London International to welcome new inclusive showing series with opportunities for all

Showing societies are coming together to create an amateur-focused, ‘have a go’ showing series – with no initial membership requirements – to culminate at the London International

Organisers of The London International Horse Show announced an exciting new showing series to run in 2023 with finals taking place at the renowned annual Christmas horse show next December.

The organisers have worked with the British Show Pony Society (BSPS), the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) and Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO), to create a joint series that consists of 23 different classes to be held at ASAO member shows. These will include BSHA Rising Star classes for hunters, hacks, cobs, riding horses and show horses, as well as BSPS classes for performance ponies including coloured ponies, mountain and moorland lead rein, working sports ponies, and cradle and nursery stakes working hunter pony classes, which give the youngest riders the chance to qualify for a major final.

The emphasis on this new series is to be inclusive with a focus on the amateur competitor, encouraging them to compete at their local agricultural and county show. Entrants for the classes won’t have to be a society member to compete in the qualifying classes but would have to join if they reach the final. It is expected that this open invitation will encourage many more competitors to ‘have a go’ at their local show.

The BSHA Rising Stars classes are performance led with all participants completing a timed freestyle show on the day. The classes are open to amateur BSHA members and non-members.

The BSPS classes aren’t restricted to amateurs however the majority of the classes are performance based. For example, the lead rein class will have obstacles and small jumps.

As well as making the classes more inclusive, the ambition is to make the classes more interesting and informative for the public. Commentators will be encouraged to explain the classes to the watching public, describing what’s required of the competitor and what the public should be looking out for.  The intention being to engender a higher level of interest in showing.

“It has been a long-held ambition to add more showing to London International Horse Show and we’re very excited to be launching this showing series,” said Simon Brooks-Ward, Event Director for London International Horse Show said.”

“We’re convinced that there is going to be a great appetite for these classes,” continued Paul Cook of the BSPS. “We are determined to introduce a new style of showing that is much more inclusive for the competitor and educational and entertaining for the audience.”

Nigel Hollings of BSHA finished: “We know this will be very well received by our existing members and the wider showing community, with the series very much focusing on making competing easy and educational, encouraging more to join in and have a go.”