I hope you are all well. Firstly, l would like to wish all of you who have qualified for LIHS, a wonderful time. It is certainly a great way to end the year whether you are competing or spectating. I hope to see many of you there!

This is the most important Members Newsletter I have written since becoming your chairman. It advises you of the most wide-ranging changes to the classes we offer, introduces new classes for 2026 and some important rule changes that accompany them. Please read it carefully, and email to membership@bsps.com if you have any questions. We will have a Members Zoom meeting on Thursday December 4th where we will discuss these changes in more detail and answer the questions you have raised.

I would like to thank Lizzie Bunn and David Ingle, from the RIHS, Nick Brooks-Ward and the team at LIHS, and Burghley for all their support in making this happen.

It is important to understand what has driven these changes, and why they need to be seen in the “round” as an integrated offer to you, our members.

Drivers for change.

* Requests from members for changes to classes and introduction of new classes.

* Alignment, where possible, of ages of riders and heights of ponies

* Introduction of new or amended classes

* Changes to rules as appropriate

* Building on the success of new classes at LIHS

* Addressing the underperforming classes that have had limited and diminishing entries, for example the large Anglo and Part Bred Arab class, the Intermediate WHP, plaited WHP classes, considering the significant cost to shows of putting on these classes.

* Review of the Intermediate SRT classes, due to the changes at HOYS, taking this to one class has been reviewed at RIHS for 2026.

 

Changes for 2026.

 

1. Lead Rein Working Sports Pony (Burghley) and Heritage Lead Rein Working Sports Pony (LIHS). Now these classes are more established, members have requested a change in the minimum age. From 2026 children must have attained their 4th birthday on the 1st of January in the current year to compete in these classes.

 

2. LIHS. Due to the introduction and success of the Heritage First Ridden Working Sports Pony the Performance Pony not exceeding 128cm has been changed to :-

 

BSPS Junior Performance Pony Mare or Gelding, 4 years old or over not exceeding 138cms.  Riders not to have attained their 13^th birthday on 1^stJanuary in the current year.  Any suitable bridle.

 

This enables our young riders to compete on a more level playing field in these classes.

 

Burghley Sports Pony Final. (Gold Cup)

 

These classes have been revised as follows for 2026. The qualification and the format remains unchanged.

Sports Pony, mare or gelding, 4 years old and over, not exceeding 138cm, riders not to have attained their 15th birthday on the 1st of January in the current year. Height of fences in the qualifying rounds 85cm for WHP and 90cm for show jumping. Height of fences at the final 90cm for WHP and 95cm for show jumping

Sports Pony, mare or gelding, 4 years old and over not exceeding 148cm, riders not to have attained their 18th birthday on the 1st of January in current year. Height of fences in the qualifying rounds 95cm for WHP and 100cm for show jumping. Height of fences at the final 100cm for WHP and 105 cm for show jumping

Sports Pony, mare or gelding, 4 years old and over, not exceeding 158cm, riders not to have attained their 25th birthday on the 1st of January in the current year. Height of fences in the qualifying rounds 105cm for WHP and 110cm for show jumping.  Height at the final 110cm for WHP and 115cm for show jumping.

The same pony rider combination can only qualify in one section, and must qualify in the first class they qualify in.

 

The reason for these changes is as follow: – It aligns these classes more closely to the Pony Club and enables Intermediate WHP to compete for the first time, (a constant request from members). We also hope this will encourage more intermediate WHs in other classes. This now enables a non-qualifying, Gold Cup Nursery Stakes class to be held at the Winter and Summer Championship Show, providing a stepping stone for our younger riders to gain experience.

 

RIHS 2026.

 

The timetable for 2026 has been finalised and will be on the Royal International/Hickstead website.

The RIHS will now host a Cradle Stakes final at next year’s show. The age for the Cradle Stakes riders will rise by one year, riders not to have attained their 12th birthday on the first of January in the current year. This now aligns to the age to 123cm SHP. This will apply to all Cradle Stakes classes. This class will be held on the Sunday before the Nursery Stakes and followed by a mini WHP Championship.

Please also note that age of riders for Nursery Stakes classes for the RIHS will be aligned to LIHS, riders not to have attained their 13th birthday on the first of January in the current year.

