A Complete Guide to Working Hunter Pony Classes

The Working Hunter Pony (WHP) class is one of the crown jewels of British showing — a two-phase competition that tests a pony’s jumping ability, way of going, manners and conformation. More than any other class on the pony circuit, WHP rewards an honest, quality pony ridden with polish. Done well, it is the best all-round test of a child’s riding available in the UK showing ring.

This guide explains exactly how Working Hunter Pony classes are run under British Show Pony Society (BSPS) rules, what judges are looking for in each phase, and how to prepare and compete at affiliated shows including HOYS, the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), and county level.

What Is a Working Hunter Pony?

A Working Hunter Pony is a riding pony judged on its ability to negotiate a natural-looking jumping course in good style, followed by an individual show assessing gallop, manners and conformation. The combined score decides placings. Unlike pure showjumping, jumping clear is only part of the test — the pony must also demonstrate rideability, quality and the traits of a proper working hunter in miniature.

The class is administered in the UK by the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) under its Working Hunter Pony section, with similar rules mirrored by the National Pony Society (NPS) and the Ponies (UK) federation for their own fixtures.

Working Hunter Pony Classes and Height Divisions

BSPS Working Hunter Pony classes are divided by pony height and rider age. The rider must not have attained the maximum age by 1 January of the current year.

Fence heights quoted are typical upper limits at BSPS Heritage, HOYS qualifying and RIHS qualifying shows. Local and open shows often run lower — always check the schedule.

Format of a Working Hunter Pony Class

Phase 1 — The Jumping Phase

Ponies jump a course of six to ten rustic-style fences designed to replicate a natural hunting country. Typical obstacles include:

• A brush fence or hedge
• A wall (usually a painted, rustic block wall)
• A gate
• A spread (oxer, triple bar or parallel)
• A related distance (often two fences on four, five or six strides)
• A ditch, water tray or tiger trap at higher heights

The course is judged on jumping clear, style, and manners. A clear round earns a percentage of marks; penalties are taken for refusals, run-outs, knockdowns and falls. Crucially, a pony that jumps clear with poor style will score below one that jumps clear with quality — unlike affiliated British Showjumping, style matters.

Phase 2 — The Individual Show and Conformation

After the jumping, each pony performs an individual show — usually walk, trot, canter on both reins, a gallop to demonstrate reach and a quiet halt. The pony is then stripped (saddle removed) so the judge can assess conformation and movement in hand. Marks from the jumping and the show are combined.

At HOYS qualifiers and championship fixtures, conformation and way-of-going marks can easily swing a result. Expect roughly 60% of the total mark for jumping and 40% for the show and conformation, though scorecards vary.

What Judges Are Looking For

In the Jumping Phase

• A balanced, rhythmical canter to every fence
• Straight approaches and a soft, tidy jump in good shape
• A willing, honest attitude — the pony should hunt for the next fence
• Invisible riding; the rider should look balanced and still, not loud
• Correct pace between fences: working canter, not a blast

In the Show

• Three correct paces — walk with purpose, trot with rhythm, canter with balance
• A proper gallop that lengthens and then comes back
• A quiet, square halt and a clean rein-back (at 143 cm and above)
• A pony that “fills the eye” — quality of type, correct hunter conformation, good bone

Conformation

• Proportion and balance
• Correct limbs with adequate bone
• Well-set neck, sloping shoulder, good girth depth
• A muscled back and correct hindquarters — the engine of the hunter
• Hard, correct feet and straight action at walk and trot in hand

Turnout and Tack Rules

BSPS dress codes are specific. Getting turnout right makes a genuine difference to placing.

Rider Turnout

• Tweed jacket, cream or canary breeches, tie (collar and tie for adults, BSPS regulations for juniors)
• Long black leather boots (or plain brown at some open shows)
• Gold-standard safety helmet to current PAS015, VG1 or SNELL E2016 — hat silks permitted but should be plain navy or black
• Spurs: optional, plain blunt Prince of Wales style only
• Hair neatly tied back, net required for female riders
• Gloves, preferably plain dark leather

Pony Turnout

• Plain brown or havana leather saddle — preferably a straight-cut working hunter saddle, not a GP
• Plain cavesson or flash noseband with a snaffle, Pelham or double bridle depending on class
• No martingales in the show, running martingale only in the jumping phase if fitted correctly
• Plaited mane (traditionally 7, 9 or 11 plaits on the neck plus a forelock); tail pulled and bandaged or left natural for M&M types
• Clean, well-fitted numnah in white or coloured to match the saddle

For help finding the right bit for young ponies, see our guide on how to measure for a bit.

