October 2025

Hunter trial season is finally here and the PONY team has been reminiscing about our first XC outings. From learning the course to warming up, what to wear, and how to handle the inevitable – and totally natural – nerves, we’ve got you covered!

How much do you know about Norwegian Fjords? We confess we didn’t know a lot – until we did a feature on them! And now? Well, let’s say our internet browsing history is looking pretty Fjord-heavy.

If you’re planning a ride this weekend, then we’ve got you covered. Now the ground has softened up a bit, jumping on grass is back on the agenda. But did you know it’s very different to jumping in an arena? There’s so much to think about and check before you get started, but we have all the tips you need to help you nail it. If you’re heading out hacking, then don’t miss out 20 things we love about hacking – from bonding time with your pony, to getting up close to wildlife. What’s your fave thing?

We were all glued to the Burghley coverage, watching Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo (Walter) make history with their huge winning margin and Walter’s record-breaking second Burghley victory (he’s the first horse in history to win Badminton and Burghley twice. Wow!) This issue, Ros shares her confidence tips – it was so inspiring to hear how she manages the normal worries that every rider gets. You can read her tips to help restore your confidence exclusively in this issue!

Bonding time with your pony is really important, too, and this issue we explain some simple ways to enrich your pony’s environment – they’ll help to keep him entertained and improve his wellbeing, so be sure to check them out! And, like it or not, autumn is here and so is the rain – whether or not your pony’s clipped (yep, of course we have a guide to that in this issue!), it’s time to dust off your rugs. Our rugging guide has got all the tips to help you understand the choices and pick the right one for your pony.

And of course we’ve not forgotten to squeeze loads of fun into this issue, too – from quizzes to puzzles and posters to competitions, the October issue of PONY mag is on sale now and even comes with a super-cute PONY team rosette!