Scotland’s James Smith began his Horse of the Year Show campaign with an impressive victory – and he could end it by becoming a father for the first time. James, who is based in Dumfries, won The evoke Stakes speed class on Juno Rose 23, clocking a time of 56.99 seconds to continue Scottish success at HOYS 2026 following Samantha Wiseman’s stunning win in the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Championship on Thursday night. Last-to-go Joe Trunkfield, riding Darjeeling Desir, finished just 38 hundredths of a second behind as runner-up, with Thomas Pritchard completing the podium places on Angot HH Z. And James then revealed that his partner is due to

There was immediate success for British riders as international classes got underway with the Grandstand Welcome Stakes at Horse of the Year Show. Huddersfield-based William Whitaker, riding La Vie Est D’Or, took top honours in the two-phase competition after clocking 30.06 seconds for the jump-off stage. Despite an early draw of fourth from 27 starters, his time set a high bar that no-one else could reach, with Madison Heath going closest in 30.98 aboard Ivory, while Chris Smith finished third on Messarado Blue. It was William’s first competition with the 10-year-old bay mare, but it is a horse he knows well as it is usually ridden by the daughter, who

What a day Will Morton had on the Thursday of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), collecting a first and second placed rosette in the Large and Small Hacks respectively, a Reserve in the Small Hunter Championship and then taking The Andrews Family Hack of the Year Championship this evening with Nicola Miller’s five-year-old Copybush So Fashion. Broken just one year ago, today she has finished an incredible first season in this chestnut mare’s career, winning theCulford Lodge Commodities Large Hack of the Year this morning and then going Champion. “It’s just incredible,” said Will. “I put it all down to the temperament, she has a fantastic temperament and a

Day two at the Horse of the Year Show concluded with a pulsating Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Championship that was won by Samantha Wiseman and A.S His Lordship. First contested at HOYS in 1954, the Senior Foxhunter is widely regarded as the most prestigious young horse championship in Britain, attracting more than 20,000 horse and rider combinations during its initial qualifying rounds. And the 2026 showpiece certainly lived up to expectations as Samantha, who is from Aberdeenshire, memorably triumphed on her HOYS debut. Just three combinations from 23 starters made it through to the jump-off, but she kept her composure admirably to win by a comfortable margin from Seamus Taylor and Billy

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