How to Prepare a Working Hunter Pony

Fitness

A WHP needs to jump a full round, immediately perform a gallop and produce a clean show — often in a hot ring with a long wait between classes. Aim for:

• Four to five ridden sessions per week including at least two canter-fitness sessions
• Weekly jumping school to keep technique sharp, not to drill height
• Hack work over varied terrain — hills build the hindquarter strength that produces a good jump and a real gallop
• One rest day per week, more if travelling and competing

Schooling the Jumping Phase

Great WHP rounds come from rideability, not height. Focus on:

• Adjusting canter stride — ten-metre circles, lengthen, shorten, counter-canter
• Related-distance lines on a range of strides (four, five and six)
• Straightness to a single fence on a long approach
• Rustic-style fences at home — filler trays, walls, brush panels, ditches
• Trotting poles and grid work for shape over the jump

Our guides to horse pole exercises and jumping exercises have practical schooling plans to work through at home.

Schooling the Show

• Rehearse the standard show: walk, trot, canter on both reins, gallop, halt
• Practise the gallop on a straight line with a clear cue and a balanced return to canter
• Work on a confident square halt — the first and last impression the judge gets
• Teach the pony to stand quietly stripped for conformation

Common Faults and How to Avoid Them

• Rushing between fences — breaks the rhythm and lowers style marks. Ride a metronome canter.
• Jumping flat — add grid work and placing poles at home to improve bascule.
• A scrappy gallop — some ponies over-gallop and lose balance. Practise shortening and lengthening rather than just going fast.
• Poor turnout — loose plaits, dirty tack and an incorrectly fitted saddle will visibly hurt a score. Walk round with a knowledgeable helper before you go in.
• Running out of ring craft — walk the course, count the strides, know exactly where the gallop and halt will go in your show.

Where to Compete: BSPS, HOYS and RIHS

The UK WHP season runs from spring to early autumn, with a few winter workers (indoor WHP classes) through the colder months.

• BSPS Area and Open shows — the weekly grassroots circuit, where most qualifying happens
• BSPS Heritage, RIHS and HOYS qualifiers — each area hosts qualifiers across the season; winners progress to the RIHS at Hickstead in July and HOYS at the NEC in October
• NPS Area Shows and Championships — parallel circuit for pure native types and M&M working hunter ponies
• County shows — Royal Windsor, Great Yorkshire, Royal Cheshire, Royal Norfolk, Royal Cornwall — all run strong WHP sections

For showing ring fundamentals that apply across disciplines, see our training category and our guide to show hunter horse classes for the adult equivalent.

Moving Up From Nursery Stakes

Most young riders begin in BSPS Nursery Stakes or in 122 cm classes on a school-master pony, then progress up the heights as both the rider’s age and the pony’s experience allow. Typical progression:

1. Nursery Stakes or 122 cm — learning the format, low fences, emphasis on style
2. 133 cm — stepping up to county level, plaited turnout, first area qualifiers
3. 143 cm — the most competitive height, serious HOYS qualifying pressure
4. 153 cm / Intermediate — bigger ponies, adult-style turnout, a genuine stepping stone to the show hunter horse ring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Working Hunter Pony?

A Working Hunter Pony is a show pony judged on a jumping phase over a rustic, natural-looking course plus an individual show and conformation assessment. It is run under British Show Pony Society (BSPS) rules and tests both pony and rider across style, manners and quality.

What is the difference between a Show Hunter Pony and a Working Hunter Pony?

A Show Hunter Pony (SHP) class is ridden on the flat only — no jumping — and is judged on movement, conformation and way of going. A Working Hunter Pony (WHP) class includes a jumping phase as the primary test, with the show and conformation combined for total marks.

What fence heights are used in Working Hunter Pony classes?

Fences rise with height category: up to 55 cm in 122 cm classes, up to 70 cm at 133 cm, up to 85 cm at 143 cm, up to 95 cm at 153 cm, and up to 1.00 m in Intermediate classes at HOYS and RIHS level. Smaller local shows often drop the heights by 10 to 20 cm.

What tack is allowed in a Working Hunter Pony class?

A plain brown working hunter saddle and a bridle with snaffle, Pelham or double bit, depending on class. Martingales are permitted in the jumping phase only. Boots, bandages and breastplates are generally not allowed in the show — check the current BSPS rulebook before each season.

How do I qualify a Working Hunter Pony for HOYS?

Win or place at a designated BSPS HOYS qualifying show during the season. Each height category has its own qualifying fixtures. Top placings at the Royal International Horse Show and Royal Cornwall can also carry a HOYS ticket, depending on the year’s qualifying rules.

What breeds make good Working Hunter Ponies?

Riding pony crosses, Connemara-crosses, Welsh Section D-crosses and Irish Sport Pony types all feature strongly. The best ponies combine quality, scope and a sensible attitude — breed matters less than individual type, movement and jumping ability.

For more on young rider disciplines see our guide to horse riding for beginners, or browse all of our show jumping content.