Top pony breeders and riders show what they’re made of

The cream of the equestrian world was on display in North Yorkshire yesterday as riders from across the country headed to Harrogate for the National Pony Society Summer Show.

With qualifiers for some of the country’s leading equestrian events, including Olympia and the Horse of the Year Show, the show is seen as a key event in the competitive calendar.

The National Pony Society represents every native breed in the country, and Shetlands, Dartmoors and Exmoors, were just some of the ponies being paraded around the arenas at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

The Northern breeders In Hand Supreme Championship showcased some of the region’s best ponies and the event culminated in the In Hand and Ridden Supreme of Show, which saw the event’s top ponies crowned.

The summer show is well established at the showground and has been running for almost 30 years.

Its aim is to promote and encourage the breeders of mountain and moorland and riding ponies in the north of England.

Show secretary Jane Burnell said this year’s event had attracted top quality entries and the judges had been impressed with the overall standard.

“It really celebrated the best of the British breeds,” she said.