‘A native pony must scream type, including in its movement’: meet the 2025 Royal International M&M judge for conformation

The Royal International mountain and moorland (M&M) classes will be among the biggest at the show. This means there will be no shortage of quality at the final. 2025 Royal International M&M judge Cheryl Scott will have the tough task of assessing each one’s conformation.

So who is Cheryl and what will she be looking for?

Cheryl’s background

At the age of 11, Cheryl began working at a riding school to earn free lessons, which had her hooked on ponies. She later swapped to working at a saddlery in order to keep a Welsh part-bred she had on loan, introducing her to the breed.

“Then I got asked to ride a Welsh cob that I showjumped,” she says, “and we drove him during the winter. My passion ever since has been showing my own and other people’s native ponies. I have owned, produced or ridden all the native breeds.”

Though Cheryl is most passionate about the natives, her career has seen her work with a whole host of different types.

“I went into working on a racing yard. Then wound up yard manager at a different racing yard, as well as a livery yard dedicated to dressage horses,” she explains. “I have also worked for a master of the Meynell hunt, hunted, and team chased over the years.”

Cheryl’s judging experience

Cheryl’s judging experience began more than 15 years ago on the Northern Counties Pony Association (NCPA) panel. Later, she progressed to the British Show Pony Society (BSPS), UK Ponies and Horses (UKP&H), and The Showing Register (TSR) panels, and eventually, the National Pony Society (NPS).

“I have been on show committees for almost 20 years, too, and am currently show secretary for NCPA Staffordshire and Ashbourne Show,” she adds.

So what will the 2025 Royal International M&M judge be looking for?

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