Sports Update – June 2026
Welcome to the June edition of Sports Updates!
As we move into one of the busiest and most exciting periods of the Pony Club calendar, there is plenty to celebrate across our sports. From looking back at outstanding performances at Royal Windsor Horse Show and Home International competitions, to upcoming Area qualifiers, Championship preparations and exciting new opportunities for Members, it is fantastic to see so many Members getting involved and achieving their goals.
This month’s updates include important information about upcoming Championships, team selections, qualification pathways and webinars, alongside announcements about brand-new competitions and opportunities for 2026.
Whether you are aiming for a Championship qualification, representing your nation, trying a new sport or simply enjoying time with your pony, we hope you find something to inspire you in this month’s newsletter.
Dressage
Dressage Home International at RWHS
It was a fantastic competition this year with everyone calm, collected and unfazed by the busy atmosphere at Royal Windsor Horse Show!
Results:
1st – England
2nd – Wales
3rd – Republic of Ireland
4th – Scotland
5th Northern Ireland
And what a way to kick off the day with Members from the Kings Troop taking time to present the team colours and clothing.
Specialised Ability
As part of The Pony Club’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and creating opportunities for all young people, this dressage competition will showcase the often-unseen talent of so many of our young athletes whose different abilities, physical, neuro-diverse, visible or invisible can be a barrier to accessing competition.
The aim of this showcase competition, held at The Pony Club National Championships, is to support such athletes and their horse/pony by providing a pathway to enjoy competitive dressage. The competition will be held on Tuesday 18th August at The Pony Club Championships.
Musical Ride
We are delighted that the winning team of The Agria Musical Ride at the Pony Club National Championships will earn the opportunity to perform their Championship-winning routine at HOYS 2026.
This exciting invitation will see the victorious team take to the iconic Andrews Bowen International Arena on Friday, 10th October 2026 at the NEC Birmingham, giving them the chance to perform on one of the sport’s most prestigious stages.
The Pony Club Musical Rides teams are made up of six to twelve Pony Club members of any age, who work together to create a choreographed display set to music of their choice, showcasing precision, creativity and exceptional teamwork.
Endurance
THE ENDUROSTYLE CHALLENGE 2026
We are delighted to announce a brand new Endurance competition for 2026 – right at The Pony Club Championships at Offchurch Bury! Welcome to the inaugural Endurostyle Challenge!
This event will be direct entry and will take place on Tuesday 18th August and will be a short format, skills based competition, where competitors will be scored on tasks over a shorter distance based on traditional Endurance competitions. Any horse/pony combination can enter – whether you are a seasoned Endurance pro or have never tried Endurance before, there will be something for everyone! If you have ever been curious about Endurance but don’t know where to start, this will be a great place to give it a go! Have you nailed your long distance rides but want to put your skills to the test? You’ll have a blast with this one!
Tune in to the Endurance webinar on June 17th for more details on classes, distances, tasks and more!
Eventing
June is an exciting month for Pony Club Eventing, with Area competitions now well underway across the country. It has been fantastic to see so many Members putting their training into practice. A full list of Area competitions can be found on The Pony Club Eventing page of the website.
We are delighted to announce that this year’s Pony Club Eventing Nations Cup will be held at Aspen Cooling Osberton International (2) from 1st – 4th October 2026. Bringing together some of the most talented Pony Club Eventers from across the home nations, the competition offers an unforgettable opportunity to compete on the international stage. Full details and team selection criteria can be found in the statement below. If you are competing at PC100, Chairman’s Cup or PC110 level, now is the time to start planning your route to Osberton.
Preparations are also well underway for the PC110 Championships at the Bishop Burton Festival of Youth, taking place from 31st July – 2nd August. The event promises a memorable Championship experience and the chance to compete against the very best Pony Club riders from across the country.
Members considering affiliated competition are reminded that Pony Club Members can compete in up to two British Eventing competitions before becoming full BE members. Those who have never previously held BE membership are also eligible for a 40% discount on British Eventing membership fees.
