In 1980 a group of keen pony exhibitors met at Millbrook Lodge, Ballynahinch to form the Northern Ireland Working Hunter Committee with the idea of encouraging the production and showing of working hunter ponies in Northern Ireland.

Aims of the Association

To encourage and foster an interest in working hunter ponies and horses

To stimulate the interest of riders in the training and riding of horses and ponies for pleasure and in competition

To encourage good sportsmanship whether in competition or otherwise

To organise and provide competition for working and show hunters

To encourage potential judges, stewards and course builders

In 1980 a group of keen pony exhibitors met at Millbrook Lodge, Ballynahinch to form the Northern Ireland Working Hunter Committee with the idea of encouraging the production and showing of working hunter ponies in Northern Ireland.

The first committee was under the chairmanship of Jim Lilley, with Jan Joyce as Secretary and Sidney McIvor as Treasurer
Our ponies took part in national and international competitions, representing Northern Ireland in England, Scotland, Wales and Republic of Ireland and were always successful.

In 1985 the group became the Northern Ireland Working Hunter Association with 150 members and a full winter and summer programme for both ponies and horses.

Recognising that dressage was an essential part of good horsemanship, in 1989 the Association introduced the Blue Ribbon Dressage League which still continues to this day.
We celebrated our 28th anniversary this year, a lively group with a membership of over 350 and a horse and pony registration of over 1000

Today the Association is one of the most active equestrian organisations in Northern Ireland, providing a full calendar of events all year round and our four day Championship Show at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society Showgrounds, Balmoral in July is the highlight of the year.

In 2007 we introduced the Spring Championship for Ponies with the Pony of the Year competition. We also brought back ridden and working mountain and moorland classes which proved very successful