New mum Isabella Mears Wood’s charming coloured lightweight cob Mr Vincent successfully defended his 2025 crown and lifted the Surrey Envelopes British Show Horse Association (BSHA) supreme cob champion at the Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), piloted by producer Danielle Heath.

“For a cob to be able to be steady and safe for me, then also be able to step up to be a show cob and champion here two years in a row is really special,” said Isabella, who welcomed baby Arthur into the world six weeks ago, and who hopes to take back up Vincent’s reins next term.

Isabella initially found the 11-year-old – who also posted a second win at Windsor earlier this term – after posting an appeal on Facebook for a horse to hack and enjoy at home.

Former owner Nigel Fuller found him in Ireland and responded to Isabella’s post. After a lesson with Danielle, his producer proclaimed him a future star.

“I told her, ‘you’re not keeping this’,” she laughed.

He’s since more than proved her right, always going about his job with an undeniably sunny outlook and loving a buzzy atmosphere.

“He’s a pleasure to ride in the ring because he’s a little showman, so you don’t really have to do a lot, you just sit there and he does it for you. To have the full package – conformation and brain is really rare, and he’s got it all. Each time he goes in the ring he loves it even more.”

In reserve for the cob championship was the second-placed lightweight reigning Hickstead Derby Meeting champion, Redy, Steady Eddie, produced by Katie Jerram-Hunnable and ridden by his owner Caroline Mackness, who was understandably delighted.

“I was hoping to be in the top five but to be second to Danielle – I’m over the moon with that,” said Caroline.

Also in the championship were Will Morton and former Windsor champion Bannview So Smart, and Oliver Hood aboard the reigning Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) champion Carters Top Gun, first and second in the heavyweight division respectively.

Will Morton piloted Rosamund Lane’s Monarch In The Mist (Jack) to a second victory on the bounce in the Rogers Truck Services BSHA maxi cob final.

The 10-year-old by Fintan Himself, out of Maries Dancer, enjoyed a second championship at Royal Windsor, too, earlier this term.

He’s another undeniably jolly cob to watch, and again, wasn’t initially aimed at the show-ring. Instead, the Lane’s purchased him from a photograph where he was jumping a 4ft hedge, and they fell in love, sending him straight to Will for production.

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I’ve collated your need-to-know information for the 2026 HOYS show horse qualifiers, which includes hunters, hacks, riding horses, cobs, and working hunters in one place.

Negotiating where to go to secure Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifications for your horses is no mean feat, and I know first-hand how hard it is to find qualifier details and keep on top of planning your season, so this should help make it easier.

While the HOYS showing qualifiers list has been announced for 2026, the some fixtures are still confirming their judges. So I’m frequently updating this page with all the new details as they are released so it can be your one-stop-shop for planning your qualification.

2026 HOYS show horse qualifiers

• The Harrod & Coles Family Cob of the Year
• The Andrews Family Hack of the Year
• The Leeman Family Maxi Cob of the Year
• NeedleSmart, John Illingworth and Cliff Kirby Ridden Purebred Arab of the Year
• Alan Marnie & Family Riding Horse of the Year
• The Mears-Wood Family Ladies’ Side Saddle Horse of the Year
• Hamilton Tarmac Small Show Hunter of the Year
• Catplant Group of Companies Ltd. Show Hunter of the Year
• Alan Marnie & Family (Meta Lounge Limited and SHB (GB)) Working Hunter of the Year

The Harrod & Coles Family Cob of the Year

These qualifiers are for both the lightweight and heavyweight cob sections.

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

The Andrews Family Hack of the Year

These qualifiers for the hack classes are for both small and large sections.

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

The Leeman Family Maxi Cob of the Year

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

NeedleSmart, John Illingworth and Cliff Kirby Ridden Purebred Arab of the Year

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

Alan Marnie & Family Riding Horse of the Year

These qualifiers are for both sections of riding horse.

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

The Mears-Wood Family Ladies’ Side Saddle Horse of the Year

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

Hamilton Tarmac Small Show Hunter of the Year

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

Catplant Group of Companies Ltd. Show Hunter of the Year

These qualifiers are for all three weights sections of show hunter.

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

Alan Marnie & Family (Meta Lounge Limited and SHB (GB)) Working Hunter of the Year

Below is the information for all working hunter qualifiers.

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

• For all your need-to-know information for other 2026 HOYS qualifiers, plus more expert showing advice from top riders and updates on shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A producer has won the Royal Windsor Horse Show cob championship for the third year on the trot. This time, Will Morton piloted Rosamund’s Monarch In The Mist (Jack) to the 2026 title, repeating their 2024 feat.

“I think it was more special today than it has ever been,” said Will, who steered Bannview So Smart to the 2025 title.

Will added: “I put a lot of pressure on myself coming here for the third time, so to actually pull it off and do it three times in a row is just incredible.”

The pair had won the maxi cob class en route to the championship.

