A list of useful show contacts and the most popular equestrian showing organisations with links to their websites.
Membership is divided into 24 franchised Areas around the country which organise regional shows, training days, points parties and social events.
The Society runs 5 shows each year; the Winter Championships, the mid-summer Show, the Working Sports Pony Show, the Summer Championships, and the Heritage Championships
Membership enables you to qualify and compete at some of the most prestigious shows including:
Royal International in all plaited pony classes and Heritage Ridden, Lead Rein, First Ridden and Pretty Polly classes
Burghley Gold Cup
BSPS Winter and Summer and Heritage Championships including free children’s Entertainment
Horse of the Year Show in all plaited pony and mountain and Moorland Classes
London International Horse Show for mountain and moorland ridden class
The BSPS affiliate over 500 shows during the year
The NPS offers a range of services to it’s members which include:
- the ability to qualify for any Horse of the Year Show pony class, and the M&M WHP Royal International Final
- the ability to qualify for and compete in prestigious NPS Summer and Winter Finals
- the ability to win coveted NPS Silver Medal rosettes
- the NPS Annual review and Showing World magazine
The NPS main office runs two major shows each year. The Spring Festival is held each April and as well as running the first M&M qualifiers of the season for Horse of the Year Show, it is the venue for the Winter Finals. These exciting championship classes are offered for M&M ponies from novice lead rein all the way up to open ridden classes.
August sees the NPS Summer Championships, traditionally held at the Three Counties Showground at Malvern in Worcestershire. This 3 day extravaganza offers a full range of classes for riders of all ages. From the hotly contested junior ring, through to fancy dress and concours d ’elegance, all the way up to HOYS qualifiers and the prestigious NPS Finals. The show is also the annual breed show for the British Riding Pony, and as so is the ideal place to come and see fabulous youngstock who will one day go on to compete at the highest level under saddle.
Finals for both plaited ponies and M&Ms, with a full range from Novice to Open, Lead Rein to Juniors, Working Hunter Ponies to Amateur Ridden.
September sees the National Pony Society Great British In Hand & Autumn Performance Show, held at Kelsall Hill in 2021, hosting a whole range of qualifiers including the RIHS M&M WHP 2022 qualifier.
The NPS Dressage Group also organise the NPS Supreme Dressage Championships, held each Spring and offering our British Riding Ponies, M&Ms and Part Breds a chance to compete against their own breed type in Prelim and Novice sections. There are also sections for the junior riders. All qualified combinations also get the chance to compete in the Team Challenge.
If you aspire to participate in the following qualifying events and corresponding finals:
The National Pony Society (NPS) comprises 18 areas spanning the UK, committed to hosting various shows throughout the year.
NPS hosts seasonal events, such as the Spring Festival at the Three Counties Show Ground (27 April 2024) and the annual summer championships at the same venue (6 — 8 August 2024). The Great British in-hand show is scheduled for September (TBC).
NPS members can vie for silver medal rosettes at select affiliated shows and qualify for the silver medal championship finals during the summer championship event.
The NPS organizes its own dressage series.
Members benefit from reduced passport applications and transfer fees for ponies in the British Riding Pony Studbook.
Membership includes public liability and accident insurance.
What's the cost?
A qualifying membership for one person is £81, while a non-qualifying membership is £62, covering all eligible ponies for the listed qualifying classes. A £5 discount is applicable for membership applications completed before 31 January.
For more information, visit nationalponysociety.com.
UK Ponies & Horses is an association for everyone! Offering you the opportunity to compete at the most prestigious equestrian arenas of the year. Our Spring Classic Show gives competitors the opportunity to qualify for the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead in July, and our Summer Classic Show offers Horse of the Year Show qualifiers for October.
CHAPS UK was founded in 1983 when coloured horses and ponies were generally frowned upon and laughed at by the rest of the equine community. A steady growth and acceptance was achieved by a group of volunteer enthusiasts.
CHAPS(UK) offer CHAPS(UK) Championship Show qualifiers, CHAPS/BSPS Winter Restricted Qualifiers, CHAPS/ PUK Qualifiers, HOYS Qualifiers, Stallion and mare gradings, youngstock evaluations, our magazine “World of Colour” for our members, Junior Bursary, Regional Shows, Championship Show (with gala evenings and discos),Xmas Ball, merchandise and lots more.
BRITISH SKEWBALD AND PIEBALD ASSOCIATION, member to qualify RIHS coloureds
Studbook or all “ponies who are Skewbald or Piebald or any coat colour pattern allowing them to register with us. AND all BSPA Graded Stallions and Mares, and / or their offspring. Including the whole-coloured offspring of BSPA Graded Stallions & Mares.
