Sports Update – September 2026
Welcome to the September edition of Sports Updates!
A reminder that applications to join a Sports committee are now OPEN. If you have a passion or an expertise in a particular sport and want to share that, please apply. Full information about which committees have vacancies and information on how to apply can be found by clicking the button below. Please note the deadline is 9th October.
There are also some vacancies for Sports Coordinators. Please get in touch with the Sports Officer for the relevant sport for more information, or visit the relevant sport webpage.
Championships Round-Up
Wow, what a summer! Was this our biggest Championships yet? Across nine incredible days, Pony Club Members showcased the very best of Pony Club sport, from the opening weekend of Mounted Games, Polocrosse and Tetrathlon through to the final weekend of Eventing and the Musical Ride.
This year was packed with memorable milestones. We celebrated the first year that the Musical Ride winners secured qualification to the Horse of the Year Show, and the first Best Shod Award in the Chairman’s Cup. For many Members, it was also their first-ever Championships, and we hope the experience exceeded all expectations.
Events on this scale simply would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, officials and supporters. A huge thank you to everyone who gave their time, expertise and enthusiasm throughout the Championships. We would also like to recognise the Pony Club staff team, who spend months planning and preparing behind the scenes before, during and long after the event to make the magic happen. And of course to parents and Members – without you, there would be no competition!
While the dust may only just have settled on this year’s Championships, preparations for 2027 are already well underway. Make sure you’ve saved the dates: Friday 13th August to Saturday 21st August 2027!
Equine Fit Award
Congratulations to the following members for being awarded the Equine Fit Award from The Pony Club Championships:
- Mounted Games – Sarah Wilson, East Antrim
- Polocrosse – Kara Vaughan, South Devon Hunt (Moorland)
- Tetrathlon â Flora Baggot, Lord Leconfield
- Chairmanâs Cup Eventing â Lottie Atkinson, Cotswold
The Award was open to members competing in Mounted Games, Polocrosse, Tetrathlon and Chairmanâs Cup Eventing. Developed by the Equine Fitters Council and the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, the Award recognises riders who prioritise the fit, comfort, and function of their tack, recognising good fit as a key part of the wider picture that supports horse welfare, rider performance, and sporting success.
The Equine Fit Award recognises the care, preparation, and attention to detail that underpin successful partnerships. A great achievement!
RoR at The Championships
Retraining of Racehorses awards Highest Placed registered RoR horses in Dressage, Eventing and Show Jumping. Congratulations to the following members and their re-trained racehorses who were highest placed in their sections:
- Elin Wilson & Darker, South Durham Hunt
- Ned Peppe & Take Me Dancing, Moray & Nairn
- Scarlett Starkey & Schutzengel, Old Berkshire Hunt
- Charlotte Mellin & Call Me Gus, Oxenholme
- Lily Hammerton & Illusive Blue, Derwent Hunt
- Eloise Justice Voce & Splash of Magic, Eglington Hunt
Dressage
PCIA Virtual Dressage Competition
Congratulations to the members who will represent The Pony Club UK in this years PCIA Virtual Dressage Show.
Class 3 â USEF First Level
- Lauren Copestake & Pennineview Just Bee, Hambledon Hunt (North)
- Will Andrews & Global Smart Choice, Hampshire Hunt
- Magenta Device & Fabriano, Grove
- Libby Donger & Good Heys Carousel, South Notthinghamshire
Class 4 â USEF Second Level
- Libby Donger & Good Heys Corousel, South Nottinghshire
- Lauren Bendell & Derevnikov, Hambledon Hunt (North)
Libby and Lauren will join two other members from another PCIA country to form a mixed international team.
Class 6 â USDF Freestyle First Level
- Maddie Caunt & Desach Cinderella, Hambledon Hunt (North)
- Will Andrews & Global Smart Choice, Hampshire Hunt
- Grace Drummond & Furst Dance, Beaufort Hunt
Follow the competition at Pony Club International Virtual Dressage Show 2026 and get in touch if you would be interested in taking part in next yearâs competition by emailing [email protected].
The Pony Club Virtual Musical Ride Entries are also now OPEN, find more information here.
