Celebrating up-and-coming talent in the horse world. Nominees must be under 25 years old on the day of the H&H Awards (27 November 2024)
Young Rider of the Year winner 2024
Olli Fletcher
Age: 21
Discipline: showjumping
Best horse: “Hello William is my horse of a lifetime. You can hope for another one like him, but I very much doubt one will come around. I always believed in him more than any other horse.”
Proudest moment this year: “Winning individual gold at the young rider European Championships with ‘Willy Wonka’ will always be a standout moment in my career. But also having two five-star wins when I only did three five-star shows this year was special.”
Goals for 2025: “To tick off each short-term goal, do some five-star Nations Cups and some bigger shows with a nice string of horses I’m pulling together.”
Equestrian inspiration: “My parents, Graham and Tina Fletcher, for what they’ve achieved in the sport. And Steve Guerdat, having been based with him for a few months and seeing what a natural horseman he is.”
Also on the shortlist…
Harrison Taylor
Age: 22
Discipline: showing
Best horse: “The Connemara gelding Skellorn Prairie Starlight. He was my first big winner who put me on the map. He won the open Connemara and New Forest final at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) and was champion junior at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the same year.”
Proudest moment this year: “When my own and Karen Wood’s six-year-old mare Cranbournes Sirius was HOYS hack champion at Stoneleigh Horse Show in her debut season under-saddle. My main goal for the 2024 season was to qualify all of our open ponies for HOYS and the RIHS, which they did. I also wanted to give our novices a nice first introductory year, which we also managed.”
Equestrian inspiration: “Stuart Mason. I’ve known Stu and have looked up to him for a long time; he always produces his horses to perfection.”
Abigail Gray
Age: 16
Discipline: dressage
Best horse: “George Clooney B.S is so special to me. He has such a big personality and he loves to perform – he’s such a showman. He always tries his hardest for me.”
Proudest moment this year: “This season has been phenomenal, and George has got better and better as it’s gone on. Going to the Europeans and being able to bring back two medals was incredible, and to be ranked number one in the world [in ponies] was a dream come true.”
Goals for 2025: “We’re trying to find a horse right now so I can do juniors next year. I’d love to train up to grand prix; I know that requires a lot of work and dedication, but that’s the ultimate dream.”
Equestrian inspiration: “My super trainers, Hannah Moody and Sarah Higgins – without them, George and I couldn’t have done all of this.”
Oliver Gould
Age: 20
Discipline: dressage
Best horse: “I had the most amazing year with Amanda Towle’s incredible Virtue, who taught me so much. I have nothing but love and respect for him; he brought me confidence and self-belief and put me on the international circuit.”
Proudest moment this year: “Representing Great Britain at the young rider European Championships, winning a bronze team medal and finishing fifth and seventh individually.”
Goals for 2025: “To keep learning my trade and developing with young horses. It would be amazing to get the opportunity to compete at another Europeans.”
Equestrian inspiration: “My dad Andrew is a huge inspiration to me. I get to work with him every day and I see how hard he works and what sacrifices he makes to be successful.”
Previous Young Rider of the Year award winners
Previous winners of this award include:
- 2023: Alice Casburn, eventer
- 2022: Joe Stockdale, showjumper
- 2021: Ruby Hughes, dressage rider and vaulter
- 2020: Tabitha Kyle, showjumper
- 2019: Finn Healy, eventer
- 2018: Lottie Fry, dressage rider
- 2017: Will Furlong, eventer
About the Horse & Hound Awards 2024
The Horse & Hound Awards returned for a ninth year in a row, in partnership with NAF and Agria.
As ever, the Horse & Hound Awards winners were nominated and voted for by you, with the exception of the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award, which was decided by a Horse & Hound panel. We will recognise both the big names who have made 2024 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses, at whatever level.
This year we returned to Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire, where some 300 people, including Olympic and Paralympic superstars, enjoyed a glamorous evening of champagne, winner reveals, Oscar-style speeches and dancing on Wednesday 27 November.
