Working hunter specialist Katy Green

Katy Green with AOC Quality Oz

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Katy Green is no stranger to finding future stars of the working hunter circuit and producing them into champions. But how does the Warwickshire-based rider know if a horse has the potential to become a top class worker, and how does she scout out raw talent?

“I’ve been really lucky over the years and I’ve just come across some fantastic horses,” said Katy, when she chatted to H&H’s showing editor Alex Robinson on episode 65 of the Horse & Hound podcast. “I never look for established horses, always three- or four-year-olds.

“When I went to try my current young horse, Cruz, he was only four and hadn’t been broken in very long. He had every single fence down when I rode him. But he tried really hard, kept coming and was really keen to a fence. He had a great canter, too, and I thought that if I could get him stronger he’d improve. Now, he’s six and he’s going clear around HOYS qualifiers. It’s all about attitude.’’

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Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.

‘We can learn from our mistakes together’: Working hunter specialist Katy Green on finding your next jumping partner

When she has found the horse she wants to see, Katy follows some check boxes to ensure the animal is right for the job.

“Movement is important; they have to move straight,’’ she said. “I can cope with the odd blemish in conformation. Most of all they have to have the right brain and have to want to do the job. I can usually tell this from a three- or four-year-old.

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