The primary role of the Society is to maintain the Stud Book which holds records tracing back the pedigrees of the registered Dartmoor Pony for over 100 years. The original records were held in the Polo Pony Stud Book, and then in the stud books of the National Pony Society. Finally thirty years ago the Dartmoor Pony Society took over maintaining the Stud Book and issues in hard copy form all the foal registrations, transfers and re-entries into the Stallion and gelding sections each year. A very interesting publication for all those interested in the Dartmoor Pony.
This society also holds a direct qualifier for Horse of the year show so at least one of the breed is always at the final. At the bsps heritage championship show, they also hold direct qualifiers for the London horse show with split breeds so that each breed is represented at the final.
The Exmoor Pony is probably Britain’s oldest breed of native pony, thought to be little different from the original wild ponies that colonised Britain many thousands of years ago. Its destiny has been determined by people since the time of the Celts.
The Society also promotes the ponies to the general public: attending events, holding shows and clinics and being a lead participant in the Exmoor Pony Festival.
This society also holds a direct qualifier for Horse of the year show so at least one of the breed is always at the final. At the bsps heritage championship show, they also hold direct qualifiers for the London horse show with split breeds so that each breed is represented at the final.
The Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society was formed in 1890 with the aim of publishing a Stud-Book which was the first for a native breed of pony in Britain. Today the Shetland pony no longer has the hardworking life of its ancestors, as nowadays the main employment is for a childs riding pony or for carriage driving, and it is hugely popular world-wide.
This society also holds a direct qualifier for Horse of the year show so at least one of the breed is always at the final. At the bsps heritage championship show, they also hold direct qualifiers for the London horse show with split breeds so that each breed is represented at the final.
This society also holds a direct qualifier for Horse of the year show so at least one of the breed is always at the final. At the bsps heritage championship show, they also hold direct qualifiers for the London horse show with split breeds so that each breed is represented at the final.
The British Connemara Pony Society (BCPS) aims to promote and protect the Connemara Pony breed in Great Britain. The Connemara Pony continues to prove extremely popular for owners and riders of all ages due to the breed’s ability to excel in so many fields. Today, the BCPS is a registered charity with over 700 members and is run by a Council of twelve elected members.
The main functions of the BCPS are to maintain the BCPS Stud Book, organise events and support owners and carers of Connemara Ponies. The BCPS offers:
This society also holds a direct qualifier for Horse of the year show so at least one of the breed is always at the final. At the bsps heritage championship show, they also hold direct qualifiers for the London horse show with split breeds so that each breed is represented at the final.
The Fell Pony Society's aim is to foster and keep pure the old breed of pony which has roamed the northern fells for years and to circulate knowledge and general information about the pony breed.
The Society deals with the Registration of Ponies, applications for Membership and export matters. It produces two Magazines per year, lists of ponies for sale and a regular calendar of events.
This society also holds a direct qualifier for Horse of the year show so at least one of the breed is always at the final. At the bsps heritage championship show, they also hold direct qualifiers for the London horse show with split breeds so that each breed is represented at the final.
The Society maintains its own stud book and registers, and licenses all approved Dales Pony Stallions. It runs a Spring and a Summer breed show, a Festival show, a Foal show, an Annual Points Scheme, a Southern show, an East Anglian show, occasional Pleasure Rides and Driving Rallies. A newsletter is published for Members in the Spring and Autumn.
This society also holds a direct qualifier for Horse of the year show so at least one of the breed is always at the final. At the bsps heritage championship show, they also hold direct qualifiers for the London horse show with split breeds so that each breed is represented at the final.
The New Forest Pony is a recognised British Isles breed but has an unusual background for a native pony breed. The earliest record of horses in the New Forest dates back to 1016 when rights of common pasture were granted to the people living in what was a royal hunting ground.
This society also holds a direct qualifier for Horse of the year show so at least one of the breed is always at the final. At the bsps heritage championship show, they also hold direct qualifiers for the London horse show with split breeds so that each breed is represented at the final.
FOUNDED IN 1901, the welsh pony and cob society is the largest of Britain’s native bred societies. The society’s membership is worldwide reflecting the popularity and versatility of the welsh ponies and cobs.
This society also holds a direct qualifier for Horse of the year show so at least one of the breed is always at the final. At the bsps heritage championship show, they also hold direct qualifiers for the London horse show with split breeds so that each breed is represented at the final.
