Welcome to the British Show Pony Society. We hope this portfolio will answer some of the questions you may have about our society.

We are here to ensure that showing with the BSPS is a great deal of fun.

ANSWERS TO COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How is the B.S.P.S. different from other showing societies?
The B.S.P.S. is unique within the showing world in that the country is divided into Areas. These Areas have recently all become Limited Companies, with their own Board of Directors. Any money held by the Area belongs to that Area and can no longer be called in by Head Office.

What relationship do the Areas have with the B.S.P.S?
The Areas are now franchised to the B.S.P.S., which entitles them to use the name and logo of the B.S.P.S. The Areas have a responsibility under this franchise to actively promote the B.S.P.S. by seeking new members and to organise teach-ins and other events. A fuller explanation can be found in the Rule and Show Handbook.

Why is my Area so often trying to raise money?
Your subscriptions to Head Office do not come back to the areas, they are used to run the office and put on Championship Shows. Your Area is financially independent of Head office.

How is the Area financed?
Each Area is financed by the profit (or loss at some Winter Shows) made by putting on shows. Sponsorship can play a large part in this.

What do the Areas spend the money on?
There are certain overheads that have to be met annually by the Areas such as insurance and advertising. The insurance costs approximately £500 per Area and covers all aspects of shows, training days and social events. Each year the Area show dates are included in a B.S.P.S. Horse and Hound advertisement.

Organising a show involves considerable outlay before the day, so the Areas need to have some money in hand to remain in credit! Just guess how much it is to hire the venue, hire jumps, affiliate to the various societies, give prize money, pay Judges’ expenses, cater for the officials, hire a speaker system and the course builder and buy rosettes. Now double that number and you might be somewhere close to the amount!

Presentation Evenings take up another chunk of money, often the food is free for the children and they are presented with wonderful rosettes.

Training Days cost a substantial amount to put on; venue hire and instructors fees have to be met.

Different Areas spend their money in different ways to suit the needs of their membership. If you are not sure how the money is being spent go along to your A.G.M. and find out.

How do the Areas keep in touch with the B.S.P.S.?
Your Area Chairman is invited to three meetings a year at the B.S.P.S. Head Office. It is very important that they attend or a representative so that they can report back to the area any new initiatives and ideas. It is at these meetings that members’ views are discussed. The Area Chairmen can make suggestions, which then go to Council for further discussion. Nothing is dismissed out of hand but the final say is with your elected Council, who always consider what is best for the whole membership not just a few individuals.

How can I help my Area?
Areas usually find themselves short of help on or just before show days. Offering a couple of hours manual labour to move jumps, or manning a collecting ring for a while or helping the secretary are ways that you can help if you are too unsure to offer to steward. Raising sponsorship is also absolutely vital if every member found someone to sponsor a class we would all be happy.

WHAT IS THE BSPS?

Founded in October 1949 the British Show Pony Society is a family orientated society which aims to improve the showing of “The Childrens’ Riding Pony” by promoting classes and competitions for Childrens’ Show Ponies, Show Hunter Ponies and Working Hunter Ponies.

WHAT DO I GET FROM MY AREA?

The country is divided into 25 BSPS area’s plus the Scottish Branch and most members join the area in which they live. Each area has it’s own committee who organise area shows and social events. All areas run a points system similar to that of the riding clubs whereby members are awarded points when placed at affiliated points qualifying shows. Each area regularly informs it’s members of events by newsletter or through the News Review. This is a nationwide monthly publication listing reports from every area, show dates and results. It has a childrens’ section run by the Junior Editor for children, and miscellaneous adverts. The News Review is a must for members wishing to keep abreast of information about the society.

WHERE ARE BSPS AFFILIATED SHOW’S HELD?

During the summer season a great number of the 500 shows affiliated to the BSPS are run by BSPS areas and local riding clubs, a list of which is available from your area secretary and the Society’s monthly publication available to all members – the News Review. Affiliation to the BSPS is stated in the show’s schedule and all affiliated shows are qualifiers for one of the largest pony shows in the world, the BSPS Summer Championships Show, a four day show usually held at the end of August beginning of September.

The Winter season shows held from October to March cater primarily for Novice and Restricted Show Hunter and Working Hunter ponies and Novice and Restricted Heritage Mountain & Moorland ponies and is the ideal training ground for new partnerships and young ponies.  To be eligible to compete in these classes ponies must be 4 years old or over on the 1st January in the current year. All BSPS affiliated shows in the Winter calendar are qualifiers for the Society’s other major Championships show the Winter Championships held in April.

Both the Summer and Winter Championships shows are a great get together of BSPS members from all over the country with the serious job of showing ponies by day and the fun of entertainment by night. The Society has yet to see a child or adult who does not look forward to and thoroughly enjoy these days of combined sport and pleasure, some even call it a holiday.

DOES THE BSPS HAVE ANY TEAM EVENTS?

Every year at the Summer Championships areas are invited to put forward an Individual and a team for the Young Judges competition. This is a competition that teaches members between 14 and 21 years (Team Event) to understand the judge’s point of view.  In the Individual Competition candidates must have attained their 18th but not their 24th birthday before 1st January in the current year.

Area Show Pony, Show Hunter, Working Hunter, and Heritage M&M pony teams compete against each other at the Summer Championships and all take part in a spectacular parade of teams at the show when winning teams are announced and adorned with sashes and rosettes.

WILL I LEARN ANYTHING AS A BSPS MEMBER?

If you need help with your pony or your riding all areas run informal and very informative teach-ins.  These teach-ins give all members the opportunity to quiz invited experts on all aspects of showing. Teach-Ins are great fun and non members are as welcome as members since the aim of the BSPS is to give everyone the chance to broaden his or her equine knowledge for as we all know there is always a lot to learn.

WHAT DOES THE BSPS OFFER IN SCHOLARSHIPS?

The Society runs three Scholarship schemes

1.The BSPS Show Pony scholarship consists of one week with a professional showing yard
To improve your riding and ringcraft and learn some tricks of the trade.

2.The BSPS Working Hunter Pony scholarship consists of one week with a Working
Hunter pony expert who will help you get the very best from your worker.

3.The BSPS Show Hunter Pony scholarship consists of one week with a professional
Showing yard to improve your riding and ringcraft and learn some tricks of the trade.

Entry forms for scholarships are included with the AGM report in December, which is sent to all members.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW?

Please read your rule book carefully and if you are unsure about anything do not hesitate to contact  Head Office or either your area chairman or secretary since they are there to help. If you require tuition of any kind your area chairman will be able to give you the name and number of someone who can help you.

If you have bought a new pony and are unsure of it’s past history within the BSPS please ring head office on 01487 831 376 and they will check their records and give you the information you require.

ALL THAT REMAINS NOW IS TO WISH YOU GOOD LUCK
AND HOPE YOU ENJOY SHOWING WITH THE BSPS