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‘First and foremost and above all else, these ponies must safely carry a small child’: meet the RIHS plaited mini judge

In the first of our exclusive articles for H&H subscribers on what the judges will be looking for in specific classes at the Agria Royal International Horse Show, we speak to mini judge Mathew Lawrence about his background, and what he’ll be prioritising when assessing the conformation of the ponies in front of him at Hickstead

  • The plaited mini championship at the Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) plays host to some of the cutest and most charming combinations on show all week. Royal International mini judge Mathew Lawrence will be assessing the conformation phase in the lead-rein, first ridden and lead-rein pony of hunter type classes.

    So who is he and what will he be looking for? Here’s your guide…

    Mathew’s background in showing…

    Bristol-based Mathew is a former producer of ridden ponies and horses, now focused on teaching and training.

    Mathew was not born to horsey parents, but his aunt had a horse and a good friend at school’s mum ran a riding school, so Mathew worked on a Saturday for a free ride on a Sunday.

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