As 2023 comes to a close, join us in celebrating the wonderful achievements of these outstanding showing horses, who provided so much joy to their connections. While it wasn’t possible to include every show horse who passed during the last 12 months in this piece, our thoughts are with connections of all horses who left us this year.
62/68/82/85/98 Jerome and Up with the Lark - you choose which you prefer.
(Image credit: Sally P Coles)
The Millbry Hill Stud’s sire was one of few stallions to reach advanced level in both eventing and dressage. A prolific sire of show horses, his progeny includes Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) riding horse champion Buriana Larkrise.
This heavyweight show cob won most major titles on the county show circuit with Matthew Ainsworth, and – with Emma Wilesmith – was the first cob to qualify for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the ladies’ side-saddle final.
This leading Highland pony stallion, by Torrin Of Croila and out of Tower Lucky Charm, was the first of his breed to qualify for the in-hand supreme final at HOYS. He also took championship titles at Royal Windsor and the Great Yorkshire.
The Welsh section D mare, by Llanarth Solo out of Botvyle April Moon – ridden by owner Charlene Richardson – took the M&M ridden championship at HOYS 2008. She qualified for London Olympia three times, finishing best of breed every time.
Patros HB, 19
PATROS HB
CLARE FITCH
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
As one of the most consistent contenders on the Arab circuit, “Paddy” won HOYS twice and also won at RIHS. He was also crowned European champion and British national and international champion.
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoythe magazine deliveredto your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access ouronline servicethat brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
