Young Rider of the Year 2025

Celebrating up-and-coming talent in the horse world. Nominees must be under 25 years old on the day of the H&H Awards (26 November 2025).

There’s a buzz about the burgeoning talent both in and coming up from the youth ranks. Which of these under-25s took the award in the annual Horse & Hound Awards?

Young Rider of the Year 2025 winner

Rachel Proudley

Age: 20

Discipline: showjumping

Best horse: “Quality Street is an incredible horse, she was always so consistent and tried her heart out for me – she’ll always be one of my best horses. I’m really excited about HK Stakkata – she’s a seven-year-old with a really exciting future having already jumped clear and been placed in a few 1.45m classes.”

Proudest moment this year: “The [young rider] Europeans, and winning individual gold with Quality Street – she put in an unbelievable performance jumping five rounds without ever touching a pole.”

Best advice: “Even when things aren’t going your way, you have to keep going, working hard, and pushing forward, because it’s the only way they’ll change for the better.”

Goals for 2026: “To jump on some senior teams for Great Britain, and hopefully keep progressing towards five-star shows. But we have a phenomenal line-up of horses in the HK Horses stables, so I’m just enjoying working with them and seeing where they take us.”

Shortlisted for Young Rider of the Year 2025

Harrison Ashton

Age: 24

Discipline: dressage

Best horse: “Million Dreams – or Mildred, as we call her – what a horse! I’m honestly lost for words. She gave me everything and more at the [under-25s] European Championships. Being there was a dream come true, and I know it’s just the beginning for her. I’ve believed in her from day one.”

Proudest moment this year: “Winning team bronze at the Europeans on our debut – I couldn’t have asked for more. We hit personal bests in every single test, which I never expected! There were definitely nerves that week, but as a team we held it together and pulled it off.”

Goals for 2026: “Competing at the Europeans really lit a fire in me. It made me realise that this is what I want – to be a competitive rider and to represent my country. That’s the direction I’m heading.”

Ryan Hagger

Age: 16

Discipline: horseball

Best horse: “Joey, a 16.2hh seven-year-old thoroughbred. He retired from racing in February and has been playing horseball ever since, taking

to it incredibly well. We’ve already competed together in France and Belgium, and he performed brilliantly – especially as France was his first ever international competition.”

Proudest moment this year: “In France, I was playing in my first ever under-21s international tournament and was fourth-top goal scorer out of 45 players. I scored six – including three against France, one of the strongest teams in the world. It was an unforgettable experience, and I was incredibly proud of what Joey and I achieved together.”

Path into the sport: “About three years ago, I’d fallen out of love with riding. My mum came across horseball on a Facebook post and told me about the sport’s fast-paced and tactical style – I was instantly hooked. I attended the October Open, and just two months later I was selected to represent Great Britain in Italy. Horseball has completely reignited my passion for riding, and Joey has been the most incredible partner.”

Ella Howard

Age: 17

Discipline: eventing

Best horse: “Marchwood, because he’s a true professional, is such a privilege to ride and always tries his best for me. He loves to compete, and is so kind in the stable.”

Proudest moment this year: “Becoming junior European champion with Marchwood. I was lucky enough to go to three pony Europeans, but to win

gold was incredible! I was delighted I could give Marchwood the confidence to trust me and to make my dream come true.”

Equestrian inspiration: “My mum! She’s taught me to keep learning and working to be the best I can be and give the horses the respect, love and time they need.”

Main goal for 2026: “The junior Europeans again and with my two younger horses I’d like to step them up to four-star.”

Previous Young Rider of the Year award winners

Previous winners of this award include:

• 2024: Olli Fletcher, showjumper
• 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 2025

The Horse & Hound Awards are celebrating their 10th year, being held 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 recognised both the big names who have made 2025 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses, at every level.

The ceremony took place at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire, where some 300 people, including stars of this summer’s European Championships, enjoyed a glamorous evening of champagne, winner reveals, speeches and dancing on Wednesday 26 November.