Showjumping Horse 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
Showjumping Horse of the Year 2026
An elite showjumper’s sheer talent to clear the highest fences is sublime – which horse deserves top honours in 2026?
One again we will crown the best horses in their individual sports based on your votes as part of the annual Horse & Hound Awards.
The shortlist
13yo British-bred stallion, Argento x Skippy 12
Rider: Robert Whitaker
Owners: Stephen and Caroline Blatchford
Breeder: John Whitaker
Groom: Harriet Keenleyside
Not since the mighty Foxhunter and Harry Llewellyn has a horse won the prestigious King George V Gold Cup three times. Nearly 75 years on from that legendary combination’s hat-trick, Robert Whitaker and the athletic Vermento achieved a record-equalling third success in the class at the Royal International in July, following on from their monumental victories in 2023 and 2025.
“He’s unbelievable,” says Robert of the family home-bred “Blackie”, who also landed a four-star grand prix in Italy earlier in the year. “He goes so well at Hickstead and this time he made history.
“He’s careful, competitive and versatile and he’s much more nimble than you’d expect. He’s just amazing.”
16yo KWPN gelding, VDL Cardento x Niveau
Riders: Elliott Smith and William Whitaker
Owner: Vicky Smith
Breeder: Anrike Trip-van Ijzeren
Groom: Lewis Robertshaw
This 18hh gentle giant is a sensitive soul with a style of his own. “Banksy” bounced back from surgery for kissing spines in his youth to become a puissance hero for regular rider Elliott Smith. This year, having twice been second in the Hickstead Derby with “catch rider” William Whitaker, he finally lifted the Boomerang Trophy.
“Each fence is a unique challenge but nothing at Hickstead concerns me with Banksy," says William. "He can get hot and strong though, so it’s more about getting him relaxed and in a nice rhythm.
“Our family has so much history with the class so to win it once was a dream come true, to get it done a second time was special.”
11yo KWPN mare, Untouchable x Numero Uno
Rider: Scott Brash
Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham
Breeder: Harrie Vaessen
Groom: David Honnet
A popular grey mare enjoying a breakthrough year, the charismatic Mango formed a crucial part of Great Britain’s brilliant bronze medal-winning team at the showjumping World Championships this summer.
Having burst onto the five-star scene at the start of the year with a maiden international grand prix victory in Doha, she and Scott Brash led the individual standings after round two on her championship debut in Aachen.
An uncharacteristic fall in the final put paid to Scott’s individual medal chances but both walked away unharmed and she clearly has a bright future ahead of her.
“She’s super-scopey, she’s careful and she has a good stride – she has all the attributes,” says Scott.
12yo New Zealand Warmblood mare, Colman x Casall ASK
Rider: Harry Charles
Owners: rider and wife Eve Jobs
Breeder: Ewen Mackintosh
Groom: Georgia Ellwood
A real-life unicorn took the showjumping world by storm this year. Few in the northern hemisphere knew of the talented New Zealand-bred mare before she won hearts at the World Cup Final in Texas under Julie Davey.
She then took centre stage with new rider Harry Charles, helping Great Britain win the five-star Longines League of Nations in Rotterdam at just their third show together, going on to secure team and individual bronze medals at the showjumping World Championships in Aachen two months later.
“Freda changed everything for me,” says Harry. “She’s so reactive and then the power she can create off absolutely nothing is a freak of nature. She’s really an all-in-one.”
Previous Showjumping Horse of the Year Award winners
The previous winners of the Showjumping Horse of the Year Award are:
- 2025: Hello Folie, this spirited mare captured our hearts with her enthusiastic and faultless dual silver medal-winning performance at the Europeans
- 2024: the late Mr Blue Sky UK, one of the greatest and most popular puissance horses of all time, partnered by Guy Williams
- 2023: Flying Tinker II, Mark Edwards’ home-bred and one of the most consistent horses on the national circuit
Prior to 2023, the Horse of the Year Award ran across all equestrian disciplines, and the winners include:
- 2022: Vanir Kamira, the much-loved veteran mare, who added Burghley to her previous Badminton win
- 2021: the world’s best showjumper and Olympic champion Explosion W, ride of Ben Maher
- 2020: the legendary Valegro was crowned the horse of the decade (2011-2020) by H&H readers
- 2019: Piggy French’s ride Vanir Kamira may be “a pain in the arse 352 days a year”, but this true five-star horse “comes into her own at Badminton and Burghley”
- 2018: Arctic Soul, the former racehorse turned elite eventer, ridden by Gemma Tattersall
- 2017: Nip Tuck, Carl Hester’s outstanding equine partner
- 2016: Valegro, the elite dressage star and world record breaker, ridden by Charlotte Dujardin
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.
