Bethan Simons, H&H’s showing editor, reflects on the recent London International Horse Show and its associated amateur-only finals, praising the joyous atmosphere and high standards across the British Show Horse Association (BSHA), Senior Showing and dressage Ltd (SSADL), and The Showing Register (TSR) Amateur of the Year championships. She highlights how these events successfully nurture grassroots competitors, with many rising stars entering the sport through local agricultural shows and the more accessible British Show Pony Society (BSPS) performance classes. Simons notes the importance of maintaining amateur and home-produced criteria to preserve the spirit of these competitions and encourages seasoned riders to embrace the positive energy seen in newer competitors.

Simons also applauds innovations such as the real-time display of performance marks and the BSPS’s digital marking system, which enhance transparency and spectator engagement. She celebrates Katy Marriott-Payne’s record-breaking achievements at London and praises the support professionals provided to rising stars, urging the showing community to make a New Year’s resolution to help newcomers gain confidence and participation. This collective effort, she suggests, could strengthen memberships and improve the sport’s future vitality.