NPS Autumn Festival showing report: Prolific mare is still Delicious *H&H Plus*

A former HOYS champion proves she’s just as quality without a saddle, while a home-produced riding pony impresses to take the show’s top ridden accolade

NPS Autumn Festival, Vale View EC, Leics

A former Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) champion has changed hands and was debuted in-hand by her new producer at the National Pony Society’s (NPS) first major fixture of the season. Connemara mare Skærgårdens Delicious Love, now owned by breed specialist Vanessa Clark – whose eye for a star has been proven times over – led the Kilmannan Silver Medal championship before scooping the NPS/Area XI supreme in-hand garland.

Delicious is no stranger to success in the NPS. In 2017, the then first-season five-year-old was champion of the Picton novice mountain and moorland (M&M) sections, the same year she was crowned overall M&M pony of the year at the NEC, and last term she won the Shearwater open ridden supreme.

Alex Robinson

Freelance equestrian journalist

Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.