Eleven-year-old Anya Dewey Clarke had a day to remember at the 2026 Agria Royal International Horse Show when she achieved two unprecedented championship victories in a remarkable afternoon of competition. The Lincolnshire rider became the first competitor ever to win the Pro Ponies UK Winter 128cm Championship three times and, less than two hours later, the first rider to claim both the 128cm and Pony of the Year BS Winter 138cm Winter Championship titles in the same year.Competing in her final season in the 128cm class, which is restricted to riders under the age of 12, Anya produced an outstanding one-two finish aboard her two ponies. While 18-year-old Jim had carried her to the title for the previous two years, it was stablemate Kilcreene Snapdragon who secured victory this time, delivering the fastest jump-off round from last to go and edging Jim by 0.69 seconds.The result left Anya with a unique dilemma as she entered the jump-off, knowing either pony could make history.It was a tough decision to know what to do, she said. I knew that I probably wanted to win on Jim, but I wanted to do the same round as I did on Jim with Snappy and do all the turns. I let him go on to the last and hes got such a big stride, he covers the ground.They are both incredible ponies and I love them so much.The championship proved a demanding test, with only five combinations from a field of 22 progressing to the jump-off. I am always confident with my ponies, said the Brampton-based Anya. I knew I could just go in there and if I gave them my all, they would give it back.Her record-breaking day was far from over.Less than two hours later, Anya returned to the International Arena to win the Pony of the Year BS Winter 138cm Championship, becoming the first rider to complete the coveted 128cm and 138cm winter championship double in the same year.Riding the talented mare, she produced another commanding performance in a six-rider jump-off, crossing the finish 3.55 seconds clear of runner-up Amy Capper aboard Playboy Van De Zoetwei.We went for a strong clear in the first round and then I knew that the time in the jump-off was very fast, so I had to start strong and finish strong with tight turns, Anya said.Having contested the final with the mare for the first time last year, Anya credited their growing partnership for their success.Last year we were just getting to know each other and ever since that, weve kept coming on. Shes giving me brilliant results and I cant wait for the rest of the year.She is just a dream to ride. She is known as the queen of the yard.Picture courtesy of Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves. Related contentHistory made as first eventing under-25 World Championship gets underwayPole exercises that make clever, confident horsesTina Cooks top tips for jumping on grassRichard Waygoods cavaletti exercisesFive common problems with a riders jumping position solvedThe post I love them so much: 11-year-old girl jumps her way into history books at Hickstead appeared first on Your Horse.

At World Equestrian Center, excellence extends beyond the competition arena into the programs, spaces, and people that shape every experience at each venue. In this issue, we highlight the stories and settings that define that standard, from athlete development and world-class sport to thoughtfully designed venues and signature events. Each feature reflects a continued commitment to QualitySource

Ocala, FL Indoor Arena 1 played host to yet another exciting Hunter Derby Friday at World Equestrian Center Ocala. Over 60 horse-and-rider combinations competed for the win across three competitive derbies: $10,000 Golden Ocala 36-39 Hunter Derby, the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3 Open Hunter Derby and the $10,000 USHJA National 3 Jr/Am Hunter Derby.Source

