HUNDREDS of native British ponies gathered at the National Pony Society's fifth spring festival at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern.

Following the success of the introduction of winter championships in 2006, the finals of the society's 2007 winter championships were held again at the spring festival.

This year, two new competitions were introduced - the M&M novice lead rein championship and the M&M novice first ridden championship, both sponsored by the Bright family and named after their famous Welsh A, Cwmbachstel Dion, who qualified for the Horse Of The Year Show a record 12 times.

An increase in the number of shows holding qualifying rounds throughout the country during the winter months meant the finals were exceptionally busy, said Geth Tillin, secretary of the National Pony Society.

"It was the best spring festival yet, with a 40 per cent rise in the number of entries in to the classes and a 33 per cent increase on the number of ponies," said Geth. "The spring festival goes from strength to strength as we work for the preservation and improvement of native ponies and the welfare of all ponies."

The judges eventually decided on the following champions: NPS/Cwmbachstel Dion Mountain & Moorland novice lead rein champion: Uppercott Tiki Ridge. The Dartmoor pony was ridden by Emily Wilson and exhibited by Zara Evans.

NPS/Cwmbachstel Dion Mountain & Moorland Novice first ridden champion: Mindyon Mayflower. The Welsh section A was ridden by Miss Lily Knight and exhibited by Mrs J Knight.

NPS/T C Tack & Things Mountain & Moorland lead rein champion: Shoormal Skalva. The Shetland was ridden by Emily Wilson, and exhibited by Zara Evans.

NPS Mountain & Moorland first ridden final champion: Roseisle Samantha. The Welsh section B was ridden by Emily Hawkins and exhibited by Mrs J A Hawkins.

NPS/Firle Stud Mountain & Moorland novice ridden champion: Thistledown Pop-star. The Welsh section A was ridden by Lauren Wilson and exhibited by Mrs K Wilson.

NPS/Snuggy Hoods Mountain & Moorland open ridden champion: Waitwirth Westwind. The Welsh section A was ridden by Isabel Barr and exhibited by Mrs D Barr.

The NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland supreme ridden qualifier, the final of which will be held at Olympia in December, was popular and was won by Katherine Bowling on her fell stallion, Ludworth Master.

Another popular qualifier was the NPS/TopSpec Mountain & Moorland working hunter pony. An excellent course was built by Nick Snelling and the water splash in particular was enjoyed by all, whilst still proving a challenge.

The final of this will take place at the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead, on Friday, July 27, and the qualifications were taken by Katy Marriot-Payne on her Exmoor mare Stowbrook Jenny Wren, Samantha Bebbington's New Forest gelding, Rushmoor Sunrise, and Sarah Challinor's Connemara gelding, Rebels Flight.

The society's three-day annual championship show is due to take place at the Three Counties Showground on August 1, 2 and 3, where there are classes for all the native breeds.

For a schedule send a self-addressed envelope to NPS Willingdon House, 7, The Windmills, Turl Street, Alton, Hants GU34 1EF.