Endurance
Just when we thought Endurance had already had a truly fantastic summer, we’re off again!! Fresh off the back of the super successful Endurostyle Challenge at The Pony Club Championships, our best and brightest Endurance riders are preparing to take to their Championship event.
Hosted by Endurance GB, The British Horse Feeds Red Dragon Festival of Endurance takes place this weekend the 26th & 27th September at the Royal Welsh Showgrounds in Builth Wells.
Pony Club Members will compete in the Elite 80km, Intermediate 44km, Novice 34km and Grassroots 26km.
We wish all of our Members the very best of luck in their Championship and can’t wait to see the results!
Polocrosse
Pony Club Members from across the United Kingdom came to Offchurch Bury in Warwickshire to compete in the 2026 Pony Club Polocrosse Championships and were treated to two days of glorious sunshine and some excellent play on well prepared pitches, despite the lack of rain in recent months.Â
Members of all ages and abilities battled it out over the two days as they tried to win the national titles in Minis, Juniors and Seniors. There were lots of members attending their first ever Championships and 12 of the Pony Clubâs 19 areas were represented.Â
Overall it was a brilliant two days of competition and fun and we are already looking forwards to doing it all again next year! Click the link below for the results:
Horsemanship
The 2026 Pony Club Championships provided a fantastic showcase of the breadth of opportunities available, including Horsemanship. From international competition, practical horse and pony care and interactive learning Members demonstrated knowledge, teamwork, enthusiasm and a real passion for all aspects of horsemanship. With a number of exciting Horsemanship competitions taking place throughout the Championships, there was plenty to celebrate.
The inaugural Horsemanship Home International brought together Members from across the Home Nations, giving older Members the opportunity to showcase their horsemanship knowledge and skills. Alongside the Horsemanship International Challenge which bought together Members from China to showcase their skills and compete against Pony Club Centres. The Blue Cross Horse & Pony Care Championships also celebrated excellent horse care, with Members across the Mini, Junior and Senior sections demonstrating their knowledge, practical skills and attention to detail. Both competitions highlighted the importance of horsemanship in every equestrian discipline.
Horsemanship Home International Results:
đ Winning Team: Scotland (Abi Butchart, Abbie Wright, Kirsty Prentice and Maisie Statham â Team Manager = Milly Morrison).
The Horsemanship Home International Best Individuals: 1st Abi Butchart (Angus), 2nd Sylvia Fagg (Rockwood Harriers), 3rd Olivia Stubbs (West Lancashire County).
Horsemanship International Challenge China vs UK Results:
đ Winning Team: Oakfield Farm Pony Club Centre
2nd YCL Shanghai (Dragon Unicorn), 3rd Greenway Stables, 4th YCL Shanghai (Eastern Highland).
Horse & Pony Care Championships Results:
- Mini: 1st Cumberland Farmers Hunt South, 2nd Mill House, 3rd Seskinore Harriers
- Junior: 1st Mill House, 2nd Old Berkshire Hunt â White, 3rd Barlow Hunt â Primroses
- Senior: 1st West Lancashire County, 2nd Crawley and Horsham Hunt, 3rd Seskinore Harrier (also 1st place Newcomers)
Well done to all the teams and individuals who competed, and congratulations to this yearâs champions. As always, a massive thank you to our wonderful sponsors Blue Cross!
The Pony Club Horsemanship KAHOOT Sessions are Back!
Looking to brush up on your Pony Club knowledge and horsemanship skills, or preparing for the Quiz Area Competitions? The Horsemanship Committee, together with our Youth Representative Abi, is here to help!
Weâre excited to announce we will be continuing to run the  interactive Horsemanship KAHOOT Training Sessions, giving Members the chance to test their knowledge, learn new facts and prepare for upcoming competitions. Our first session will take place on Tuesday 13th October and will focus on Pony Club Quiz revision, helping Members get ready for the season ahead.
đ Topics weâll be covering:
- Mini 6pm: The Pony Club, Equipment & Rider Safety and Farming.
- Junior/Senior 7:15pm: The Pony Club, Equipment & E Safety and Farming.
Eventing
It has been an incredibly busy year for Pony Club Eventing, and there is no sign of things slowing down just yet. With the Area Competitions, Championships and PC110 Championships now behind us, our attention turns to the highly anticipated Nations Cup of Eventing at the Aspen Cooling Osberton Horse Trials.
