CASES LTD/ NPS PENDLEY SUPREME IN HAND CHAMPIONSHIP
For the Pendley Cup
The Concept or Purpose
To create a unique and accessible pathway for key breeds and types to be shown in-hand and compete to showcase the best of British breeding. It seeks to demonstrate the individual abilities of all the native breeds and traditional types of riding and working equines. A further aim is to recognise the breeders themselves, providing a championship window for their stock.
The Series
Several qualifying shows will host qualifying sections. These qualifiers will be scheduled within the first half of the showing season at established County, Breed, or Society shows. There will be a maximum of eight qualifiers for each breed/type class. Qualifiers are intended to be held regionally across the UK; however, due to the limited timeline in advance of RIHS and the geographical spread of events, not all areas of the UK may be covered.
The Championship Finals
Six separate class finals will be held at the RIHS, with the first finals being in 2027. These will be:
M&M Small Breeds
M&M Large Breeds
Show Hunter Pony
Show Pony
Hack/Riding Horse
Hunter
The top 2 prize winners in each class will go forward to the Supreme In-Hand Championship to be held in the International Arena.
The Supreme In-Hand Championship
12 horses/ponies will come forward for a short parade and final presentation to decide the overall supreme and Pendley Cup winner. Pre-judging will take place prior to the exhibits entering the International Arena.
The Rules
All competitors in the qualifying classes must be registered with the relevant Society or Association for the category in which they are competing. Failure to hold the appropriate registration will render the competitor ineligible to qualify, and the qualification will pass down the line in order of placing. All exhibits must be entered in the name and ownership under which they are currently registered and shown under their registered name.
Any individual or horse/pony currently prohibited from competing by any Society or Association, whether in relation to this series or otherwise, will not be permitted to compete or qualify.
Geldings exceeding four years of age are ineligible for qualification. If a Section Champion qualifying in 2026 is a three year old gelding, that animal will be ineligible for the 2027 Final and the Reserve Champion (if eligible) will be awarded the qualification.
If a Section Champion qualifying in 2026 is a broodmare with foal at foot, she will be eligible for the 2027 Final and may be presented with foal at foot, in foal, or barren.
If both the Champion and Reserve Champion have already qualified for the In Hand Supreme Championship at the Royal International Horse Show 2027, or are ineligible, the qualification will not be awarded.
Supreme Final
The Supreme In-Hand Final will take place in the International Arena.The Pendley Cup will be for presentation only. All Champions & Reserves are required to be present for the Supreme Championship. Failure to do so shall result in the forfeiture of all prize money.
The highest placed Owner Bred exhibit in each class will receive an award.
The breeder of the Pendley Champion will be invited to the National Pony Society AGM to receive the Breeder’s Award.
Qualifying Shows
The Qualifiers for Sections 1-5 (Mountain & Moorland, Show Pony Breeding, Show Hunter Pony Breeding, Hack & Riding Horse Breeding) will be:
In 2026, 2 Qualifiers
August 2026 The NPS Summer Championships – Worcestershire
September 2026 Great British In-Hand Show – Leicestershire
In 2027, 6 Qualifiers to be confirmed
The Qualifiers for Section 6 (Hunter Breeding) to be confirmed
The National Pony Society (NPS) will be responsible for the administration of the qualifying rounds and distribution of qualification cards to those shows holding qualifiers. The NPS will liaise with Sport Horse Breeding (GB) to confirm qualified combinations in the hunter breeding qualifiers.
Qualification will be confirmed in writing by the NPS. Where qualification is obtained after the official close of entries for the RIHS, entries for the final must be made directly with Hickstead within 24 hours of qualification.
Qualification:
In British Riding Pony (Show Pony) Breeding qualifiers, the qualification is awarded to the winner of the NPS/ Area 20 BRP (Show Pony) Silver Medal at nominated shows. Only ponies owned by an NPS Qualifying or Life member can receive the Silver Medal Rosette and qualify for the final.
In British Riding Pony (Show Hunter Pony) Breeding qualifiers, the qualification is awarded to NPS/ Area 4 BRP (Show Hunter Pony) Silver Medal at nominated shows. Only ponies owned by an NPS Qualifying or Life member can receive the Silver Medal Rosette and qualify for the final.
In Hack and Riding Horse Breeding qualifiers, the qualification is awarded to the NPS/Mr & Mrs Roberts Ottergayle Hack & Riding Horse In Hand Champion. NPS membership is not required for the qualifying classes but the owner must become an NPS Qualifying or Life member to enter the final.
In Hunter Breeding qualifiers, the qualification is awarded to the SHB(GB) Hunter Breeding Champion. The owner and handler must be In Hand Members with SHB (GB) to compete in the qualifying classes.
In Mountain & Moorland qualifiers, the qualification is awarded to the winners of the NPS/ Blackertor & Sharptor Studs M&M Silver Medals at nominated shows. At the nominated shows, two silver medals will be awarded, one to the overall Small Breed champion and one to the overall Large Breed champion. Both the Small Breed and Large Breed Silver Medal winners will qualify for the final. Only ponies owned by an NPS Qualifying or Life member can receive the Silver Medal Rosette and qualify for the final.