Paul Cook takes over the chairman role from Pat Pattinson, who stepped down from the position after 11 years of service.
Paul has been a lifelong member of the BSPS and he steps up to the role having served as national vice-chairman and championship show vice-chairman. Chairman of area chairmen and chairman of BSPS Area 1A, Joanne Pybus, will stand as the BSPS’s new vice-chairman as well as the chairman of the judges’ assessment.
“The society has managed to evolve and grow over the past few years in uncertain times and we want to continue to build on this success,” said Paul. “I’ve worked with Joanne a lot and we have a strong team with several new members on the council. We do have some areas to address in showing, particularly around ensuring that breeders of show hunter ponies and show ponies are being supported and how we ensure we’re as inclusive as possible. We also want to ensure the breed standards of mountain and moorland ponies are maintained despite the fact that they’ve become increasingly versatile and popular choices.
“Finally, we want to be a society that is upfront with our members. We want to listen to their opinions and tell them everything that we’re doing. We’re moving forward to address areas, such as the need for more novice working hunter ponies to come up through the ranks, through new initiatives such as the Winter Worker Stakes series.”
“We want to give every single rider the aspiration and opportunity to ride at the big shows such as Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International.”
Joanne added: “I’m very excited to be vice-chairman and also chairman of judges’ assessment. I hope to really help to be a part of continuing to move the society forward in the future.”
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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.
