The working hunter pony (WHP) classes are some of the most popular on the showing circuit today. They are an all-round test of both pony and rider, with the judges assessing not only type, suitability, conformation, paces and manners, but also accurate and stylish jumping ability.
This feature covers everything you need to know if you’re thinking about having a go at working hunter pony classes, or you’ve already started and want to know more.
We’ve included:
- History of the working hunter pony class
- What makes a good working hunter pony
- Correct turnout
- Class format
- Fence heights
- Who can compete?
- Prestigious finals
History of the working hunter pony classes
These classes first began at local shows and gymkhanas in the 1960s. As they gained popularity, they came under the umbrella of showing societies, such as the British Show Pony Society (BSPS), who first published rules to regulate the section in 1970.
“The working hunter pony class evolved from replicating a day’s hunting, when you would arrive at the meet well turned-out and on a smart animal that is mannerly in company,” says BSPS judge and WHP team chef d’equipe Philip Hilton.
The track at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) closely emulates the class’ roots on hunting field, as the ring is slightly sloping and undulating, and includes natural obstacles. This makes it an extremely popular goal.
The Ryder-Phillips’ Young Dragonara was a phenomenally successful 15hh (153cm) working hunter pony of his era and was twice section champion at HOYS (1994 and 1996). Credit: H&H Archive
Nowadays, separate WHP classes exist for plaited and native ponies, but some — particularly the Welsh section B, New Forest and Connemara — can often double up and compete successfully in both sections.
As plaited pony classes are age restricted, the introduction of the mountain and moorland (M&M) WHP classes means that adults can enjoy competing ponies in these classes, too, provided they are suitably mounted on an appropriately registered pony. These classes are often some of the largest classes at qualifying shows for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), growing in popularity year on year since their introduction there in 1992.
M&M WHP classes are extremely popular, and allow adults to enjoy riding ponies, too. Credit: Peter Nixon
What makes a good working hunter pony?
Working hunter ponies should possess qualities that are recognised in the hunting field. These include good manners, ground-covering movement and a bold jumping style. A WHP should be a scaled down middleweight hunter and have the same quality, while also having plenty of bone and substance.
Judges look for combinations a bold, consistent jumping style that are going forward in a balanced rhythmical canter and meeting each fence without a break of stride. They also look for good conformation, a calm and obedient temperament, and harmony between pony and rider.
We’ve put together some advice on how to buy a working hunter pony.
Working hunter pony turnout
Working hunter ponies should be shown with manes plaited and with quarter marks, similar to show hunters. Native workers are shown with their manes and tails trimmed – or untrimmed – as is allowed by their respective breed society and without quarter marks, which is the same as in a flat class for natives.
Native workers are shown with their manes and tails trimmed – or untrimmed – as is allowed by their respective breed society and without quarter marks, as expected in a flat class for natives.
Tack for working hunter pony classes
Many riders choose to ride in specific working hunter pony saddles, which are designed to be a halfway house between a show saddle that best shows off a pony’s conformation. But you can also ride in your usual jumping or GP saddle, providing it is plain leather with no bling or bright colours on.
Beat The Boss and Polly Eddis are beautifully turned out in the supreme championship at the Royal International. Credit: Peter Nixon
Bridles should be plain, too – no diamanté browbands. Grackle nosebands, flash nosebands and martingales are allowed in WHP classes.
Unlike flat show classes, brushing boots are allowed on the forelimbs only, but they must be plain black or brown and must not have elasticated straps. Plain overreach boots are also acceptable, but rarely used. All boots must be removed after jumping and before your performing your show.
You can also use appropriate studs if you feel your horse or pony would benefit from them.
In native classes, stallions can compete, but should wear a stallion badge on their bridle to alert other riders to their presence.
Brooke Pickering demonstrates correct dress for working hunter pony classes. Credit: Steve Dawe
What to wear for working hunter pony classes
For WHP classes, wear tweed. Brown or green tweed show jackets are most common and always looks smart. Be warned that while choosing your jacket, bold tweeds can be frowned upon by some judges so it’s usually best to stick to plain or a subtler check. Navy jackets are usually worn in championship classes.
As the WHP are rooted in the hunting field, think along traditional lines and aim for a smart, workmanlike appearance, and steer away from bling on ties, hats or the tops of sticks.
Wear plain gloves (preferably brown) and, if you need to, carry a plain black or brown stick, but make sure you check the rules for your class regarding sticks as they do vary.
Riders on ponies under 143cm traditionally wear short brown jodhpur boots with jodhpur clips, but nowadays it’s generally not frowned upon to wear plain black long riding boots with no bling, especially for adults in mountain and moorland WHP classes.
Hats can be peaked or a skull cap with a navy, brown or dark green velvet silk. Just make sure your hat is up to standard – here is our guide on what to wear in showing classes for more information.
Some societies, such as the BSPS, also stipulate that you must wear body protectors for their classes during the jumping phase. Most riders wear them over their jacket as you are generally permitted to take them off for the second two phases of competition if you wish.
Make sure you read the guidance carefully to make sure that your body protector is up to standard and please note that there are also specific rules relating to the wearing of air jackets, so check the relevant rule books if you wish to wear one.
- BSPS rulebook
- BSPS/LIHS working sports pony/ showing series guide
- BSPS Burghley Gold Cup rulebook
- HOYS rulebook
- NPS/RIHS M&M guide
Working hunter pony class format
A WHP class consists of three phases – jump, show and conformation. The maximum score for all three phases is 100, and only in a championship do the judges confer.