This opportunity is already helping Members take their first steps into affiliated Eventing. One Albrighton Hunt parent shared with us how her 12-year-old daughter, Macy, entered her first British Eventing one-day event at Chillington on her 13.2hh pony and went on to win the BE80 Under-18 section! Her mother said they would never have considered entering without the opportunity to compete before committing to full membership, highlighting the value of the offer in encouraging new competitors to try British Eventing.
The free ‘What is Eventing?’ webinar remains available to watch on demand via The Pony Club YouTube channel. Covering everything from getting started in Eventing through to Regional and National Championships, it continues to be a valuable resource for Members and parents alike.
Thank You, Amy!
A huge thank you to Amy Veitch, who has served as the Eventing Committee’s Youth Representative for the past two years.
As Amy has now reached the age limit for the role, she will be stepping down from the committee. Throughout her time as Youth Representative, Amy has been a fantastic advocate for Pony Club Members, bringing valuable insight from both a competitor’s and coach’s perspective. Having competed at Spring Festival and the Championships within the past year, as well as coaching younger Members in her Branch, she has provided genuine, up-to-date feedback from across the sport and the wider Pony Club community.
Amy also launched and managed The Pony Club Eventing social media pages, which have become a key source of information and updates for our eventing community.
Thank you, Amy, for your enthusiasm, commitment and hard work. We wish you all the best for the future!
Interested in becoming the next Youth Representative? Find out more and apply below.
Horsemanship
The NEW Horsemanship Home International
We are delighted to announce the teams selected for the brand NEW Horsemanship Home International an exciting new addition to this year’s Championships. This fantastic competition provides our older Members with a unique opportunity to showcase their horsemanship knowledge and skills, up to AH level, on a national stage.
To see the talented Members selected to take part, click here.
The Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition RESULTS
After an incredible number of entries, the results are out. The theme Pony Club Fun Memories inspired some incredible artwork. Results below:
- 11 & Under Winner: Ava Wormald (VC Equestrian Centre)
- 11 & Under Runner Up: Evelyn Bavington (NTC Pony Club Centre)
- 12 – 16 Years Winner: Millie Jones (Anglesey)
- 12-16 Years Runner Up: Katie Cochrane (North Down)
- 17 & Over Winner: Katie Bainbridge (Tiverton Hunt)
- 17 & Over Runner Up: Holly Walsh (Fylde & District)
- Team Winner: Cumberland Farmers Hunt South
- Team Runner Up: Moor Farm Stables
- Finalists: Isobel Dixon, Edmund Finlan, Lily Forrest, Phoebe James, Mollie Gleghorn, Hollie Crone, Eliza Ball, Emily Gaskell, Kallan McLachlan, Laurel Cuddigan, Atherstone, New Direction, South Devon West, Crawley & Horsham Hunt, Cumberland Foxhounds.
Horse & Pony Care Road to the Championships
Have you qualified for The Blue Cross Horse & Pony Care Championships or are you aiming to in the future Don’t miss our upcoming ‘Road to the Championships’ webinar on Tuesday 30th June, where you can find out everything you need to know to support your journey to Championships success. We’ll be sharing exciting updates, including the introduction of new prizes, as well as top tips and insights from experienced older Members who have been there and done it.
Mounted Games
Congratulations to all those who competed in the DAKS Home International at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Representing your nation at such a prestigious event is a tremendous achievement, and all competitors should be incredibly proud of their performances. You can read the full report and results in our special Mounted Games Windsor round-up via the button below.
With all Area competitions now complete, attention turns to the upcoming Zone competitions, and Teams across the country are busy preparing for the next stage of the season.
District Commissioners and Branches/Centres whose Teams or Pairs have either qualified automatically or been awarded an additional qualification place have now been contacted by email. If you believe you should have received notification but have not done so, please contact mountedgames@pcuk.org.
If you have received a qualification email, please complete your entries via Entrymaster as soon as possible. Links to all Zone competitions can be found on the Mounted Games page of the website.
If your qualified Team or Pair is unable to attend, please let us know immediately. Early notification allows us to offer the place to the next eligible Team or Pair, giving them sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements and preparations.
Did you catch the England and Wales Windsor Teams on ITV on Sunday 7th? Watch the episode of Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh to catch a glimpse of them in action in the famous Manor Farm paddock!
