The National Pony Society (NPS) is launching a new in-hand show at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre in Cheshire on 18-19 September.
The Great British In Hand Show has been developed in response to a “demand from competitors for a special event celebrating the very best of our native pony breeds and British riding pony, as well as hacks and riding horses”.
“Kelsall Hill is a fabulous new venue for showing and has just undergone a massive expansion and refurbishment programme,” said a spokesperson from the NPS. “Hosting this new show at a new venue will add an extra layer of interest as competitors discover the new facilities including a huge, beautifully finished indoor arena that will host the evening performance. Sponsors and spectators will be able to take advantage of a ringside dining option allowing them to get up close to the action.
“No matter if you are a producer with a large string or have one pony you produce from home, there are championships to give everyone a chance to shine in the spotlight. The evening performance will also crown a champion home-produced pony and a champion owner-bred pony.”
The main event will be the NPS supreme in-hand pony of the year. Ponies qualify for this evening championship by either coming through the breed classes during the day or by winning their semi-final. The semi-finals are open to ponies that have won an NPS silver medal during the 2021 season or who were breed champions at the 2021 NPS summer championship show.
On the second day, the first NPS arena eventing challenge finals will take place. These finals will combine an assessment of paces, jumping ability and suitability to event. Both British riding ponies and native breeds are eligible.
Qualifying rounds will be held around the country at NPS area shows, existing arena eventing venues and at international three-day events.
In addition there will be qualifying rounds held for the 2022 summer championships in a variety of working hunter pony sections.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
