The qualifiers for the coloured classes at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) are among the most popular and the finals are always well supported on the show’s opening day (21 July). Four judges have been appointed to sort through competitors. Lauren Brill and Jo Jefferson will preside over the horse classes, and Lesley Bradfield and Nathan Arnold will sort through the ponies.
Later in the day, Jo and Nathan will be the ones putting the lucky few through their paces to decide the championships. Here, Nathan gives us insight into his background, his judging experience, and – crucially for competitors and onlookers – what he is looking for in the ring.
Meet the judge: Nathan Arnold
Nathan started riding at the age of 12.
“My dad was a lighthouse keeper stationed at the time on the Isles of Scilly so I started riding at a local riding school nearby,” says Nathan.
The family moved back to Kent then to Cornwall where friends kept horses and his passion for them grew.
Once he left school, Nathan worked in hunt yards and for friends then began riding competitively at around the age of 21.
“It just happened. Some friends asked me to ride and compete their horses and that’s where it began,” he says.
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He then produced show horses in his own right on a yard in Cornwall, based on the outskirts of Truro.
From there he and Brett McKinnon proved a competitive force, as with horses produced by Brett and ridden by Nathan were placed at premier shows including Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and RIHS, and thrice lightweight hunter champion at Devon County and Royal Cornwall.
Nathan began working exclusively for Polly Coles eight years ago, so he is now based on outskirts of Doncaster in Yorkshire.
“We’ve got a range of horses here – hunters, cobs, heavy horses and a hack this year,” he says.
Since working for Polly, team highlights include the champion hunter at the Hickstead Derby Meeting, the 2022 Maxi Cob of the Year and the 2023 Heavyweight Cob of the Year.
Nathan has judged at a whole host of the UK’s leading fixtures, including at the Royal Welsh twice, something he describes as “great fun”.
“I rode the Welsh section Ds there the first time in 2016. I have no involvement in mountain and moorland ponies so it was a totally different experience,” he admits.
More recently, Nathan thoroughly enjoyed his second appointment at Royal Windsor where The King watched on as he presided over the riding horses.
“That was absolutely amazing,” said Nathan. “What an experience to ride judge there – and with The King watching.”
Nathan also judged in Australia in 2018 and the South African HOYS in 2023.
“South Africa was another highlight for me,” he says. “I just did not anticipate how high the standard would be out there.”
This will be Nathan’s second appointment at the RIHS. He has previously judged the the maxi cobs and amateur hacks.
What Nathan Arnold will be looking for at Hickstead?
During the go-round, he will be looking for a pony that draws the eye, covers the ground and that moves appropriately for its type.
He is assessing the conformation of the pony classes, and again, type is important.
“I want a pony that is true to type, with the correct amount of limb for its type.”
This applies in the championship, too, where he will expect to find an animal that is true to type as a native, traditional or non-native from either the pony classes or the horse classes.
During the championship, combinations will need to also prove they are worthy contenders for the supreme coloured crown by giving mannerly yet sparkly performances.
Competitors beware, Nathan’s pet hate in the ring is “competitors who constantly circle around the judges, and carve other competitors up.
“Go find a space where you stand out, keep your pony in a nice balanced rhythm, and don’t push it out of its step.”
A last minute bit of advice to someone competing at Hickstead for the first time?
“Enjoy every moment and don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” says Nathan, adding, “You’ve qualified to go there so enjoy every minute of it.”
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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.
