Holly Smith (GBR) riding Hearts Destiny in the Second Qualifying Competition - Team Final - Round 2 at the FEI Longines European Championships Jumping, Dressage & Para-Dressage Rotterdam 2019 held in Kralingse Bos in Rotterdam in the Netherlands on 19-25th August 2019
During his illustrious career ‘Ted’ represented Britain at the 2018 World Equestrian Games, won team bronze at last year’s European Championships and looked likely to be selected for the Tokyo Olympics.
Holly took the reins on Ted in 2017. She had sold her top horse Dougie Douglas, and had some “good national horses” but broke her leg in a hunting fall and lost rides as a result.
Holly’s husband Graham’s twin brother Paul, who hunted with Ted’s breeder Steph Callwood, saw the horse in an inter-hunt relay at a county show. Steph asked if Holly had a lot of rides at the time, and after Paul said no, Steph dropped Ted off — 18 months later he was selected to go to a championship with Holly.
“He was something sent from somewhere, I don’t know where; Heaven,” said Holly. “If only love and hope could have saved you. Thank you for everything Ted.”
Here we take a look back on some of the highlights from Ted’s career…
Holly and Ted jumping in the CSI4* at Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show in 2019
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Holly Smith (GBR ) riding Hearts Destiny in CSI4* jumping competition (S34) at Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show held in the grounds of Bolesworth Castle, near Chester in Cheshire in the UK between 12-16th June 2019
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Holly and Ted en-route to becoming the best-placed British team member in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan Challenge Trophy during Dublin Horse Show in 2018
Holly SMITH riding HEARTS DESTINY, best placed member of Team GB in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Ireland for the AGA Khan Challenge Trophy during the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Ireland, Stena Line Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin in the Ireland between 8-12th August 2018
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Ted flying the water at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon
Holly SMITH (GBR) riding HEARTS DESTINY in the First Competition of the FEI Jumping Championships at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 at Tryon International Equestrian Centre, near Tryon North Carolina in the USA between 11th-23rd September 2018
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Holly and Ted in the Olympia Grand Prix in 2019
Holly Smith riding Hearts Destiny (GBR) 3rd in The Turkish Airlines Olympia Grand Prix at Olympia, The London International Horse Show held at Olympia in London in the UK, between the 16-22 December 2019
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Jumping on the Nations Cup team at Hickstead
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Jumping in the second competition at the 2018 WEG
Holly SMITH (GBR) riding HEARTS DESTINY in the Second Competition of the FEI Jumping Championships at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 at Tryon International Equestrian Centre, near Tryon North Carolina in the USA between 11th-23rd September 2018
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Holly and Ted again at WEG in 2018
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Holly and Ted share a special moment together
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
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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.
