new showjumping rules with a welfare focus

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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

A new organisation to run pentathlon including horse riding has been welcomed, as it pledges to put welfare at its heart, while operating in an “ethical, transparent” way.

H&H reported last week that the Pony Club International Alliance (PCIA) and the International Pentathlon Association (IPA) are to collaborate to “develop, promote and manage equestrian multi-sport”.

Modern pentathlon, run by international governing body UIPM, replaced riding with an obstacle competition, after distressing scenes at the Tokyo Olympics. Many pentathletes spoke out against the decision, and now the IPA has been formed to allow them to ride again.

IPA director Alex Watson, a three-time Olympic pentathlete who also managed the Australian team at the Sydney Games, told H&H replacing riding with an obstacle course is “like taking cycling out of triathlon and replacing it with golf”.

“It was forced on the community against the vast majority of athletes’ wishes,” he said.

Mr Watson said, as other pentathletes have before, that riding was not prioritised by UIPM, which meant athletes could qualify for major competitions without the appropriate equestrian skill, but the new alliance will change that.

“The only way forward is to have a complete reset,” he said. “To go to a fundamental principle that to be involved, you must have a riding background and be an equestrian athlete, not an athlete who suddenly gets on a horse. People don’t want to watch athletes kamikazeing their way round a course they’re not capable of.”

He added that all IPA athletes will have to be a Pony Club member or equivalent, as this will give them horsemanship as well as riding skills, and qualify to ride at a certain level. The idea is that for national competition, members will ride their own horses, then for international, horses would be borrowed as they have in previous UIPM competition.

“Horse welfare will be paramount and we need a really good relationship with the equestrian community,” Mr Watson said. “It must stand alone, not rely on being part of the Olympics, and we’re determined it will be ethically managed and governed, open and transparent.

“There’s a huge amount of work to do but I feel very positive about where we are and the enthusiasm of the global community and both organisations.”

‘Brilliant solution’

Former British tetrathlete Richard Mulcaster, whose daughters compete in the sport, told H&H that Pony Club involvement is key.

“They’re the tried-and-tested equestrian organisation; that’s what’s been missing,” he said. “Having the Pony Club to take it to the next level is a brilliant solution.”

“My girls love the sport but are at the age they’re looking ahead; three years ago they wanted to take it all the way but then they weren’t interested in pentathlon without the horse element,” he added.

“I coach for the Cheshire Hunt branch and must have had a couple of hundred kids looking for their next step. Athletics with equestrianism has been around as long as the Olympics but has lost that pathway so to have a glimmer of hope back is absolutely brilliant. There are thousands of people like us across the world, and this is testament to that.”

It is hoped there will be a British and a US open competition next spring, as the organisations try to secure dates.

Pony Club CEO Marcus Capel told H&H the Pony Club is fully supportive of the IPA and this agreement.

“This is great all round, for sport and for equestrianism,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity.”

Mr Capel said he and others in the Pony Club here and internationally have been involved from the start so he is confident in the IPA’s integrity, governance and operation, as well as the details of the agreement.

“The global implications have been very carefully considered and it provides that route for members to go on,” he said. “I’m very supportive of it and excited about how it will develop.”

A UIPM spokesperson told H&H: “UIPM is the sole governing body of the Olympic sport of modern pentathlon. Riding remains one of the disciplines within the sport as per UIPM statutes and this gives member federations the possibility to arrange national or regional competitions that include riding.

“Having successfully secured a place on the Olympic programme for LA 2028 with the introduction of a ninja-style obstacle discipline, UIPM continues to oversee global masters competitions that include riding.

“UIPM has no affiliation with external bodies that purport to develop their own iteration of pentathlon multi-sports. Any such unofficial initiative would operate outside the global pentathlon multi-sports movement, and therefore outside the Olympic movement.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Oh, those heady, carefree days, when all you dreamt about was taking your pony to your local show, and you hung all your rosettes up on a string in your bedroom. Life was so much simpler then, although there were also THOSE moments that we now carry around etched in our memories forever…

1. When someone’s mum had a tantrum

She was the one on the sideline shouting: “Leg on, Petronella, LEG ON! Oh, he’s refused it. She’s been eliminated now. Well, THAT was a waste of five hours grooming him and driving here this morning. What a waste of money buying you a pony, Petronella, we should have stuck with piano lessons.”

2. A child had a meltdown and refused to go into the ring at all

It was probably Petronella’s younger sister. Who can blame her, really?

3. There was a collision during the gymkhana

Steering a feisty Welsh Sec A while clutching an egg-and-spoon is a tricky business at the best of times. When there are several of you doing it at once, nature is going to take its course, and you’re going to end up in a big heap. This may lead to onto the next point….

4. Someone broke their arm

Maybe not an arm. It could be a leg, or a tooth, but someone would inevitably break something. In this day and age where health and safety comes first, such an incident would likely put any fledgling show organiser off for life, but horsey kids were tougher than most and so the show would go on. Said child would get a cast, which everyone from their school and Pony Club branch would sign, and they’d be hailed a hero. The main downside was that they wouldn’t be able to ride for a few weeks.

5. Cries of “loose horse”

It was generally a pony, rather than a horse, but let’s not split hairs. Either it had escaped its trailer, or dumped its owner and made a break for freedom. With a trail of kids chasing after it like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, it would trot happily about, evading capture and snatching the odd mouthful of grass, and generally having a merry old time.

6. Someone won everything

Like at school, when even though it was supposed to be random, all the sporty kids ended up in one house, there were always three or four kids who cleaned up at local shows. Some people may have tutted a bit about this – the mums, mainly – but some of those kids turned out to be the eventers and showjumpers and dressage stars you now read about Horse & Hound, so it must have been a good grounding for them.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Pau Horse Trials, London International.Horse Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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The chief instructor of the Ludlow Hunt branch of the Pony Club had the perfect guard of honour for her wedding last weekend.

Five-star eventer Rosie Thomas married Andrew Willmett on a sunny 29 September in St Michael’s Church, Bockleton. And when Rosie emerged, she found some 21 of her young riders ready to greet her, dressed in their best jodhpurs and Pony Club sweatshirts, whips decorated with pink and white ribbon.

“I had no idea,” Rosie told H&H. “I was really surprised when I saw them all, bless them. They did a great job – and they were immaculate!”

Rosie, who runs a riding school and livery yard and has evented to the top level, finishing 13th at Burghley 2008 with crowd-favourite Barry’s Best, said she and Andrew had a lovely day.

“It had rained before and after but the sun shone on us, we were very lucky,” she said. “It was a shock to see them, I think I said ‘what are you lot doing here?’! I think the boys had a few sword fights beforehand – but I didn’t see it! It really was a great day.”

Katie and Rob Harris, whose two children Florence and James are members of the branch, organised the guard of honour.

“We were part of the young farmers and at our wedding, they did a guard of honour, so I thought it would be really nice if the Pony Club could do something like that,” Katie told H&H.

“There were about 21 children; I sent a message on the WhatsApp group and they all just agreed, it was brilliant. The kids loved it, loved being involved in the wedding – and one of the boys involved in the sword fights may have been my son!”

Katie said she contacted Rosie’s sister beforehand about the plan, and both she and Andrew were keen.

“They thought it was a lovely idea, and Rosie’s parents, who have been big supporters of the Pony Club, didn’t know either,” she said.

Rob Harris said he believes this may have been the first time such a thing has happened, certainly at the Ludlow.

“It’s lovely to think this may be the start [of a tradition],” he said.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Horse of the Year Show, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Pony Club riders who want to use spurs will have to prove they can use them properly – or they will be taken away.

The organisation has revised its policy on spurs, making changes it hopes will help “promote the welfare of horses and ponies while educating the next generation of riders”.

Current rules allows members to wear spurs; any misuse is reported to the district commissioner, who will “address the issue with parents or guardians”.

“The Pony Club is dedicated to educating and developing young equestrians, with a strong emphasis on horse care and welfare,” a spokesperson told H&H. “We encourage all riders to carefully consider their choice of tack and equipment.

“The Pony Club has reviewed its spurs policy and introduced the following change: members wishing to use spurs as an aid for enhanced rider-to-horse communication must now demonstrate both a thorough understanding of spurs and their proper use, as well as a secure lower leg position while riding.”

From 1 January, riders who want to wear spurs must have successfully completed the revised C+ riding test or the updated spurs badge.

“Both assessments will be conducted by an independent C+ or higher-level assessor, ensuring an impartial evaluation of the rider’s readiness to use spurs appropriately,” the spokesperson said.”

Members are responsible for proving they have met the requirements.

“Importantly, coaches and officials retain the authority to remove spurs at any time if they believe they are being used incorrectly or inappropriately,” the spokesperson said. “Any misuse of spurs in competition will result in disqualification.

“We believe this new rule is a significant step forward in promoting the welfare of horses and ponies while educating the next generation of riders.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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‘Why not?’: rider is the first to compete at top level dressage without spurs

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Laura Tomlinson shares her thoughts on Paris, pre-nationals prep and Pony Club life lessons

I must start by congratulating all our equestrian teams at the Paris Olympics for providing us with thrilling sport and outstanding horsemanship, not to mention, many medals! It was certainly just what the doctor ordered.

Personally, I was most inspired by Becky Moody and her partnership with her home-bred horse Jagerbomb. It is easy to watch from afar and comment on, even criticise, what the riders are doing and what we think they should have done, but riding in those sorts of atmospheres, under such pressure, is something to which few people can relate. The effect those conditions can have on first-time horses is immense.

The fact that Becky and Bomb stepped up and looked like they had been doing it forever, and were having the most fun out of everyone, was a testament to their partnership. They clearly had full faith in each other. It certainly gave me a lot of inspiration for my home-breds. What a dream to ride down the centre line on the world stage, on a horse who has been with you for his or her whole life’s journey.

Having won Olympic medals in London 2012, on a wonderful horse that I had a partnership of dreams with but was not home-bred, I said to my father then, my next big goal is to make it on to a British team with one of our home-breds.

I’m not there yet but am loving the journey with our youngsters and seeing their characters and confidence develop alongside their physical strength and ability.

Unconventional nationals prep

We have the national dressage championships coming up and I will ride a horse in the grand prix whom I have had for three years and two home-breds in the small tour classes. I’ll also be hosting the masterclasses, where I’ll be using home-bred horses.

My preparation, however, will not have been completely conventional. As I write this column, I am on holiday with my family and when I get back I will have 10 days to get in the groove before I ride down the centre line at Somerford Park.

I am a mother of four, and the “summer holidays” are a very long stint of children at home. Although I have been training as much as possible, I had eight consecutive days of Pony Club camp: first mini with my middle two children and then junior camp with my eldest. This was followed up with the Pony Club Polo Championships a week later, which involved a weekend camping in Cowdray.

All of the above is heaven for the children – exhausting for the parents, but worth every second.

“Beyond refreshing”

In light of all the terrible press equestrian sports are receiving at the moment, it was beyond refreshing seeing the children support each other, learn together and doting on their ponies – while learning good horsemanship and managing their ponies’ wellbeing.

The Pony Club has certainly reminded me what equestrian sports should be all about.

We all began as kids who loved our ponies and wanted to do the best we could with them. We cherished them through highs and lows – more lows, usually with plenty of falls and problems, but we all know that ponies teach kids resilience and responsibility.

As “grown-ups” in horse sport, maybe we should all head back to Pony Club camp for a refresher course in what it’s all about. It’s time to show the outside world why horses are so loved and addictive, and remind ourselves how privileged we are to have them in our lives.

Good luck to those of us competing at the nationals. Let us bring a little fun, support and love to Somerford Park, less judgement towards one another and a little more forgiveness to ourselves and our horses for any parts that don’t go as well as we might have hoped.

● What is the best life lesson horses have taught you? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, HOYS and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A rider who won the Pony Club national tetrathlon championship in 2022 is to represent Britain in the modern pentathlon at the Paris Olympics.

Charlie Brown, a former member of the Ludlow Hunt branch of the Pony Club, has been called up to Team GB after Myles Pillage withdrew on medical grounds.

Myles sustained a calf injury at the World Championships in June and “despite intensive rehabilitation he re-injured his calf upon return to training”, and there was not enough time for him to recover before Paris.

Team GB modern pentathlon team leader Georgina Harland said: “For Myles to have his dream of competing at the Olympic Games taken away from him due to injury is devastating. He has been such a valued member of the performance squad throughout his career and fully deserved his place in Paris. We all wish him well in his recovery and will do all we can to support him through this.

“This has given Charlie an incredible opportunity which I know he will grasp. He is a great athlete with so much potential and has been preparing alongside the team, so we are confident he is ready to perform.”

Charlie, who trains at the University of Bath where he is studying sports management and coaching, said he is “incredibly grateful for this opportunity”.

“To compete at an Olympic Games this early on in my career is something I am very proud of,” he said. “I am extremely gutted for my teammate and friend, Myles. He is an incredible athlete, who works exceptionally hard, and I wish him all the best with his recovery.

“I have worked really hard over the last few years leading up to Paris, with the aim to compete for Team GB for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. My results have really accelerated since my senior debut, 18 months ago, and I am so excited to represent Team GB and give it all I’ve got for the team.”

Pony Club CEO Marcus Capel said the organisation is very proud, adding: “Charlie’s dedication, hard work, and exceptional talent have led to this remarkable achievement.”

The modern pentathlon starts tomorrow (8 August). This is the last Olympics that will include showjumping, which is to be replaced with an obstacle race, and athletes will also compete in swimming, cross-country running, fencing and shooting.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Horses give us something special at every stage of our lives, while our relationship with them changes over time...

While a love of horses often manifests itself at a young age, some less fortunate individuals miss out on those wonderful formative years, only realising the error of their ways when they plunge into the horse world later in life.

But regardless of when your passion begins, for all but the very few, once you’ve got the horse bug, it’s here to stay…

1. Infant

For the lucky ones who were born into horsey families, some of their earliest memories will alternate between towing their long-suffering first pony up and down (or round and round) the stable yard, and spending hours brushing their mane and painting their hooves with whatever came to hand. Riding was OK, but less important than spending hours and hours with your very best friend.

For those who didn’t have access to real thing, long summer days were spent hosting our very own My Little Pony gymkhana in our bedroom, or jumping an “Olympic” showjumping course built from upturned buckets and broom handles in the garden on our own two feet. Another pastime was staring longingly out of the car window at every single horse you passed. Regardless of size, colour or condition, they were all perfect in your eyes.

2. Junior

Having moved on from that ancient Shetland pony who put up with all your brothers and sisters before you, it’s time to get cracking with a “proper pony”. Pony Club camp beckons and you’re determined to beat your older sibling/friend by falling off as many times as you possibly can. After all, your friend’s mum said you have to fall off at least seven times to be a proper rider, so you’re determined to least reach that figure.

For others, these are the years of long enjoyable days working hard at the riding school, learning more than you could possibly realise as you muck out, groom, clean tack, square the muck heap and sweep the yard until it gleams. We all had our favourite riding school pony and our day could be made or ruined when you looked in the diary to see which one you had been allocated to ride.

3. Teenager

For many horsey families, the teenage years are the period when it’s all about working for a place on your Pony Club team for the Areas and then doing everything in your power to help your teammates qualify. To gain a spot at the prestigious national championships is the stuff of dreams, although it can equally be the source of some tension between Pony Club mums and their offspring.

Alternatively all those hours spent at the riding school might have finally persuaded your non-horsey parents that this “phase” isn’t going to pass any time soon. Many years of begging and saving every last penny of your pocket money have resulted in the arrival of a horse or pony “on loan”. He may not be a competition star, but you spend every hour outside school at the stables caring for him like he’s a top equine athlete. And it might keep you away from the opposite sex for a few more years…

4. College/university

This is tricky time as difficult decisions have to be made. Do you throw yourself into university life, saying goodbye to your wonderful equine partner, and allow riding to taking a back seat for a while? Or are you going to try to have the best of both worlds as you struggle home complete with hangover every weekend to keep up with your riding while your friends/family/random individuals keep your ride fit in between? Either way, something has to give…

5. Career

So you’ve said good riddance to your years of education and thrown yourself into the wonderful world of work. If you’ve been able to keep your riding going throughout, then life may not change very much (you’re still constantly tired and skint with little or no social life… but at least you’re managing to ride!)

If you’ve taken a break during university/college and were hoping you’d have more time and income to spend on your riding, the additional costs that come with “adulting” might put an unfortunate squeeze on your equestrian ambitions. If you’re lucky then you might find a student who is looking for someone to look after their beloved while they are away studying — if so that’s a win-win situation.

6. Middle age

So you’ve got the job, the house, the family – the kids are off to school/college/university and finally you’ve got a little bit more time to yourself. But while your heart might want that flashy warmblood or beautiful retrained racehorse, your head is wondering whether a native pony or sensible Irish cob might just be a slightly more realistic choice…

7. Old age

While you find it thoroughly irritating that your body no longer allows you to charge around the countryside on horseback like you once did, nothing brings you peace quite like spending quality time with your wonderful horse. Neither of you are getting any younger, but you know you will carry your love of horses through to the end and you wouldn’t change that for the world.

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With Pony Club camps about to get under way across the country, here are 15 types of Pony Club parent that you may well recognise along the way…

1. The DC

This parent is the branch’s “top dog”. A bit of a celebrity in the area, and we can’t help but try to befriend this person, and their offspring. They are extremely organised, know your event schedule better than you do and are always suggesting that you should join the committee.

2. The flashy mum

We all know the flashy mum… she boasts all the latest gear, has the nicest lorry and owns a top competition pony, complete with diamanté-encrusted tack. This is the mum who still manages to look effortlessly glamorous while mucking out 10 stables and you can’t help but be a little jealous.

3. The proud parent

This is the one who hangs every clear round rosette on the mantlepiece and proudly shows you the videos of their offspring’s dressage tests from the weekend. All of them. They buy a photo from every competition and the family home is filled with framed photographs.

4. The pushy one

The stereotypical competitive mother or father who enthusiastically signs her or his child up for every rally, team and event on the agenda. Said child competes every weekend, but you suspect they might be happier jumping a slightly smaller class that the one they are in as their parent appears to be more excited and enthusiastic than their child at all times.

5. The gossip

This nosey parker knows everything – think Gossip Girl meets Pony Club – including all the scandal and drama within your branch, and one 50 miles away too. They even know how much your friend’s neighbour purchased their new pony for. This one is more than happy to share their opinion over a cup of tea or something stronger.

6. The mumsy mum

The “mumsy” mum is everyone’s best friend. She is very sweet and friendly and always has time to ask how you are. She’s the one that brings the delicious chocolate brownies to rallies and packs extra snacks for you to take on the lorry.

7. The strict one

We’re all secretly a bit scared of the strict mum or dad. This is the parent that doesn’t let their daughter stay after the disco on the last night of camp and wouldn’t dream of letting her participate in any pony swaps.

8. The over-achiever

This parent is good at everything. They were a top event rider when they were younger and you keep your fingers crossed that he or she will offer you a lesson. Their children seem to be equally talented, taking home every red rosette and studying for their B tests in their spare time.

9. The non-horsey parent

This endearing mum or dad can’t tell one end of a horse from the other. They find horses a bit intimidating, but support their child nonetheless. On the odd occasion you overhear them wondering how they were the one to end up mucking out three stables and driving a horsebox or towing a trailer…

10. The snap-happy parent

This is the parent who films their child’s every round and always has a camera in hand. They even film other children’s rounds ‘just in case’. However, when you come to admire their photography you often find only a tail caught in the corner of the frame or a gripping video of the grass…

11. The one who washes the dishes

This parent is a little quieter than the others and avoids any drama. They want to help out at Pony Club camp, but find their forte lies in breakfast, lunch and dinner duty. They usually befriend the non-horsey parent.

12. The nervous one

This is the can’t-watch, hands-over-eyes parent who is anxiously biting their nails from the sidelines while pretending to watch their offspring’s cross-country round. The child loyally wears a body protector, hat and gloves at all times and quickly dismounts if the pony misbehaves.

13. The get-on-and-do-it-themselves parent

It doesn’t matter if their child is competing in the unaffiliated 1’6’’ class on a 14hh pony, this parent will be shouting from the sidelines at any competition. If the child’s pony refuses a fence they will storm in, get on and complete the course themselves. Most often found next to the pushy parent and is quick to offer anyone nearby riding advice.

14. The lost-looking one

Often, but not exclusively, applied to dads. We’ve all seen at least one lost-looking dad wandering around the cross-country course in search of a particular fence, or watching the wrong child’s jumping round. Thanks for tagging along though. We do appreciate your support.

15. The bored sibling

It wouldn’t be right to forget the rest of the family… this is the sibling who has no interest in horses, yet has been dragged along to shows for as long as they can remember. They would much rather be at home playing on the computer than standing in a field, but have come to support you all the same.

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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 weight limits have come under the spotlight again as it is agreed multiple factors should be considered when matching horses and riders – and that weight discussions should be approached carefully with young people.

Last month the Swedish equestrian federation spoke out on the topic, following reports in the Swedish media. The federation does not recommend having weight limits at riding schools, for children or adults, “for the good of the horse and the person”, and that weight limits go against Sweden’s national sports confederation’s guidelines for children and youth sports.

The federation said horse welfare “must always be central”, but that matching horses and riders is more complex than rider weight, and should be based on factors including horse breed and size, the horse’s training, rider ability and the riding activity.

“It is important to consider this overall picture,” the federation’s secretary general Johan Fyrberg told H&H.

“Most people who ride at Swedish riding schools are young girls, a group where weight is often a sensitive subject. As a sport, we should not contribute to this issue, as we know that it could have serious consequences such as eating disorders or other psychological problems. We see that instructors can match rider and horse perfectly fine without publicly pointing out a rider’s weight.”

Mr Fyrberg added that the federation’s stance is “not new” and that most coaches “handle this very well”.

“However, after this subject was raised in a few newspapers, we chose to be extra explicit with our recommendations,” he said.

Rider weight has been increasingly discussed in the UK, and last year the suitably mounted working group was formed to tackle incompatible horse-rider combinations. Researcher Tamzin Furtado, one of the group’s founders, told H&H it is “excellent” to see the Swedish federation considering mental health.

“I agree that some ‘blanket’ weight limits can be misleading; for example, policies that say, ‘No riders over a certain weight can attend this riding school,’ can be less helpful than having individual limits per horse, which might be regularly reassessed,” she said, adding that horse-to-rider weight ratios are an “important, albeit complex welfare issue”.

“We have strong evidence that it can be detrimental to horses to carry a load heavier than is ideal for that individual, though this is affected by fitness, build, breed, age, tack and other factors.”

Ms Furtado said that for young riders “discussing weight is very sensitive”.

“We need to engage carefully with the issue alongside advice from mental health professionals and psychologists,” she said.

Pony Club chief executive Marcus Capel told H&H the organisation has discussed rider weight “at length over the years” and he supports the Swedish federation’s recommendations.

“We are aware how sensitive the issue of body image is for young people. We have been working with mental health charity Riders Minds to promote and support positive mental health in our young people,” he said.

Oonagh Meyer, British Horse Society head of operations for approved centres, told H&H that rider ability, horse size and training should always be considered. “Alongside this, in the interests of equine welfare and safety, our approved centres have a rider size and weight limit for each of their horses and ponies,” she said.

“Although a sensitive issue, it is vital that anyone understands that the proprietor has restrictions in recognition of a rider’s height and weight. The priority has to be the welfare of the horse.”

• Do you agree with the Swedish federation’s recommendations? Send your thoughts to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, and nearest town and county, for consideration for publication on our letters page.

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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

If you were a tall rider as a child then you likely experienced some unique situations that your shorter friends just could not relate to.

Here are six things only those riders who were tall as children have experienced…

1. You became accustomed to selling ponies

Most riders will have distant memories of at least one beloved pony being waved off in a new lorry to pastures new as you cry your eyes out in the arms of your parents. However, if you were a kid of the taller variety then this horrible situation became all too familiar as the cycle of buying a pony, out-growing it and moving it on so you could buy another was an almost annual occurrence. Your parents, especially if non-horsey, also dreaded the routine, as they dealt with a devastated child, combined with the stress of looking for a new pony.

2. You spent your childhood looking down on your friends

While your friends went up the heights as usual – progressing from 12hh to 13hh and so on – your random growth spurts meant you advanced pretty swiftly from your little Pony Club pony to something noticeably bigger, possibly even a horse. You were never able to experience the “growing into your pony” phase that many children do. Your childhood riding career was likely littered with struggles as while you were tall, you still lacked the strength to keep a bigger animal together. It also meant that you were competing against adults in many classes, and so you had to grow up before your time.

3. You were always put on the cheeky ones

When looking around for someone to sit on the cheeky pony with an unpredictable streak, you were the one who was always called on due to your height. While likely terrified, you learnt how to sit to the quickest drop of a shoulder, and you developed an enviable stickability that has served you well to this day.

4. You would excel in equitation…

Those long legs can still keep even the most uncoordinated horses balanced and working correctly, and when you were a child you impressed those around you with your seat, hands and leg position. You were a bit of a teacher’s pet at Pony Club rallies, and you’d always smash equitation as while some of your contemporaries were often bobbling around in the saddle, you were poised and correct, showing riding abilities well beyond your age.

5. …but not in lead-rein classes

Even your first-ridden career was short-lived as you never really got the chance to showcase any cute factor that serves riders so well in mini classes. You looked much older than you actually were and your parents’ attempts to make you look more endearing, such as adding pig-tails or a bow tie, never really did it for the judges.

6. You out-grew your riding clothes often

Finding riding attire to fit your frame was always a nightmare and shopping for your next batch of gear was a dreaded affair for everyone involved. When you tried clothing for your age category you got jodhpurs that barley grazed your ankles and jackets that were more like crop-tops. But when you sized up, the clothes hung off you. You were also the go-to family for hand me downs as you out-grew everything after just a few wears.

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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

A horse and rider who were united with the aim of Pony Club eventing and the rider’s first ever BE90 are now successfully competing at four-star – and could go further.

Victoria Wilson and Don’t You Know came 15th in the CCI4*-S at Bramham last weekend – eight years after they competed there in the Pony Club showjumping. Victoria told H&H she bought “Gatsby”, aged five, unseen, when she was 15.

“I bought him as a Pony Club pony, and he’s gone all the way to four-star, which is fantastic,” she said. “A friend had bought a horse from Peter Mellor, who ships from Ireland, and said he had a nice one. We saw a video and thought ‘Let’s bring him over’. We didn’t view him, it was the biggest risk you tell everyone not to take but somehow – oh my gosh, it’s like a miracle. He’s just fabulous.”

Victoria said Gatsby was very green, having only done a few unaffiliated competitions, and quirky.

“He still is!” she said. “But in the best possible way. Our first event, our local one at Frickley, he wouldn’t go anywhere near the water and wouldn’t jump ditches. One of my instructors – who still teaches me and was there at Bramham – said ‘He’s very talented but I don’t know what to do with this one’. But then he figured out it was fun. I was quite novice too but we learned together, and somehow we got to Bramham.”

When Gatsby was six, he and Victoria competed in the Pony Club showjumping at Bramham, Victoria’s local event, to her delight. She said she would never have dreamed she would take part in the horse trials there.

“It was never a goal but the more we did, we progressed, from 90 to 100 to novice; we were thinking ‘He’s going to have to go up a level, isn’t he?’ and as long as he’s sound and happy, we’ll carry on. I always enjoyed riding but didn’t want it to be my living, but now I work with horses every day and hope to carry on – he’s changed my life completely. It’s brilliant.”

Victoria said it is a family affair; her non-horsey but “incredibly supportive” parents and her sister Jessica, who also rides, are the event team, and the four of them plus Richard Thompson, her trainer from Pony Club days, go to the events and “have a fabulous time”.

The team’s first four-star was at Thorseby in March, where Victoria blamed “my inexperience” for one “silly run-out” across country, then they came eighth at Chatsworth in May.

“He’s just phenomenal, and we’re thinking ‘What more can he do; surely we’ll get to the top level?’ Victoria said. “I thought Bramham would have to be it but now we’re thinking we’ve got to carry on, which is so exciting. It was a dream to do Bramham since I was little, but I feel we could carry on to do the four-star at Blair, which would also be a dream come true. I can’t not, can I? I’m competitive, and with him doing so well, if I was to qualify for five-star, and he’s happy and well, there’s no reason not to give it a go.”

But, having ensured she bought a four-star showjumping picture from Bramham to display alongside her Pony Club one taken there, Victoria said she is happy whatever happens next.

“It doesn’t matter what he does from here because he’s priceless to us and doesn’t owe us a thing,” she said. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

Combination distances in pony showjumping have come under the spotlight, with calls to alter distances based on pony heights.

Questions have been raised about whether small ponies should be asked to jump doubles on distances set for bigger ponies and horses. In Pony Club, where horses and ponies compete together, courses are built on horse distances, and in British Showjumping (BS), pony open classes are set on 148cm distances – but there are height-specific classes, with set distances.

Laura Lane told H&H that when her daughter Lexi competed in Pony Club on 128cms, ponies could make up combination distances “quite nicely”, but when she moved on to 138cms, Laura noticed striding was an “issue” .

“You would see 138cms going through doubles on two-and-a-half strides, and it wasn’t right. Sooner or later the ponies will say no and that doesn’t do anyone any favours,” she said.

Laura said others shared her concerns, and she spoke to the Pony Club about altering distances for different heights of ponies. Following this, at the Pony Club Spring Festival at Morris Equestrian in April the striding was altered for the 1.10m grand prix, which featured horses and ponies. Laura’s daughter won on her 138cm, but she said she would not have entered had the distances not been changed as she has safety concerns. For this reason she only jumps height-specific classes in BS.

Caroline Timmins told H&H that when her daughter Sophie competed on 138cms she turned down the opportunity for her to ride on a Pony Club team as the course was built on horse distances.

“There’s a safety element; you see ponies try to go on the correct stride and it’s not really there and they tip over the second part. It doesn’t happen very often, but it has happened,” said Caroline.

Mark McGowan, senior national BS and FEI level three course-designer, wrote to BS and Pony Club about distances. He said that at Pony Club competitions that there can be “no reason to ask ponies which are sometimes barely 128cm or 138cm, to negotiate a double built to solely accommodate horses”. He said altering distances ensures ponies and riders are “developed correctly, but most importantly safely”.

“Ponies should not have to ‘cope’. It really frustrates me when I see little kids having to gallop through doubles because they’re on a 128cm and the double is on two strides and three feet longer. It’s not safe,” Mark told H&H.

Mark, who led the course-designing team at the Pony Club Spring Festival, said altering the distances was a “major step forward”, and took minimal time.

“I’d like this brought in across the board at Pony Club and BS. You want to educate kids to ride nicely through combinations. Distances should be what they are – they shouldn’t be asked to jump doubles that are too long for them.”

Pony Club CEO Marcus Capel told H&H the showjumping committee had “a robust discussion” on rules, including adjusting distances in open classes. He said there is another meeting this month to plan 2024 rules, adding that the Pony Club is in regular discussion with BS and seeks to be “as consistent as possible” across the sports.

“For clarity, showjumping under current rules is not unsafe. However, we always seek to improve where we can and are focused on horse welfare,” he said.

“As a training organisation, we also seek to educate members to ride according to conditions and be able to shorten and lengthen strides as needed. This is a skill we want riders to learn as they will not always make the perfect approach to a jump and need to be thinking riders, able to adjust appropriately.”

BS CEO Iain Graham told H&H that in second rounds and finals, such as British novice and discovery, combinations are adjusted according to pony height.

“When we get to the higher levels, sections are split into 128cm, 138cm, and 148cm. At the lower levels, combination distances are not adjusted,” he said.

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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

A Connemara pony who has competed at top level in the show ring for numerous years is shining in his new role as a Pony Club pony.

Heather Carey’s Walstead Guinness and 11-year-old Harry Clark were recently spotted turning their attention to the world of Pony Club mounted games.

Harry’s mother, Vanessa Clark, bought Guinness in 2016 and she enjoyed many victories with him, including qualifying him for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and London Olympia, before selling him to Heather in 2020. Guinness, also champion at the BSPS championships during his career, has returned to the Clark family on loan.

“We are so lucky to have him back,” says Heather, who also noted that the versatile gelding has been to HOYS as a junior ride. “He arrived back in February and while it’s a very new partnership, Harry and Guinness are getting on so well. I always thought they’d make a lovely combination, but at the time [of selling] I thought he was too good to just be our fun at home pony.”

Walstead Guinness’s show ring experience ensures he fares well on the Pony Club circuit.

“Harry has done some dressage with him, too, but he does absolutely everything so well, and with a smile on his face,” said Vanessa. “Harry has come off a Dartmoor pony and a Connie is a big step up, but Guinness always has his ears pricked and he gives 100%. He’s such a happy and safe pony.”

“Guinness’s forte is halt to canter, which means he’s ideal for games as he can just set off from a stand still.”

Harry is a Blankney branch of the Pony Club member.

“Guinness does the bending, flag race, ride and lead and the sack race, and he seems to enjoy them all,” Harry explains. “He’s such an easy pony, and he goes into games like he does anything else. At home we do a lot of hacking and I’m looking forward to getting him out to a show soon, too. He’s a brilliant pony.”

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A mounted games pony who had won titles around the world has finally ticked the Prince Philip Cup off his “bucket list” aged 27.

Gemma Hopkin’s 12.2hh Welsh pony Merlin, ridden by Jasmine Willis, was part of the North Herefordshire Pony Club team that took the honours at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) last month. The team also won the Naylors Cup.

Monmouthshire-based Gemma bought Merlin, an established mounted games pony then competing for England, 14 years ago and over the years he taught her two sons, Ben and Sam, to ride.

“Ben was only seven and people couldn’t understand why I was buying him, but I knew if I didn’t the opportunity wouldn’t come up again,” Gemma told H&H.

“For 18 months I took Ben and Merlin to the riding school every week and Ben learned to ride and jump. When Ben was about nine they started competing with the Pony Club.”

Ben and Merlin became the ones to beat in mounted games. Over the years they won six individual world titles, six world pairs titles, and a number of European wins. They were also part of the winning Welsh team at Royal Windsor.

Ben’s younger brother Sam took over the reins in 2018 and enjoyed much team success with Merlin, before the pandemic struck. When competitions restarted Sam had outgrown him and young rider Jasmine now has the ride.

“He’s won just about everything and we’ve travelled all over the world with him, but the Prince Philip Cup was the one we still had to tick off the bucket list. Ben and Merlin were second with Monmouthshire Pony Club in 2017, so for Merlin to finally get the win is really special. It felt like he deserved it,” said Gemma.

Merlin is managed for PPID [pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction], but at 27 Gemma says he is the “picture of health” and “looks a million dollars”.

“He’ll compete next year, but we’ll drop him down to Pony Club level. He is such a character and he loves life, he just thrives on it. He was bouncing behind those purple curtains at HOYS waiting to come out. He loves those lights,” she said.

“It’s not the end of the road for him and he’s still absolutely flying. But he doesn’t owe us anything. He has a heart of gold and the heart of a lion.”

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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

The inaugural SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) Your Horse Live supreme championship was won by lead rein pony Thistledown Elpaso and his seven-year-old rider.

Thistledown Elpaso, who is known as Elvis at home, is owned by Heather Hiscox and ridden by her daughter, Emily, who is a member of North Warwickshire Pony Club.

Just 24 hours earlier they’d made SFAS history by winning the very first SEIB SFAS Pony Club lead rein final.

“We’re on cloud nine,” said Heather, who led the pair to win the ridden championship en route to the overall supreme. “All the finalists are so beautiful so we said we’d just go and enjoy the supreme today. I can’t believe this. Elvis is Emily’s little unicorn.”

During their supreme show, Heather said Emily, who rode a round the world during her show in yesterday’s class, wanted to push the boat out even further to secure the top title:

“We got home yesterday and Emily said ‘Mummy, I think I should stand up in the saddle; I’ve done it loads of times at home’. And that’s what she did; thankfully, I have full trust in Elvis and even when the crowd clapped he didn’t flinch. We kept our show pretty simple with a figure of eight, incorporating a rein back, too.”

Elvis was bought by the Hiscox family three years ago from Sarah Anderson. Heather saw him advertised on social media and as he was located in Aberdeen, she bought him unseen.

“I fell in love with him from the photos so bought him over the phone,” she explained. “He’s been the best pony we could have ever wished for; he’s taken Emily through her lead rein years and she has done everything she could possibly want to do with him. He goes on farm rides, on picnic hacks, to Pony Club camp and he jumps. Emily loves him so much and the bond they have is lovely.”

The trio qualified for Your Horse Live at Bury Farm.

“Even though Elvis is smart and he can do the showing classes, he’s a true Pony Club pony and he thrives on variety,” said Heather, who runs Elvis from the family farm. “At home we only have fields to ride in, hence why we need a super-safe pony.”

This year, Elvis added another string to his bow when he competed in the Pony Club’s virtual musical ride competition.

“Our team ended up as national reserve champions,” said Heather. “We put in a lot of training over the summer and all the children had such fun with their ponies.”

Judge Katie Jerram-Hunnable said: “It was a unanimous decision from the judges, myself, Chris Hunnable and Matthew Lawrence. The winning pony’s show was exceptional.”

The SEIB SFAS in-hand championship went to 15-year-old Finn Williamson handling Kirsty Spencer’s 13-year-old mare Port Lou Lou (Roxy).

“I have been so nervous this week,” said Finn. “But it was amazing to win yesterday, and we cracked on today and it all went brilliantly. I’ve got my GCSE’s coming up next year but I hope to fit some intermediate classes in with Roxy.”

Finn and Roxy were SFAS finalists in the riding horse/hack championship at Horse of the Year (HOYS) show last month and they won at STARS championships last year.

Conformation judge Matthew Lawrence said: “As soon as this mare entered the ring I thought she was a great type. She has a lovely way of going with fabulous cadence and has been beautifully produced by her enthusiastic handler.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

GREAT strides are being made in improving equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the equestrian world but more must be – and is being – done.

H&H has reported on work carried out across the UK racing and wider industry, as well as in other areas of rural and agricultural operation.

Sandra Murphy, who set up the BAME Equine and Rural Activities Focus group (BERF), told H&H its members have been working hard behind the scenes, including with universities and colleges offering related courses, and towards Sandra’s vision of a BERACE centre, to offer opportunities for talented young riders from underrepresented communities.

“I wrote the proposal for the centre three years ago and some things in it have changed, but not the concept,” she said.

Sandra explained that the centre is to be the next step for riders, many of whom may have learned at inner-city riding schools but need to go on to gain experience at a higher level.

“We don’t want to take them to elite level as we can’t do that,” she said. “But we can take them, for example, from jumping 70cm or doing prelim dressage to jumping 1.10m or riding at elementary. It’s not just the competition experience they need to have to progress to the next level, it’s everything, and we’re going to try to bridge that gap.”

Sandra said she has had meetings with British Equestrian, and her council has donated time with one of its business development officers. The plan is to develop a community interest company to run and secure funding for the centre, then start with shorter courses. Sandra said a local school has also agreed to be involved, and the long-term aim is to roll the project out across the country.

“It’s the vision, and it still is that but it can start moving forwards now,” she said, adding that she has also been appointed as a Pony Club trustee, and EDI advisor.

“In general, things are starting to change,” she said. “A lot of effort is going in but there needs to be consistency as it’s all a bit fragmented.

“I’m the first Black person to be on the Pony Club board, but I’m still often the only Black person at events. Things aren’t changing at all levels but that takes time. They asked us to do a photoshoot for their ‘join us’ page and we took 15 Pony Club members from ethnic minorities and we had a fantastic time. They got lots of pictures and made a fantastic video, and they’re using some of the pictures to revamp the website.

“On other sites, there is still little representation of young Black people doing the job; we want to work with organisations, and brands, to make progress.

“I need to push this now as if I don’t, it will take years to get the ball rolling, but we can’t do this on our own; we need support.”

Ashleigh Wicheard, a work rider for Neil Mulholland, has been shortlisted for the Equipe moment of the year and HorseDialog inspiration of the year categories in the 2022 H&H awards, for winning the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood.

Before the race, Ashleigh took the knee, and all 11 of her fellow jockeys followed suit.

The long-term campaigner for increasing diversity in equestrianism said although her presence in the paddock on racedays is a good start, this was an opportunity not to be missed.

“The fact that the others did it with me made the whole image so much more powerful,” she told H&H. “Had it just been me, which I thought it might, it wouldn’t have had the same effect. There were people of all walks of life in that line-up and it created a powerful image everyone could relate to.”

Ashleigh said it feels like more action is being taken in racing, and that more time is being given to considering EDI, and “more people are willing to listen”.

“People seem to accept that there is an issue, which is great as it means it’s being acknowledged,” she said. “I’m not as aware about equestrianism as a whole but there seems to be more representation in the media.”

Ashleigh believes one thing that would help is unconscious bias training for more equestrian organisations and people such as coaches.

“If people at the top have certain beliefs, they filter down,” she said. “A friend of mine asked if I’d come in to talk to the young people and I said fine but don’t tell them what I do and I’ll ask them to guess, and I guarantee riding horses won’t be suggested. That’s a thought-provoking type of exercise that I think will help.”

Pony Club CEO Marcus Capel told H&H it is “really exciting” to have Sandra on board.

“She is helping us develop our EDI strategy, with first steps being to ensure our images represent a diverse range of members,” he said. “The participation photoshoot was a great, fun-packed day. The resulting images and video are being used in our current and future marketing materials as we promote the organisation as being more accessible and diverse.

“We have a long way to go, but being proactive and having Sandra on board is a great first step. As a former headteacher, I am passionate about accessibility, inclusion and diversity, and am thrilled that we are moving The Pony Club in the right direction.”

British Equestrian head of performance pathways Davd Hamer told H&H: “Sandra has an ambitious vision to develop a centre that will offer riding opportunities and equestrian workplace experience to riders from Black and mixed ethnicity communities. Sandra reached out to British Equestrian for advice on the requirements to set up the project and we have provided information on the steps that are necessary to be able to apply for funding to help develop the project further, as well as contacts within other agencies that can provide advice and support. British Equestrian will continue to provide Sandra with advice where it can and commend her for her dedication and commitment to making her vision a reality.”

