Meet the eight outstanding individuals presented with awards at the 2026 BSPS conference

From the children and ponies with outstanding results to the behind-the-scenes heroes of showing, eight outstanding individuals were crowned 2026 BSPS awards winners. The winners were revealed and presented their trophies at the British Show Pony Society’s judges’ conference and AGM on 6 February by BSPS president Pat Pattinson and chairman Paul Cook.

BSPS award winners

1. Anya Dewey Clark, Outstanding Achievement

Despite being just 10 years old, Lincolnshire-based Anya has already has an enviable record and is absolutely one to watch in the future. In 2024, she qualified for nine championships at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) across working hunter pony and showjumping classes, and three different ponies for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in showjumping classes. She went on to secure four National Showjumping Championship titles – an incredible achievement for any rider, let alone one so young.

During the 2025 season, she impressively defended every title she won in 2024. Highlights included winning the 128cm showjumping championship and becoming the only rider ever to win both the 138cm showjumping and the 143cm working hunter pony finals at HOYS riding against much older children. She also secured a stunning win at the London International Horse Show (LIHS).

Anya’s dream is to one day represent Team GB and compete at the Olympic Games.

2. Florence Rendall, Outstanding Achievement

Florence Rendall was the second young rider to receive recognition for her outstanding achievements in 2025. Florence was riding almost before she found her feet. At just 18 months old, thanks to a very special pony named Tia, she was learning her first “up and downs,” and only a year later she was cantering confidently around the ménage at home completely by herself.

In 2025, Florence achieved the incredible feat of qualifying both her ponies for RIHS and HOYS: Elmswood Spring Parade as a lead-rein and Somersham Playboy as a first ridden, paving the way for an unforgettable year. Florence won both the lead-rein and first ridden classes at HOYS, captured the championship with Elmswood Spring Parade and went on to claim the overall supreme pony championship, led by John Harvey.

3. Woodview Ianthe, Outstanding Pony

Show pony “Ellie” has had an extraordinary career. Now owned by the Binks family, she has had nine different first ridden riders and has qualified for and been placed at HOYS every single year she has been campaigned. Ellie has successfully carried three different riders to the mini show pony championship at HOYS, and has also won at Hickstead.

In 2025, Ellie came out of retirement to partner another young child and promptly qualified for both HOYS and RI. She walked straight back into the ring as if she’d never been away, calm, confident, and completely unfazed, looking after her little jockey every step of the way.

4. Warren Fentiman, The ‘Sports Writer’ Award

Warren Fentiman started showing at the age of three and progressed through the seasons with much success. At the age of 14 he took up pony racing and upon leaving school in 2024, he was taken on as apprentice jockey to Richard Fahey. By now he has ridden over 50 winners, taken 61 seconds, and 52 thirds.

He won the Epsom Dash on Derby Day, rode a winner at Glorious Goodwood, but the highlight of the year was at Royal Ascot when he rode for HM The King on Purple Rainbow. Due to his racing commitments, Warren was unable to attend, but his younger sister Ruby was able to pick up his award for him.

5. Sharon Tesloff Smith, The Long Service Award

The long service award was presented to Sharon Tesloff Smith, who has worked for the BSPS for 26 years. During that time, she has become an integral and highly valued member of the office team, working across every section of the organisation.

6. John Harvey, Outstanding Equestrian

John Harvey was presented with the outstanding equestrian award. Already a decorated and highly successful producer, John had a truly outstanding 2025 showing season.

He qualified three ponies for the prestigious Price Family Supreme in-hand final at HOYS with Elmswood Star Struck finishing second. Most notably, however, he led home-bred Elmswood Spring Parade and Florence Rendall to the overall supreme championship.

7. Nigel Hollings, Outstanding contribution

Nigel Hollings received the outstanding contribution award. Trained by the late Davina Whiteman as a boy, Nigel became the first boy rider to win the coveted show pony championship at HOYS in 1972. A few months later, he was awarded a Gold Blue Peter badge for the achievement. It was the beginning of a truly outstanding career in showing. To date, he has owned, bred, ridden or produced an incredible 27 HOYS winners, including the three-time riding horse winner Fair Breeze, who went on to take the overall HOYS Supreme Championship in 1989.

He has also amassed over 35 wins at Hickstead, and has been involved with five Best of Breed winners at the M&M Finals at both Olympia and the London International Horse Show.

Away from the show ring, Nigel is the longest-serving BSPS council member, with 40 years of dedication and was BSHA chairman for nine years, and vice for a further five. He became a judge in 1983, sitting on no less than 15 judging panels, and he currently serves as Chief Showing Steward at both Royal Windsor Horse Show and the London International Horse Show. He remains loyal to the grassroots of the sport, too, and is proudly the president of his local Ribble Valley Riding Club.

8. David Ingle, The Chairman’s Award

David Ingle received the chairman’s award. David’s professional life began when he was talent-spotted by Estée Lauder as a makeup artist and some time in America followed. Eventually, however, he returned to his family’s true passion: horses. During his career with horses, he has worked with showjumpers, eventers, and racehorses.

David formed a lasting friendship with the legendary Dick Saunders, who encouraged him to join the hunter judging panel and was instrumental in him working alongside his close friend Roger Stack at Hickstead where David remains Director of Showing and deeply committed to ensuring that the RIHS is fun and welcoming, and a bastion where the important traditions of showing are protected and preserved.

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