Planning a trip to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) this year? Then the HOYS mounted games should definitely be on your must-watch list.

HOYS is to be held on 5-9 October 2022 at the NEC in Birmingham. This year, Naylors will be supporting the Pony Club mounted games.

What are the HOYS mounted games?

The HOYS mounted games competition is called the Prince Philip Cup. It was first held in 1957 and is a world-famous event, where teams go through a series of area competitions and zone finals to qualify for the final at HOYS. The area competitions are finished by June each year. The zone finals follow in June/July, before the third and fourth stages are held at the Pony Club Championships and HOYS.

The first phase is the Thistledown Developments Cup, which takes place across the first three sessions at HOYS and is considered a ‘warm-up’ to the Prince Philip Cup. Teams are awarded points based on their placing in each session, and the team with the highest total score at the end of the Thursday afternoon session is awarded the cup.

The Prince Philip Cup has six sessions, held from Thursday afternoon until Sunday. The four highest placed teams from these sessions go through to the grand final for the chance to be crowned overall champions.

In its rule book, the Pony Club outlines the objectives of the Prince Philip Cup. It provides “a team competition requiring courage, determination and all-round riding ability on the part of the team members, with careful and systematic training of their ponies. The objective is to encourage a higher standard of riding throughout The Pony Club and to stimulate among the future generation a greater interest in riding as a sport and as a recreation.”

When can I watch the 2022 HOYS mounted games?

The games will be held in the International Arena at HOYS. There are no set times provided on the timetable and the competitions follow on from other classes, so be sure to keep an eye on the arena.

The general timetable is as follows:

Wednesday (Daytime and evening performance)

Thursday (evening performance)

Friday (evening performance)

Saturday (Daytime and evening performance)

Sunday (Daytime and evening performance)

Four teams will ride in each session and at the end of each the four highest placed teams go through to the final.

• Don’t forget to buy your 2022 HOYS tickets

Which Pony Clubs will be competing in 2022?

Only six teams make it to HOYS each year. The teams competing in the 2022 Prince Philip Cup are:

Morpeth Hunt

North Hereford Hunt

Oakley Hunt (West)

Poole and District

Rockwood Harriers

Wheatland Hunt

Who won the HOYS mounted games in 2021?

The West Hampshire branch of the Pony Club won the title for the third time in a row, having also won in both 2018 and 2019.

The team members were Megan Pink, Katie Upshall, Bella O’Hara, Henry Chick, Layla Conrath and Phoebe Chick.

The West Hampshire became the first team to retain the trophy since Oakley Hunt West back in 2012.

Eglinton Hunt hold the record for the most consecutive wins; they won five years on the trot between 1992 and 1996.

What are some of the rules for Pony Club mounted games?

Ponies must be ridden in plain snaffles with a straight bar, single or double joint in the middle.

The full branch team consists of four or five riders, and four or five ponies not exceeding 148cm.

Riders must be members of The Pony Club at the closing date for entries to the competition and they must not have attained their 15th birthday by the beginning of the current calendar year.

Riders must be suitably mounted for their ponies, following the below guidelines:

• A rider weighing over 54kg may not ride a pony 128cm or under.
• A rider weighing over 60kg may not ride a pony 133cm or under.
• A rider weighing over 66kg may not ride a pony 138cm or under.

Which games will teams compete in at HOYS?

Some of the games run in the 2022 competition include:

BendingPG Sports Quoit and BottleRopeBiffa Waste Services Stepping StonesTwo mugBall and FlagHollywood Bowl Race (3m)Odd SockFour Flag

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The Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) will go ahead this year on 6-10 October.

The event, which was cancelled last year owing to Covid, will take place at its usual home, the NEC Birmingham.

“Following the recent Government announcements, we have decided to go ahead with the planning of a fantastic HOYS 2021, with a ticketed audience,” said a spokesman for Grandstand.

“Along with exceptional competition and displays, the first part of the week is packed with all the fan favourites including mountain and moorland classes on Wednesday to Friday, national showjumping championships on Thursday, and the prestigious Price family supreme in-hand championship showcasing on Friday.”

On the Saturday visitors can enjoy championships “galore” in the TopSpec Arena and the Andrews Bowen International Arena.