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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

“A SUPPLY and demand predicament”, licensing and rising costs are among the issues faced by riding schools, as action is planned to protect their future.

British Equestrian (BEF) worked with the British Horse Society (BHS), the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS), the Pony Club and the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) on “ground-breaking” research on the sector, and has now revealed its results.

A survey was sent to nearly 1,700 centres in March, and 311 responded.

“The standout message was they are in the midst of a supply and demand predicament, which is both a positive and negative,” a BEF spokesman said. “Interest in riding remains buoyant, but over two thirds of centres are struggling to keep up with enquiries and take on new clients, creating a barrier to increasing participation.

“Conversely, on average, centres are running at 75% capacity due to issues around workforce, paid and volunteer, suitable and affordable horsepower, and skyrocketing costs. Over 70% reported that these issues have been further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, compounded by an average of 62% reduction of income since the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021.”

Licensing is also having an impact; the “costs, complexity and time involved are considerable”, which is frustrating for some respondents.

“This research data will help us better understand the current challenges, which we can use to work towards a viable future for our riding centres, and I’d like to thank all those who took time to facilitate and complete the survey, which has given us incredible insight,” said BEF head of participation Mandana Mehran Pour.

“It’s been an incredibly challenging time for our riding centres, who have shown remarkable resilience, and there is a degree of optimism. This study has highlighted the diversity of riding centres across the UK landscape, and the struggles they face to adapt and grow to meet challenges.

“British Equestrian, along with member bodies, is determined to support these centres to help equestrianism remain popular and accessible for all. We now need to identify and execute plans to best support these centres and make sure they can convert interest into income through what will be another highly turbulent year as the cost-of-living challenges intensify existing issues.”

BEF, with the other organisations involved, has pulled six key findings, from which short-, medium- and long-term projects will be developed. These are: workforce, horsepower, licensing, capacity demands, growth and costs. Plans include addressing the staff shortage, investigating options for sourcing horses, looking at licensing requirements and funding opportunities and monitoring rising costs.

The BEF has already made progress, and is working with Sport England to deliver the £195,000 Together Fund, to which centres can apply for grants.

Andy Holden, who owns Longfield Equestrian Centre in Lancashire with his wife Christine Farnaby, and responded to the survey, told H&H staffing is an issue.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to seems to be struggling to get staff,” he said. “That’s a problem, but rising costs are a big problem too.

“Electricity, feed; we’ve been in business over 40 years and have never known costs rise so much in such a short time. It’s good there are people trying to do something; the BHS helped us through Covid, which was really appreciated, and anything that could help in any way now will also be much appreciated.”

BHS CEO James Hick told H&H the society had given over £1.2m to schools during Covid, and that its careers fund and rehoming project with the RSPCA should help address staffing and horse-sourcing issues.

“This survey confirms that we must all play our part to support the industry so it can thrive,” he said. “Without this support, it could impact equestrianism for future generations”

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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

THE former district commissioner of the Wylye Valley branch of the Pony Club, who also competed up to prix st georges (PSG) level in dressage, died on 20 August after a short illness, aged 78.

Born in Kingswood, Julia (née May) grew up in the nearby Bristol suburb of Hanham and although her parents, Jo and Arnold, weren’t remotely horsey, she discovered a love of riding through her sister, Teala, who asked the local farmer if she could exercise his ponies.

All things equine became Julia’s passion for the rest of her life, whether ownership – she owned six horses in all – through supporting up-and-coming riders, judging, or watching racing, with her penchant for National Hunt.

She married Philip Down and had two daughters, Liz and Charlotte, who took up the reins too. It was via this route that Julia became involved in the Wylye Valley branch of the Pony Club, and, during her tenure as district commissioner between 1999 and 2000, she would encourage all riders to reach their full potential. She would also always make sure there was a pony available for whoever wanted to ride. She was often described as “tough but fair”, and many riders of today talk fondly of their Wylye Valley Pony Club days.

Julia became an active member of the Bath and West Riding Club and was also treasurer for 40 years. Additionally, her dressage adventures aboard a horse called Unavailable included competing at PSG level. Unavailable was a part-thoroughbred chestnut mare who came to Julia via Sue Jarman after the mare had not succeeded in her first career of showjumping.

For over 20 years, Julia was also a sought-after West Country showjumping judge. She loved being a part of high-profile fixtures, such as the Badminton grassroots championships, the Royal Bath and West Show and Gatcombe Horse Trials, as well as numerous local events.

These roles were often fitted in around her 17-year work stint for the Tote, for which she was a betting operator at racecourses mainly in the south-west, but also at fixtures like the Grand National and Royal Ascot.

Julia is survived by her daughters, Charlotte and Liz, who said: “Mum leaves a legacy of kindness, supportiveness and service to the equine world, as well as a multitude of friendships. She will be missed immensely by all who knew her.”

Julie Harding

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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

What’s not to love about industrial amounts of sweets, uninterrupted grooming and more rosettes than your pin board can accommodate?

Forget a summer holiday to the Mediterranean. A week at Pony Club camp is the dream ticket. What’s not to love about industrial amounts of sweets, uninterrupted grooming, a dose of peer pressure to push you out of your comfort zone and more rosettes than your pin board can accommodate?

Here are 10 reasons the H&H team wishes they were making lists, labelling grooming kit and packing their bags ready for Pony Club camp this summer.

1. The kit list

Regardless of whether you’re stocked up on fly spray or not, Pony Club camp is the perfect excuse to splurge in the tack shop. It’s that ‘new stationery at the beginning of term’ vibe. You’ve never used coat shine wipes before, but now is the time to try them.

2. The instructor

The suspense of whose ride you’re in can be too much. You’re after the young, fun and care-free instructor. “Dressage is on the timetable, but we’re going to swap ponies, take away your stirrups and go cross-country…”

3. Hygiene

Showering is admin. As is brushing your teeth. So a week of doing neither is bliss (when you’re eight…)

4. Water fights

Pony Club camp takes water fights to another level. With a water trough to hand, things get a whole lot wetter, a whole lot quicker. And there’s the muckheap element for added… fun?!

5. Everyone’s a winner

If you’re the person who gets bucked off, bolted with or can’t retrieve your pony from the field at the beginning of the week, you have the most improved cup to look forward to on day five. Every cloud…

6. A rosettes haul

When there are rosettes up for grabs for the best kept stable, cleanest tack, eight-year-old, nine-year-old, 10-year-old, long-standing member, new member… this is your chance to tally more rosettes than you’re likely to get for the rest of the year.

7. The disco

The ‘10 girls to every boy ratio’ doesn’t get much better if you’re a boy. The end-of-week disco is a gold mine.

8. Peer pressure

Peer pressure can be underrated. When everyone else is kicking on and jumping a ditch that you wouldn’t dream of going near at home, you suddenly find yourself sailing over it behind them.

9. Sparkly tack

Your tack is so much cleaner than you by the end of the week that you can’t imagine it will ever need cleaning again. And the speed at which you can take a bridle apart and put it back together again is on the brink of breaking a world record.

10. And finally…

Your parents — who have not been allowed near the premises all week (apart from for washing up) — are so relieved to find you and your pony alive at the end of the week, they don’t mention that you were going the wrong way in the final musical ride…

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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

Jean Shipp, the long-standing Pony Club and British Eventing supporter, and racehorse and event horse owner, died suddenly at home on 18 April, aged 80.

Born Miss Powell in 1941, Jean grew up in Bebington, on the Wirral. She gravitated towards horses as a child and this became a lifelong passion.

In the late 1960s, she became the first woman to hold a managerial position at Ford Motor Company, where she was head of personnel at the Dagenham engine plant. She later became heard of personnel in the light entertainment department at the BBC, working under Sir David Attenborough.

She married Nicholas Shipp in 1981 and the couple welcomed their only child, Clemmie, the following year. The family enjoyed attending the races and on many occasions took Clemmie in her pushchair to watch Desert Orchid at Sandown, Kempton and Ascot. Clemmie developed her mother’s passion for horses and began eventing, with Jean her biggest supporter.

Jean ran camp at Tweseldown for the Bisley and Sandown Chase branch of the Pony Club. Before Mr Shipp died in 1997, the branch faced losing its land when it went up for sale, but the couple bought this so the branch could continue using it. It is still used by the Pony Club today.

She also volunteered as a fence judge, scorer and secretary at horse trials including Tweseldown, Mattingley and Smith’s Lawn. She was an avid supporter of the Horse Trials Support Group in its early days and through this attended the Sydney Olympics with Clemmie in 2000. She also supported the Injured Jockeys Fund.

In 2011, Jean entered racehorse ownership and had her first horse, Oscars Secret, with trainer Kim Bailey. She later had horses with Warren Greatrex, including her first winner Top Dancer and Tranquil Sea, who was seventh in the 2015 Grand National, with Jean and Clemmie in attendance. She also owned event horses, including Cooley Rules, who was sixth in the seven-year-old championships at Le Lion with Izzy Taylor last year.

“My mum was the kindest, most generous person. She was full of fun and just loved her horses, racing and eventing. I couldn’t have wanted for a better mother,” said Clemmie.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

More awareness around minor traumatic brain injuries in children is needed, including the importance of rest and not dismissing the condition as “just a bit of concussion”.

A published study has suggested that persistent post-concussion syndrome (PPCS) – when concussion symptoms continue beyond the expected recovery period after the injury – is underdiagnosed in children. Parents of 205 children aged eight to 15, who attended hospital after a mild traumatic brain injury six months to three years before the research, completed a survey used to measure the severity of symptoms. It was found that 25% were suffering from PPCS, which had not been previously diagnosed. PPCS symptoms can include headaches, difficulty concentrating and irritability.

Shai Efrati of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research in Israel, who led the work, told H&H PPCS in children is often missed and symptoms can be blamed on behavioural or mental health issues.

“It means we are not looking for PPCS in children. In adults, we seek the cause for cognitive decline, but in children they are told they have a mood problem,” said Dr Efrati.

Dr Efrati said children need to be given more time to recover after concussion.

“We need more awareness that after a mild traumatic brain injury, you are more at risk of developing PPCS. I would like more screening when a child is discharged from hospital with concussion; they should be re-evaluated a month later to make sure their symptoms have resolved and if not, they should receive treatment.”

Major trauma consultant Diane Fisher, the British Equestrian Trade Association’s chief medical officer, told H&H she believes language around concussion needs to change.

“People say, ‘It’s just a bit of concussion’ and we need to remove the word ‘just’. Concussion is a traumatic brain injury – and changing the wording changes how a parent is going to view that injury,” said Dr Fisher, adding that children should rest, without screen time.

“Watching television is one of the worst things you can do – for the brain it’s like running a marathon. While recovering, you want the brain not to have to function very hard,” she said.

The Pony Club’s concussion guidance includes a flowchart and a rule that following a concussion diagnosis, a child must not ride for three weeks.

Pony Club chief executive Marcus Capel, who is part of the British Equestrian concussion (BEF) working group, told H&H there are plans for more rider concussion education in the Pony Club, and the BEF working group is producing a pocket guide – similar to those used in rugby – which will include guidance for children.

“Sometimes a parent might want the child to get back on after a fall, but we want to empower coaches to use our guidance and say, ‘In my opinion, they shouldn’t get back on and I want them to get checked by a doctor,’” said Mr Capel.

“We also want to empower riders so they learn when it’s right not to get back on, and to be able to say if they’re not feeling OK.”

In November BETA launched a rider accident reporting form to collect information, which is hoped will inform design of safety equipment. The form is available online or via a QR code and asks people to provide details of any accident that they were involved in, and, if possible, supply images or video of the helmet and/or body protector worn at the time. The form can be completed here.

“We want all injuries reported even if it’s a case of ripping a fingernail off – we want everything. Then we will have our own database across every single horse sport and we can look at what is actually happening, right now we don’t know because equestrians are not the best at going to hospital,” said Dr Fisher.

You might also be interested in:

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Equestrian world to benefit from major new push in understanding sporting concussions

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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

THE importance of educating young people more about mental health has been discussed, as the Pony Club announces an increased focus on mental health and wellbeing.

Since the pandemic, youth mental health charity Beyond has reported a 173% increase in mental health issues in children aged 16 and under. An NHS England survey published in March 2021 reported that 39.2% of six- to 16-year-olds and 52.5% of 17- to 23-year-olds had experienced deterioration in their mental health since 2017.

Riders Minds, which recently secured charitable status, can now offer support to people of all ages via its resources, including a live chat and text service. Victoria Wright, who co-founded the charity with her husband Matthew, who took his own life in February 2021, told H&H it’s “so important” to educate people of all ages about mental health and wellbeing and described the Beyond figure as “disturbing and shocking”.

She believes more could be done in schools, especially in physical education classes, which she says should cover the mental health aspect of sport.

“If someone is struggling with their mental health, it is important to take that first really brave step and tell someone how they are feeling. If they can’t speak to a friend or their family, Riders Minds is there to help and support,” she said.

“We know it’s not always easy to talk, but our chat and text service is safe to use from behind a screen so a young person can speak to a trained professional anonymously without having to tell anyone. If they can’t say it verbally, they can write a letter or leave a note to a parent. Sometimes it’s easier than having a face-to-face.”

Victoria said that this year Riders Minds will be campaigning for more mental health education in colleges and through the apprenticeship scheme, as well looking to work “much more closely” with the Pony Club and governing bodies to support them in providing mental health support for members.

Pony Club chief executive Marcus Capel told H&H that this year the organisation is increasing its focus on mental health and wellbeing. The Pony Club is designing mental health-specific achievement badges, to add to its existing wellbeing badge, and is reviewing its tests to include increased awareness of mental health.

“We are being very open in the Pony Club about addressing mental health from all ages. With all the pressures on young people from school exams and peer pressure, we know being around horses and ponies can be a lifeline for them,” he said.“I think you can’t be too young to talk about it, but with younger children it might be discussing what makes them happy and that it’s OK to talk and who they can talk to. With increased focus on horse and pony welfare and what is needed to keep them happy, it gives a natural pathway to talk about our needs as humans.

“Schools are very good, but often the leisure time might be when a young person has that relationship with a person who’s not across a desk. It sometimes can be easier to talk to a friend in the Pony Club, an instructor or another parent and these things can’t be overestimated in their value to a young person’s life.”

