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

Iwan Carpenter reflected on a “phenomenal” feeling after his home-bred Merllyns Special Illusion won the GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship at Horse of the Year Show. The 22-year-old, who is based in North Wales, was last to go during a gripping jump-off that saw only four combinations progress from a field of more than 20 starters. And he had it all to do after Holly Smith and Flying Saucer O.S clipped four hundredths of a second off the leading time set by Alex Hempleman with Billy Foster. But Iwan did it in style, clocking 35.46 seconds for a clear winning margin from Holly in second and third-placed Alex following a

The 77th Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) got underway with the Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship and a very special win for the reigning Supreme Horse of the Year, KBF Lucia and Jayne Ross. KBF Lucia, known as Poppy, is owned by Diane Stennett and Lucy Cameron. The nine-year-old Piebald mare reclaimed the Ladies title from 2023, adding to her string of HOYS titles, including multiple Coloured Horse wins. “It’s a very emotional win,” said Jayne. “She just throws her heart out and gives you her all. “She has a beautiful attitude to life, what you see is what you get. She never gets revved, or