Tiny ponies, big hearts, and brave young riders take centre stage at London International Horse Show
If you’ve ever been to the London International Horse Show, you’ll know that some of the loudest cheers aren’t for the Olympic medallists or FEI World Cup champions – they’re for the pint-sized competitors in the Shetland Pony Grand National.
This event, which takes place multiple times throughout the show (December 18-22, 2025), brings all the excitement and drama of the famous Aintree Grand National down to a scale perfectly suited to riders aged 8-14 years old – as long as they’re under 5 feet tall!
Racing with purpose
But this isn’t just about the thrills and spills of miniature steeplechase racing. Every gallop, every jump, and every cheer from the crowd serves a bigger purpose. The Shetland Pony Grand National raises money for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, supporting cancer research.
The connection is deeply meaningful. In 1981, jockey Bob Champion overcame cancer to win the Grand National on the legendary Aldaniti – one of racing’s greatest fairytales. Shortly after, he formed the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, which has now raised over £17 million for cancer research. The Shetland Pony Grand National has contributed over £240,000 to this total, with 2024 alone raising an impressive £42,240.
Small but mighty
Don’t let the ponies’ small stature fool you; this is serious competition. The races follow strict rules: all ponies must be registered with the Shetland Pony Stud Book and stand no taller than 42 inches (10.2hh). Riders compete throughout a season that runs from April to December, racing at prestigious venues including Badminton, Windsor, Burghley, Blenheim, and even internationally at CHIO Aachen in Germany.
The goal? To secure one of just 10 coveted spots at the grand finale – the London International Horse Show at ExCeL in December.
And the competition produces results. Some of Britain’s top professional jockeys started their careers racing Shetlands, including:
- Jim Crowley – Champion Flat Jockey 2016 (the programme’s greatest success story)
- Sam and Willy Twiston-Davies
- Tom Garner
- Freddie and Jack Mitchell
- Saffie Osbourne
- Olive Nicholls
- Charlie Todd
- George Wood
Girl power on track
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Shetland Pony Grand National is the number of female riders. In a sport where professional racing remains male-dominated, this event provides a rare space where girls not only compete but thrive and lead.
Research shows that girls are more likely to drop out of sports than boys due to societal pressures and a lack of visible role models. But here, young female riders aren’t just participating; they’re at the forefront, challenging traditional gender norms and proving that they have what it takes to compete at the highest levels.
Meet the champions
Among this year’s competitors is 18-year-old Cranford Fantastic, known to his fans as Zorro. This veteran campaigner will be making his 10th consecutive appearance at London International – an incredible achievement for any athlete, let alone one standing just 42 inches tall!
Zorro will be partnered by 14-year-old Myla Coppins, who is excited to be competing at London International for the first time. Their partnership represents the heart of the event: experienced ponies teaching young riders the skills, courage, and sportsmanship they’ll need whether they continue in racing or pursue other equestrian disciplines.
The London experience
At London International, the Shetland Pony Grand National races take place multiple times throughout the week. Each display lasts approximately 30 minutes and typically features two races followed by a final, making three races per session.
The atmosphere is electric. As the tiny jockeys crouch low over their ponies’ necks, silks streaming, the crowd roars with the same intensity as any major race meeting. These Shetlands may have short legs, but they gallop with the heart of champions, navigating miniature steeplechase fences at speeds that would surprise anyone who thinks ponies can’t be athletes.
Did you know?
In 2025, the Shetland Pony Grand National went international for the first time, with a team travelling to Hong Kong for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show at AsiaWorld Expo. The crowd, more accustomed to sleek Thoroughbreds, was captivated by the determined little ponies and their brave young riders!
More than just a race
The Shetland Pony Grand National represents everything wonderful about pony sport: it’s accessible, it’s competitive, it builds confidence and horsemanship, and it creates opportunities for young riders to dream big. For the ponies themselves – many of whom compete for years like the remarkable Zorro – it’s a chance to show their intelligence, athleticism, and that characteristic Shetland determination that has made the breed so loved worldwide!