Sylvia Bruce, a mental health counsellor who works with Riders Minds, told H&H any organisation that deals with young people has a part to play in educating them on mental health. And she said it was “brilliant” to hear about the Pony Club’s plans.

“If a child goes to a school that doesn’t have the resources or the manpower to provide that education, then if they’re getting it from the Pony Club or any other club they belong to, then that’s fantastic and they’re not missing out,” she said.

“The kids of today are our future, let’s educate them so as they grow up, we change the culture around mental health. There are a lot of issues around fear and the more we know about things, the less fearful we are, so by educating young people we might stand a chance of people speaking up sooner.”

Ms Bruce added that people need to understand the difference between the definition of mental health and mental ill-health and that the use of language around the topic is important.

“Mental health is an umbrella term – we all have mental health. Mental health is your emotional, psychological, physiological and social wellbeing,” she said. “It’s great that mental health is being spoken about and since Covid, it has been brought to a much higher level of awareness. But we need to be aware of the language becoming less meaningful – and this then circles back to educating people as to what mental health is and isn’t.

“Mental ill-health, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD [Post-traumatic stress disorder], are treatable so they’re not to be feared. We need to raise our own awareness of what ‘my’ experience of being OK is. Then we can recognise when we’re not having a good day – or whether it’s something else and what we can do for that.

“We need to recognise signs earlier and speak out earlier, so people don’t plummet to a place where they think there is no way out.”

A spokesman for The Tomorrow Project, which provides a suicide crisis service and support to anyone who has been bereaved or affected by suicide, told H&H suicide rates among young women are among the fastest growing in recent years.“Research is showing us the mental health of women and young people has been particularly affected during the pandemic,” she said.“These groups need to be prioritised to ensure that they receive the appropriate and tailored support that will meet their specific needs.

“Life can be difficult for everyone at times, but with the right support it can get better. No matter how big or small you think your problems are, it is OK to ask for help. We can help.”

For support and further information visit: www.ridersminds.org and www.tomorrowproject.co.uk.

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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

New competition riding hat rules have come into force for British Showjumping (BS) for 2022, with other organisations set to update their accepted helmet standards from next year.

The 2022 BS rulebook clarifies its existing rule on protective headgear, and removes a couple of the older standards.

The previous rule stated that a riding hat “designed to provide protection” must be worn at all times when mounted, with a properly adjusted and fastened harness, and that competitors must wear “protective headwear” to an approved standard when jumping, including warming up. The 2022 rule goes further, so an up-to-standard hat must be worn at all times when mounted.

“Protective headgear must be worn at all times when mounted by anyone, whether or not a competitor, which complies to the below standards at any British Showjumping competition or activity. Harnesses must be properly adjusted and fastened at all times when mounted,” it states.

BS has also retired a couple of the older hat standards. PAS 015 (1998) and Snell E2001 are no longer approved. But PAS 015 (2011), with kitemark, and Snell E2016 remain on the approved list.

British Eventing (BE), the Pony Club (PC) and British Riding Clubs (BRC) are all updating their accepted standards in a similar way from 1 January 2023.

The three organisations unified their standards in 2018, so a single colour of hat tag can be fastened to the harness to indicate a rider is wearing a helmet of an approved standard.

“In order to ensure riders are wearing the most up-to-date riding hats, please note that from 1 January 2023, the following hat standards will not be accepted, due to the age of hats made to these standards: PAS 015 1998 [and] Snell 2001,” states the 2022 BE rulebook, with similar notices appearing in the PC and BRC rulebooks

“To manage this change, a new colour of hat tag will be required for all BE, PC and BRC activities from 1 January 2023.”

Competition riding hat rules for 2022 and 2023

British Showjumping hat standards 2022

• British and European: PAS 015 (2001), VG1 provided they are BSI Kitemarked
• American: All SEI ASTM F1163 04a onwards and Snell E2001 and Snell E2016.
• Australian and New Zealand: AS/NZS 3838 2006 onwards

British Eventing, Pony Club and British Riding Club hat standards 2022

• British and European: PAS 015 (1998 or 2011) and VG1, all with BSI Kitemark
• American: ASTM F1163: 2004a onwards with SEI mark, Snell E2001 onwards with the official Snell label and number
• Australia and New Zealand: AS/NZS 3838 2006 onwards with SAI Global mark

British Eventing, Pony Club and British Riding Club hat standards 2023

• British and European: PAS 015 (2011) and VG1, all with BSI Kitemark
• American: ASTM F1163: 2004a onwards with SEI mark, Snell E2016
• Australia and New Zealand: AS/NZS 3838 2006 onwards with SAI Global mark

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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

By Aly Vance

Mrs Ursula Roberts died on 11 December 2021, having reached the age of 100. Her landmark would be of no surprise to those who knew her, as typical of her generation, she was definitely made of “tough stuff”.

During the war she drove an ambulance through the Blitz, after which she threw herself into family life and her energy into the Pony Club, and became one of the most prolific Arabian judges and show organisers in Europe.

Born Ursula Wharton, she was brought up hunting with the Cheshire Hunt and was a founder member of the Cheshire Hunt branch of the Pony Club in 1929, later passing the institute of the horse exam.

In 1944, she married Captain John Roberts (Bob) who supported her in all her activities for the next 65 years. As he was an Army officer, they moved around southern England with their two daughters, and everywhere she became involved in the local branch of the Pony Club, finally becoming district commissioner of the East Sussex branch. She also helped start the discipline of Pony Club tetrathlon.

With an acute eye for a quality animal, Mrs Roberts followed in her father and great-grandfather’s footsteps by becoming a judge for the British Show Pony Society and was greatly in demand, particularly for lead-rein and first ridden classes. She adored encouraging small children and always found the time to talk to every competitor, whatever the size of her class.

Her knowledge of fine conformation did not stop at horses, as her one “hobby” donkey turned out to be a champion which led her to join the judging panel and go on to become president of the Donkey Breed Society.

Another opportune moment came in 1970 when she was given a young Arab to use in the family. He went on to be British national gelding champion, both in-hand and ridden, before a successful career in harness. Naturally she also joined the judging panel for the British Driving Society.

It was that gelding, Splendour Of Sind, who introduced Mrs Roberts to purebred Arabs and in 1972, she started running the south-east region Arab show. A stickler for high standards and politeness in the show ring, she was invited to become show director of the National Arab Show at Ascot, which she ran for many years during the “golden years” of the Arab Horse Society (AHS). With entries of more than 1,000 horses for the show, Mrs Roberts also managed the stabling in a pre-computer era.

In 1983 she was asked to be chairman of the European Conference of Arab Horse Organisation’s newly formed show commission. They standardised judging practices and brought in disciplinary committees across Europe that are still used today.

Mrs Roberts was twice president of the AHS, helped start the UK International Arabian Horse Show at Towerlands, and in 1994 she was invited to run Qatar’s inaugural International Arab Show, which has become one of the world’s leading Arab shows.

Her judging took her all over the UK and Europe as well as Australia and Canada. When asked, she always said that she had been very lucky and had enjoyed a wonderful life.

Mrs Roberts’ passion for horses passed down the generations, with her daughters Anthea Derby and Charlotte Rowell the fourth generation of judges, and Aly Vance, the youngest of her four grandchildren, an equestrian and racing TV presenter. Her husband Bob predeceased her in 2010.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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SEIB has added a new class for Pony Club members to its Search For A Star (SFAS) series.

The SEIB SFAS Pony Club championships will be held at Your Horse Live in November and are designed to be “an introduction to showing for members of all ages”.

The championship will offer a lead-rein and first-ridden championship for children under 10 years old. There will also be an open class for older members and any type of horse or pony that is both athletic and correct enough to be a show horse. The animal will be judged on suitability for all-round Pony Club activities, conformation, way of going and temperament.

The new SFAS classes will be open to any horse or pony ridden by a member of the Pony Club. The horse or pony will not be ridden by the judge but the competitor will be asked to give a show and in each class a best rider award will be presented.

Each of the five SFAS qualifying shows in England and the one in Scotland will include the Pony Club class.

“This is a great opportunity for our members to learn more about the world of showing, with a fabulous final in front of a great crowd,” said Pony Club CEO Marcus Capel. “I am very excited to enable our members to enjoy different experiences with their horses and ponies and the SFAS series provides a fun, supportive structure to help them achieve.”

SEIB head of marketing Nicolina MacKenzie added: “We are delighted to be offering this opportunity for Pony Club members. We have been keen for some time to provide classes for younger people and offer education, training and support. Older Pony Club riders are also very welcome to come along to our qualifiers and in addition they can enter the other SFAS classes, or even take part in the racehorse to riding horse series. Showing teaches so much that is relevant to other disciplines, including turnout, way of going and of course showing the horse or pony off for a judge when it is not feeling at its most cooperative, a very useful skill when producing a dressage test!”

In addition, SFAS has two “weekender” events planned for 2022. These will include a day of training followed by a full qualifying show for both Horse of the Year Show and Your Horse Live, one in Scotland and one in England.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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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

A young partially sighted eventer who completed the cross-country at the Pony Club grassroots regional championships without a guide rider after her horse pulled up lame hopes his story will help others realise what is possible.

Charles Stanley, from Smarden, Kent, and Perri, a 17-year-old 15.2hh gelding owned by Sabine Remnant, finished in 11th place at the eastern regionals, at Horseheath in August. But for a while, Charles, 15, and his mother Cat had not thought he would get to ride there at all.

“It would be really good if Charles’s story could inspire people to keep going, because we nearly didn’t,” Cat told H&H. “I was so proud of him; in a busy life, it’s so rare you have time to stop and stare and think ‘Actually, that was amazing’. I don’t think there are many people with Charles’s level of visual acuity who could have done that.”

Charles was born partially sighted; he cannot see jumps until they are three metres away, nor can he see dressage markers or numbers on fences. He has always ridden, as do his younger brothers, and much prefers eventing to anything else.

But three years ago, when Charles and his former pony were competing in a hunter trial, both he and Cat thought they might not be able to make it work.

“I was with him in the start box, then after he’d jumped four or five fences, he lost his way,” Cat said. “I ran over as he’d just ground to a halt because he couldn’t see which fence to jump. I was trying to tell him, running round, and all the other people riding and walking the course must have thought ‘How strange’. It wasn’t a good day and we nearly gave up.”

But the family moved to the Romney Marsh branch of the Pony Club, where the chief instructor Lena Pearson-Wood understood Charles’s limitations, and “got him” straight away.

Lena arranged for Charles to compete with a guide, who rides in front of him across country, sometimes jumping and sometimes not, letting him know where and what he has to jump.

“The guide is someone to follow so I can get a good line,” Charles explained. “Because I can’t see the angles of the jumps, or the differences between them, the guide can tell me which one I need to jump. I’ll be coming up to it saying ‘Can’t see it, can’t see it — got it’.”

Guide riders became the norm, and Charles completed his first one-day event, on Perri at Eridge, with a double jumping clear, and then went on to Brightling, where he repeated the feat, and won, which meant they qualified for the regional championships.

With the help of Pony Club area representative Abby Bernard, organisers there made “reasonable adjustments” to allow Charles to compete, including flour to mark X in the dressage arena, bright-coloured bending poles to show Charles where to turn for different showjumps, and the cross-country guide rider. He scored 27.5 in the dressage, had one unlucky showjumping plank down, and headed into the cross-country in a strong position.

“He was last to go across country, and what was lovely was that lots of people had stayed to watch,” Cat said. “He started and I went off to get a good picture over the trakehner, which I got, then they jumped some hedges and I saw Charles circle. I knew something was wrong as he and Perri are very strong across country, then I saw his guide on foot, leading a clearly lame horse.”

The guide rider had to pull up, but Charles had no intention of following suit.

“I saw him re-present, and go on,” Cat said. “He did the rest on his own. I could see him, suddenly seeing each fence and riding every stride. At the last one, I stopped in my tracks and had a tear going down my face because I knew how desperately hard it was for him.

“However much you work hard and dig deep, you can’t improve your visual acuity, it is what it is. As he came over the finish line, everyone cheered like he’d been round Badminton.”

Charles added that he had no thought of retiring.

“I just thought ‘I can do this’, I’ll finish it on my own,” he said. “It sounds like I’m blowing my own trumpet but I felt proud of myself and Perri. It was like [triathletes] the Brownlee brothers helping each other over the line; when you’ve overcome something like that, you’ve helped yourself over the line.”

Pony Club area rep Abby Bernard tweeted about Charles’s achievements, tagging Clare Balding, who sent a congratulatory message, and Harry Meade, who did the same, and invited Charles and Perri to his yard for a lesson. This took place on 20 December, and was “amazing”, Charles said.

“It was so good; Harry explained everything and used really good analogies,” Charles added. “I got five lessons’ worth from an hour with him; it was a lovely day.”

Cat added that it was more than worth every minute of the 150-mile drive.

“It’s so lovely someone recognises how hard he tried, and that it all came together,” she said.

Charles plans to keep eventing, and would like to step up a level next season.

“It’s the most exhilarating and the most enjoyable,” he said. “Mum’s trying to get me to take up British Dressage — but I don’t really fancy that!”

And he and Cat both hope his story, and experiences with the “reasonable adjustments”, will make life easier for anyone in a similar situation.

“We went through it so hopefully other people now won’t have to,” Charles said. And Cat added: “I think he’s the first one, which is nice, and I hope it will encourage people to see there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

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5 reasons why a subscription to HorseandHound.co.uk makes the perfect last-minute gift

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

Author: The Pony Club

14th edition published: 2012

Available as paperback or Kindle edition

View now at amazon.co.uk

About the book

This book is a young equestrian’s go-to guide to all things horse related. It covers everything they need to know about horses, riding, tack and equipment.

Review

Despite being written and compiled by The Pony Club, the information contained in The Manual of Horsemanship is applicable to any budding young rider. It’s a must-have for a Pony Club member, but non-members – as I was – will certainly benefit from it, too. I know of so many people who grew up with the edition of their time on their shelf – and it was always very well-thumbed and left easily accessible for the next time its wisdom would be called upon.

Not only does The Manual of Horsemanship cover the basics that all young riders and pony care-givers want and need to know, it gives details that many adult riders could do with reminding themselves of, too. It has sections on breeds, colours and markings – which is the sort of thing you need to know to hold a conversation in a tack room at the stables before your riding lesson. And with sections on equine anatomy, health and tack, this book is perfect for swotting up on your pony care knowledge before summer camp.

