National Pony Society

11/06/2026

Torbay & District Riding Club are looking for an NPS panel M&M judge to judge the following ridden classes for them -
M&M Silver Medal
M&M Open
M&M Junior
M&M First Ridden

The show is being held on 19th July at Redpost Showground, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6NG

If you are able to help out this lovely show, please contact the show secretary
Ann Warwick
[email protected]
www.tdrclub.co.uk
07841 594389

We are a welcoming, supportive family friendly club who caters for both novice and the more advanced of rider, we have a huge selection of classes at our outdoor shows and do our best to please everyone.

10/06/2026

The British Riding Pony

The next breed under the spotlight is the British Riding Pony.

The NPS is the guardian of the British Riding Pony Stud Book. They may be registered if they are the direct progeny of a British Riding Pony sire and dam, or if they are the result of crossing British Native Mountain and Moorland breeds with Arabs or Thoroughbreds.

Renowned for their beauty, elegance, and ground-covering movement, British Riding Ponies excel across a wide range of equestrian disciplines, including eventing, driving, mounted games, racing, and dressage, while continuing to dominate in the show ring.

We’d love to see your British Riding Ponies, share your photos and favourite memories below.

For more information, visit www.nationalponysociety.com/the-british-riding-pony

08/06/2026

Following it’s Council meeting of 19th May 2026, the National Pony Society (NPS) Council unanimously agreed to fully endorse the sanctions imposed by SHB(GB) and BSHA on Mr Peter Hodgkinson. The NPS will support these sanctions by imposing a ban from membership and from participation at events run by the NPS for the period of 8 years.

06/06/2026

🌟 Calling all young judges! 🌟

Are you aged between 10 and 30 and looking to develop your judging knowledge and skills? Then why not enter the NPS Young Judges (10–25 years) or our NEW for 2026 Next Generation Judges Competition (25–30 years)?

The Young Judge Champion will have the incredible opportunity to accompany Mr Carl Hester MBE, Olympic Gold Medallist, in the HOYS Price Family Supreme In-Hand Championship during our Wednesday evening performance at the Summer Championships.

The Next Generation Champion will accompany our President, Mrs Ann Bigley, in the 2026 Supreme of Show Championship on Thursday 6th August.

Each NPS Area can enter teams in either the M&M or Riding Pony sections, as well as individual competitors.

This is a fantastic opportunity to build your judging skills and could be an important stepping stone towards applying for the NPS Judges Assessment on 13th & 14th February 2027, Stoneleigh Park.

📅 Competition Date: Monday 3rd August at the NPS Summer Championships.

If you would like to take part, please contact your local Area Chairman or Secretary. Contact details can be found here - https://www.nationalponysociety.com/map-links/

📸 Pictured: 2025 Champion Ben Spoor with NPS judge David Puttock.

05/06/2026

🌸✨The next bundle of joy for Foal Friday is Newfielden Amazing Grace ✨🌸

By Lowland Barnaby and out of Fielden Cottontail, this lovely filly was pictured here at just 10 days old. Bred by Jan Carmichael of Newfielden Stud.

We’d love to see your foals too, send your photos to [email protected] for a chance to be featured!

01/06/2026

📝 NPS BREED CARD UPDATE📝

There have been some updates to the NPS Breed Card requirements.

To all prospective NPS judges who are already in the process of completing their Breed Card, all attendance records completed to date will continue to count towards the requirements.

Key Changes:
🔹A minimum of 50% of breed requirements must be completed before applying for the assessment.
🔹Candidates are required to make arrangements with an appropriate M&M Breed Panel Judge to observe ponies outside the ring.
🔹Records must include the number of ponies presented and the time spent discussing and assessing them.

It is recommended that candidates contact the relevant Breed Societies for dates of Breed events. These should be published on the individual M&M Breed Society websites.

If you have any questions or require further clarification, please contact the NPS Office at [email protected].

30/05/2026

📣Calling all NPS Home Produced members! 📣

Do you have your WTJ Insurance Brokers Ltd Home Produced Qualification Card in the ring?

You will have received an A5 qualification card in your membership pack which you will need to get the judge to sign.

