Stapleford Hackney Stud

07/10/2026

Two Stapleford ponies - One very special moment💜

Some moments really make you stop and take it all in and watching two Stapleford ponies come through the famous HOYS curtain and into that arena was certainly one of them. It was a real privilege to see them both take their place on such a prestigious stage.

Stapleford Come What May went on to take 7th place in the Harness Horse & Pony, in an exceptionally strong class. To see him there, looking every inch the HOYS pony, was a hugely proud moment.

A huge thank you to Fred Vyse for driving Charlie so beautifully and to Sarah Hockings for being his groom. And a very special thank you to Fred Eastwood for producing Charlie into the sound, versatile pony he is today and for successfully developing him into private driving, which Charlie has taken to so naturally. It has been fantastic to see that journey come together at HOYS.

Thank you also to Peter Vyse for his continued dedication, meticulous eye and all the care that goes into helping Charlie reach this level. There is a lot of work behind the scenes that makes moments like this possible and we are hugely grateful.

Alongside him was Stapleford Yankee Doodle Dandy, owned by Elizabeth Ashbridge and shown by Fred Eastwood. Dandy was turned out impeccably and looked every inch the part. A huge thank you also to Rhian who did a fantastic job as his groom. It was particularly special to have both Rhian Hockings and Sarah in the ring together, mother and daughter.

Having two Stapleford ponies in the HOYS arena is something we are immensely proud of and a wonderful reflection of the quality, versatility and character we strive for in the ponies we breed and produce.

A huge thank you to everyone who has played a part in getting them there and to everyone who has supported them along the way.

What a way to finish an incredible season 🤩👏🏼

And finally, a huge well done and congratulations to everyone who competed today. The quality in the arena was exceptional and it was a privilege to be amongst it ❤️

06/10/2026

VERY BEST OF LUCK TO FRED VYSE AND EVERYONE COMPETING TOMORROW AT HOYS 🤩💜🏆

REMEMBER TO COME AND SEE US,
OUR STAND IS S3 😊 WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU

ENJOY
HAVE A FANTASTIC TIME..

05/10/2026

✨ HOYS 2026 ✨

What a week this is going to be for Stapleford Hackney Stud! On Wednesday, we’ll have the absolute pleasure of watching Fred Vyse with Stapleford Come What May and Fred Eastwood with Stapleford Yankee Doodle Dandy take to the HOYS ring. 🏆

To have two Stapleford ponies qualifying for HOYS in the same year is an incredible achievement and one we are immensely proud of. It will be a real honour to watch them both in the ring, alongside some of the finest animals and turnouts in the country. HOYS is such a special celebration of the quality, tradition and excellence within our sport and we are incredibly proud to have the Stapleford name represented amongst it.

It feels particularly special knowing how proud Grandpa would have been to see not one, but two Stapleford ponies competing at HOYS. Since his passing, the Stud has reached some truly special milestones and achievements and moments like this make us incredibly proud of what he built and the legacy he left behind.

We are proud to continue that legacy, carrying the Stapleford name forward and building on everything he worked so hard to create. Every new achievement feels like another chapter in that story, and we hope we are doing it in a way that would make him proud 🪽🤍

A huge congratulations and the very best of luck to both Fred’s! We will be cheering you both on from the wings! 🏆🐴

Go and enjoy every moment - you’ve earned your place there ❤️

04/10/2026

Spotlight #5 – Fred Eastwood & Stapleford Yankee Doodle Dandy
​Caption:
🌟 HOYS QUALIFIER SPOTLIGHT #4 🌟
Whip: Fred Eastwood
Owner: Elizabeth Ashbury
Pony: Stapleford Yankee Doodle Dandy (“Dandy”)
Qualified: Kent County Show
​Spotlight number four brings another fantastic representative for the Stapleford Stud! This time, it’s Fred Eastwood taking the reins of Elizabeth Ashbury’s impressive Stapleford Yankee Doodle Dandy! 🐴✨
​Securing their HOYS ticket at Kent County Show, Dandy is only four years old—making it a truly incredible achievement to feel his presence already at a national championship of this prestige! 🌟
​When Elizabeth bought Dandy, Fred decided to take up the reins and give Private Driving a go. But Fred isn't the only one having success with this star pony! Elizabeth herself has driven this turnout to fantastic results, including competing at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials and taking the Private Driving Championship at the Northern Hackney Horse Club Show! 🏆
​To accomplish so much at such a young age is a real testament to Dandy’s quality and temperment. We can't wait to see this pair shine at the NEC and see what the future holds for this talented young pony!
​Huge congratulations and the absolute best of luck to Fred, Elizabeth, Dandy, and the whole Stapleford Stud team! 🤞❤️✨
​Drop your good luck messages and congratulations in the comments below! 👇💬

30/09/2026

22/09/2026

What a fantastic weekend for Stapleford Come What May at Bucks County Show! 🤩

An incredible set of results for Charlie, driven by Fred Vyse:

🥇 1st – Hackney Type
🥇 1st – Private Driving
🏆 BDS Driving Champion
🏆 Champion Driving
👑 Overall Supreme of the Show

And what makes this all the more special is that this was Charlie’s final show before HOYS, rounding off an incredible first season in Private Driving.

We are honestly in awe of this pony’s ability to adapt, change discipline and then be so successful in his first season of Private Driving. It is a true testament to Charlie himself and to the time, patience and incredible producing that Fred Eastwood has put into him at home.

He has continued to prove just what a special and versatile pony he is 🤍

A huge well done to Fred Vyse for driving him to this fantastic result and to Fred Eastwood for all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes at home.

What a pony. What a season. 🤩🏆

16/09/2026

🏆 Huge Congratulations to our 2026 Junior Whip Champion! 🏆
​A massive well done to Violet Mennie, who drove Elizabeth Ashbridge’s Stapleford Yankee Doodle Dandy to victory! 🐴✨
​Violet put on a fantastic display of skill and elegance in the ring, driving beautifully throughout to secure the Junior Whip Championship title. To top off a brilliant performance, she went on to claim 1st Reserve in the Supreme Junior Whip of the Show! 🌟
​We are immensely proud of all our Junior Whips who took part this year—the future of our sport is looking brighter than ever!
​Congratulations once again, Violet! We look forward to seeing you back in the ring next year. 👏🎉
​📸 Photo Credit: SBM Photographic