Working hunter pony classes

[almostthereagain]

Can anybody advise me on how I go about finding novice classes? Dd is keen to give it a go, it's completely new to me but our pony has previous experience. Google has helped me with rules, qualifiers etc but I am struggling to find shows with beginners classes. Any advice as to where to look?Tia.

[Butkin]

We had plenty of Novice WHP classes at our BSPS Area 16 show yesterday. If you find out where your local BSPS and NPS shows are they will be running affiliated classes. They will be well run with good jumps/courses but adhering strictly to the height/spread limitations set down by the governing bodies so not too touch. If you look at BSPS rule book (downloadable from their website) you'll find exactly how they run.

If you're going plaited the jumps are a little higher. The M&Ms jumps are smaller and you'll see them called Heritage classes in BSPS schedules..

What area are you in?

[almostthereagain]

Thanks Butkin We are area 9 PC, (glos) not sure if that's the same. Pony is 14hh, dd a tall 11yo. So if I look at BSPS website, hopefully I'll find something? Thanks so much, will be back for advice on top tips!

[almostthereagain]

Had a look at BSPS website but still struggling Realise I'm prob a bit late to the party for this year but how on earth do I find out where the shows are? Apologies for being such a novice!

[Butkin]

If you're in Gloucestershire then you are BSPS Area 9B. Unfortunately they seemed to have had a Winter and Spring show and nothing more. You'll need to ring them up..

The best place to look is on the BSPS national site and then click on Shows/All Show Dates. You can then search for anything within reach.

Similarly you can try the NPS main site or the one for Area 12 which is your area.. They had a "Working Hunter Pony Festival" on May 29th so a shame you missed that..

You're definitely not too late and certainly you should look at the 4 main Championship shows to see if they have classes you fancy during the summer holidays. Look at BSPS Summer Champs, Ponies UK Summer Champs, NPS Summer Champs and Equifest. We only do the BSPS - at Arena UK - which is fantastic and very well run. We've been to PUK and Equifest which are a notch below in terms of ability and certainly, in terms of Equifest, huge shows with classes for all abilities. The NPS Summer Champs are August 5th to 7th at Three Counties Showground so I Imagine, geographically, the most appealing for you.

Of course there will be lots of local shows. we use //wwwhorsedates.co.uk for the Eastern Counties - not sure if you have something similar. Check out shows advertised in your local tack shops and see what your Pony Club is up to.

Let me know if you have any questions...

[almostthereagain]

Many thanks