Young 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
Young Rider of the Year 2026
Celebrating up-and-coming talent in the horse world. Nominees must be under 25 years old on the day of the H&H Awards (25 November 2026).
There’s a buzz about the burgeoning talent both in and coming up from the youth ranks, but which of this year’s under-25s deserve to win in the Horse & Hound Awards?
The shortlist
Anya Dewey Clarke, 11
The history-making 128cm rider already scoring big results at the higher levels
Anya made history in 2025, piloting 128cm “Jim” to a win at all five major championships – Royal International, Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), London International, Pony of the Year Show (POYS) and the British Showjumping National Championships (BSNC). She also won the 138cm finals at the BSNC and POYS – and the 143cm working hunter pony final at HOYS.
This year, she’s shown no signs of slowing down, winning the 128cm grand prix for the third time at POYS aboard Kilcreene Snapdragon, the winter children-on-horses championship at the British Showjumping winter finals, and collecting a clutch of HOYS tickets.
Anya also scored back-to-back grand prix wins with Jewelino at the CSI* in Gassin, St Tropez – her first competitive foray to the Continent – and took a one-two in the pony grand prix with Esperando SK and Kash Van Orchid’s. Anya is a committed and determined young rider with high hopes for a top career in showjumping.
Isabelle Cook, 21
Britain’s eventing young rider star on the cusp of an exciting senior career
Isabelle rounded off her stellar under-21 career with team silver, aboard Mexican Law, in Segersjö, Sweden, her fifth youth European Championship in a row. She has won a total of seven medals, including team golds in 2024 and 2022.
Isabelle, daughter of British senior team stalwart Tina, has had another impressive season. Clocking the second fastest time of the day, she finished seventh in the highly competitive Kentucky CCI4*-S with Cymoon “F” Z, where she was selected as part of the Rising Lions programme, an initiative to develop promising under-25 event riders. The pair also finished second at CCI4*-L at Millstreet in July. Isabelle is being widely touted as a future champion, with a five-star debut surely imminent.
Proving her all-round horsemanship, Isabelle even managed to fit in a CSI victory in Monaco aboard Billy Everything, whom she competes in both international eventing and showjumping.
Ruby Hughes, 18
The dressage rider with all the qualities needed for a senior team rider of the future
Ruby secured her first major international win this year as well as helping the British team to fourth place at the young rider European Championships.
She scored 70.3% in the young rider individual at Hartpury International riding Emma Blundell’s Mount St John Jazz Dance (Jillz). The same pair were selected for the young rider European Championships in Hungary.
Ruby also made her competitive grand prix debut with Fenella Quinn’s Farrell – Abi Lyle’s former European Championship ride – this year, winning the under-25 grand prix at Myerscough College High Profile.
Those nominating Ruby describe her as “a huge inspiration” who reminds them “to keep going, even when it’s tough”. She was also praised for her sympathetic riding at the Europeans, and one nomination stated: “Her results, horsemanship and attitude show she has all the qualities needed to become a future senior team rider.”
Billy Loughnane, 20
Front runner for the 2026 champion Flat jockey title
This rising star of the weighing room’s ascent in the sport has been nothing short of astonishing. Following a record-breaking 2025 in which he rode 222 winners, Billy “The Kid” could yet surpass his own personal best by the end of this calendar year. He has amassed more than 140 winners during the current Flat season, putting him on target for a first champion jockey’s crown.
He’s landed four Group Ones along the way, adding the St James’s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes to his first British Classic success on Bow Echo, with further Group One success aboard Comanche Brave in the July Cup.
“At 20 years old, this is a dream come true,” says Billy.
Previous Young Rider of the Year award winners
Previous winners of this award include:
- 2025: Rachel Proudley, showjumper
- 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 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.