Will and the Fintan Himself gelding were also victorious at Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) last year, and were second at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Will said: “He knows his job. He loves his job, he smiles the whole way around the ring. He loves the atmosphere. He’s a very smiley horse, so he goes in there and he just soaks it up.

“He goes,‘Look at me, I know what I’m doing’.”

Will added that he does not over-show Jack, whose next outing will be Royal Three Counties with “lots of hacking in between”.

2026 Royal Windsor cob championship reserve

Danielle Heath repeated her 2025 win aboard 12-year-old lightweight Mr Vincent, owned by Isabella Mears-Wood, before going on to take the reserve spot in the 2026 Royal Windsor cob championship.

“Being the cob championship here and getting to gallop down that front is fantastic,” Danielle said. “It’s one of the best main arenas in the country, I think.”

Also in the championship was Lisette-Marie Roberts who had her first Royal Windsor win riding her own Randalstown Aristocrat (Harry) after the pair won the amateur class.

Harry had previously been ridden by producer Jayne Ross, but Lisette took the reins herself last year and was second at HOYS.

Speaking after her initial win in the Frogmore arena, she said: “This will be my first time riding in the main arena, which is going to be thrilling. I’m really looking forward to that.”

Harry, an 11-year-old grey gelding – now based with Elliee Stunt – can get stressed at a show, his owner says, but nevertheless managed to impress ride judge Harry Moore.

“He doesn’t want to do anything wrong,” she explained. “He needs to take a breath and you see him just suddenly go, ‘Oh’, and then you’re like, ‘Right, he’s going to be good’.

“Anybody can hack him. My daughter is really nervous and she rides him. He’s just the loveliest, loveliest boy.”

Harry was also given the healthiest body condition award in his class. Lisette said that unlike most cobs, they sometimes struggle to keep enough weight on the gelding.

“I’m really pleased with that and it shows that Ellie’s doing a really good job,” she added.

In the novice cobs, Simon Reynolds came to the fore aboard Ruth Parker’s exciting six-year-old Sterling, and the heavyweight class was won by Jayne Ross astride Alan Marnie’s Horton’s Rainman.

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A cob who was dumped as an unwanted “completely feral” colt who had to be darted to be rescued has become a dressage diva – and his owner’s “horse of a lifetime”.

Hillrow Harvey and Alice Griffiths won the prelim freestyle at Suffolk Rural on 8 February; they have also been placed at the British Dressage (BD) associated championships and contested Area Festivals, something Alice said she would never have thought possible.

Alice told H&H she saw repeated posts on social media about two abandoned horses near where she lives in Cambridgeshire, six years ago, so went to have a look, and found Harvey there on his own.

“I spoke to a local farmer, who said the other horse had got stuck upside-down in a ditch and died,” she said. “So just Harvey was there, and he was completely feral. He was really curious, because he was only a baby, but if you got too close, he’d just canter off.

“I felt really bad for him because no one wanted him, so I got my old veteran horse and herded him home, because he’d follow anything.”

Alice approached the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare, who guided her through the process of serving abandonment notices and legally taking ownership of the colt.

“I won’t lie, when we got him home, I thought ‘What have I done?’” she said. “We couldn’t keep him in a stable, we couldn’t keep him in a field unless he was with someone, and he was a colt. I had mares, and I thought ‘We’re going to end up with 50,000 foals next year’, because he was so wild, I couldn’t touch him. I got the vets out, and they said ‘You’re going to need somebody with a dart gun, because there’s no way we can get close enough to even jab him, to get him gelded.’”

Alice managed to find someone who could dart Harvey, and once he was sedated, she drove her small horsebox into the field and the colt was half-carried on board.

Once he had woken up enough to travel, he was taken in for gelding.

“Then everything changed and he was much easier to handle,” Alice said. “I won’t say it was all straightforward! But he was definitely more manageable. It took him time to get used to certain things like having a rug on, and he’s never taken to being tied up so I’ve adapted round him, but he’s quite a sensitive soul and I couldn’t think of sending him on his way anywhere.”

When Harvey was older, Alice started riding him a bit, and they did some showing.

“I didn’t have a horse at the time to ride, so it just kind of stuck!” she said. “The thought did come, do I maybe sell him, but he’s quite a quirky little boy, and because he found me, I felt quite, you know, obliged to be attached to him, and didn’t want to send him on – and he’s still here.

“I’d done a bit of BD with my old horse and had just stepped up to novice but he got a bit unsound so I retired him. I did have a couple of other horses in between but one was a bit too spicy for me, the other one did a suspensory. Then Harvey came along, and I thought ‘Maybe we’ll give BD a go’. He’s got quite nice paces, he can move quite nicely, and that’s just stuck. Hopefully next year, we’ll be looking to do a bit of elementary – he’s really done everything for me that I would have wanted in a horse.”

Harvey still has his quirks, Alice said, adding that a friend of hers described him as a “mini racehorse”, but when it all comes together, as it did last Sunday, it is worth everything.