I am pleased to advise you that following the success at LIHS, a new First Pony of Hunter Type (with obstacles, like the lead rein of hunter type. Please note, there will be no jumping.) will be introduced at the RIHS for 2026. In this class riders will not be required to jump any fences. See below.

 

OPEN FIRST PONY OF SHOW HUNTER TYPE CLASS (WITH OBSTACLES)

THE B.S.P.S. OPEN FIRST PONY OF SHOW HUNTER TYPE, Mare or Gelding 4 years old or over, not exceeding 123cms. Snaffle bridles only. Suitable to be ridden by a rider not to have attained their 10th. birthday before the 1st. January in the current year.

This class will be held on Saturday, preceded by the Lead Rein Pony of Show Hunter Type followed by a Mini Championship with the Champion going forward to the Pony Supreme on Sunday.  This avoids all the mini plaited classes being held on the Sunday.

 

Method of Judging

Riders will be allowed to walk the course with an adult.

 

Competitors will enter the ring as a whole class on the right rein at walk.  Competitors will walk and trot on the right rein, (no cantering on the go round) change of rein in trot and onto the left rein.  The judge may decide to “pull in” the class in a preferred order or line up in any order.  Riders will not be required to wear a body protector.

 

Riders will present the pony to the judge, walk away and trot back (no stripping) they will then complete the course, after which they will canter on one rein down the long side of the ring/arena.

 

At the completion of the class the judge may ask the competitors to undertake a final walk round or pull ponies forward from the line for final placings.

 

Please note that for the Burghley and LIHS classes for LR and FR, there will now be a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 7 obstacles for LR classes and minimum of 5 and maximum of 8 obstacles (including 3 jumps for LIHS and Burghley qualifying classes) in these classes for 2026.

 

For lead rein of hunter type there will be a minimum of three obstacles and maximum of five obstacles. For the first pony of show hunter type a minimum of four and a maximum of six obstacles.

 

Plaited WHP classes. These classes have had a major revision with the hope of boosting entries, achieving more consistent courses in the qualifying rounds and the final. Competitors will now be able to jump two ponies in each class, to help support bringing on the novice pony.

Animals may only compete in one WHP height section at the same show on the same day, with the exception of…

Cradle and Nursery Stakes ponies may compete and qualify in both classes on the same day as there will be a change of course between the Cradle and Nursery Stakes class.

Nursery Stakes ponies will continue to be able to compete and qualify in the not exceeding 133cm class only on the same day as there will be a change of course between these classes.

Animals may qualify in the Intermediate and one other WHP class and compete at the final, but they must qualify on a separate day.

Apart from these classes, ponies can only compete and qualify in one class on the same day and at the final.

It will still be a requirement to have jumped an additional qualifying class if you qualify first time out. Ages have been altered to support longevity in these classes.

To make the courses more consistent, 90% of the fences must be at the maximum height, comprising of a minimum of 10 fences, including a double. 5cm to the height and width of the fences will be added at the final.

Intermediate WHP.

These classes have performed poorly. Numbers in the qualifying classes have not met expectations. This class will be retained for 2026, with the final held on the Sunday of the RIHS. The qualifying classes will be limited to 15, these will be geographically spread around the country. For 2026, you will not be able to compete in any other WHP class and Intermediate WH class on the same day, (this is a change from 2025). You will be able to qualify the same pony in two classes at different shows and compete at the final classes, as the final for the Intermediate WH is on a different day.

This class is the most contentious, with members split on a way forward, particularly relating to the height of the course. The height and width of fences will be 1m 10cm in the qualifying rounds, with 90% of the course will be built at that height, e.g. if it’s a 10 fence course, 9 fences will be built at the height detailed below. The course builder will have the option of adding 5cm at the final.

It is hoped that the changes to Burghley will help encourage riders to compete more often in these classes. Please note, this class will be reviewed after the RIHS in 2026, to determine its ongoing viability. It is now up to you the members to support it!

 

WHP CLASSES

Please note the new adjustments to the age of riders in the WHP Classes.

 

THE B.S.P.S. CRADLE STAKES. Mare or Gelding, 4 years old and over, not exceeding 123cms. Suitable to be ridden by a rider not to have attained not to have attained their 12th birthday before 1st January in the current year.