Simple illustrations add great value to many of the explanations, and while it’s a shame the images are all in black and white, it’s not the be-all and end-all. Despite the latest edition being published back in 2012, this book is still relevant – and a nice change from Googling the answer to your endless pony care question.

About the author

Founded in 1929, The Pony Club is now an international voluntary youth organisation for young people interested in ponies and riding. There are around 345 branches and 480 centres in the UK and the Pony Club has been the starting point for many of the champions we know today.

Verdict

The perfect gift for a young equestrian with their first pony or is starting riding lessons and wants to learn more.

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A 12.2hh gelding who has beaten the odds to return to work is heading to Pony Club regional championships this weekend at the age of 34.

“Perfect Pete”, as he is known, and Mathilda Kirkman will be representing the East Sussex branch at the grassroots regional dressage championships, at Horseheath racecourse on 28 August.

Mathilda’s mother Amanda told H&H such an achievement had not looked possible in February this year, when Pete suddenly went very lame.

“The physio said we’d never ride him again,” she said. “We’d been out hacking and suddenly he was on three legs, so we hobbled him home and thought that was the end.

“But the vet said he actually needed to be kept moving. It was arthritis so we box-rested him, and did all the hot pads, put him on linseed, turmeric and glucosamine, and he came sound.

“The vet said he was looking great so we went slowly, slowly, and he hasn’t been at all lame since.”

Amanda said Mathilda’s ambition had been to compete again at Hickstead; at a tetrathlon there two years ago, Pete had refused to jump owing to, it was found, issues with his teeth.

The family thought the diagnosis, and Pete’s new easier workload, had made this dream impossible.

“Then, in March, I saw there was an area dressage competition at Hickstead. Our Pony Club dressage lady said ‘Are you sure?’ because they’d never done a dressage competition before, but we thought it would be a good experience, and Mattie would get to ride at Hickstead.

“They only went and came fourth, and qualified for the championship, and Mattie was absolutely ecstatic.

“Pete was an absolute superstar, and even the judge said ‘He certainly is perfect’.”

Amanda said Pete is a local legend, having taught countless local children to ride, including his owners the Marshalls’ children Charlie and Izzy, now point-to-point jockeys, and eventer Alfie.

“He’s a bit of a legend, with a huge personality, and is also very naughty!” Amanda said.

“He can still be naughty; he ditched her in the field again a couple of months ago and galloped off. He can be quite horrendous, as well as a little superstar, who we all love to pieces.”

Perfect Pete also came to top riders’ attention last year when a poem Mathilda wrote about him was read out by William Fox-Pitt as part of Pippa Funnell’s poetry competition.

The poem started “My pony is called Perfect Pete, he really is quite naughty/He shakes his head and kicks his feet — and he’s nearly 40.”

“That was lovely,” Amanda said.

“Pete’s such a brilliant pony. Mathilda’s done everything with him, except dressage till now, but she’s nearly grown out of him now.

“He bucks his way up the field when she rides another pony but there’s another little girl who rides him, and he’ll let us know when he’s had enough. No one can believe his age, but he must be up there with the oldest ever to qualify for the championships, and we’ve got no reason to believe he hasn’t got as much chance as any other pony there.

“He’s got such a huge personality. I remember times he’s got her off and gone galloping across the field, me running behind and people say ‘There goes Perfect Pete’! He’s run rings round my daughter and taught her to ride, he’s an awesome boy.

“I thought I should tell his story as it is one of hope and triumph.”

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Keeping a veteran active for longer

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When you’ve qualified for a Pony Club championship and your normal trainer is indisposed, what do you do?

In the case of the Duke of Buccleuch Hunt branch, you appeal to one of the greats of eventing — who duly spends some 10 hours in the pouring rain helping young riders and their ponies.

Lucy Wilson told H&H the team, her 13-year-old daughter Lottie on Gracie, Freddie Robson on Faith, Tom McTaggart on Reiver and Coco Oakes on Puffin, had qualified for the grassroots showjumping northern championships, at Auchlishie Eventing, Kirriemuir, on 6 August.

“We took them to Ayrshire for the qualifier a couple of weeks ago with no expectation that they’d qualify, but they did!” Lucy said. “We then found out the final was the next week, and Freddie’s mum Steph, who’s their trainer, couldn’t go. She said ‘I’ll ask my dad’.”

Dad in this case is multiple medal-winning eventer Ian Stark, who agreed, hot-footing it from commentating on the Tokyo Olympics equestrian events for the BBC.

“It was the most filthy day,” Lucy said. “As we were driving there, we kept thinking ‘surely they’ll cancel’, but they didn’t. I think poor Ian thought he’d signed up for a few hours but we got there about 8am and didn’t leave till about 6pm!”

The showjumping was all on grass, on which the rain took its toll, and Lucy said the children’s instructions were “just get round”.

“But only two teams got through to the jump-off, out of 26, and they were one of them,” she said. “They came second, it was unbelievable.

“Ian was so good with them. He got them all warmed up individually — and missed most of Freddie’s rounds as he was warming the next rider up — he was brilliant, and they were so lucky to have the experience.”

Lucy added that Ian walked the courses with the team, and instilled some much-needed confidence.

“Coco’s only nine and she’s tiny,” Lucy said. “The second course was quite big for her, but Ian said ‘I’m going to put the jumps up in the warm-up ring; your pony can do this and you can do it’. He got her round and she wouldn’t stop, she just wanted to keep going.

“He gave them so much confidence, he was just fab.”

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Take a look at this selection of Pony Club ponies for sale currently listed on the Horse & Hound website, or if none of the below suit your needs, start your search for your next horse here. Our website has more horses than ever currently listed for sale – thanks to our partnership with SEIB Equestrian Insurance, we are now offering all standard horse for sale adverts for free. Have you got a horse to sell? Place your free advert here

Horse & Hound does not support any activity that isn’t in line with the current Government guidelines, nor buying horses unseen. If the current guidelines for your region allow viewings to take place, please ensure they are conducted in accordance with the latest social distancing rules.

1. ‘The most genuine pony you could wish for’

Height: 13.2hh

Gender: mare

Age: seven

Selling points: “Amber is the kindest and most genuine pony you could wish for. She has been in the same home since she was two years old. Amber has done all Pony Club (PC) activities and been a member of PC teams. She has jumped successfully at British Showjumping (BS) shows but is now very sadly outgrown and is looking for a lovely new home. She is forward going but would never buck or rear. She is easy to do in every way.”

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Find other horses for sale in West Sussex

2. ‘Perfect pony’

Height: 12.2hh

Gender: mare

Age: 13

Selling points: “It is with heavy heart that we are selling Fancy who is truly a perfect pony. She has competed at 80cm and easily jumps 1m at home. She hacks perfectly alone or with company. She stands happily alone, never kicks, bucks, bites or rears. She has been to PC, the beach, cross-country, hunter trials and competitions and much more! This is the safest pony on the planet.”

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Find other horses for sale in Ceredigion

3. ‘Genuine’

Height: 12.2hh

Gender: gelding

Age: 10

Selling points: “This is a genuine second pony. He has done unaffiliated showing, showjumped and done working hunter pony too. He is good with the farrier, to box and travel. He has been handled by young children.”

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Find other horses for sale in South Wales

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4. ‘Fabulous attitude’

Height: 13.2hh

Gender: mare

Age: seven

Selling points: “This is a truly lovely pony that could be a real champion. She has the looks, the talent and the temperament to excel at anything — she’d go very far in eventing, dressage, working hunter or showjumping. She was double clear in her first ever showjumping competition and will continue to get out and compete if not sold. She has the most fabulous attitude with the talent — not at all sharp or quirky. When ridden by my children she happily does as much or little as asked. She is not strong, doesn’t get hot. She has extremely good ground manners, is very friendly and good to do everything with. She travels and loads very well (trailer or lorry) and can be left alone very happily with a haynet in the lorry while others are taken away. She is good with the farrier (has yet to need actual shoes, just been trimmed to-date). She was backed last year so still needs to progress her general education. Due to her low mileage, an experienced home is vital to continue to bring on this very special pony.”

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Find other horses for sale in Hampshire

5. ‘Confidence-giver’

Height: 14hh

Gender: gelding

Age: 12

Selling points: “Rolo is a super-safe hack, showjumping champion and cross-country legend. He is fit and ready to go — he has taken my daughter from first-ridden to BS. He is calm and never fizzy but has gears. He is a complete all-rounder competing in one-day events, is a PC member and has done fun rides, hunter trials and beach rides.”

View the advert

NB: Horse & Hound has not checked the accuracy of the claims made in these adverts for Pony Club ponies for sale and cannot be held liable if the information included above is inaccurate in any way

We are continuing to produce Horse & Hound as a weekly magazine during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as to keep our website at horseandhound.co.uk up to date with breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

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

Whether you’re new to ponies or are a hotshot budding event rider, a childhood spent mucking out and mucking in with ponies is one to cherish. Tessa Waugh finds out how to make the most of these years

WE are all aware of the dream; Cupid-faced children on mischievous fluffballs laughing riotously as they take on the world. A pony-filled childhood ticks so many boxes in our fast and modern world; getting children outside and away from screens, challenging them through ups and downs, teaching them to care for animals and put something first before themselves.

While the dream is endlessly appealing, the reality can be challenging for even the most knowledgeable people, and the financial and time demands are considerable. How can you ensure that your offspring get the best out of a childhood with ponies?

Tracy Duffy never predicted the journey she would go on with her daughter, Merci, when Merci started learning to ride.

“We took Merci to the local riding school every weekend,” recalls Tracy. “It got to the point where Merci’s teacher, Caroline Stewart, told me that it would be cheaper for Merci to have her own pony.”

The Duffys took Caroline’s advice and bought Merci a pony, finding a place for her at a livery yard outside the town where they live. Caroline continued to give her lessons and was on hand to help them throughout.

“Caroline is more than a riding instructor, she has become a friend,” says Tracy, who has valuable advice for parents embarking on pony ownership for the first time. “If you don’t know a lot about horses, find someone you can trust to guide you.”

Merci has now joined the Pony Club and is competing regularly on her second pony which she keeps with Caroline.

“As a family we’ve invested a lot of money and time into Merci’s interest, but we don’t regret it at all,” adds Tracy. “If your child finds something they love, it is wonderful to be able to give them that opportunity.”

VERY few conversations about children and ponies do not include a mention of the Pony Club, which continues to play a crucial role in educating young riders in Britain and worldwide. In the past, membership was inaccessible to children who didn’t have their own ponies but since the Pony Club set up their centres in 1998 this has all changed.

Of their 30,000 UK members, 10,000 are centre members who attend 420 affiliated riding schools where they can enjoy all the benefits of a Pony Club education; learning how to care for ponies, work towards tests and badges and compete across a range of disciplines.

Amelia Morris-Payne, a UKCC level three coach within the Pony Club, began helping at Pony Club centres 15 years ago and has had a long association with the Mill House, a Pony Club centre in Belton, Leicestershire.

“The reason I became so passionate about the centres was because of the children,” Amelia says. “They didn’t have the opportunities my children had [Amelia’s children had their own ponies from the age of two] and the thing they yearned for was ponies. Centre membership gave them that opportunity.”

Amelia explains that there are options for parents who wish to dip their toe into pony ownership rather than committing outright.

“Ponies are sometimes available to loan from the riding school with an arrangement where the child can ride them so many days a week: that way parents can get a feel for having a pony under the umbrella of the yard. If they go on to buy their own, I would point people in our centre in the direction of a livery yard and coach who could help and support them on their journey. There are working liveries where the riding school gets the benefit of using the pony and the benefit of teaching the child.”

WHEN choosing a riding school, Debbie Maclean of the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) cautions: “If the riding school is ABRS or BHS [British Horse Society] approved they can be certain that they will have all the necessary first aid, safeguarding and insurance in place.”

When it comes to children helping out, this too should be carefully monitored. While some parents may remember filling haynets all day in return for a short ride, this arrangement is less common now.

“Some riding schools have rules whereby children of 13 and over must have a work permit from the council signed by a proprietor, teacher and parent,” says Debbie. “There are strict rules about employing children and how long they can work for.”

Fortunately, there are plenty of people like Amelia and Caroline who can help children from non-horsey backgrounds bring their dreams alive. Natalie O’ Rourke is the manager of Park Lane Stables in Teddington, south-west London.

“Many of our children come to us having only seen a pony in a book”, explains Natalie. “I always encourage them to come to the stables before they commit to lessons because in my experience, people’s expectations and the reality of ponies are very different.

“When children come here for the first time, they can see the ponies, touch them and smell them. Sometimes they are overwhelmed by the smell.”

Natalie prides herself on a “holistic” approach, introducing children to all aspects of a pony’s care alongside riding lessons, “rather than just get on and go”. She is also strongly aware of the pitfalls that occur when children are pushed out of their comfort zone.

“One negative experience and you’ve lost them, so we do it incrementally and then we retain them,” she says. “We want them to have a love of ponies for life.”

Children aged two, three or four are started off in “mini-muckers” when they can come for an hour, fill up a water bucket and a haynet and have a little ride. After mini-muckers, Natalie encourages children to become members of the Pony Club because the riding school is also an affiliated centre.

“We do offer riding lessons without Pony Club, but I always advise parents not to do that,” she explains. “They need to understand why a pony might bite and why their ears are back and half an hour a week isn’t enough to get the full picture.”

The riding school is open on Saturdays and Sundays, after school on Thursdays and Fridays and every day in the holidays. Children are given shifts where they come in and work, often with an older teen; boys are paired with older boys.

“We can’t keep up with the demand,” she says.

PONY CLUB also provides a framework for children who are lucky enough to have ponies at home. Melanie Lowdon-King is an experienced rider who enjoyed Pony Club as a child. She has three children aged 14 and under and has kept ponies for them since they were small.

“When they are young, they need all the help that they can get and they don’t listen to their parents,” she says. “Pony Club provides rallies and activities all through the year which keeps them using their ponies, even through the winter months when it is cold and icy.

“There is something for everyone. My son likes tetrathlon and games whereas the girls enjoy dressage, showjumping and polocrosse.”

When it comes to training, Melanie complements Pony Club training with extra lessons which, she says, “give them so much confidence.”

Melanie cautions that you cannot underestimate the cost of embarking on a pony-filled lifestyle, but living on a farm helps, with access to land, hay and straw.

“Every six weeks the blacksmith comes. It costs £165 for the lot and I always think I wouldn’t dream of spending that money on a pair of shoes,” she laughs.

And there are great advantages for those who are able to keep the ponies at home.

“The ponies live in a paddock less than a stone’s throw from the house, which makes it very easy,” she says. “The children often fall out of bed and ride in their pyjamas. My sister had hers at an [external] yard, but you have to be prepared to drive there every day.”

IF you are lucky enough to have a relative or partner who has a pony, this can work well, too. Abbi Houlker has heroically taken on the teaching of her niece Harlie and partner’s daughter Emilie, who are both seven, and her Rupert the Pony blog on Instagram has all the ingredients of pony heaven.

“Harlie is not academic and her confidence has grown enormously since she started riding,” enthuses Abbi.

“Things do go wrong but she gets back on and learns that an animal is not a machine and it’s not all about winning rosettes.”

Abbi has recently moved Rupert from a small yard to a bigger one, which has some benefits, she finds.

“After riding Harlie will sit in the arena and watch other people ride,” she says. “There are lots of other children there, which has been great for building friendships.”

There is always help on hand if you embark on the path to a pony-filled childhood and the rewards are manifold.

5 top tips for the perfect pony childhood

• Find a yard where there are other children for your child to ride with.
• Join your local Pony Club branch or centre for a framework of training activities throughout the year for all levels.
• Contact your local riding school or Pony Club for recommendations about local instructors.
• Seek out friends with ponies and get together for trips to the beach or competitions.
• If you aren’t horsey, find someone knowledgeable to help and guide you.

This feature is also available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 3 June 2021

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A London charity riding stables has raised more than £1m to buy its home and safeguard its future following a crowdfunding campaign.

Park Lane Stables in Teddington, a Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and Pony Club centre, started the campaign on New Year’s Eve after learning that the lease for their home of 12 years would not be renewed as the landlord wanted to sell.

The charity, which is also a safe place for at-risk young people who can be referred there by schools and local authorities, faced the challenge of raising £1m by 25 February to buy the yard.

Coverage on Good Morning Britain and BBC Breakfast, as well as celebrity supporters, boosted its campaign — with more than £500,000 raised in the past 24 hours alone.

The campaign hit its target today (Thursday, 18 February), and the total is still climbing.

Proprietor Natalie O’Rourke, who has run the stables in its current guise for the past 12 years, told H&H the team “feel so overwhelmed by kindness”.

“The people power won through,” she said.

She added there was one significantly large donation of £50,000, from someone in racing, who also gave them very kind words and “buckets of encouragement” that empowered them to keep going, while the rest was all from individual “believers that wanted us to succeed”.

“The big donations have been fantastic and lifted our spirits every time, but to those who pledged their pocket money, and all the people who gave £5 and £10 and said ‘sorry I can’t give more’, we and our staff and RDA riders would like to say a huge thank you. Between us we made it happen!” she added, in an update on the Crowdfunding page.

She said any extra support will go towards the upkeep of the horses, general running costs as well as buying land for grazing and an arena for RDA riding and carriage driving.

The stables has been home to horses for hundreds of years, serving as Teddington Fire Station in the 1800s when fire engines were horse-drawn, to the riding school in its current form.

Natalie told H&H in January that it was not simply a case of moving elsewhere as its location was key and moving to a rural area would take them away from the community it serves, many of whom can only get there because of the urban location and public transport links.

Park Lane Stables also employs six disabled people and its closure would have meant they would have lost their jobs.

“Horses are being forced out of London,” she said. “We are going to fight as hard as we can to stay, we just need as much support as we can get. It feels like we have a huge mountain to climb. Covid has made it even more difficult, but we are getting local support, which is brilliant and people really want us to stay.”

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The stables has also been raising spirits in the community through lockdown, by visiting those shielding or self-isolating in their homes, so they can wave to the ponies through their windows.

It has been listed as an asset of community value, which is crucial as this ensured it was given first refusal on buying the premises before it could be offered elsewhere.

The charity also promised that if its fundraising was successful, it would be able to provide more subsidised lessons, invest in therapy equipment and the on-site cottage will become assisted living for those with additional needs.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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

A community riding centre faced with eviction has taken a major step forward to secure its home as fundraising efforts ramp up.

Park Lane Stables in Teddington, southwest London, is aiming to raise £1m to buy its home as the landlord wants to sell.

The site has now been listed as an asset of community value (ACV), which is a significant step towards securing its future in London.

“ACV status is really important as it really strengthens our cause,” centre manager Natalie O’Rourke told H&H.

“It buys us some time as it means that we have the right to bid and that the landlord cannot sell it to another person without first offering it to us to buy.”

The stables, which is a registered charity, serves the community as a Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and Pony Club centre, and is a safe haven for children who can be referred there by the local authority and schools. As well as offering riding lessons, Park Lane Stables also welcomes those who benefit from spending time with horses on the ground.

Staff and ponies from the stable have been cheering the local community through the lockdowns by letting people know what time they will be exercising the horses, so they can come to their windows to wave.

The stables, whose history dates back hundreds of years, was put forward for ACV status to Richmond Council by local community group, the Teddington Society.

Natalie said the fact the society took the time to do that on their behalf “really makes us feel we are part of the community”.

“The donations and comments make us feel so supported and realise how important the horses are to everybody,” said Natalie.

“We’ve had people reach out to us who used to come here in the 1950s and 1960s as well as people whose lives have been touched [by the horses here]. It’s really strengthening; it’s like scaffolding around us to keep going when we hear all the kind words people say about the horses.”

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The charity has raised 15% of its target, with funds currently standing at just over £159,000, and Natalie added they are pushing hard to keep the momentum going to secure the remaining 85% ahead of the February Crowdfunder deadline.

For more information and to donate, click here

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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

A Pony Club branch found a way to come together despite the lockdowns by hacking the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats and raising nearly £2,000 in the process.

Around two thirds of the 69-member York and Ainsty South (YAS) branch combined their efforts to meet the 840-mile target during the Christmas holidays.

The “hackathon” was organised by one of the branch’s older members Ellie McNeil, who compiled all the data from individual riders via a WhatsApp group. Despite having to brave icy roads and some very wet days, the members had exceeded their target by 3 January.

One member, Lyra Verity, rode 80 miles while another member who is new to riding hacked for the first time to contribute to the challenge.

The York and Ainsty South usually hold an annual pleasure ride to raise money for the branch but this year’s event was cancelled because of the pandemic and funds were running low. While sponsorship for the 840-mile challenge was optional, the members surprised their district commissioner Gill Chivers by collecting £1,760 to date.

“I am so proud of the YAS branch members for really getting behind this, the response has certainly brought some cheer to an otherwise not very cheerful time,” Gill said. “It was something that was completely Covid-safe and didn’t involve anyone having to make any special arrangements. I think it satisfied a need.”

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“We need some new show jumps and cross-country jumps, so the funds raised will go a good way towards that,” she added.

Gill said it had been interesting looking through the data people had collected through their apps.

“Quite a lot of the pictures we were sent involved members of the family on a bike or running or walking the dog, so it was used as a multi-tasking exercise and as some motivation for people,” Gill said. “There was one member whose pony had been lame and was just coming back into work. She used it to walk miles on hills to get the pony fit again and said it gave her a purpose because she could track it. It certainly brought everyone together.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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

The prestigious Pony Club Championships will have a new home in 2021, with seven of the organsation’s nine disciplines coming together, while the open eventing championships will be held alongside the Festival of British Eventing and two new spring festivals are in the pipeline. H&H finds out more about the plans...

PLANS have been unveiled for the 2021 Pony Club Championships including a new venue – while the open eventing will take place at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe.

Following the abandonment of the 2019 championships at Cholmondeley Castle to rainfall, and the 2020 cancellation owing to the pandemic, next year’s event will take place at Offchurch Bury, on 13 to 22 August.

Pony Club chief executive Marcus Capel told H&H the event will host seven of the nine disciplines with mounted games, polocrosse and tetrathlon on the first weekend, followed by eventing, showjumping, dressage and polo.

“Primarily it’s about trying to keep the sports together at a unique event – and for our volunteers it means rather than going to different events across the country, we can bring the whole Pony Club family together,” he said.

“Despite the challenges with Covid-19, it’s very important we have that aspiration for our competitive members. It’s a pinnacle to qualify for the championships, with past champions going on to be Olympians.”

Mr Capel said it had been “devastating” to call off last year’s championships, which ran at Cholmondeley for eight years.

“A huge thanks to Cholmondeley estate and Musketeer Event Management. The estate were very good to us last year and we were able to give a refund to our members because of their generosity and Musketeer’s work with suppliers.”

Pony Club tetrathlon chairman Tim Vestey told H&H the tetrathlon championships ran at Offchurch Bury in 2018 and 2019, and he believes there will be “huge enthusiasm” for next year’s national championships at the site.

“It may prove to be a template for the future, but at this stage it’s a one-off exercise and we will be going out to tender for a three-year deal towards the end of the year for the 2022 to 2024 championships,” he said.

Other developments for 2021 include a spring festival, incorporating an arena eventing final, at two venues: the Scottish National Equestrian Centre (6–7 April) and Arena UK (9–11 April).

The 110 open eventing championships will take place at the Festival of British Eventing, Gatcombe Park (6–8 August 2021).

“The 110 open eventing championships should have happened at Gatcombe this year. The aim is to give aspiration to our top-level eventing members to compete at a festival like that,” said Mr Capel.

“Our branches are working so hard to deliver activity despite the challenges this year and because of this we’re seeing membership grow despite everything going on.”

Festival of British Eventing event director Peter Phillips told H&H the team is “thrilled” to be hosting the Pony Club at the festival.

“The Pony Club is such an important part of our sport and we are delighted to be able to give these young riders the chance to compete at this level and to experience being part of the festival’s weekend of celebration of national championships,” he said.

H&H 29 October 2020

UPDATE: 25 June 2021

Following the April announcement that the festival had been cancelled owing to the pademic, BE announced on 18 June that the championships will now be held at Wellington International Horse Trials (28-30 August).

“Our relationship with the Pony Club is such an important one for the continuation of our sport and we are delighted these championships can be held alongside such a high-profile competition,” said BE chief executive Jude Matthews.

Pony Club chief executive Marcus Capel said Wellington is a “fantastic event” and he looks forward to seeing the organisation’s “talented” members out on the course.

“I would like to thank BE, David Sheerin and the Wellington team for helping us provide such an opportunity,” he said.

Wellington general manager David Sheerin added that the team at the venue is keen to give Pony Club senior members a “worthy experience” after such a challenging set of circumstances.

.

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Equestrian governing bodies are backing calls to the Prime Minister for urgent funding for the recovery of sport following the pandemic.

More than 100 sport and physical activity governing bodies, including British Equestrian, British Dressage, Endurance GB, the Pony Club and the British Horse Society, have written to Boris Johnson urging him to ring-fence funding for the recovery of the sector or risk “fuelling physical inactivity and related illnesses for a generation”. The letter comes during the Great British Week of Sport (19-27 September) and highlights the contribution of the sports and physical activity sector to society, with a combined workforce of more than 600,000 people.

It is hoped a support package, similar to that which has been provided to the arts and restaurants sector, will enable sport to continue to provide programmes and facilities that address the health inequalities highlighted by the pandemic and support the NHS in improving health outcomes.

“Grassroots sport, fitness, and wider recreational activity is proven to improve physical, mental, and social wellbeing. This makes our sector an essential service as our nation recovers from the damage caused by Covid-19,” the letter states.

“Prime Minister – you’ve long been a champion of the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and we were heartened to hear that commitment renewed this summer with the launch of the government’s obesity strategy. Our combined sector is delighted to be showcasing its reach into the heart of communities this week as part of the inaugural Great British Week of Sport.”

British Equestrian, which has been supporting ukactive’s Great British Week of Sport, said it was calling on Boris Johnson to “commit to position sport and physical activity at the heart of our nation’s post-Covid renewal”.

“Our sector is united in its call to the Prime Minister to back grassroots sport and physical activity so that our clubs, gyms and leisure facilities can throw their full weight behind fighting this pandemic,” said ukactive chief executive Huw Edwards.

“This is a health crisis and our sector can play a vital role in supporting our NHS by restoring the nation’s physical and mental resilience in the face of this terrible virus. We call on the government to deliver the urgent fiscal, taxation and regulatory support required to save sports and activity providers across the UK from disappearing from our communities at the time they are needed most.”

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Sport and Recreation Alliance chief executive Lisa Wainwright added that the strength of the coalition of the sports, recreation and activity sector “cannot be ignored”.

“The pandemic has put an incredible strain on our sector, which was forced to close for a prolonged period,” she said.

“It is imperative that our sector gets the support it requires from the government to get back to business, in order to ease the pressures on the NHS and play a central role in our nation’s recovery.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Mobile phones, tack and jods may have reshaped our riding culture, but is a Pony Clubber’s lifestyle so very different? Andrea Oakes compares the 1950s with today

The fifties…

“I remember that day clearly,” laughs Sarita Perkins, referring to an old photo from the 1956 Pony Club interbranch championships. “Look at the jump – it’s tied up with string over an old bathtub. I was riding a tricky horse called Punch. He was a devil; he did a lovely cross-country round but wouldn’t go over the first fence in the showjumping. I was so disappointed!”

Sarita, now 75, enjoyed rallies, camps and competitions as a member of Cornwall’s Western Hunt branch. Her elephant-ear jods were typical of the time, worn with a tweed coat and – for cross-country, but not always at home – a velvet hat with an elastic strap.

“We didn’t have a clue what a dressage saddle was,” she says, explaining that riding skills were largely developed on the hunting field. “We had a choice of two bits, a snaffle or a double bridle, and as nobody had transport we hacked to rallies. We used straw bales for fences or we’d jump the banks and stone walls.

“We had no fear,” she adds. “We knew the local farmers, so if we wanted a gallop we’d jump our ponies into a field then out again.”

While none of the instructors was qualified, Sarita explains that the coaching was excellent. Summer camp was a highlight.

