Pony Club Members Enjoy Gold Cup Success at Defender Burghley Horse Trials
Pony Club Members enjoyed an unforgettable experience competing in the prestigious BSPS TopSpec Gold Cup Sports Pony Final at Defender Burghley Horse Trials, one of the most iconic venues in the equestrian calendar.
The unique championship combines dressage, Working Sports Pony and showjumping phases, testing horse and rider combinations across a range of disciplines. Competitors qualified through BSPS routes and, thanks to a partnership between The Pony Club and the BSPS, places were also awarded to eligible combinations from The Pony Club Eventing Championships.
This year, invitations were offered to Mabel Hodgkinson and Mohill Gypsy, winners of PC90 Section F, and Millie Herdman and Ardagh Bobby, winners of PC90 Team Section E. Places were also awarded to Philippa Allen and Carr Side Caramel, winners of PC100 Section B, and Charlotte Scott and Saulsquarter Gem, winners of PC100 Section E.
Mabel and Tonto Take on Burghley
Competing in the 148cm Gold Cup class, Mabel Hodgkinson from the Tanatside Branch of The Pony Club, and her much-loved 22-year-old pony Mohill Gypsy, known at home as Tonto, embraced every moment of the occasion.
“I was really excited when we got the email saying we’d qualified at Pony Club Championships for the BSPS Gold Cup class at Burghley. My pony Tonto was having a well-deserved holiday after Champs, so his break got cut short and we started practising. This was my first dressage test in a 60×20 arena, so there were lots of extra letters to learn!
“My dressage test went really well but my favourite part of the day was definitely the Working Hunter course. I was really nervous before I went in as it was a big and technical course, but Tonto jumped so well and we absolutely loved doing the gallop at the end.
“The showjumping course was bigger than anything we’d ever jumped before, so we picked up some penalties in that round, but I was so pleased that we’d given it a go. The stewards and other competitors were all very nice and helpful, so we had a really fantastic day and it was a privilege to ride at such an amazing venue.”
Although Tonto is now 22 years old, he continues to introduce Mabel to a wide range of Pony Club activities, including showjumping, dressage, eventing and arena eventing. Looking ahead, Mabel hopes to begin British Eventing competitions and explore more Working Hunter classes.
Millie and Bobby’s Burghley Adventure
Another Pony Club-qualified combination enjoying the Burghley experience were Millie Herdman (North Northumberland) and Ardagh Bobby, who also competed in the 148cm class.
Having earned their invitation following victory at the Pony Club Championships, the pair relished the opportunity to compete on such a grand stage.
“Millie and Bobby had a wonderful experience at Burghley. Thank you for making it possible. It was a lovely, unexpected surprise to be invited to ride there following their win at Pony Club Championships.
“Bobby has provided many great experiences to my older brother and sister. He really is a pony of a lifetime.”
The experience has inspired Millie to set her sights on further eventing ambitions, with hopes of progressing towards the Badminton Grassroots Championships in the future. For now, Bobby is enjoying a well-earned holiday after a busy summer season.
Perhaps the best summary of the pair’s experience came in Millie’s quote of the week:
“Defender Valley is quite jumpable!”
Lottie Claims Gold Cup Glory
One of the standout Pony Club performances of the day came from Lottie Newman-Moore (Heythrop), who partnered Eirdon Echo to win the highly competitive 158cm Gold Cup Final.
The partnership may only be nine months old, but together they have already enjoyed a remarkable season. Alongside qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show in the Intermediate Working Hunter, the pair finished second at The Pony Club National 100 Eventing Championships and have produced an impressive string of top-two placings throughout the year.
Reflecting on her success, Lottie said:
“Echo can sometimes be quite lively at home and I have been bucked off once, but she is such a special mare that I am so grateful for.
“I train with Annabel Scrimgeour on the flat and Matt Buckland for jumping, who have both played a massive part in getting me where I am now with Echo. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Following her Burghley victory, Lottie now has her sights set on qualifying for the Royal International Horse Show and returning to both the Gold Cup Final and Horse of the Year Show next season.
Showcasing Pony Club Talent
The Pony Club was well represented across the championship, with Members from Branches across the UK competing alongside some of the country’s leading Working Sports Pony combinations.
From riders tackling their first championship dressage test in a 60m x 20m arena to those claiming top honours in their class, the Gold Cup Finals highlighted the versatility, confidence and ambition that Pony Club Members develop through their sport.
Most importantly, Burghley provided memories that will last long beyond the 2026 season, inspiring riders to set new goals and continue their equestrian journeys.
Congratulations to all Pony Club Members who qualified for and competed in the BSPS TopSpec Gold Cup Finals, and a special congratulations to the following highest placed Pony Club Members in each class:
143cm: Libby James (Cheshire Hunt South) pictured below with Vice Chairman of The Pony Club, Di Pegrum
148cm: Connie Turnbull (East Stirlingshire) pictured below with Area Representative for Area 8, Georgie Mackley
158cm: Lottie Newman-Moore (Heythrop) pictured below with Area Representative for Area 8, Georgie Mackley
