Sports Update – May 2026

Area Competitions

Are you aiming for the Dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping or Tetrathlon Championships this year? Click below to find your Area Competition dates.

Members compete at the Area Competitions at all levels to try and qualify as an individual or as part of a team for the Regional and/or National Championships.

A Front-Row Role in the Action: Slip Collectors at Badminton Horse Trials

Each year at Badminton Horse Trials, Beaufort Hunt Pony Club Members are proud to take on the vital and much-admired role of Slip Collectors. Coordinated by former Branch Member Fiona Norbury, this year’s team included 10 mounted and 2 unmounted runners, carefully selected by the Branch.
Slip Collectors must be in Year 9 or above and have passed their C Test. They also need access to a suitable pony or horse capable of coping with the electric atmosphere of Cross Country Day. Thankfully, “angelic” ponies were kindly lent to those in need. Turnout is expected to be traditional and immaculate, and horses must be fit and ready for a long day in action, with riders mounting up at 9.30am and finishing after 4pm.
Throughout the day, mounted runners cover their allocated fences, collecting slips and returning them to HQ behind the grandstands or to outposts at Luckington Lane and Huntsman’s Close. Short breaks are taken to rest and refuel both horse and rider. Meanwhile, unmounted runners collect slips from areas such as the arena and collecting ring, where access is more limited on horseback.
This year, the Beaufort team carried out their duties to perfection, receiving numerous comments of appreciation and praise for their cheerful smiles, excellent turnout and polite manners.
The club extends its thanks to Badminton Horse Trials for continuing this much-loved tradition.
2026 Runners: Jessica Swait, Rosie Sainsbury, Martha Hazell, Lola Wood, Amelia Smith, Darcy Bishop-Moore, Evie Eastlake, Grace Fairbairn, Mary Pope, Enola Sparks-Phillips, Iona Breakspear & Rose Wood.

Photographs with thanks to TTL Videos & Hetty Clark.

Horsemanship

The Pony Club Dengie National Quiz Final 

The Pony Club Dengie National Quiz Final took place in April at the Holywell \Park Conference Centre, Loughborough University. An exciting new venue for this year’s competition. Teams from across the country came together for a fantastic weekend of competition, teamwork, and fun.

Congratulations to all members who took part in this year’s Final. Following months of preparation and Area competitions, finalists put their Pony Club knowledge to the test, demonstrating an exceptionally high standard, along with impressive dedication, confidence, and teamwork throughout the event.

A huge thank you goes to all competitors, trainers, parents, judges, organisers, volunteers, and the Horsemanship Committee, whose hard work behind the scenes made the event such a success.

A special shoutout also goes to Dengie for their continued support and sponsorship of the competition.

We would love to hear your feedback on this year’s event. Please take a few moments to complete our feedback form here.

Thank you again to everyone involved — and congratulations once again to all of our fantastic members.

The Thelwell Art Competition

Entries for this year’s Thelwell Art Competition have now officially closed, and we are delighted with the fantastic response and creativity shown by members across all categories, bringing this years theme ‘Pony Club Fun Memories’ to life.

Judging is now underway, with our panel carefully reviewing the impressive range of entries submitted. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter and showcase their artistic talents.

We look forward to announcing the finalists and winners very soon!

As attention now turns to an exciting week at Royal Windsor Horse Show, many of the riders competing this year will remember not so long ago taking part in those same Novice Area competitions themselves. Teams from England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will arrive at Windsor on Wednesday 13th May, settling into camp for the week ahead. Once parked up, the busy preparations begin: ponies unloaded, stables set up, tack checked, riders weighed and the first round of Stable Cup judging underway. The evening then sees the traditional DAKS presentation of colours, where riders receive their Team jumpers ahead of the competition.

Each morning at Windsor begins with trainer briefings led by Chairman Ian Mariner and Chief Steward Tracey Cooksley, giving teams the opportunity to hear important updates, discuss any changes to races or timings and ask questions before the day gets underway. This year promises to be busier than ever, with Teams competing not only in the main Castle Arena but also in the Frogmore Arena, bringing the total number of competition sessions to seven across the week.
Away from the arenas, the schedule remains just as busy. Teams fit in exercise slots and practice sessions alongside public appearances and demonstrations throughout the showground. In previous years, crowds have enjoyed everything from Mounted Games displays to seeing just how many Pony Club Members can squeeze into a Defender – so there is no doubt there will be plenty of fun and entertainment alongside the serious competition again this year!

Of course, there is also an enormous amount of work taking place behind the scenes to keep the event running. Every day, teams gather for lunch in The Pony Club marquee thanks to the legendary Mary Marsden and her catering team. Stable managers care for the teams in the stabling area, line stewards and officials keep everything moving, while judges and scorers work tirelessly to deliver live results for supporters following along from home on Pony Club Results.

The equipment team, led by Alison Bell, once again deserves huge praise for transporting Mounted Games equipment around the country despite being based all the way up in North Yorkshire, while Nicola Way spends every spare minute capturing the action and sharing the Teams’ journey on social media for everyone at home to enjoy. Add in the dedication of trainers, parents and supporters back at camp, and it is clear just how much teamwork goes into making Windsor such a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Finally, keep your eyes peeled for a special episode of Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh on ITV, airing on Sunday 7th June – you might just spot some of our England and Wales Team Members making an appearance in the famous Manor Farm paddock!