A tiny filly foal who was taken in this summer by The Mare and Foal Sanctuary after concerns were raised about her living environment has been diagnosed with a heart murmur.Mika moved to Beech Trees, one of the Sanctuarys specialist sites near Newton Abbota few weeks ago, after she was found living in an unsafe environment and was not receiving the essential milk she needed to grow and stay healthy.The team at Beech Trees has been providing Mika with specialist care including one 200ml bottle of supplementary milk each day, alongside close monitoring and extra nutritional support. Since arriving, she has shown a steady and encouraging increase in weight and promising signs of healthy development.As part of her routine health checks, the Sanctuarys veterinary team identified a heart murmur, which is caused by abnormal blood flow through the heart. Further assessments are planned when she is three and six months old to better understand the cause and any significance it may have.Heart murmurs are relatively common in young foals, and many innocent murmurs disappear naturally within the first few weeks of life. In the meantime, Mika is happy, comfortable and enjoying life.Mika is settling into life in Devon.Coming out of her shellMika is so calm and sweet. She was very shy when she arrived, but shes now coming out of her shell, being inquisitive and running around her field and exploring things, said Beech Trees horse care team member, Jade.Mika spends her days with her new foal friend, Luna. The pair love running, playing and exploring together and can often be seen stretched out in the long grass for a nap on warm days.Hope for the futureMika will remain with her new herd until she reaches the natural weaning age of equines, at around one year old. If her heart murmur resolves as she grows, she may be suitable for rehoming in future with one of the Sanctuarys Sanctuary at Home carers. There may also be opportunities, when she is older, for her to spend time with the Sanctuarys equine assisted services team, supporting children or adults who may be struggling. The charity describes its therapeutic horses and ponies as equine partners, carefully selected so they can enjoy and feel comfortable taking part in this kind of activity.Im glad weve been able to help Mika. She was so young and vulnerable when she arrived, and its great to feel weve been able to give her a good, positive start in life, said Georgina, another member of the Beech Trees horse care team.Mika was named after actor Mika Abdalla who plays Allie Hayes in the TV show Off Campus.Finding happinessWe feel that Mikas story is a powerful reminder of why the Sanctuary exists. It reveals the reality for some ponies living in difficult conditions and shows how, with the right care and support, they can leave those challenges behind and go on to live safe, happy lives.Were getting a really good bond with Mika now. She loves cuddles, enjoys interacting with people and is always happy to stop for a scratch. Shes absolutely adorable. Theres really no other way to describe her!Images The Mare and Foal Sanctuary.More from Your HorseHow hacking can improve your competition performanceHow to tell if a horse is happy: behaviourist reveals 13 key signsFed up with flies? Your Horse puts eight fly sprays to the testThe post Tiny rescued foal thriving despite heart murmur diagnosis appeared first on Your Horse.

Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Jumping Manager Jessica Krten has named Trevor Breen,Daniel Coyle, Jordan Coyle, Cian OConnor and Shane Sweetnam as the Irish squad for the prestigious Longines FEI Nations Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show.In the centenary running of one of the most celebrated team competitions in international jumping, the five selected athletes bring a combined wealth of Olympic, World and European Championship, as well as five-star Nations Cup experience to the the famous RDS arena and its new grandstand.Their selection reflects the strength in depth of Irish show jumping as the team bids to reclaim one of the sports most coveted trophies on home soil on the eve of the FEI World Championships in Aachen.First contested in 1926, the Aga Khan Trophy is among the oldest and most prestigious Nations Cups in world show jumping.Ireland heads into the 100threnewal of the Aga Khan in excellent form. Sweetnam recently claimed a five-star Grand Prix victory at Falsterbo, while OConnor was a recent five star winner with his Aachen partner Chatolinue PS. Breen was recently clear for Ireland at the five star Nations Cup in Falsterbo, while the Coyle brothers have continued to deliver consistent performances at the highest level in the green jacket. The squad will look to build on that momentum as Ireland targets a first Aga Khan Trophy success since their memorable win in 2022.The post Nations Cup squad named for centenary renewal of the Aga Khan appeared first on .

August Group Riding Lessons Are Now Open for Booking!What a fabulous summer weve been having and August is the perfect month to make the most of those brighter days, fresh air and plenty of fun in the saddle with friends old and new.Whether youre building confidence, developing your riding skills or simply enjoying quality time with the horses, our August group lessons are a brilliant way to learn, laugh and make the most of summer while it lasts! Please note that Gransha will be closed on Saturday, 1st August for the Gransha Summer Pony Show and Fayre, so there will be no lessons on this date.Bookings can be made easily through the app or website. New riders are kindly reminded to complete the Rider Registration Form before attending.See you all soon!

Ocala, FL A field of 44 horse-and-rider combinations representing 14 nations gathered at the WEC Grand Arena for the $85,000 Modelo Grand Prix CSI2* during Week VII of the 2026 Summer Series. Oscar Soberon, an FEI Level III course designer, presented a challenging track, but it was Irelands Simon McCarthy who answered every question, producing the fastest jump-off aboard his new partnerSource