2024 RIHS M&M supreme mini championship results

Thistledown Princess Letizia and Charlotte Clarke, mini M&M championship winners.

(Image credit: Alex Robinson)

A tiny rider and her ultimate first ridden pony captured the hearts of the judges en route to the 2024 RIHS BSPS Heritage M&M supreme mini championship at the 2024 Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).

Seven-year-old Charlotte Knight and her mother Jamie Clarke’s Welsh section A mare Thistledown Princess Letizia (Lu Lu) headed a mammoth first ridden field on what was their debut at the Hickstead final as a duo.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the Paris Olympics, Royal International, Burghley and more 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

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

TOPICS

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.

‘She’s one in a million’: Royal International glory for tiny rider and her perfect mare

Lu Lu, who is by Thistledown Esteem, is produced by mini queen Sharn Linney. She has only been partnered with Charlotte since February, when she was purchased from family friend Laura Long.

They won two RIHS qualifying championships at UK Ponies and Horses Spring Classic, where they were also reserve mini supreme, and at BSPS Area 7.

Charlotte rode at the RIHS for the first time in 2023 aboard the family’s home-produced lead rein Thistledown Magpie.

“Lu Lu went straight to Sharn’s yard when she arrived with us and ever since then we’ve just had the best time with her,” said Charlotte. “She’s one in a million who just keeps on giving.”

Producer Sharn said: “She’s got a big personality, but she has a heart of gold, and she has the best partnership with Charlotte; they have really gelled together.”

Reserve fell to the second placed lead-rein pony, Naomi Bradwell’s Welsh section A Glebedale Silver Dot, piloted by Naomi’s granddaughter Scarlett Smith and handled by his co-producer Adam Forster.

The typey grey gelding, novice supreme at the BSPS winter championships, is just a five-year-old, but he’s already bound for HOYS after standing champion at North of England summer show.

You may also be interested to read…

‘Stay on the ball’: are you an amateur heading to the RIHS with a hunter? Meet your judge

‘He’s a super type’: part-bred Connemara commands attention to win Royal International title

‘I absolutely love him!’ Tiny rider and Polo-loving pony take top Hickstead title

Amateurs at the Royal International – Connemara lifts his third Hickstead title, with home-produced Fell in reserve