Hollie Gerken’s remarkable recent domination of flagship pony classes at Horse of the Year Show continued as she successfully defended the STX-UK Pony Foxhunter title. The 15-year-old Essex rider won the Newcomers, Leading Pony Showjumper and Foxhunter in 2024, completing an historic hat-trick. This time around she will leave for home with the Newcomers and Foxhunter safely retained, completing another masterclass that almost defied belief. In winning the Foxhunter again, she became only the second rider in its 40-year HOYS history to achieve back-to-back successes after Sarah Marshall in 1996 and 1997. And she did it following a jump-off that saw 18 combinations progress from 26 starters to what was

Juliette Mason’s seven-year-old grey gelding, Sea Warrior, topped off a first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) win for 16-year-old Isabella Mason with the sought after title of National Pony Society/Mole Valley Farmers Working Hunter Pony of the Year Champion on day three of the show. Having won the 153cm section earlier on this morning, a flawless performance in the Andrews Bowen International Arena clinched the overall honours for the Mason family. The pair were acquainted two years ago and Isabella started jumping him last year. “It was his novice season last year,” she said, “so this year he has really come to, and it’s all come together at the

Laura Renwick made a winning return to the Horse of the Year Show as international action took centre-stage on day three at Birmingham’s NEC. The Essex star’s first HOYS appearance for 13 years could not have started in more impressive fashion as she landed The evoke Stakes with 11-year-old chestnut stallion Cottee. The one-round speed class saw them post a time of 52.16 seconds that only last-to-go Charlotte Ash and Irma-Riende seriously threatened. Charlotte finished on 52.96 seconds, with third place going to Irish challenger Anthony Condon and LMD Marko, almost one second further adrift. “It’s great to get a win anywhere, but I think it is very special in that

Rachel Proudley’s riding career has soared since hitting the heights of a podium finish on her puissance debut at the Horse of the Year Show in 2024. She will return for another tilt at one of HOYS’ most prestigious titles on Saturday night, lining up in a high-octane class that will be watched by a capacity crowd at Birmingham NEC. It is always a magical occasion, and this year promises to be no exception when the Ripon Select Foods Puissance takes centre-stage, with 20-year-old Rachel and Easy Boy De Laubry Z potentially among its headline acts. They have wowed the puissance world during the past 12 months, claiming significant wins

The Leicestershire-based rider had already made his mark through a strong third-place finish on Altesse 2 VN Z in the Senior Newcomers final. But the best was yet to come as the combination triumphed following a four horse jump-off that also featured Senior Newcomers winner Pippa Goddard. First contested at HOYS in 1954, the Foxhunter’s list of champions reads like a showjumping who’s who, including names such as David Broome, Harvey Smith, Graham Fletcher, John Whitaker, Nick Skelton and Scott Brash. And the sense of achievement was not lost on James, whose jump-off time of 31.96 seconds edged Pippa and PDV Constanza into second, while Leo Lamb and RRH Out

The exquisite Welsh Section C, Thistledown Superstar (Star), more than lived up to her name when she was crowned National Pony Society/Supreme Products Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year Champion on the second evening of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). This prestigious Championship is a culmination of 11 classes, which have filled the NEC with our beloved native breeds over the last two days.  The seven-year-old mare is owned by Leisa Woodward and produced by Sharn Linney. Sharn has produced many HOYS Champions, including multi-HOYS champion and Supreme Pony Thistledown Van-Der-Vaart, but this was her first HOYS centre line moment in the saddle.  A delighted Sharn said: