Hollie Gerken defends her title and Sophia Rogers takes Demolition Services Ltd Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year,

Hollie Gerken continued to make history at Horse of the Year Show as she delivered a successful title defence in the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Championship.

Twelve months after completing an unprecedented HOYS hat-trick by winning the Newcomers, Leading Pony Showjumper and Foxhunter classes, Hollie once again produced the goods.

She became only the third rider in 40 years to land back-to-back Newcomers crowns, emulating Matthew Sampson in 2005 and 2006 and Alex Gill, who did a 2013-14 double.

Essex-based Hollie, though, was pushed all the way by Lola Thulborn and Fabreeker V, who finished just seven hundredths of a second behind her time of 26.20 aboard No Limit X.

Hollie completed the podium places with Livewire VI as she once again rose majestically to the challenge in HOYS’ Arena of Dreams.

“I honestly can’t believe it,” 15-year-old Hollie said. “Winning the classes last year was a massive achievement, and to win the Newcomers again is amazing.

“It’s the Arena of Dreams, and everyone dreams to go through those curtains and ride in that arena. To have the opportunity is amazing.

“I was early to go in the jump-off with No Limit, and it was just about keeping the rhythm going.

“I have got an amazing team behind me, and I am so grateful to everyone. When I was younger, I dreamt of winning these classes, and I don’t even know what to say.”

Attention then turned to the Demolition Services Ltd Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year, a competition first staged at HOYS in 1949, and whether Hollie could complete an unprecedented hat-trick of wins.

But it was Sophia Rogers, from Chelmsford in Essex, who took the top honours with an outstanding performance on 13-year-old Neil 55.

Just six combinations from 27 starters made the jump-off, including Great Britain pony European gold medal-winning team members from earlier this year in Sophia, Hollie and Darcy Breen.

The stakes were high, but Sophia remained impressively composed to post a time of 28.27 seconds, edging Lucy Capper and Oscar van de Beekerheide into the runners-up spot, with Hollie and Galaxy V finishing third.

“I found it quite hard as I knew Hollie was there, who won last year and was behind me in the jump-off,” Sophia said.

“Last year I had the last fence down and missed the jump-off, which was really annoying, and winning the class now is quite an achievement for me.

“I get quite nervous, but I love HOYS, the atmosphere is amazing and it is one of the nicest indoor events I have ever competed in. It means so much to me.”

ENDS

For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2025, please contact

Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd.

Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk

Image: Hollie Gerken & No limit x – Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Championship 

Image credit 1st Class Images