 

THE B.S.P.S. NURSERY STAKES. Mare or Gelding, 4 years old and over, not exceeding 133cms. Suitable to be ridden by a rider not to have attained not to have attained their 13th birthday before 1st January in the current year.

 

THE B.S.P.S. 133cm W.H.P. Mare or Gelding, 4 years old and over, not exceeding 133cms. Suitable to be ridden by a rider not to have attained not to have attained their 15th.birthday before 1st January in the current year.

 

THE B.S.P.S. 143cm W.H.P. Mare or Gelding, 4 years old and over, not exceeding 143cms. Suitable to be ridden by a rider not to have attained not to have attained their 18th birthday before 1st January in the current year.

 

THE B.S.P.S. 153cm W.H.P. Mare or Gelding, 4 years old and over, not exceeding 153cms. Suitable to be ridden by a rider not to have attained not to have attained their 25th birthday before 1st January in the current year.

 

THE B.S.P.S. OPEN INTERMEDIATE WORKING HUNTER. Mare or Gelding, 4 years old or over, and not exceeding 158cms. Suitable to be ridden by a rider not to have attained not to have attained their 25th birthday before 1st January in the current year.

 

Adjustments to the Height of fences for Open WHP Classes

 

OPEN W.H.P.               HEIGHTS                             SPREADS

                Cradle Stakes                                     max 65cm                                           max 65cm

                First fence not to exceed 50cms

                Nursery Stakes                                  max 75cm                                           max 75cm

               

                133cms. WHP                                    max 85cm                                           max 85cm

                                                                               

                143cms. WHP                                    max 95cm                                           max 95cm

                                                                               

                153cms. WHP                                    max 105cm                                        max 105cm

Intermediate WH                              max 110cm                                        max 110cm       

 

 

Anglo and Part Bred Arab Class.

 

The numbers forward in the Large Anglo and Part Bred Arab qualifying classes, have been disappointing. The small and large Anglo and Part Bred Arab class will therefore be amalgamated into one class for 2026. Animals will no longer be ridden at the final.  There will be approximately 20 small qualifiers (not exceeding 148cm and approximately 10 large qualifiers (exceeding 148cm). These classes will be held on the Sunday. This was a request from members to move this class from the Saturday. At the final the class will be spilt on the go round, small and large.

 

Intermediate Classes.

 

It was the intention of the BSPS and the RIHS to retain 3 Intermediate classes at the show, however, due changes at HOYS, changes are being made for 2026.

 

The Intermediate of Show Hunter Type is retained in the same format.

 

The Intermediate SRT/ Hack Type will be retained, as one class, for ponies and horses exceeding 146cm and not exceeding 160cm.

 

A new Intermediate of Riding Horse Type exceeding 148cm but not exceeding 158cm will be introduced for 2026.

 

Animals will only be able to qualify in one class.

 

These changes retain 3 classes and offer our young riders a pathway into Hacks, Small Hunter and Small Riding Horse classes.

 

THE B.S.P.S. OPEN INTERMEDIATE SHOW RIDING HORSE. Mare or gelding 4 yrs old and over exceeding 148cms not exceeding 158cms. Suitable to be ridden by a rider not to have attained their 25th birthday before 1st January in the current year.

 

THE B.S.P.S. OPEN INTERMEDIATE SHOW RIDING TYPE OR HACK, Mare or Gelding 4 years old or over exceeding 146cms and not exceeding 160cms. Suitable to be ridden by a rider not to have attained their 25th. Birthday before 1st January in the current year.

 

THE B.S.P.S. OPEN INTERMEDIATE SHOW HUNTER. Mare or gelding 4 yrs old and over exceeding 148cms not exceeding 158cms. Suitable to be ridden by a rider not to have attained their 25th birthday before 1st January in the current year.

 

There was of course more we had been asked to do. However, we must work in partnership with others, and to add new classes means other classes must be removed. I believe these changes have met most members requests and addressed concerns on some classes that have declined in numbers.

 

I hope you welcome what has been achieved and thank you for your ongoing support.

There is a BSPS Ball flyer attached to this letter, we hope to see you there . Please contact sharon@bsps.com for more information and tickets.

 

Regards,

 

Paul Cook

BSPS National Chairman