Laura Tomlinson underlined the importance of Horse of the Year Show’s Dressage Future Elite Championship after winning it for a second time in three years. A Great Britain team gold medallist and individual bronze winner at the London 2012 Olympics, Laura is one of the sport’s most experienced riders. And she showcased all that skill and knowledge on the giant Ostmarks Digal to post a score of 77.792 per cent after an impressive Intermediate I Freestyle test in the Andrews Bowen International Arena. The class offers eight of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming horses the chance to shine on a world-class stage as they look to blend technical skill with creative

The Cooper Family Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year Championship presented competitors with another big, challenging track by Colin Ellison on day two of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Ride judge John James and conformation judge Graham Dunkley had their work cut out in the TopSpec Arena, as ponies and riders were put through their paces. First and second from all five sections were then invited to the Andrews Bowen International Arena this afternoon to determine who would stand overall Champion.  In the end it was the wonderfully consistent Welsh Section D stallion Dycott Welsh King (King), ridden by Ross Keys and owned by his partner

Raphaela Dawson added her name to an illustrious roll of honour at Horse of the Year Show by being crowned Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year. Berkshire-based Raphaela, who helped Great Britain win team gold at this year’s Pony European Championships, triumphed aboard MHS Glow in stylish fashion. First to go of eight combinations in the jump-off, their time of 30.29 seconds delivered a clear victory from runner-up Amy Capper aboard Capability Brown and third-placed Tabby Morgan-Evans with Conella II. Two of Raphaela’s GB team-mates, meanwhile, also featured at the class’ business end, with Lucia Caroline (Holly Blue) taking fourth and Henry Leggott (Blossoms Big Claim) fifth. And it meant

Sophia Rogers continued a golden year with victory in the Pony Newcomers Championship at Horse of the Year Show. The 16-year-old, from Essex, had a summer to remember by winning individual and team gold medals at the Pony European Championships in France as Great Britain dominated. In her final year on ponies, Sophia added the Pony Newcomers Championship to her growing list of achievements, building on her 2025 HOYS success when she was crowned Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year. It proved a thrilling contest between Sophia, riding Fabreeker V, and Ella Kay on Luna’s Star, with just 11 hundredths of a second ultimately separating them following the jump-off. Sophia

Pippa Goddard added another major title to her Horse of the Year Show portfolio by winning the Talent Seekers, incorporating the seven-year-old Championship, to conclude an action-packed opening day in Birmingham. Pippa, who is based in Canterbury, returned to HOYS with grey mare PDV Constanza a year after landing the Senior Newcomers Championship. And they delivered another immaculate performance after six combinations from 29 starters progressed to the jump-off, including highest seven-year-old finisher Dunard Air Tyson, ridden by Holly Smith, who was sixth overall. Joe Trunkfield and Maymar Loma set a scorching pace, clocking 32.03 seconds, but Pippa went more than half a second inside that time to take the

The Alan Marnie & Family (Meta Lounge Limited and SHB (GB)) Working Hunter of the Year Championship brought forward 30 talented starters to contest the title, 75 years on from its  inception here at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).  Technical questions came thick and fast over Colin Ellison’s bold course; from the curved double to the water tray and the huge 1.25m oxer. It was going to take a very special horse to leave the course standing and, with just five clears, 10 horses returned to the Andrews Bowen International Arena this evening. Judges Stephanie Barrington and Chris Yates put them through their paces one last time before crowning