British Showjumping Youth Rules Explained
If you've got a child on ponies, you've probably heard a few half-explained versions of the recent British Showjumping changes at the collecting ring. Here's what BS has published, where it comes from, and what it means for next season.
Where the changes come from
British Showjumping commissioned an independent safeguarding review from Lime Culture, a UK safeguarding consultancy. Parents, officials, coaches and riders were consulted. The review made 39 recommendations to promote fair participation, protect child and pony welfare, and make the sport more enjoyable. BS announced on 1 October 2026 that implementation is under way.
Riders aged 12 and under and spectator shows (from 2029)
From 2029, children aged 12 and under won't be eligible to compete at shows with paying spectators. BS names the Royal International Horse Show, Horse of the Year Show and London International Horse Show as examples.
Some qualifying routes change to match. For example, the 128cm at the Winter Pony Premiers will qualify to the Spring (Pony) Championships, and the 128cm at the Summer Pony Premiers will qualify for the National Championships, both from 2029.
If your rider is eight or nine now, this is the change to plan around. The 128cm classes they're working towards will lead to different finals from the ones older siblings aimed for.
Height limits by age (Rule 77.16.7, updated 16 October 2026)
Riders can't compete on horses in classes with a first-round starting height above 1.30m until the year they turn 14. They can't go above 1.40m until the year they turn 16.
There's a narrow exception for combinations selected for Nations Cups. Combinations who have been selected and jumped in a Nations Cup with a 1.30m starting height (on horses), or the associated Grand Prix, and who "have achieved a clear round and 4 faults or better", may compete in classes up to and including 1.40m. The same condition at 1.40m allows classes up to and including 1.45m. Check the full rule wording before you enter, because the exception depends on selection as well as results.
Who can jump the pony at the show (Rule 212.6, from 1 June 2026)
The competitor entered at the show is the only person allowed to jump the horse on the showground for the whole show, including multi-day shows. If two riders are competing the same horse that day, the later rider may not jump it until after it has competed with the first rider.
For ponies, only Junior members can ride them anywhere on the showground, apart from Senior Club Classes, and the competitor is the only one allowed to jump them. Someone else can still lunge or do work in hand, and for horses, flatwork too. Breaking the pony rule can mean disqualification.
So no more older sibling or trainer "just popping it over a couple" in the pony warm-up.
The quieter changes
Calendar. BS has worked with organisers to plan the Junior show calendar around school holidays and away from exam periods.
Safeguarding officers. All affiliated show venues have appointed Safeguarding Officers.
Star Performance Awards. These have been updated to cover rider wellbeing, horse welfare and the rules, as well as results.
Coach register. BS has promoted a register of qualified and accredited coaches, trainers and other professionals to help parents choose.
If you're in Scotland: Royal Highland Show 2027 qualifiers
For 2027, Mini Major places go to the top four in both the 128cm and 138cm categories of the Scottish Pony Performance League. The first-round height for the Pony 128 qualifier will be 95cm. Only the 5-year-old young horse class will run, with no 4-year-old class.
What this means for organisers
If you run affiliated pony classes, check three things for 2027. Do your class heights and age bands still line up? Are your warm-up rules written down for parents? Does your schedule avoid exam weeks? BS rules only bind affiliated shows, but unaffiliated organisers who borrow BS age bands may want to ask the same questions. Clear class descriptions save a lot of awkward conversations at the secretary's tent. The YardForge show organiser lets you set classes and heights, take online entries and share live results on a public show page.
Planning courses for younger riders
If you're building courses for younger riders, our guide to show jumping course design for Pony Club and riding clubs covers the basics. You can plan each class on a scaled 2D canvas in the YardForge course designer, check the strides between fences, save the course and print a PDF plan for your builder.
CTA: Try the YardForge course designer. Free during beta: https://yardforge.co.uk/designer
Rules change. Always check the current British Showjumping Members Handbook and Rule Amendments before you enter or schedule a class.