“The evening performance is equally exhilarating with the final instalment of the Osborne Refrigerators Scurry driving championship and the continuation of the international showjumping classes including the highly anticipated Ripon Select Foods puissance,” said the spokesman.

“Sunday remains the ‘day of champions’ as the show comes to a climax with the crowning of the Horse of the Year Show supreme horse and pony of the year and the leading showjumper of the year. You will also get the chance to see the awarding of the much-coveted Prince Philip Cup to the Pony Club team who have raced their way to victory in the mounted games heats.”

The “finale celebrations” will take place on the Sunday evening.

“In the context of the current public health situation, our aspiration remains the same, to stage the best HOYS, with the health and safety of trade stand holders, guests, staff, competitors, volunteers, and the community remaining our highest priority,” said HOYS event director Emma Williams.

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“We are working with the venue and are confident that we can deliver a safe and productive event for all.”

Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 14 May on the HOYS website hoys.co.uk/tickets and the box office: 0344 581 8282. Disabled bookings can be made by calling 0800 640 5001 and discounts are available for groups of 10+ through the groups booking line on 0800 358 0058 or by emailing groups@theticketfactory.com.

“All 2020 HOYS general, season, M&M, hospitality and Champions Bar tickets will automatically be transferred to the 2021 event for the corresponding days and same seats purchased. We will be working together with our ticketing agent, The Ticket Factory, to communicate directly with all ticket holders regarding their purchases,” said the spokesman.

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

Prince Philip Cup ponies have to be calm, fast and able to turn on sixpence, which makes the games great entertainment for the spectators

The Prince Philip Cup is fast, furious and fun — as well as being highly competitive. It may have been founded in 1957 for “ordinary children on ordinary ponies”, but there is nothing amateur about this operation in 2018. And it’s not surprising that the competition has hotted up.

While that first competition was restricted to 40 Pony Club teams based in the “vicinity” of London, with no qualifying process, it is a very different story today.

The six senior teams that have battled their way to this week’s final (3-7 October 2018) at Horse of the Year Show have been through a demanding selection process , beating over 150 other teams to take their place in the final line-up.

What is clear from the number of long-standing supporters, ponies and teenagers willing to get up on a Sunday morning for practices throughout the year is that there is something addictive about this sport.

“I’ve always loved the games — if I could go back to being 14 and do it all again I would,” admits Mary Harvey at the Wylye Valley who was part of the winning team in 2003. “It’s so addictive — if you have one bad race there’s always a chance to redeem yourself in another.”

Showjumper Tina Fletcher, who took part in the games as a child, enjoyed it so much that she used to hack five or six miles to get to practices.

“I was lucky to have a very good pony — I was not the most athletic child so I think I relied on my pony to do most of the work,” she laughs.

The ponies have to be calm, fast and able to turn on sixpence which makes it great entertainment for the spectators — and we’re already excited to see who will come out on top this year.

Continued below…

Watch the Horse of the Year Show TV programme live from wherever you are

2018 final

Six teams will compete in each session over the first three performances at HOYS.

The teams are awarded points according to their placing in each round and the winner of The Virbac 3D Worming Cup will be the team finishing with the most points after Thursday afternoon’s round (4 October). The teams then start afresh competing from Thursday evening until the final on Sunday (7 October) for the coveted Prince Phillip Cup.

Qualified teams for 2018

To keep up to date with all the latest results visit hoys.co.uk

Don’t miss our full report from Horse of the Year Show in the 11 October 2018 issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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 equestrian extravaganza at this year's Horse of the Year Show (4-8 October 2017) got underway this morning — so programmes at the ready and start circling your must-see classes and attractions

1. Puissance

When is it? Saturday 7 October

What to expect: It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve watch the Puissance, it will have you creeping to the edge of your seat, covering your eyes and squealing with amazement (in equal measure) as the horses and riders push their limits over the iconic red wall.

2. Mounted games

When is it? The mounted games action kicked off this morning (4 October) in the Andrews Bowen International Arena, and the sessions run during each daytime and evening session, until Sunday evening when the team with the most points will clinch the coveted Prince Philip Cup.

What to expect: Standby for a severe bout of agility envy as the ponies and riders whip up and down the arena, navigating the varying obstacles at breakneck speed.

3. Trade stands

When are they open?

Wednesday: 9am–9pm

Thursday: 9am–9pm

Friday: 9am–9pm

Saturday: 9am–9pm

Sunday: 9am–8pm

What to expect: Get ready to splurge, with over 250 trade stands to work your way around, with everything from tack and clothing to gourmet food and crafts. And when you’re so laden down you’re struggling to fit back in your seat, make the most of the bag drop offs.

4. HOYS Live Zone

When is it open? Events run from 10am-5pm.

What to expect: New for 2017, the HOYS Live Zone has a line up of impressive guest speakers, interactive sessions, celebrity rider signings and talks from leading industry experts. Autograph books at the ready.

5. Dressage masterclass with Charlotte Dujardin

When is it? Thursday 5 October

What to expect: We’ve all dreamed of having a dressage lesson with Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin — and you can come pretty close at this year’s show with her masterclass, when Charlotte will put several riders through their paces whilst sharing some invaluable training tips and competition advice.

6. Atkinson Action Horses

When is it? The display takes place on every day of the show.What to expect: Prepare to be mind boggled by this latest display from the Atkinson Action Horses, aptly named ‘Limitless’, as they wow the crowds with a theatrical performance, showcasing an array of film stunts.

Continued below…

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Watch the Horse of the Year Show TV programme live from wherever you are

7. SEIB Search for a Star Championship

When is it? Friday 6 October

What to expect: We challenge you not to be inspired by the final for the SEIB Search for a Star series. Every amateur showing rider and producer dreams of riding at HOYS, and this is their moment…

8. Ruckleigh School Supreme Pony of the Year Championship and Ripon Select Foods Supreme Horse of the Year Championship

When are they? Sunday 8 October

What to expect: The show reaches a climax when the supreme horse and pony of the year are crowned and strut their stuff under that iconic spotlight. Who will be this year’s stars?

Haven’t bought a ticket yet? Visit hoys.co.uk

Don’t miss our full report from Horse of the Year Show, with expert analysis of all the action, in the 12 October 2017 issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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

Agile members of the Warwickshire hunt branch of the Pony Club were celebrating at

the weekend, after being crowned the mounted games winners at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Six teenagers from the area displayed their acrobatic and riding abilities in front of a cheering crowd in Birmingham to take the Prince Philip Cup for the first time.

The Warwickshire, who were runners-up last year, weaved and vaulted their way to one better on Sunday (12 October), clinching victory.

They narrowly beat mounted games

stalwarts Sir Watkin Williams Wynn’s.

More than 150 teams battled it out to qualify for HOYS but the Warwickshire hunt, the Eglington Hunt, West Hants, Wylye Valley and newcomers Romney Marsh — were the successful five.

The winning Warwickshire team was made up of Kieran Tuttiett,15, Isabella Holman-West,15, Zack Mallalieu, 15, Jess Wild,15, Ella Clark, 14, and Pete Fielding, 13.

“This has been the best week of my life — I have been training for it over the past eight years. I couldn’t have asked for any more from my pony, my team-mates and my trainer,” said Warwickshire rider Isabella Holman-West.

“To win this has made all our dreams come true.”

Team trainer Lisa Davis added: “We are absolutely over the moon, and the whole week has been wonderful from start to finish.

“The win means the world to the members, especially as some of them are coming towards the end of their Pony Club mounted games careers.”

The competition was first introduced by The Duke of Edinburgh in 1957, who suggested that Cavalry competitions could be adapted for young riders on ponies in a fun way.

Ros Slinger chairman of Pony Club mounted games told H&H the organisation was “very proud” of all of those taking part.

“Their astonishing riding skills were matched by their careful attention to the care of their ponies, tack and stables.

“The Prince Philip Cup continues to provide aspiration for our young members, who have ponies of no particular type, who put in so much dedication in order to fulfil their ambitions; well done to all of you, you were stars.”

To see more photos from mounted games at HOYS, visit our gallery.

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

Last year's Prince Philip Cup winners, Oakley Hunt (West) branch of the Pony Club, returned to HOYS this year to try to claim their 9th title. Unfortunately things didn't go quite according to plan. Find out what happened on the final day of the show...

The last early practice for the Oakley Hunt (West) team at HOYS was filled with mixed emotions. Cold, wet and tired, there was plenty of excitement ahead of the final day’s sessions, tempered by sadness that this was going to be Floss Bish-Jones’ last Prince Philip Cup competition as she is now out of the age group.

The rain really has put a damper on things all week and it has been difficult to keep things dry. Sky TV came to film us behind the scenes at lunchtime for the Game Changers programme and followed us through our afternoon session where we needed to qualify for Sunday evening’s final.

The team sang on the long walk down to the arena and were ready to give it their all. But it started to go wrong with a bending pole down in the 1st race and it never picked up from there… Stunned that they hadn’t qualified for the final in the evening, some tears were shed, but some talking and hugs soon put everything in perspective.

Although the team’s spirits were dampened like the weather, in true team and Pony Club spirit, they soon rallied around and tacked up the ponies to go to the arena for the final. The teams that haven’t qualified ride down, watch on foot and then ride in at the end for the presentations (pictured top).

Then it’s back to the stables for an hour before tacking up again to go to the arena for the finale. A selection of winners and riders from the week are there, like the King’s Troop and Ellen Whitaker. The Military Wives Choir sang Old Lang Syne and God Save The Queen, while everyone, including the children on ponies, join in hands crossed.

It’s a very emotional moment and one the children and parents will never forget. HOYS truly is the best week of our lives and Oakley Hunt (West) had an amazing time. Fingers crossed we will be back next year to do it all again.

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

Last year's Prince Philip Cup winners, Oakley Hunt (West) branch of the Pony Club, are returning to HOYS this year to try to claim their 9th title. You can follow the highs and lows of their competition with daily updates on HorseandHound.co.uk throughout the show

The heavy rain that hung around Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on Saturday made it really challenging to keep the ponies and children clean and dry. Typically this was the day we had a very important tack inspection

by Geoff Osbourne, vice president of HOYS, and Lady Howick (pictured right).

Mr Osbourne and Lady Howick have a reputation for being even more thorough than the King’s Troop are, so our tack was meticulously cleaned, ponies were washed and some stables had to be emptied and re-done as they were flooded by the rain. We came 2nd to Cheshire. Those points will go towards the cumulative total for the tack and turnout cup, which will be presented on Sunday evening.

Saturday afternoon was a free session for our team and the competition was won by Strathearn. Heading into the Saturday evening session we needed to accumulate a good number of points to ensure a place in the final on Sunday evening.

The pressure was on, but the team rode really well and managed to win the session — as the kids say, we did it “Oakley Style”! They collected 21 points from the session which gives us 51 in total.

In high spirits, the riders wanted to stay up and watch the puissance, but an early night was in order as it is a long and important day on Sunday. Fingers crossed all goes well.

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

Last year's Prince Philip Cup winners, Oakley Hunt (West) branch of the Pony Club, are returning to HOYS this year to try to claim their 9th title. You can follow the highs and lows of their competition with daily updates on HorseandHound.co.uk throughout the show

What a day it’s been!

We were woken by heavy rain at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) this morning, which eased just in time for our long walk in the dark to the arena for early morning practice.

Mid morning the mounted games sponsor Virbac came to talk to us about worming, which included a quiz. Then we prepared for the long day ahead as we had both an afternoon and evening session today in the Prince Phillip Cup.

In our 1st session this afternoon we finished 3rd after being eliminated in the new worm race again! (pictured above). The race involves collecting a worm by its head and placing it tail-first into a tall cylinder (the srynge). However if you catch the tail on the side of the cylinder and the head or body go in before the tail, you are eliminated. Unfortunately we can’t practice this race in between sessions here at HOYS, so we have to hope that we can get it right next time. Third time lucky we hope!

Then it was straight back to the stables for another inspection towards the tack and turnout cup at the end of the week. We had just enough time for a team briefing and a bite to eat before tacking up for this evening’s session.

It was throwing it down as we headed down to the arena. But maybe the rain was what we needed to wake us all up. All of the Oakley Hunt (West) team rode their socks off tonight.

Joseph made a special appearance dressed as an ostrich (some might say that’s better than being a worm!). After we’d finished the race a couple of the ostriches set about chasing the starter around the arena to the delight of the packed crowd.

But the best bit was we won this evening’s session, so we have picked up some important points ahead of tomorrow.

Fingers crossed those pesky worms manage to behave next time!

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

Last year's Prince Philip Cup winners, Oakley Hunt (West) branch of the Pony Club, are returning to HOYS this year to try to claim their 9th title. You can follow the highs and lows of their competition with daily updates on HorseandHound.co.uk throughout the show

After a slightly disappointing start to the mounted games competitions at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on Wednesday afternoon, the evening session was a much better result for Oakley Hunt (West) as we shared a win with Poole and Warwickshire.

This ignited the team’s fighting spirit ahead of the final of the Virbac 3D Worming Cup final this (Thursday) afternoon.

With temperatures dropping down to 4 degrees last night, it was even harder to get up at 4am this morning. A couple of the children even got into their parents’ beds for warmth in the night. The ponies were warm and cosy in their stables though. And everyone soon got warmed up at early morning practise when they practised the little sack race.

While the children went back to bed, it was time for the parents to clean tack and the stables again.

The Virbac 3D Worming Cup didn’t go quite our way — there were 3 teams eliminated in the worm race and we were one of them, which was very upsetting. One of our worms didn’t make it into the syringe tail first we think. Despite this we finished 3rd, with Warwickshire winning the title.

Then it was straight back to the stables for a tack inspection by the King’s Troop. This was a very tough inspection — Joseph as 6th man was quizzed in the tackroom about the horses, tack cleaning, feeding and about his other equestrian activities.

The fight is on now for the Prince Philip Cup tomorrow. Wish us luck!

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

Last year's Prince Philip Cup winners, Oakley Hunt (West) branch of the Pony Club, are returning to HOYS this year to try to claim their 9th title. You can follow the highs and lows of their competition with daily updates on HorseandHound.co.uk throughout the show

Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) must be the only place where you are woken at 4.30am by horses walking around a car park waiting to go to the arena for a warm up.

That was our alarm call this morning. It was still dark, but the team didn’t mind because today is the first day of competition for the Virbac 3D Worming Cup.

There are 2 mounted games competitions held at HOYS. The Virbac 3D Worming Cup, which runs during Wednesday/Thursday afternoon, and the Prince Philip Cup, which begins on Thursday afternoon and has it’s final on Sunday evening.

Our early morning practise session gave the teams just 2 chances to practise each of the new games, which are in this afternoon’s competition. It was hard because the inflatable cup kept falling of the HOYS pyramid and the sharp shooters race had changed from a target to knock over to a net, which requires a different type of throwing to be learnt.

Once back at the stables, the parents cleaned ponies and tack, while the children went back to bed for a few hours sleep. Then they had the chance to meet the King’s Troop, who are performing during the show, before a quick warm up ahead for our 1st session.

The adrenalin kicks in as soon as you go into the Andrew Bowen International Arena and it’s time to focus on each race. The 1st round could have been better, but we finished 3rd and hope to improve on that tonight ahead of the cumulative results tomorrow afternoon.

We also had our first official tack and turnout inspection this afternoon. It required a speedy return to the stables to make sure the ponies, their tack and stables were immaculate. Our ‘worm’ Joseph went for the fitting for his outfit and thinks he will be able to run fast. Fingers crossed he is right!

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

Last year's Prince Philip Cup winners, Oakley Hunt (West) branch of the Pony Club, are returning to HOYS this year to try to claim their 9th title. You can follow the highs and lows of their competition with daily updates on HorseandHound.co.uk throughout the show

Tuesday morning was relatively relaxed for the Oakley Hunt (West) Prince Philip Cup team. The atmosphere was buzzing when we got into the Andrew Bowen International Arena at Horse of the Year Show to have a quick practice and rehearse the entrance through the purple curtains. This helps to get the ponies used to the lights and music.

With all our ponies coping well, and the team’s levels of excitment reaching fever point, it was back to the stables to cool down and wait for the vetting.

During the vetting, the ponies’ passports are checked to ensure their vaccinations are up to date, then trotted up and back to ensure they are sound. It is always a tense time, even though you know everything is all right. Everyone just want to be passed and get it over with!

The trainers’ briefing in the afternoon brought a flurry of conversation as some of the games we have been practicing all year were changed… Our trainer Angie Gates organised a team briefing to talked the riders through the changes and we practiced a few in the car park without ponies.

The other stables and car parks were starting to fill up as the day went on — there were scurry ponies whizzing past, as the showing ponies poked their funny hooded heads out of the long line of stables.

Finally it was time for the presentation of the coloured sweatshirts the team will ride in and our sponsor’s tracksuits. At this party all the teams do an introduction party piece in front of the other teams. It is hilarious.

Our team sang their own lyrics about each of the Oakley team members and our ponies to the flipper ballet from Mamma Mia! They wore onsies because they didn’t want to perform in swim wear in October. Then it was time for some quizzes and games, which ended with teams having a set time to dress their trainer as the best worm using only loo roll! We came 4th after much deliberation…

Then it was time for an early night ahead of a 5am start for Wednesday practice.

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

Last year's Prince Philip Cup winners, Oakley Hunt (West) branch of the Pony Club, are returning to HOYS this year to try to claim their 9th title. You can follow the highs and lows of their competition with daily updates on HorseandHound.co.uk throughout the show

Yesterday there was great excitement as we drove the Oakley Hunt (West) lorries in convoy towards Birmingham looking out for the NEC signs. HOYS, here we come!

On arrival at the HOYS stables, the Dads and team helpers were already busy building the team’s tack room (pictured top) — putting up saddle rack, building feed bins, bucket holders and hanging baskets.

After taking the ponies for a graze and stretch of their legs, we were finally able to put them in their stables to settle in. Then it was all hands on deck to unpack the lorries and the tack room was quickly filled with the team’s new rugs, headcollars and kit.

Next it was time for the children to be weighed in and have their boots checked. Prince Philip Cup competition has strict rules about the weight of riders that ponies of certain heights are allowed to carry and boots must have smooth soles for safety reasons. All of the riders were also checked to ensure no-one was wearing earings or nail varnish — including Joseph!

By this point the adults were all ready for a well-earned drink, while the team got to know the other teams and had a sneak peak at the main arena.

After such a busy day, it was time for an early night ahead of an early practise session and vetting in for the ponies on Tuesday morning. It’s busy, busy in Birmingham and the show hasn’t even started yet!

Meet the Oakley Hunt (West) PPC team

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Last night the Oakley Hunt (West) Prince Philip Cup (PPC) team had their final practise before heading off to Birmingham at the start of next week. Everything went according to plan, the children are all very excited and can’t wait for HOYS to get underway.

It’s a mammoth task to get all the ponies, children, helpers and kit to HOYS. Luckily the more experienced parents in the team have everything running like clockwork. We will be heading up to Birmingham en-mass with 5 lorries on Monday. The children and their parents will be staying in the lorries during the week so there is a lot of paraphernalia to pack.

The Sky Sports team visited us at Tim Stockdale’s yard on Wednsday to film a practise session for a future episode of the Saturday morning programme ‘Game Changers’, which the pony club is going to feature in.

The children’s nerves about being filmed were soon dispelled once the team got on board and started practising. All of the ponies had been recently clipped ahead of HOYS, so they were quite fresh and speedy, which made it extra entertaining.

Then our team trainer, Angie Gates, and each of the riders were interviewed individually about their hopes and ambitions for the future. There were a few giggles and afterwards they couldn’t stop chattering about their interviews.

So there are just a couple of days to go before the fun finally gets underway. We’ll be keeping readers up to date with daily updated throughout the show. Wish us luck and hopefully we can lift the Prince Philip Cup once again.

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Last year's Prince Philip Cup winners, Oakley Hunt (West) branch of the Pony Club, are returning to HOYS this year to try to claim their 9th title. You can follow the highs and lows with daily updates on HorseandHound.co.uk throughout the show. Let's meet the team...

Last year’s Prince Philip Cup (PPC) winners, Oakley Hunt (West), are returning to Birmingham this year to defend their title. Having won this highly competitive and prestigious title 8 times to date, this is the 22nd time the club has qualified for HOYS.

Last year’s team members Floss Bish-Jones, Sammi Garrett, Sally Kitchiner and Amie Eales are joined by Philly Stacey and Joe Stockdale (eldest son of elite showjumper Tim Stockdale). Former team trainer for the past 18 years, Maureen Thomas, retired after last year’s success, so the club has a new trainer for 2013, Angie Gates.

Team trainer: Angie Gates

Angie was part of the winning Oakley Hunt (West) PPC team at HOYS in 1980 and graced the cover of Horse & Hound (right) in 1981 with her pony Sovereign. Angie has been involved in the sport as a parent for more than 9 years, with two of Angie’s sons, Christopher and Harry, representing the club in PPC competitions. Harry was a member of the winning team in 2011 and 2012. Angie is also aunt to Sally and Thomas Kitchiner, who were both on the winning team in 2011 and 2012, so she is full of experience from all angles.

Floss Bish-Jones, 15

Floss made her HOYS debut in last year’s winning team, but this year will be her last chance to compete in PPC due to the upper age limit being 15. She describes last year’s win as “a dream come true”. Floss is riding Angie Gates’ palomino mare Livvy. It will be Livvy’s 3rd year at HOYS — she was part of the 2011 and 2012 winning teams so is going for a hat-trick. Livvy is a brilliant escapologist so her stable door needs to be very carefully secured, otherwise she will let herself out!

Floss is at St Mary’s Ascot boarding school and is currently preparing for her GCSE mock exams while counting down the days to HOYS. She represents the school in rounders and hockey. Floss has also represented Oakley Hunt (West) at area level showjumping, prix caprilli and tetrathlon.

“The build up to HOYS is so exciting,” says Floss, “especially when all the team kit starts to arrive. There are matching team tracksuits, T-shirts and hoodies and the ponies have matching rugs, numnahs and browbands.

“HOYS is the best week, but I hope I don’t end up being the back end of a cow this year!”

Sammi Garret, 14

Sammi has been part of the Oakley PPC team for more than 8 years and this will be her 3rd time at HOYS. A member of last year’s winning team, Sammi will be riding the “pocket rocket” Lucy Locket again this year. Lucy Locket is the smallest pony in the team at just 12.1hh, but she is extremely quick. Lucy Locket has been to HOYS 4 times and loves the lap of honour. “She trots until the music starts, then breaks into canter, which sometimes turns into a gallop,” explains Sammi, who says her purple HOYS Champion’s rug is her most treasured possession.

Sammi is in Year 10 at Princess Helena College in Hertfordshire. Sammi has been fitting in practising for HOYS around GCSE field trips and doing her Duke of Edinburgh bronze award. She also loves playing sport, especially lacrosse, netball and rounders. A GSCE photogrpahy student, Sammi took photos at Pony Club Camp this year to help raise funds towards the team’s kit.

Sally Kitchiner, 13

Sally has been competing in Pony Club mounted games since she was 4 years old and was part of winning team with Nipper in 2011 and 2012. Nipper is a HOYS veteran, having competed at the show an incredible 10 times. While having ridden some amazing ponies, Sally thinks Nipper has to be one of the best because of his cheeky personality and the wonderful bond they have together. Sally says: “I couldn’t wish for a better partner than Nipper.”

When Sally is not riding she enjoys sport, particularly athletics. Sally’s other love is music — she writes and sings her own songs. She attends her local upper school, Harlington, in Bedfordshire.

Amie Eales, 14

Amie’s love of mounted games started from a very young age. Last year she was the non-riding reserve at HOYS which meant she had to dress up as a worm in a sleeping bag and be pushed along in a wheelbarrow! This year she is fulfilling her ambition to ride at HOYS. Amie will be riding a 13.3hh bay mare called Magic. Amie says: “Magic whinnies when she hears me coming and we love going on long hacks together.”

Amie attends her local village school, Wootton Upper in Bedfordshire. When she isn’t riding, she enjoys walking her dogs and listening to music — her favourites are One Direction, Lawson and Union J.

Philly Stacey, 15

Philly is a newcomer to Prince Philip Cup having become the 5th member of the team earlier this season. She qualified for HOYS at the zone finals in July after competing in the sport for just 5 weeks. She will be riding Alison Kitchiner’s Flicker, who was on last year’s winning team with Thomas Kitchiner. This will be Flicka’s 5th time at HOYS.

Philly’s other equestrian love is showjumping and her past successes include 2nd Pony Club open Dengie final in 2012, 4th individual intermediate showjumping at the 2012 Pony Club Championships and the Hickstead junior schools team title in 2011. A music scholar at Stowe boarding school, Philly also loves sport. She has recently been selected for the U17s Southern Region Lacrosse team and has competed at county level hockey for Bucks and Northants.

Joseph (Joe) Stockdale, 14

The elder son of showjumper Tim Stockdale, Joe has been recalled into the Oakley Hunt West PPC team this year after spending the past 5 years concentrating on other equestrian sports. Having been somewhat out of practice, Joe admits he tries not to get on a pony at speed these days and is hoping not to do himself a mischief while vaulting on!

Joe has represented the Oakley Hunt (West) in tetrathlon and showjumping, which is clearly in his blood. He has had a good season showjumping this year, winning several opens, and is planning to pinch some of his Dad’s rides in the not too distant future. Joe’s other love is cricket, which he plays for Northants.

Stay in touch with Oakley Hunt (West) branch of the Pony Club’s highs and lows during HOYS with the team’s daily diary on HorseandHound.co.uk

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The Oakley Hunt West branch of the Pony Club celebrated its eighth win in the Prince Philip Cup final at Horse of the Year Show on Sunday (7 October).

The team won the Mounted Games final on a total of 114 points – 18 points clear of Strathearn in second.

The team was made up of Florence Bish-Jones (14), Harry Gates (15), Thomas Kitchiner (15), Sally Kitchiner (13), Samantha Garrett (13) and Aimy Eales (reserve).

Six Pony Club teams – Oakley Hunt (West), Cheshire Hunt (North), Strathearn, Poole and District, Angus and for the first time Old Berkeley Hunt (North) – went forward to the final at HOYS, after battling it out at the Zone Finals around the country during the summer.

And after 17 years, branch trainer Maureen Thomas, or ‘Mo’ is now retiring.

“This year was very special for me” said Maureen. “I was very proud of the way the team rode and so grateful to them for such a good result.

“I am now looking forward to visiting HOYS 2013 as a spectator.”

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The Oakley Hunt West branch of the Pony Club was celebrating this weekend after coming away from the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) as the winners of the Prince Philip Cup.

The winning mounted games team was made up of Aimee Russell, Jenna Privett, Harry Gates, Thomas Kitchiner, Sally Kitchiner and reserve Samantha Garrett. They are trained by Maureen Thomas.

The Oakley Hunt West has won the Prince Philip Cup seven times -and last celebrated in 2008.

They won this year on 122 points – 12 points clear of the second placed Strathearn Branch.

“This year’s Prince Philip Cup Final was most enjoyable, and it was great to meet the Strathearn Branch team on their first visit to HOYS,” said Ms Thomas.

“All of the teams got on very well and the Oakley Hunt West are especially close-knit as three of the team members are cousins. Our District Commissioner has alwaysbeen a keen supporter, and as it is her 30th year in office, winning is not a bad way to celebrate.”

Six Pony Club Branch teams – Oakley Hunt West, Devon and Somerset, Orkney, Cheshire Hunt North, Strathearn and Rockwood Harriers – went forward to the final at HOYS after battling it out at the zone finals around the country during thesummer.

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Members of the Devon and Somerset branch of the Pony Club celebrated at the weekend after winning the final of the Prince Philip Cup at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The winning mounted games team was made up of Scarlett Cooksley, Rory Capel, Zoey Cape, Tom McCanlis, Matthew Seabourne and reserve Anna Weatherlake.

Six Pony Club branch teams — the Badsworth Hunt, Berwyn and Dee, Devon and Somerset, Oakley Hunt (West), Orkney and Rockwood Harriers all went forward to the final at HOYS after battling it out at the Zone Finals around the country during the summer.

Devon and Somerset finished third last year but it was a first win for the branch.

And in the end there was just one point in it, with Devon and Somerset finishing on 104 points and beating 2008 winners Oakley Hunt (West) on 103 points.

“We are in utter shock” said Devon and Somerset team trainer Bella Capel.

“It’s been a fantastic week, all of the teams have ridden so well. It was a real battle right until the end”.

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