There was an exceptional level of interest from Pony Club Members who competed at the Championships and PC110 Championships across the PC100, Chairman’s Cup and PC110 classes. With so many talented combinations putting themselves forward, selecting the teams was no easy task. The event gets underway on Wednesday 29th September, and you can find out more, including the full team line-ups, in our dedicated news article.
Congratulations also go to all Pony Club Members who represented the Club in the BSPS Gold Cup competition at Burghley Horse Trials earlier this month. It was fantastic to see so many Members competing at such a prestigious event.
Pony Racing
We look forward to race days at Bangor-on-Dee (27th September), Warwick (3rd October) and Lingfield (26th October), which will then conclude this year’s racing. it’s been an incredibly busy year with record entries.
A reminder to all competitors to familiarise themselves with the rules and only enter classes that they and their pony are eligible for.
Mounted Games
Congratulations to the Teams who secured their HOYS qualifications at Zones and the Championships this year:
- Strathearn from Northern Zones
- Wylye Valley (our 2025 HOYS Champions) from Southern Zones
- North Warwickshire from Central Zone Saturday
- North Herefordshire from Central Zone Sunday
- The Wynnstay from Championships
- Enfield Chace from Championships
Keep your eyes peeled for a full report on their trip – you might even be inspired to apply yourself! Applications for the 2027 IMGE trip will open in December 2026, so watch this space.
Entries and eligibility criteria for the Windsor Trials 2027 will be published on the website in October. A reminder that all nominated Members must hold their C Test at the time of being nominated.
Could You Be Scotlandâs Next Mounted Games National Trainer?
Applications are now open for the role of Scottish National Mounted Games Trainer for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. This exciting opportunity will see the successful trainer lead the Scottish National Team in preparation for, and during, the prestigious Royal Windsor Horse Show, as well as supporting the team at any future international competitions during this time.
Whether you would like to put yourself forward or nominate a trainer you believe would be an excellent ambassador for Scottish Mounted Games, we encourage you to apply. Previous holders of the role are welcome to reapply, and nominations can be submitted by trainers themselves or by their DC or AR.
All applications must be submitted by Sunday 4th October 2026.
Polo
Another Pony Club Polo season for 74 teams came to a fantastic close at the Championships in August at Cowdray Park Polo Club, generously sponsored by Hurlingham Polo 1875. Check out the full list of results for teams and individuals at the link below.
Many thanks go out to the many polo clubs and private ground owners who have hosted PC Polo events throughout the season, as well as our dedicated volunteers, Branch/Centre managers, officials and coaches.Â
For anyone interested in having a go at Polo we hope to have more information on training grants soon.Â
Show Jumping
Congratulations to the embers who have qualified for the Mini Major Final at London International Horse Show:
- Harlow Wiek, West Kent Meopham
- Chloe Capper, Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire
- Caitie McEvoy, Iveagh
- Georgia Bingham, East Antrim
- Conor Barnes, South Nottinghamshire
- Maisie Conway, Chiddingfold
- Safiya Usmani, Beaufort Hunt
- Scarlett Willis, Fitzwilliam Hunt
We look forward to seeing you pair up with your professional rider!
Tetrathlon
Have you got a love of tetrathlon and would like to help support the sport in your area?
We are looking for Tetrathlon Area Coordinators in areas 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 17. If this is something you’re interested in, please see the role description and application form below. Note that you will need to be proposed an seconded by two DCs in your area.
If you would like more information, please contact [email protected] or your current area coordinator, you’ll find the full list below
Howden Centre Equitation
Entries for the Centre Equitation competition are now CLOSED! A huge well done to everyone who is taking part this year. The videos are all currently being judged by our fantastic judges, and we hope to have the results out to you by late October.
Thank you to Howden for supplying the goody bags – these will be being posted out to all partaking Centres week beginning 5th October.
Interested in taking part next year? Click the link below!
NAF Regional Championships
All five NAF Regional Finals have now concluded and a huge well done to all our PC70 and PC80 Members who took part all across the UK. Thank you to NAF for sponsoring the event and for providing wonderful prizes!