STARS Champion of champions in 2018. to provide a Championship event specifically for Riding and Pony Club members.
It’s sole purpose is to give competitors “a prestigious event” to aspire to; and be proud of qualifying for and attending.
This event brings the honour of competing against the best-of-the-best, where exhibitors not only compete against each other, but also have the opportunity to gain points for their individual clubs to bring you your season’s overall champion club – a true honour indeed; and backed up with a substantial prize money fund for the club.
The Veteran Horse Society, is head office to all disciplines connected with the VETERAN HORSE. Whether it is Dressage, Performance Awards or Showing, all Membership is generated from our Head Office.
At this present time we do have sub-offices where volunteers do help us to manage disciplines such as the Performance Awards and Showing.
Area Shows (1st Round)
These are updated in and throughout the season.
Many shows renew their affiliation so 2021 will give you a guide to shows around your local area.
Direct & Regional Qualifiers (2nd Round)
Below you will find a list of our Direct and Regional qualifiers. These are updated in and throughout the season.
Golden Ticket Qualifiers (Breed & Colour)
Representing a breed or color in the V.H.S supreme finals
Issue to breed or color championship shows only.
Direct route to the VHS supreme final
Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd. (SSADL) is the only series that caters exclusively for home produced senior ponies and horses.
SSADL is managed and co-ordinated exclusively by a friendly team of individuals that provide a wealth of knowledge and expertise from the equine world. We also pride ourselves in providing highly respected accredited judges from a broad equestrian spectrum to officiate at showing qualifiers. Additionally, our Dressage series offers classes from Prelim, Novice, Elementary and Medium levels, culminating in the annual National Dressage Championships Final.
The Northern Counties Pony Association was formed in 1964 with a small number of branches, this has now risen to 9, covering an area from Cumbria and Durham in the North down to Shropshire and Leicester in the South and including most counties in between.
The Associations ten Branches are Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire & Rutland, Maelor & Shropshire, Nottingham & Lincolnshire, Staffordshire, and Yorkshire.
On joining the NCPA, members can choose one of the nine Branches to which their membership will be attached. Most Branches hold a number of shows and events each year. These vary as each Branch is responsible for its own calendar of events and functions. Every member of the NCPA is entitled to reduced entry fees at all of the various NCPA Shows.
TSR is for everyone who shows ridden and in hand horses and ponies from
Hunters to Natives, Grandmas’ to Tiny Tots we cover the lot!
Passionate about showing we are here to encourage and support at ALL levels from local shows to Championship level.
TSR has been successfully supporting exhibitors & the showing community since it was founded in 2012 by Gail & Sarah Chapman, they wanted to provide a platform in which to encourage & support people up the levels of showing from
LOCAL to Championship Shows.
Our Aims & Ethos…
TSR is…
Training, Help & Support
TSR is here to HELP you with all aspects of showing your horse or pony. We are passionate about training and hold Clinics across the country and have lots of free information on our Tips & Advice Page. We can put you in touch with a showing expert in your area o why not try our Ask the Expert Group on Facebook.
TSR Training Pathway
Exclusively for Amateurs the TSR Training Pathway identifies & supports riders at all levels to help them achieve their showing ambitions through fun, friendly training & development of the horse/rider.
TSR Amateur Rider of the Year
Exclusively for Amateurs this competition is the culmination of the Talent Spotting Clinic Series. A VERY friendly & supportive competition for ALL levels of rider.
Shows
We hold shows which are really friendly & relaxed. The Summer Gala Show are both held at Onley Equestrian centre, Rugby. Classes for all types of horse & ponies for all levels of rider. Entry fees from £12 per class.
TSR Showing Finals
Qualify for the TSR Showing Finals at a show near you! The Rider / Handler qualifies & on one qualification can enter ANY of the Finals on ANY horse/pony. In Hand & Ridden Finals for all types of horse/pony.
The BSHA focuses on showcasing horses and ponies in specific classes, such as cobs, riding horses, ridden hunters, hacks, and amateur classes.
Members of the BSHA typically participate in various events and competitions organized by the association throughout the year. These events may include regional shows, championship shows, and other competitions that allow participants to qualify for prestigious events like the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
The association often introduces initiatives and awards, such as amateur points award schemes, to encourage and recognize the achievements of its members. It's important to note that the information provided here is based on my knowledge as of January 2022, and there may have been developments or changes to the BSHA since then. For the most current and accurate information, you may want to check the official BSHA website or contact the association directly.