Polocrosse
Home Nations
Congratulations to the Members selected to compete for their nations at Priors Norton in July:
Pony Racing
With the Pony Racing season now more than halfway through, it has already been a fantastic year of competition. Eight fixtures have taken place so far, attracting almost 600 entries from more than 260 individual Members across the UK. There is still plenty to look forward to, with fixtures at Newbury and Nottingham later this summer, before the season concludes with meetings at Haydock Park, Bangor-on-Dee, Warwick and Lingfield.
The Points Series leaderboards are continuing to take shape as the season progresses. In the 128cm section, Isabelle Goss and Greenbarrow Desert Rose from Bicester & Warden Hill currently lead the standings, while Chloe Morse and Jackets Sweet Dreams from North Herefordshire top the 138cm leaderboard. The 148cm section is headed by Lexi Everington and Thistledown All Spice from North Shropshire. In the Branch and Centre league, The Vine currently leads the way on an impressive 149 points.
The Pony Racing Committee will hold its summer meeting on 18th June to review the season so far and discuss any potential rule changes for consideration in the 2027 Pony Racing Rulebook. Members and Parents are encouraged to share any suggestions, feedback or points they would like the Committee to consider by emailing ponyracing@pcuk.org.
Show Jumping
Royal Windsor Horse Show
Members from Areas 8, 11, 12 and 13 all enjoyed a wonderful day at Royal Windsor Horse Show, full of atmosphere, great riding and an excellent testing course (as said by one of our competitors!)
1st – Roseysaurous and Laura Brightling, Ashford Valley
2nd – Kavanagh and Beth Hobden, East Sussex
3rd – Elamo He’s a Real One and Caroline Barbour, Romney Marsh
4th – Adores Rio Star GC and Duncan Morgan, East Sussex
5th – Thunder Van Hippo-Lux and Amber Etheridge, Eridge
6th – Harry and Elle Hourihan, Old Berkeley Hunt North
7th – Ashwey Patchwork Sparrow and Oliver Chant, Petersfield
8th – El Gaucho DHI and Ruby Wittich, Newmarket & Thurlow
Tetrathlon
May was a busy month in Pony Club Tetrathlon! Our Area Qualifiers kicked off in areas 3 & 4, we enjoyed (a rather dreary) Royal Windsor Horse Show, and the Junior Home International came to Morton Morrell! What a way to kick off the summer season!
ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW
It was that time of year again – The Royal Windsor Horse Show! Among our show jumpers, dressage riders and mounted games teams, 8 teams of Tetrathletes took to the show in what was a great display of athleticism over two days!
Before our athletes and their entourages turned up, the annual Pony Club Cubitt awards took place! Tetrathlon staples, Richard Mosley, Liz Wilkinson and Heather Greenslade were honoured for thei committment to Pony Club volunteering! And what were they doing the very next day? Coaching team Southern England, acting as chief scorer and managing the ride phase and horse share. We’re so proud of these three. Pony Club Tetrathlon would be a very different place without them!
First up was the shoot and swim at Leisure Focus in Windsor. With the pool’s rise and fall floor out of action, there was no diving to much disappointed from the competitors who, nevertheless, recovered beautifully! Then it was a trip to the stables to help the Northern Irish team try out some fellow competitors horses to select for their ride phase. The day concluded with a rather soggy run, though that didn’t dampen any spirits along the river on the beautiful grounds of Windsor Castle.
Day 2 was all about the ride. With some early trepidation that team Northern Ireland had the potential to miss their flights if the event ran at all late, we were underway with a show jumping course with lots of tricky questions, including the traditional tet slip rail, we only had one clear inside the time! Early leader Arthur Webb from the Southern England team held his lead from the shoot phase to win the individual competition. A similar story for the team from Northern Ireland who led the shoot and went on to win the team competition – on borrowed ponies too! All piled into the arena for the presentation, with Northern Ireland on foot to accept first place, only to turn and sprint to a waiting taxi and straight to the airport, still in their team gear, and narrowly made their flight!
