We expect to hear that many riders, producers, horses and even stewards have busy schedules at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), but perhaps we don’t expect that some of the judges do, too. One such judge is Margaret Hopkins, who will officiate in four sections. She will assess the ride element in the amateur maxi cobs, the hacks and the working show horses, and will be judging the conformation phase in the intermediate working hunter pony.
Margaret Hopkins’ background in horses
“I’m not from a particularly horsey family,” says Margaret. “But I was brought up in Gloucestershire in a very horsey area.
“I’m the eldest of three sisters, and we bullied our parents into getting us a pony. We were very lucky that we had people around us who encouraged us to have a go at everything.”
As a result of this encouragement, the sisters attended Pony Club and from there, showjumped, evented, and rode in point-to-points among other things.
“And I was lucky enough to have hunted with many packs all over the country from an early age.
“I was competitive, but now I prefer the training and producing of young horses to make them become the best horses they can be in whatever field they are in.”
Margaret’s job – stable manager on the Badminton Estate – has her engage in a host of equestrian activities.
“Anything horsey that happens on the estate is in my remit,” explains Margaret.
Consequently, there’s never a dull moment in this varied role, from preparing the family’s hunters in winter, to the Badminton Horse Trials, a host of Pony Club and other events and rallies.
She also keeps her own band of broodmares, aiming to breed quality all rounders.
“I enjoy being able to ride others’ horses – it’s a privilege – and it’s a pleasure going to shows and looking at some lovely horses and seeing what’s out there.”
When it comes to judging highlights, Margaret says that she’s always enjoyed officiating at the Great Yorkshire Show.
“It attracts some of the best producers and horses, and the rings are amazing,” explains Margaret, “and you’re taken care of with some good Yorkshire hospitality.”
What will Margaret be looking for as a judge?
“The last thing I look at is whether a horse is on the bit as so many are over bridled and behind the bit,” she says.
When it comes to the hacks, Margaret says that a hack must have abundant presence.
“They need to draw the eye; they are the Kate Moss of the showing world. They need to have a good and supple walk, be light in the hand and have a soft, supple way of going and appear to give a comfortable ride.”
Margaret will expect to find a maxi cob that has a “purposeful and workmanlike” way of going.
“You granny, grandad or anybody should be able to ride them and them remain the same – going forwards, looking through the bridle with active paces.
“I don’t like roly cobs. They tend not to move as well the heavier they are, but they should nevertheless sit up and go through the bridle and travel forward without being on the forehand.”
Despite a cob’s heavier build, Margaret expects that they are “not on the forehand – they should be uphill and not heavy through the shoulder; the power should still come from behind.”
Once on board, Margaret expects that whatever she is riding, the horse should take her forwards and be well balanced, and quick off her aids, both upwards and downwards through the gears.
She also explains that ordinarily, she would “forgive a wrong leg once on a young or novice horse, providing it comes back to trot and strikes off again correctly.”
However, in a hack, this is unacceptable.
“I would penalise that in a hack class,” she says. “I feel a hack, you should just sit and think canter, and it should take you. You shouldn’t need to position a hack too much.”
In the working show horse class, Margaret and her co-judge Sarah Coward will assess each combination’s jumping round together, before she assesses the ride and Sarah casts an eye over each exhibit’s conformation.
“In these classes, we tend to see a mixed bunch in terms of the types of horses, and you have to be careful that you award style marks fairly and accordingly. For example, a riding horse type might be able to jump the fences naturally and show a lot of scope. On the other hand, it’s not often that you see a cob that jumps with a lot of scope, but a cob that jumps with a correct jump and a good technique deserves to be scored highly.
“The style marks here are where there is the greatest room for difference.”
As combinations tackle the course Margaret expects: “A forward rhythm and a good canter, and that the horse should be able to keep coming to the fence in that rhythm and canter.
“And I like to see the horse is actually enjoying itself, too – especially with the cobs as when they come in and give it their best shot, they put a smile on your face.”
Finally, Margaret will be taking a close look at the conformation of the intermediate working hunter ponies.
“In this class, I’ll be looking for something that is not too light in its frame with good quality limbs, not too closed behind, and a straight mover. I also don’t want to see too many lumps and bumps. That said, I’ll forgive a small splint in a working hunter pony and wouldn’t expect that limbs are as clean as a hacks due to their job.
“For me, curbs are a ‘no-no’ as you assume if a horse has a curb, then it’s weak in its hindleg. I also don’t want to see a horse that is too straight in its hindleg as the hindleg is vital to get them off the ground. I want rounded hindquarters with power in them.”
Bethan joined Horse & Hound as showing editor in January 2025, after spending two years as Editor for Showing World. Having adored ponies since childhood, she started showing as a teenager and has enjoyed wins at major shows up and down the country, including Royal Highland, New Forest, and the Royal Welsh, as well as HOYS, RIHS and London. She is particularly passionate about Welsh breeds and is also a Welsh language commentator.
