Ridden Pony of the Year – Dales Pony Society

Dales Pony Society Ridden Pony of the Year 2026

The final of the prestigious Dales Pony Society Ridden Pony of the Year is kindly hosted by NCPA Northern Spectacular Show, which in 2026 will be held on 4^th October at Northallerton Equestrian Centre. Ponies can qualify for the final at selected shows listed below and will be awarded with a qualification card either in the ring or afterwards via post (Society members only). If a pony is already qualified, the qualifier will be passed down the line to third place; or in a Championship to second reserve.

For the group go round finalists will be expected to walk and trot on both reins. For the individual shows, ponies will be required to perform a show as per their qualification i.e. traditional or walk/trot/canter, ponies will be stripped.

Prize money kindly sponsored by Fourforest Dales will be presented to the Ridden Pony of the Year (£50) and Reserve (£25), alongside sashes kindly sponsored by Penmire/Stanmar Stud. All qualified ponies taking part in the final will be presented with a finalist rosette.

Entries to the final are to be made directly to NCPA, who will liaise with the Society regarding those qualified; there is a small class fee. The NCPA Northern Spectacular Show will also be running other Dales Pony classes throughout the day, full details can be found on their website.

Qualifying Shows:

2^nd May DPS Spring Show (Traditional Ridden and Overall Ridden Champion and Reserve)
1^st Aug DPS Summer Show (Traditional Ridden and Overall Ridden Champion and Reserve, plus 1^st and 2^nd place in the Junior Ridden class)

8^th Mar TBC        NCPA Spring Spectacular (Overall Dales Ridden Champion)
7^th Jun TBC         DPS Area 6 South Show (Overall Ridden Champion and Reserve)
6^th Jun                 DPS Area 5 classes at Derbyshire Festival (Overall Ridden Champion and Reserve)
12^th – 14^th Jun    Royal Three Counties (Two highest Dales in the Mixed Breed Ridden)
14^th – 17^th Jul     Great Yorkshire (1^st and 2^nd place in Dales HOYS qualifier)
4^th – 6^th Aug TBC NPS Summer Champs (1^st and 2^nd place Dales Open Ridden ‘Black Country Saddles’ Class and 1^st place Dales Novice Ridden NPS/Picton Class)
13^th Aug TBC      Appleby (Dales Breed Ridden Class Winner)
16^th Aug TBC      DPS Area 1 classes at Clydesdale Area 12 Show (Ridden Class Winner)
20^th Aug TBC      Brough (Dales Breed Ridden Class Winner)
27^th Aug TBC      Crosby Ravensworth (Dales Breed Ridden Class Winner)
12^th – 13^th Sep TBC Stanhope (Dales Breed Ridden Class Winner)
15^th Sep              Bowes (Dales Breed Ridden Class Winner)
19^th Sep TBC      Eggleston (Dales Breed Ridden Class Winner)
4^th Oct                 NCPA Northern Spectacular (Overall Dales Ridden Champion and Reserve)

We may also add additional qualifiers throughout the year, which Members will be advised of.