Congratulations to all the competitors from Central England, Northern England, Scotland (even with a last minute substitution!), Eastern England, Wales & Borders, South West, Northern Ireland and Southern England on a fantastic competition, in a fantastic setting!
Team Results
1st Northern Ireland – Annabel Mckeown, Ted Geary, Maeve Rolston-McAuliffe
2nd South West – Jessica Miller, Hugo Moor, Thomas Harris
3rd Southern England – Georgina Goodenough, Jacob Smith, Arthur Webb
4th Wales & Borders – Zara Anne McNamara, Rueben Kennah, Holly Freeland
5th Northern England – Lucie Lupton, Henry Barker, Sophia Stockdale
6th Eastern England – Archie Tunstill, Hettie Lawes, Grace Hotham
7th Scotland – Alistair Hunter, Lucy Geddes, Juno Laing
8th Central England – Kathleen Prestwich, Lincoln Perryman, Penelope Reid
Individual Results
1st – Arthur Webb (Southern England)
2nd – Annabel Mckeown (Northern Ireland)
3rd – Zara Anne McNamara (Wales & Borders)
THE JUNIOR HOME INTERNATIONAL
The final weekend in May – The Junior Home International.
And for yet another year, junior tetrathletes from all over the UK & the Republic of Ireland descended on Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire. The national Tetrathlon committee laid on an excellent competition, supported by the wonderful sunshine we had! The weekend hosted an annual regional boys and girls competition for both teams and individuals, a first year seniors boys and girls individuals, an international team competition and for the first time at this event, a mixed gender individual triathlon competition, which proved very popular. All in all, 175 competitors took to Moreton Morrell and Newbold Common Leisure Centre.
Led by Jane Speakman as the chief organiser, the tour de force of an organising team was made up of:
- Entries & Organisation: Jayne Bowman & Alex Connors
- Chief Steward: Mandy Donaldson
- Ride Phase Steward: Heather Greenslade
- Run Phase Steward: Richard Mosley
- Swim Phase Steward: Jane Speakman
- Shoot Phase Steward: Brian Goodenough
- Logistics: Nick Cripps
Along with an army of other support and volunteers, the team pulled together an absolutely seamless event. Thank you to every single person who helped in any way – big or small – to create such a successful weekend!
Continuing the success at Windsor, it was nothing short of a triumph for the Emerald Isle, with both Northern Ireland and the Republic topping the podium, along with Northern England, the South West, Eastern England and Wales & Borders.
The Winners
Triathlon – Hugo Harrison – Eastern England (South Nottinghamshire)
First Year Senior Girls – Anna Walford – Northern England (Middleton Hunt)
First Year Senior Boys – Zak Perrot – South West (Tiverton Hunt)
Junior Girls Individual – Annabel McKeown – Northern Ireland (Killultagh Old Rock & Chichester Harriers)
Junior Girls Team – Ireland Dúchas (Ali Hughes, Aerin Tabb, Anna Rose Hughes, Evelyn Murray, Hannah Hussey)
Junior Boys Individual – Archie Evans – Wales & Borders (The Wynnstay)
Junior Boys Team – Ireland Bealach (John Kirby, Jack Hargaden, Alex Barry, Blake Kavanagh, Henry Buckley)
International Team – Republic of Ireland
NATIONS CUP 2026 – SAVE THE DATE
Coming to Breckenborough, the inaugural Tetrathlon Nations Cup will take place on the 12th – 13th of September. This event will be open to those aged 16 years and over and will be run over a technical, championship length course at a maximum of 1.05m. There will also be a triathlon for those without access to a suitable horse.
This event will be a precursor to European Tetrathlon for juniors held in Ireland next year – entry for this event will be by selection. We would greatly value feedback from the seniors who compete this year on the format so any changes can be made before the European Championships next year. The shoot phase will be run as in Ireland, with static NSRA targets, with a longer swim and run.
More details will be released in the coming weeks so watch this space!
QUALIFYING FOR THE TETRATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS
Are you hoping to qualify for Tetrathlon at The Pony Club Championships this year? The road to champs looks a little different this year! Read up on our helpful guide below to make sure you’re not missing out on your chance!