HOYS News

The North Warwickshire Pony Club Mounted Games Team has achieved something truly extraordinary: they have qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at the NEC in October, where they will compete for the LeMieux Pony Club Cup and the Prince Philip Cup.

The Prince Philip Cup is a prestigious annual Mounted Games competition for The Pony Club in the UK, first held in 1957 and named after HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. It is the culmination of the season, featuring the top six teams in the country competing at HOYS for the Perpetual Challenge Cup. The competition is designed to foster teamwork, agility, and practical horsemanship in young riders on well-trained ponies, with the emphasis on teamwork and enthusiasm rather than the ponies’ value.

They secured their place at HOYS on 8th August, winning the national JCB Pony Club Championships against the highest-ranked 24 teams from across England, Scotland, and Wales.

North Warwickshire Pony Club has not one the Cup since 1991, and this year we hope to bring it home!

HOYS runs from 8th to 12th October 2025, attracting around 60,000 visitors from across the UK and internationally. Our riders — Lottie (14) on Willow, Abi (13) on Boy, Alex (13) on Minnie Mouse, Josh (12) on Boyo, William (13) on Honey, and reserve rider Tilly (11) on Pappy— will ride twice a day in the main arena, with training sessions starting as early as 5:20 a.m. They will proudly compete in the LeMieux Ice Blue team colours, which will make them stand out in the iconic NEC arena. Their dedication and commitment to the sport have been extraordinary.

We are now fundraising to support the team’s journey to HOYS. Please support our events, we have organised the following –

– Thursday 18th September 6pm – 9pm Table top tack sale at Stoneleigh Village Hall

– Saturday 27th September 7pm Auction of promises at Hunningham cricket club

– Saturday 6th December an all day pairs mounted games friendly competition st Onley grounds

Please support us where you can as this team of young members ride their hearts out in the arena of dreams representing the North Warwickshire Pony Club!