Amateur Rider of the Year 2026
Welcome to the Horse & Hound Awards 2026, which are back for the 11th year to celebrate the stars of equestrianism, in partnership with NAF and Agria
Amateur Rider of the Year 2026
Acknowledging the rider who does not make their living from riding, training or competing horses, yet dedicates themselves to their passion.
Whether working on long-haul flights or solving crimes, few are more busy than our most successful amateur riders who juggle their jobs outside horses with their competitive goals – we recognise them in this year’s Horse & Hound Awards.
The shortlist
A chartered accountant totting up an impressive tally of dressage titles
Double 2026 Winter Dressage Championships title-holder Carmen strives for excellence in and out of the saddle.
A chartered accountant working long hours for an American investment bank, Carmen has a competition record many professionals would envy with her home-produced mount, Lets Make An Opera M.
“My laptop comes to all of my competitions in case I need to log on urgently,” she says. “My mum is a great help, so it is very much a team effort.”
Carmen and Opera have won 11 regional titles and been placed in the top 10 at numerous championships.
What makes Carmen’s achievements all the more staggering is that she’s based in north-east Scotland, where the weather is challenging and top trainers scarce – Hannah Moody coaches her remotely.
“Regional championships are a three-to-four-hour
drive – nationals mean 12 hours behind the wheel,” says her mother Elizabeth. “Carmen is an inspiration for every full-time worker who dares to dream.”
The multi-discipline competitor thriving despite night-time rides and a long commute
It takes talent, determination and discipline to hold down a nine-to-five job and qualify for two of the most prestigious shows in the British calendar. But Isabella Worthington did exactly that with Royal International and Horse of the Year Show tickets – and twice qualified for Badminton grassroots on top.
The Yorkshire-based Knight Frank chartered land agent manages a 90-minute commute each way, as well as competing three horses in eventing and showing, and can often be found training them in the early hours or late at night.
“I’m so grateful to my mum,” she says of her super-groom, who rides and keeps the yard running. “It’s a juggling act to do everything, and I have to be disciplined on weekends.”
She says the two disciplines complement each other:
“I love the challenge of eventing and the perfectionism of showing; I couldn’t pick a favourite!”
The Royal Marine who found horses in his mid-30s and is now a winning competitor
Feeling lost in life, Royal Marine Christopher came to riding through polo via equine therapy. He soon sought extra lessons with coach Jabeena Maslin, dedicating himself to improving.
As well as representing the Navy in polo, he was placed in dressage at the RAF Championships and became the Royal Navy novice reserve showjumping champion in August 2026.
“To go from a non-rider at 34 to representing the Royal Navy across polo, dressage and showjumping in such a short period is something I am enormously proud of,” he says.
He even spent six weeks away from work as a polo groom.
“I came away appreciating that horsemanship is about considerably more than riding.”
He says he owes much to his hireling, Niki.
“We learn the Commando qualities of courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness in the face of adversity. Niki has taught me that I need to soften, be patient, reassess. She is a great teacher.”
The police officer with London International in her sights
As a mounted police officer in West Yorkshire, who sometimes leaves the house at 6am and doesn’t return until 10pm, Helen has had a remarkable season, made all the more spectacular by the story of her horse, Bombay Limited Edition – Rocky to his friends.
She bought the gelding from the field last year as a four-year-old and has since meticulously produced him.
“He was feral,” she tells H&H. “When we got him, he had to be sedated for everything. He’s come such a long way. I thought about sending him away for backing but no one would let me. I started him myself, and he took to being ridden like a duck to water.”
Among their achievements are two supreme championship placings at Equifest and securing a London International ticket in the small riding horse/hack class at Northumberland County Show.
“We only went for experience; I wasn’t expecting it at all!” she says.
Previous Amateur Rider of the Year award winners
Previous winners of this award include:
- 2025: Hollie Clark, Police investigator, prolific winning showjumper and a regular at elite shows
- 2024: Lucy Latta, the marketing professional who was Badminton five-star runner-up – on her five-star debut
- 2023: amateur event rider Amy Dixon, who won BE90 Badminton grassroots and Blair Scottish Championships
- 2022: amateur five-star event rider who works full-time in the medical devices industry Libby Seed
- 2021: accountant and an amateur four-star event rider Lauren Innes
- 2020: Inspirational para showjumper and disability campaigner Evie Toombes was crowned amateur rider of the decade (2011-2020)
- 2019: amateur event rider Adam Harvey
- 2018: amateur event rider Katie Preston
- 2017: amateur event rider Alice Goring
- 2016: amateur dressage rider Claire Abel
About the Horse & Hound Awards 2026
The Horse & Hound Awards are celebrating their 11th year, being held in partnership with NAF and Agria.
As ever, the Horse & Hound Awards winners will be nominated and voted for by you, with the exception of the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award, which is decided by a Horse & Hound panel. We intend to recognise both the big names who have made 2026 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses, at every level.
The winners will be revealed at a glittering ceremony at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire on 25 November, where some 300 people, including heroes of the summer’s World Championships, will gather to enjoy a glamorous evening of champagne, winner reveals, BAFTA-style speeches and dancing.