2025 Royal International working hunter pony champions Noble Banksy and Ruby Ward make light work of a bullfinch. Credit: Equinational
Phase 1: Jumping
In this phase, combinations are expected to tackle a set of rustic fences and obstacles designed to emulate what they may have historically encountered on the hunting field, such as a bullfinch, a pen or a water tray. The classes can be held on grass or on a surface and may include natural obstacles where available such as a bank, ditch or small hedge.
Usually, there is at least one double to negotiate, but the smaller divisions designed for children will have lesser obstacles – such as no water tray – and less combination fences to tackle.
Generally, there are 50 marks available for a clear round with marks deducted for stops and poles, as in other disciplines. There are an additional 20 marks that are allocated for style.
The second phase is an individual show. Credit: Lucy Merrell
Phase 2: Show
The second phase is a show. Nowadays, for the swift running of classes, the individual show is usually judged in a small ring adjacent to the jumping ring. Here, a second judge will assess a pony’s way of going and manners in a short show.
Usually, you stand before the judge, move off in walk, then trot, complete a figure of eight with a canter on each rein, give a short extension, before making your way back down through the paces to stand again and give a salute to the judge. You can make up 10 marks here.
Phase 3: Conformation
This your final phase, and 20 marks are available. Here, you will present your pony in-hand without its saddle or boots, so that the judge can assess your pony’s conformation.
The judge may ask questions before assessing your pony stood still and then walking away and trotting back towards them.
Once all three phases have been completed by every competitor, all combinations eligible and hopeful of a placing re-enter the arena and line up ready for placings to be announced. At this point, it’s important that your pony walks in and stands still in a mannerly fashion. While not marked formally, judges will be reluctant to award high – especially qualifying places – to badly behaved ponies and such ponies can be asked to leave the ring disqualified.
Placings are usually called forward using the competitor’s back number, so know yours in advance and listen for it carefully.
How big are working hunter pony fences?
One of the principal benefits of competing in classes affiliated to one of the societies is that the course will have been designed by a recognised course builder, and is unlikely to be oversized or “trappy”, which can often happen at local unaffiliated shows. Courses for HOYS and RIHS qualifiers will always be slightly more difficult and built up to height.
There are now variations between the societies and the major finals, so for a full accurate list of fence heights, consult the society rule books:
- BSPS rulebook
- BSPS/ LIHS working sports pony/ showing series guide
- BSPS Burghley Gold Cup rulebook
- HOYS rulebook
- NPS/RIHS M&M guide
Who can compete?
Plaited working hunter pony classes
Plaited working hunter pony classes are age restricted, with age dependent on the height of the pony.
- Cradle stakes – ponies under 122cm
- Nursery stakes – ponies under 133cm
- Under 143cm
- Under 153cm
- Intermediates – up to 158cm for riders under 25
At the very beginning of their workers careers, competitors under eight years old can compete in “tiny tots” sections at many area and society championship shows.
The smallest ponies and children compete in cradle stakes, with ponies under 122cm high. Next up are the nursery stakes, with ponies under 133cm. There are finals for both these competitions at Hickstead and London International, but not at HOYS. Both these finals are run under BSPS rules.
Once a little older and more experienced, children can compete their 133cm pony in open classes for their heights, and this is where things get a little more complex as the ages differ for competitors aiming for Hickstead or London compared to those aiming for HOYS.
Regardless, once out of the 133cm division, children can move up onto 143cm ponies, and later, 153cm animals before finally, intermediates capped at 158cms for riders under 25.
M&M working hunter pony classes
In native ranks, there are again tiny tots classes, but for those aiming for Royal International, there are four height divisions to cater for the different breeds. At HOYS, however, there’s an added junior class for riders under 12 years old and ponies under 122cm.
The major societies will run novice classes across the same divisions for both plaiteds and natives. In addition, as you work towards qualifying standard, the BSPS and NPS run training classes that are divided by the height of fences rather than height of ponies, and there is no requirement for a show or conformation section.
Prestigious finals to aim for
There are a range of classes for all abilities from novice to open for all heights and ages. But there are a handful of more prestigious and coveted finals for open combinations to aim for, such as the WHP of the year final at HOYS and the RIHS WHP championship. If you’re aiming to qualify for one of these, make sure that you read the rule books carefully to ensure that you have the correct memberships in place, and you – or your child – are of the correct age to compete, as there are variations in rules.
Twice HOYS working hunter pony champion, Noble Peppermint went one better in 2022 to stand supreme pony champion ridden by Elsie Lynch. Credit: Peter Nixon
Desert Orchid at the BSPS summer championships
This is always an extremely challenging course where heights and widths of fences are usually bigger than those in other championships; just to jump clear is considered a major achievement and in fact, earns an bonus 20 marks. Historically, this was only open to plaited ponies, but there is now a native section, too.
Gold Cup at Burghley
Seasoned WHP young riders also aim for the “Gold Cup”, which is run by the BSPS and the Pony Club, and has a final at Burghley International Horse Trials. It does not follow a traditional working hunter pony class format, but the inclusion of a rustic set of fences similar to that seen on the workers circuit makes it an appealing challenge for these competitors.
London International
Similarly, WHP enthusiasts are offered the opportunity to compete at London International via the BSPS’ increasingly popular working sports pony classes, which now include classes for children and adults, including smaller children still on the lead rein.
Successful WHP Star Smokey and Leela Wheelwright take a winning turn and claim the WHP championship during the 2019 Royal Windsor Horse Show. Credit: Peter Nixon
Royal Windsor
You don’t have to qualify to compete at Royal Windsor, but many riders in the native and plaited WHP classes enjoy the challenge of tackling the usually testing track here, especially as it’s hosted on such an iconic show-ground.
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