British Showjumping 12 and Under Rule: Why 128cm Finals Leave HOYS

On 1 October 2026, British Showjumping (BS) announced that from 2029, children aged 12 and under will no longer be eligible to compete at shows with paying spectators. That takes the youngest pony riders out of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), the Royal International Horse Show and the London International Horse Show, and it ends the famous 128cm finals at those venues.

The change was a major talking point at HOYS 2026 in early October. On 15 October, Horse & Hound gathered reactions from leading riders, and the split is real.

What the British Showjumping 12 and under rule says

The British Showjumping 12 and under rule means that, from 2029, riders aged 12 and under can't enter shows where spectators pay for tickets. The 128cm pony finals will move from the big public shows to BS's own championships.

Here's what BS has confirmed:

• Who: riders aged 12 and under.
• Where they can't compete: shows with paying spectators. BS names HOYS, the Royal International and London International.
• When: from 2029. The announcement doesn't set out any interim changes for 2027 or 2028.
• Where the finals go: the 128cm class at the Winter Pony Premiers will qualify riders for the BS Spring (Pony) Championships. The 128cm class at the Summer Pony Premiers will qualify for the BS National Championships.

The rule is about the rider's age, not the pony's height. A 12-year-old on a 138cm pony would be affected too. The 128cm finals are the headline because that's where the youngest riders tend to compete.

What is 128cm pony showjumping?

In British pony showjumping, '128cm' is the pony's height, not the fence height. Ponies are measured at the withers, and the category sets the maximum size.

Under BS measuring rules, a 128cm pony can measure up to 128cm without shoes, or 128.9cm with shoes. The next categories up are 138cm and 148cm. These small ponies are usually ridden by the youngest competitive juniors.

A few practical details parents run into:

• Official measuring: two vets measure the pony and the lower agreed height is recorded. A BS measurement costs £125.
• Certificates: ponies under 8 get an interim certificate valid for 15 months. Ponies 8 and over get a lifetime certificate.
• Championship entry: since 1 October 2025, ponies need a valid height certificate to enter major championships, including HOYS and the National Championships.
• Minimum age: for some 128cm and 138cm qualifiers, riders can't compete before the calendar year of their 8th birthday.

Exact junior age bands for each pony height are set in BS rules 77.12 and 77.13. Check the current Members Handbook before you plan a season, because bands and qualifiers change.

Why the rule exists: the Lime Culture safeguarding review

BS says concerns had grown about the increasing demands placed on children in the sport. It commissioned an independent British Showjumping safeguarding review from Lime Culture, a safeguarding consultancy.

Parents, officials, coaches and riders took part. The review produced 39 recommendations aimed at fair participation, child and pony welfare, and enjoyment. BS's announcement summarises the review's aims rather than listing every recommendation, and it doesn't link the rule to any specific incident.

Some recommendations are already being acted on:

• School-holiday scheduling: the junior show calendar was planned with show organisers around school holidays and away from exam periods for specific age groups.
• Safeguarding officers: every affiliated show venue has appointed one.
• Star Performance Awards: these have been updated to focus on rider wellbeing, horse welfare and the sport's rules.
• Coach register: BS is promoting a register of qualified and accredited coaches and trainers, with guidance for parents choosing one.

BS chief executive Iain Graham said the review has helped the organisation take positive action to safeguard the future and integrity of the sport. Lime Culture chief executive Stephanie Reardon praised BS's proactive approach and its willingness to listen.

The debate: who supports it and who doesn't

This is a genuine disagreement among experienced people. Here's how the main arguments line up.

The case against

• Peter Charles, Olympic team gold medallist, told Horse & Hound there's nothing wrong with giving children who are good enough the dream. In his view, the problem is too little regulation. He suggested certificates of competency for each level, so children are ready for tough courses before they ride them in front of an audience.
• Chris Smith argued in an 8 October Horse & Hound opinion piece that ending 128cm finals at top shows takes away children's dreams. He also asked whether the same logic could reach other children's classes in front of paying crowds, such as mounted games or showing.

The case for

• British Showjumping frames the rule as one part of a wider welfare plan built on independent evidence, not a single headline change.
• Lime Culture, which ran the review, has backed BS's commitment to act on its recommendations.
• The broader logic is that young children shouldn't carry the pressure of big-arena, ticketed performance. The 128cm final will still exist, just at BS's own championships.

Horse & Hound's 15 October piece shows riders on both sides. Expect the conversation to continue through the winter season.

What changes for pony families now vs. in 2029

The limit covers riders aged 12 and under, so older juniors aren't affected. BS hasn't yet published exactly how age will be counted, so if your child will be about 12 or 13 in 2029, check the handbook wording before planning a route to HOYS or the BS championships.

Parent's guide to pony showjumping heights, ages and safe shows

Whatever happens to the big finals, most pony riders spend their careers at local and regional shows. Here's how to make that time safe and fun.

Pony height categories at a glance

Age bands and readiness

• Most children start with lessons and unaffiliated or club shows long before BS classes. See what age kids start riding.
• Some BS 128cm and 138cm qualifiers are closed until the year a rider turns 8.
• Move up when your child is consistent and relaxed at the current height, not when a qualifier is coming up.

Checklist: choosing a safe, well-run show

1. Safeguarding: ask who the venue's safeguarding officer is and how to reach them on the day.
2. Coaching: pick a coach from the BS register of qualified and accredited coaches.
3. Hats: BS requires a hat meeting an approved standard, such as PAS 015 (2011) or EN1384:2023 with the BSI Kitemark or Inspec IC mark, harness fastened whenever mounted.
4. Vaccinations: BS requires a flu primary course of two jabs 21-60 days apart, a first booster within 6 months and 21 days of the second jab, then boosters at most 12 months apart. Your vet can plan the schedule and keep the passport up to date.
5. Timing: favour shows that fit school holidays and avoid long late-night classes.
6. Warm-up: look for a supervised collecting ring with clear rules.
7. Fun check: if your child dreads shows, scale back. A happy rider and a sound pony matter more than points.

New to competing? Start with our first horse show for kids guide, the horse safety for kids basics and show prep tips.

What to watch next

• BS rule detail: watch for handbook wording on exactly how age is counted and which shows count as paying-spectator events.
• 2027-2028 qualifiers: BS hasn't said whether the qualifying route changes before 2029.
• The 39 recommendations: implementation is ongoing, so expect more changes to be announced.
• Rider feedback: more reactions from riders, coaches and show organisers are likely as the winter season starts.

For more parent resources, visit Parents & Teachers and Safety.