You can qualify in the following classes:

🔹M&M Open Ridden
🔹M&M Junior Ridden
🔹M&M First Ridden
🔹M&M Leading Rein
🔹Show Pony / Show Hunter Pony Ridden
🔹Show Pony / Show Hunter Pony First Ridden
🔹Show Pony / Show Hunter Pony Leading Rein

Please remember - riders of eligible ponies must wear a white armband to indicate their Home Produced status.

Lost your card? You can reprint it here -https://www.nationalponysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HP-Q-Card.pdf

29/05/2026

🌸✨Next up for Foal Friday is the adorable filly, DJP Cosmic Girl ✨🌸

Bred by Daniel J. Park, she boasts beautiful old English bloodlines and is expected to mature at 12.2hh.

Sire: Mount Pleasant Astro Boy (Cusop Jeeves x Mount Pleasant Arabella)
Sire of Dam: Cusop Dimension

Dam: Supreme Pony of the Year, Barkway Moon Fairy (Beckside Little Toff x Barkway Miss Moppet)
Sire of Dam: Orielton Aristocrat

Don’t forget to send your foal photos to [email protected] for a chance to be featured!

📝Registering your British Riding Pony & Part Bred Foals!📝

🐴Remember that all registrations should be completed within 6 months of the foals birth or by November 30th of that year.

🐴All registration forms and fees can be found via our website: https://www.nationalponysociety.com/passports/

🐴If you are a NPS Breeder Member, don't forget to take advantage of the reduced membership fees when registering.

If your not sure if your eligible to register with us contact [email protected] to find out.

28/05/2026

Hot Weather Welfare Warning 🌡️

With high temperatures expected across much of the UK, the National Pony Society is urging all members to take extra care when managing and transporting ponies.

🔹 Travel Carefully
Please think carefully about the number of shows and events your ponies attend during periods of extreme heat.

💧 Hydration is Essential
Ponies travelling or standing on transport for long periods in hot conditions are at serious risk of dehydration. Ensure all animals have access to fresh water before, during, and after travel.

🐴 Young and Older Ponies
As horses grow older, their ability to regulate body temperature diminishes, making them more susceptible to the stresses of high temperatures.

Very young horses and foals are also highly vulnerable during extreme heat. Their high surface area-to-volume ratio makes them prone to rapid fluid loss and severe heat stress.

These vulnerabilities highlight the importance of providing shady areas, suitable shelter, proper ventilation, and constant access to fresh water.

📘 Welfare Code of Practice
All members are expected to comply with the Welfare Code of Practice, as referenced in the NPS Rule Book. The document contains important guidance on protecting equine health and welfare.

Access the Code of Practice here:
www.nationalponysociety.com/codeofpractice

For more detailed information on recognising and preventing heatstroke, please see the guidance issued by World Horse Welfare:
www.worldhorsewelfare.org/advice/heatstroke-in-horses

⚠️ REMEMBER: CHOOSE – DON’T CHASE!

Prioritise your ponies’ welfare over prizes.

27/05/2026

The NPS is saddened to announce the passing of Ro Rennocks (1944–2026).

Ro Rennocks devoted her life to British Riding Ponies and, alongside her husband Brian “Ren” Rennocks, founded the hugely influential Rendene Stud in Hertfordshire. Together, they produced countless champions and left an enduring legacy within the Riding Pony world.

Ro’s love of showing began in childhood and grew into a lifelong passion. From early ponies such as Blossom Time, Flexbury Lace and Baylaurel Frolic, to celebrated champions including Rendene Christmas Rose, Roseisle Gay Romance and Rosevean Honeysuckle, the Rendene prefix became synonymous with quality, success and excellence. Rendene enjoyed major victories at HOYS, while their ponies achieved success throughout the UK and internationally.

Beyond the show ring, Ro was widely respected as a judge, competitor, mentor and friend. Through the Rendene yard, she and Ren supported and inspired many young people entering the sport, generously sharing their knowledge, encouragement and passion for Riding Ponies. Ro took particular pride in the later achievements of Mathew Lawrence and John Harvey, both of whom benefitted greatly from the opportunities and guidance they received at Rendene.

Ro will be remembered not only for her remarkable contribution to the Riding Pony world, but also for her kindness, dedication and unwavering support of others. Her influence will continue to be felt for generations to come.