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Native breed experts pinpoint 6 core skills for your pony to be light, forward and responsive in the ring this season

In this exclusive series for Horse & Hound subscribers on specific training for different types of show horse, native aficionados explain how to get the best out of your pony, dealing with particular areas that are common to native breeds
Alex Robinson Alex Robinson

    • Training for ridden native pony showing classes requires a specific approach to match the type, as well as plenty of practice to stand out in a competitive field. The native classes are undoubtedly the most popular and well-attended on the showing circuit. Today, mountain and moorland (M&M) flat and working hunter classes feature mammoth entries at shows up and down the country.

    Classes for native ponies vary from the prestigious open breed finals at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the M&M Supreme Championship held at the London International Horse Show, to amateur-specific classes for home producers who juggle work with showing.

    Some shows offer mixed M&M classes where all breeds compete against each other, while each of the breed societies hosts their own annual shows where you will see a venue filled with examples of just one breed of native.

    Mini sections dedicated to M&M ponies are equally strong, with the small breeds often being a parent’s choice for their child’s lead-rein and first-ridden mounts.

    With the correct training, many of the scopier and sportier types can make capable working hunter ponies, their native bravery and hardiness helping them fare well in this sphere.

    6 key areas for training the ridden native pony

    If you have a native pony to show during the coming season, winter and early spring is the perfect time to go back to basics and ensure their way of going is at the necessary level for success. H&H speaks to some of the circuit’s most successful producers who have won at all the major finals about the challenges you might face during training the ridden native pony and some tips on how to solve them.

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    Alex Robinson
    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.
    Alex Robinson

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