Cheshire is one of the strongest counties in the country for a family looking for a schooled, competitive pony. It has a dense network of riding schools, professional yards and showing producers, and a well-established Pony Club and county show circuit. If you want a pony that has already been out, jumped a course and stood in a line-up, Cheshire is a sensible place to look.
That quality comes at a price — expect to pay more here than in the west or south-west for a comparable pony, particularly for anything with a show record. The upside is choice and transparency: ponies are often known on the local circuit, so you can ask around and find people who have seen the pony go. The land is largely good grazing, so ponies tend to be well grown, and laminitis-prone natives may need careful management on rich Cheshire grass.