News

Pint-sized pony wins Pony Club Grand Prix

Pint-sized pony wins Pony Club Grand Prix

The smallest pony has won the biggest class at the Dengie Pony Club Winter League Championships at Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell (April 12-13).

A real trier

India Bussey, from the South Norfolk Branch, saw off 50 other competitors to take the Open Grand Prix title with her pint-sized pony Westside Menlough.

Around two thirds of the class made it through to the second round, eight of which went forward to jump. India rode three fault-free rounds, to take the top spot in a time of 34.84 seconds.

“I felt a bit nervous in the collecting ring being on the smallest pony in the jump off, but when we jumped Hugo filled me with confidence because he’s such a trier,” said India. “It’s been a great experience to compete nationally, and thanks to Dengie and the Pony Club for making it happen!”

Watch a video of their round here.

Big scores

Earlier in the day the Winter League Championship took place, with nearly 90 competitors entered in the first round. Just 16 went through to the jump off, and it was Isabel Lindsay and Bailey XII from the Fife Hunt Branch who won the title.

Following a full day’s showjumping, came the dressage championships on the Sunday, with talented your riders producing some impressive scores. Isabelle Beeston and VIP from the Atherstone Hunt won the Novice Championship with 72.6%, while Charlotte McDowall and Felinmor Buddy from the Ledbury Hunt took the Open title on 73.38%.

Full results of the showjumping and dressage championships can be found online.

PT
Press Team

Read next

4 min read
Advice

A happy horse who is willing to learn

For eventers, performance and partnership go hand in hand. Every polished dressage test or clear round on cross-country is built on one...

Advice
2 min read
Events

US Equestrian Open points up for grabs as Stable View Oktoberfest welcomes four-star stars and the next generation

Oktoberfest Horse Trials takes place this week at the prestigious Stable View, with classes from National through to CCI4*-S. This event is...

Events
4 min read
Events

McEwen makes history with a Blenheim double – and a one-two for good measure

Tom McEwen became the first rider ever to win both the Agria CCI4*-L and the GFS Saddles CCI4*-S at Blenheim in the...

Events
3 min read
Events

McEwen holds the top two spots as the clock rules at Blenheim

Tom McEwen leads the Agria CCI4-L on The Fieldmaster and lies second on Brookfield Quality, separated by a tenth of a penalty,...

Events
3 min read
Events

Three rails cost Astier Nicolas as McEwen’s pathfinder reclaims the Blenheim 8/9 YO lead

The overnight leader’s 3.4-penalty cushion vanished in the Palace Arena, handing Tom McEwen and Brookfield Danny De Muze the GFS Saddles CCI4-S...

Events
4 min read
Events

Barrett holds on by a whisker as Olympic gold medallist strikes late at Blenheim

Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Briar survived two days of pressure to top the Agria CCI4-L by 0.6 of a penalty, while France’s...

Events
3 min read
Events

Adelaide champions set the pace on opening day of Blenheim dressage

A career-best test from Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Briar takes them to the top of the Agria CCI4*-L leaderboard, with Gemma Stevens...

Events
4 min read
Articles

Ben Maher wins the $5m CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, to become the new Rolex Grand Slam contender

Richard Vogel came to Calgary chasing history. Ben Maher left with the trophy. On the final day of the 2026 CSIO Spruce...

Articles
2 min read
Articles

Meet the Legendary Lipizzaners of the Spanish Riding School in Equus Worldwide: Austria

For centuries, the Lipizzaner has stood as a symbol of Austrian equestrian tradition — bred for the Spanish Riding School and trained...

H&C TV Shows
1 min read
Advice

Dealing with Competition Nerves

Ever had that sinking feeling the night before a competition, like you’ve forgotten how to ride, can’t picture getting on, or can’t...

Advice
2 min read
Events

“There was some time we thought she might not make it”: Sadie Smith and River Rise Onassis’s emotional return to the National Championships

Sadie Smith and Sue Gerrard’s River Rise Onassis, known at home as ‘Sassy’, made an emotional return to the LeMieux National Championships...

Events
2 min read
Events

“A really cool, cheeky little chap”: Charlotte Dujardin & Brave Heart gain personal best at the National Championships

Charlotte Dujardin returned to the LeMieux National Championships today with her relatively new ride Brave Heart II, to gain the pair’s personal...

Events
4 min read
Uncategorised

How to watch Blenheim Horse Trials 2026 Live: Dates, Start List & The New Blenheim Challenge

Watch Blenheim Horse Trials 2026 live on H&C+ from 16th–20th September. Dates, schedule, who's riding and how the new Blenheim Challenge works.

Blenheim
2 min read
Events

Richard Vogel set to make showjumping history at The CPKC ‘International’ Spruce Meadows, presented by Rolex 2026

World no. 1 showjumper Richard Vogel is set to make history this week if he wins the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex...

Events
1 min read
Recommended

The Secrets to Gemma Stevens’s Success: go behind the scenes of her yard with H&C+

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of one of the UK’s top event riders’ yards? Take a look Behind the...

Recommended
2 min read
Events

16 years in the making: Gemma Stevens & Chilli Knight make history at Burghley

This weekend saw eventing history being made, with Gemma Stevens winning the 2026 Defender Burghley Horse Trials on the largest winning margin...

Events
4 min read
News

Shires horses on a golf course: a meadow flower harvest day with a difference.

A pair of magnificent heavy horses returned to Cookham, Berkshire last Friday, 28th August, helping to harvest native wildflower seeds in a...

News
2 min read
Events

From the next generation to the Grand Prix stars: stream the LeMieux National Dressage Championships 2026 on H&C+

All over the country, combinations are undertaking their final preparations for the LeMieux National Dressage Championships, taking place at Somerford Park from...

Events
3 min read
Articles

Inspiring Stories: “Horses Saved My Life”

James attended Greatwood’s one week intensive 1st4Sport accredited ‘Get Going’ programme during the summer of 2012. James came to the charity through...

Articles
2 min read
Articles

Big Shake-Up on Cross-Country Day for the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final

Thursday’s cross-country phase turned the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final leaderboard on its head at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented...

Articles