Due to the popularity and numbers in the children’s riding pony classes in the 1940s, the National Pony Society (NPS) council agreed that a new society should be formed to take full responsibility for all matters connected with the Ridden Pony.
The British Show Pony Society (BSPS) in association with NPS was founded in 1949, with the aims to protect and improve the showing of the children’s riding ponies by promoting classes and competitions for children’s ponies. In 1954, it was agreed to simplify the name and the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) stood alone.
The country is divided into 25 BSPS areas plus the Scottish Branch and most members join the area in which they live. The first championships show was held in conjunction with the Brighton Show in 1955.
At present, the BSPS has three championship shows each year; the winter finals, the summer finals and the October Heritage championships, which is specifically for native breeds.
The BSPS have run the the M&M supreme ridden championship held at Olympia since 2011. This year’s championship will take place at Liverpool International on 1 January 2022.
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