“We slept on camp beds in a rhubarb shed,” she says. “The ponies were either turned out or tied in lines, but the main difference to now was that there were so few organised activities. We just played and were free to ride anywhere without the horror of traffic – and we’d hack to the woods, tie the ponies up and swim.”

Sarita became district commissioner of the Four Burrow Hunt branch. She followed up eventing her own horses by producing, with Lucy and Padraig McCarthy, some of the sport’s finest – notably Simon Porloe and World Equestrian Games silver medallist Mr Chunky. But the foundations were laid in the Pony Club, where riders learnt manners, courage and horsemanship skills.

“We sometimes hired a large lorry to go to different branch hunter trials,” she recalls. “Six of us children would sit in the back, holding our ponies, and we always stopped for fish and chips on the way home. Such happy days.”

In the 1960s, Rosie Wyvern-Batt enjoyed her time as a member of the North Cornwall.

“We would ride bareback for miles,” says Rosie, 70, who attended as many rallies as she could with her 13hh gelding, Rupert. “Every Friday after school, I hacked to stay with friends so we could hunt on Saturdays. I’d jump in and out of the railings at the Lanhydrock estate on the way – no one knew it was me.”

Rosie recalls going to her first show decked out in hand-me-down jodhpurs and her best leather shoes, with Rupert wearing a cloth-lined general purpose saddle with a string girth.

“My father insisted I wore a proper Harry Hall hat. When he realised I was so keen, he took me to a smart outfitter for a tweed jacket and some thick jods with leather knee pads.”

Her next ride, ex-racing pony Flying Star, had a sharp turn of speed and an ability to jump any bank he was put at.

“The big thing when I was 14 was gymkhana,” says Rosie, recalling a “ginormous” cup she won at the St Minver show. “We had to win to pay our share of the lorry and the next week’s entry fees, so it was very competitive.”

Rosie recalls canvas New Zealand rugs, kaolin poultices and a feeding regime based on oats, boiled barley and cooked linseed. It was an all-round equestrian education that paved the way for employment with Olympic eventing gold medallist Bertie Hill.

“We had no facilities, but we did a bit of everything – and all on a shoestring,” she says.

The present day…

Fast-forward more than 50 years to present-day Pony Clubber Emily Gallian, 13, an enthusiastic member of the East Essex Hunt branch. She keeps her ponies at home, with 14.1hh Folly set to take over from 13.2hh Connemara-Welsh mare Quest.

While the Pony Club tie remains, Emily’s kit revolves around modern materials and safety standards – including half-chaps, crash helmet and back protector, with a Pony Club sweatshirt adorned with 29 badges earned for achievement tests and team appearances.

Folly wears a grackle noseband and a Bombers Bits “happy tongue” snaffle; Quest was fed supplements to guard against ulcers and both have benefited from regular back treatment, saddle fitting and dentistry checks.

“Ponies are more pampered nowadays,” admits Emily’s mother, Charlotte. “I don’t remember being concerned as a child that the ground was too hard for jumping.”

Where members once carried a 2p coin for an emergency call, Emily takes a mobile phone with a tracking app.

“It gives her more freedom and she can hack for hours,” says Charlotte. “But she does miss the opportunity to ride with friends, as a busy road divides us from them.”

But with her own transport, Emily enjoys a similar range of club activities. The branch benefits from good local facilities, using indoor schools and venues for rallies and team training. At camp, the children sleep in tents or lorries and the ponies live in pop-up stables.

“I have so many good memories of staying up at night and mucking around,” says Emily. “One year we had a musical ride in the water, with a boy jumping in on an inflatable shark.”

In common with both Sarita and Rosie, 16-year-old Waveney Harriers member Lotte Finch has developed her eventing skills and passed her B test. She may have separate jumping and dressage saddles and an air jacket but, like them, she has progressed through the Pony Club system – from 12hh Tizzy to her current ride, 16hh Basil.

“There are lots of main roads around us so I can’t ride to meet friends, but we’ve enjoyed pony sleepovers and travelled to the coast for beach rides,” says Lotte, who uses grassland at home for schooling and cross-country practice. “We camp at a sheep farm in Beccles. For six weeks beforehand, we all help to prepare – clearing out the big barn used for meals and activities, and setting up showjumping and hunter trials courses. It’s almost as much fun as camp itself.”

Ref Horse & Hound; 2 July 2020

Many of the world’s best riders in all disciplines cut their teeth at the Pony Club Championships. Catherine Austen discovers some of their memories and the lessons they learnt

If you said the words Stoneleigh, Weston Park, Sansaw, Shelford and Cholmondeley, thousands of adults across half a century of generations would know what you meant. When they were horse-mad teenagers, those were the locations of the Pony Club Championships of their era. While for many those heady weeks were the acme of their equestrian careers, they were also an early testing ground for many of the regular stars of this magazine.

“It was everything!” says Laura Collett, who first represented the Heythrop branch of the Pony Club at the championships as a 13-year-old in 2003. “The areas were such a cool thing, and to qualify for the championships was just amazing. I remember the cross-country course being ginormous. I didn’t know how to get my pony [Noble Springbok] on the bit, but I did jump a double clear.”

In 2004 and 2005, she won her eventing section on the Lucey family’s highly experienced Walnut, who took a series of children safely round the championships. In one of those years, the Heythrop team, consisting of Laura, Ginny Howe, Simon Lucey and Sophie Kirkpatrick, also won.

“I learnt so much about teams – how to be a team player, team morale – and it was so much fun,” Laura remembers. “It was a really big deal, and it was at Sansaw the first time I went that our district commissioner, Celia Plunkett, introduced me to Ginnie Keen, who was the pony chef d’equipe at the time. I went straight into pony trials the following spring, because I’d had enough experience at Pony Club level not to need to do BE100s or anything. Celia also rather rashly promised Laura and her team-mates during team training at Pony Club camp that, if they won the championships, she would organise two days’ training for them with her son-in-law, William Fox-Pitt.

“Clearly she didn’t think we would win,” says Laura. “But we did, she kept her promise and I rode Stunning and Moon Man.”

Championship debut

Matthew Wright was another event rider to make their championship debut very young. Aged 12, on his six-year-old pony Con, he was part of the winning Grove Hunt team in 1995, and finished second in his section. The following year, he won individually.

“I hadn’t done pony trials or anything like that at that stage – the pony and I were as ignorant as each other,” he says. “It was at Weston Park; there were 115 starters and just 29 went clear. I remember it like yesterday. The Grove hadn’t qualified for years and it was a really big deal.”

One year Matthew won the horsemanship award for both the eventing and the showjumping championships, and his prize was a week’s training with Peter Robeson. “It was the best week of my life,” he says.

He competed against lots of well-known showjumpers’ children at the showjumping finals – Hadleys, Pyrahs, Fletchers. “I felt the pressure to do well; I wanted to beat these famous people’s kids, but I was also in awe of them,” he says.

Alex Hua Tian remembers the pressure of having to jump clear in the second round of the showjumping championships so the Lord Leconfield Hunt branch of the Pony Club could win the team competition.

“I hadn’t had a great round in the first round on Chance Bid, but to be fair he was usually a very good jumper and we did manage to scrape a victory,” he says. “Learning how to jump under pressure teaches you a lot about character and about yourself.

“It was great fun – I am a huge fan of the Pony Club, and was a keen member of the Hong Kong Pony Club before I came to the UK. Four of us from our branch in Hong Kong went on to ride at the Asian Games and two at the Olympics.”

Rolls of honour

The championships rolls of honour are thickly scattered with event riders – Tina Cook won the senior dressage championships, Piggy French was part of the South Norfolk branch of the team that won the eventing championships, Ruth Edge won an eventing section on her first Badminton horse, Ice Dancer II, Harry Meade won an eventing section (and, if memory serves, was the last recipient of the “best boy” prize) in 2002.

And Jane Holderness-Roddam first competed in the area trials for the Beaufort Hunt branch of the Pony Club aged 10, riding a one-eyed pony called Little Robin.

“The championships then were at Highgrove,” she remembers. “Then they went to the Hanburys’ Burley-on-the-Hill in Leicestershire. And in 1964 the Beaufort were second to the West Norfolk, who won everything in those days, at Burghley. I was 16 and rode Our Nobby. We won the junior title, and our team also included Mark Phillips and George Weldon. I was told that if I showjumped clear I would be given my Beaufort hunt supporters’ club tie, and I did. I remember that better than the competition itself!”

A couple of years later Jane rode Our Nobby at Burghley Horse Trials, and in 1968 the pair won Badminton and went to the Mexico Olympics.

But top riders from other disciplines also have fond memories of Pony Club Championships past.

‘I don’t really like dressage’

Your correspondent remembers interviewing a very young Tom McEwen when he was a member of the VWH team that won the dressage championships. Charlie and Pippa Hutton were championship regulars, but the other two cast members varied. “I don’t really like dressage,” he announced on that occasion.

Now, with a CCI5* win under his belt, he says: “I had a lot of lessons with Pammy Hutton when I was young, and I remember we were made to do displays in various places dressed up as cats, which was very embarrassing.”

He was rather more comfortable as a member of the VWH team that won the eventing championships in 2006 and 2007. He first went on Con – quite a few years after the legendary grey pony had made his debut with Matthew Wright.

“Con looked after me for the first few times and sorted it all out for me,” says Tom. “I was lucky enough to be part of a branch that had a lot of boys in it, which was amazing and very encouraging. Lots of us are still riding, such as Felix de Giles and Peter Mason, who are both jockeys.”

Dressage rider Becky Moody was on the Rockwood Harriers’ dressage team every year from the age of nine to 19, and went to the championships five times. Her sister Hannah was team trainer.

“By the time I was around 14, I had done ponies and the junior Europeans, but the championships were still a very important event and a really big part of the year,” she says. “I never won, but one year, at Weston Park, I rode a four- or five-year-old stallion of Hannah’s and got into the prize-giving. There were 70 or 80 horses all galloping round together – I would die if I had to do something like that now.”

Becky did the showjumping and eventing area trials as well – “I was even on the area quiz team, which shows how keen I was.”

“The friends I made in the Pony Club are still some of my closest friends now,” she says.

A big deal

Showjumper Holly Smith was on the South Trent team that qualified for the showjumping championships when she was 11 or 12.

“My mum’s a midwife and she was working a night shift, so it was the first time I had ridden and bathed my pony and put everything in the lorry all on my own the day before, and I remember that I did a really good job,” she says. “I’d done some British Showjumping at that stage, but nothing serious, and the championships were quite a big deal. I did jump clear, on my section D pony Homer J.”

The tetrathlon championships have produced several future Olympic pentathletes, such as Georgie Harland, Kate Allenby and Arthur Lanigan O’Keeffe. Aly Vance, now a sports television presenter, was a member of the Monmouthshire Hunt branch of the Pony Club’s winning tetrathlon team in 2002, and won as an individual in 2000. Something of an overachiever, she also won her arena at the dressage championships in 2002 – and won a section at the eventing championships in 2005.

Even racing has its representatives. Three-times champion National Hunt jockey Richard Johnson was on the Radnor and West Hereford branch of the Pony Club team at the eventing championships at Weston Park, alongside eventer Louise Harwood. And trainer Charlie Longsdon was on the VWH team that won the eventing championships back in 1990.

“I was 14 and a typical boy whose mother did everything for him,” he recalls. “I had a lovely, cool old horse called Ben Nevis. We thought we had done OK, but while we were waiting for the prize-giving I read my dressage test sheets and realised that there were 20 marks difference between the two – they had been added up wrong. We had to put in a last-minute objection, and those 20 marks were the difference between finishing fifth and winning.”

If you didn’t ever manage to qualify for these hallowed occasions, do not despair. You might make it as a rider yet. After all, Mark Todd, a member of the Cambridgeshire Hunt team on several occasions, never qualified for the Pony Club Championships either.

Ref Horse & Hound; 2 July 2020

School may be out for children across the UK owing to the coronavirus pandemic but the Pony Club is keeping the community of young jockeys united thanks to the #PonyClubCarryOn initiative.

Following the advice from the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) to limit riding activity at home during the current lockdown, branches across the UK have pulled together to create fun ideas for all to get involved with.

“After the guidelines came out from the BEF, we at the Pony Club decided we wouldn’t promote any riding during the lockdown, so we had to come up with alternative ideas and the hashtag was born,” says Marcus Capel, the Pony Club’s chief executive.

“We have created different arms including competitions, online training and achievement badges, such as horse management, and all the content can be shared on Google Drive.”

Over Easter, the most popular competitions included their “2 Legs Not 4” contest, which saw entrants create a short video sharing a fun and creative move, dressed in their favourite equestrian gear.

“We had entries from across the globe,” adds Marcus. “The winning prize includes an online interview with top eventer Piggy March (neé French). We also had an Easter bonnet-making competition and even dog dressage! The Pony Club has 19 fantastic area reps around the country who have been helping out.”

Targeting members of all ages, there has also been a writing competition running and the Pony Club’s annual art contest has gone virtual too. While older members have been guiding youngsters through their Pony Club tests via a Google classroom.

“We’re all in this together and the hashtag has been a great way of engaging with our members during these tough times. We’ve gained in members since the lockdown – it just shows that people are coming together,” says Marcus.

Pony Club mother Natasha Geary credited the North Down branch of the Pony Club in Ireland for keeping her eight-year-old son, Ted, occupied during these testing times.

“With no school at the moment, #PonyClubCarryOn has been great at keeping the children busy. Our branch has been so proactive at getting all the kids together and running fun competitions such as “Carry On Grooming (video, above),” says Natasha. “There has been online tuition as well for Ted, where he has been completing a variety of badges like saddlery and other aspects of the Pony Club. There is a pet badge, whereby the children keep a diary about another pet, and instead of drawing rainbows for the windows we have been drawing rosettes (pictured, below).

“Ted cannot see his friends at the moment but it has been wonderful to see his lovely partnership with Skewbald pony Susie flourish. Ted is a typical boy and previously the riding was the fun bit, but now Susie has been washed, trimmed and groomed more than ever before!”

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Natasha adds: “We are lucky to have my horse and Ted’s pony stabled at home with us, so we are just pottering about with them. Having always been constantly on the go and doing the stables in a rush, it has been nice just to actually slow down and spend time with the horses.”

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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