“I cried!” Alice said. “He can be fussy, and earlier this year we came out with a score of about 61, which I was so disheartened by. So to get +72%; when it all comes together like that, he was calm and relaxed and everything was just right – I thought ‘This is what this was all about’. All the work, the worry; all the stars aligned and it was perfect. He’s done everything for me; don’t get me wrong, he can be a spanner at times! But he’s really my horse of a lifetime.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking equestrian news throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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The owner of a cob whose dam was saved from slaughter, and who survived a complex multitude of veterinary ailments before he started his ridden career, hopes his dressage success will show other owners what can be possible.

Rebecca Duke bought Mr Finn as a three-year-old and within a few years, he had been diagnosed with arthritis, bony changes to the spine, respiratory issues, PSSM and ulcers. She was advised by a vet that putting him down might be the best option.

In 2023, Mr Finn and Rebecca started competing with British Dressage (BD); they have since been placed at the summer Area Festivals and won up to novice level.

Rebecca told H&H she wanted to sing the praises of “my little miracle cob who despite all his hinderings comes back to the white boards feeling better than ever”.

“All horses can shine through dressage; the unlikely ones, all breeds and even the ones who are a little broken,” she said. “I love the phrase ‘dressage for horses, not horses for dressage’, as I believe it truly helps them physically and mentally.”

Rebecca said Finn’s arrival was a surprise to his first owner, who had saved his dam from slaughter in Ireland. She saw him advertised at a younger age but it was “not the right time” for her to buy. But when he was advertised again later, she took the chance to secure him.

“Even when I bought him, a lot of people said ‘Why have you bought him? The way he looks, he’s a recipe for disaster’,” said Rebecca, adding that Finn does not have the best conformation. “But I’d always wanted a black horse with four white socks! And my other horse was going through rehab, so I thought he could be a bit of a project. I knew he needed some TLC so I could put a bit of time into him while my mare needed a quieter life.”

But the problems came “thick and fast”, Rebecca said; the arthritis was diagnosed first in his stifles and hocks, followed by everything else.

“It was rehab after rehab,” Rebecca said. “There was a vet in the beginning who, when it all come out, all the things he had wrong with him, she said ‘You’re going to be lucky if he can be a happy hacker, and honestly, I’d consider putting him to sleep’. But I’d just lost my mare, and I said ‘No, I can’t lose him as well. I’m going to try to do everything’, despite everything that was against us.”

Rebecca said it was a struggle at first, so she did her research, and turned to a more classical approach.

“I started learning a lot through Horses Inside Out and about biomechanics of how the horse moves and everything, and I learned a lot from Heather Moffett,” she said. “I just got lots of things in my toolbox to keep him well, and now I just always work him in a ‘prehab’ sort of way; stretchy work, slow work, polework, competition – I really mix it up for him, and I think the slow prehab-based work is what’s helped him the most.”

Rebecca still approaches all Mr Finn’s work in this “prehab” frame of mind; work that builds the correct strength and musculature to keep him sound and comfortable and make any further issues less likely.

He is also carefully managed owing to the PSSM (polysaccharide storage myopathy), which means horses have abnormal accumulation of glycogen, the form of sugar stored in muscle. This can cause muscle stiffness and pain, but Rebecca sought advice from a nutritionist and changed his diet and management routine to keep him comfortable.

And once he was, she considered competition.

“I’d just done unaffiliated before; and I’d never really had the opportunity, because I had a string of broken horses, who would get to the point where they were under saddle and then something would happen, and I just never got to do it, so it was a bit of a dream come true to get to do it with Finn,” she said.

“We affiliated and there I was, on this little cob, tootling around thinking ‘I don’t know if I belong’. But the first time out he came second, with nearly 70%. I think we did our first Petplan [Area Festivals] at prelim and the next year we did freestyle novice and came third.

“Even if you don’t feel ready, whatever horse you’ve got, you can do it. After the first few outings, I realised he was really good and we really enjoyed it.”

Rebecca said she hopes others who have had similar situations with horses will take some inspiration from Finn’s journey.

“It’s disheartening, isn’t it?” she said. “Just a little thing, like being able to ride them; it’s why a lot of us got into it, we have a passion for horses, we enjoy riding or having them as pets, but when they’re poorly all the time, it just makes you question your life choices.

“I often get emotional about it, I have to pinch myself. I had the vet to check him the other day just to make sure he’s all right, given all his issues. And she said he’d pass a vetting, he’s the best he’s ever looked.”

Rebecca pointed out that dressage came about as a result of the correct training of a horse to make him be the best he can, and she believes Finn is testament to this.

“I’m going to aim for the Petplans again in January,” she said. “We’ve stuck at novice for a while now, but considering he’s doing really well, and he’s starting to do some advanced movements at home without any struggle, so I might just try an elementary and see where we go from there. I’m not in it for winning, it’s more the enjoyment, and he comes alive when he goes in the white boards. He loves it, especially to the music, so it’s just about keeping that variety in his life.”

Rebecca described Finn as “not your typical dressage horse”.

“The way he’s built; he’s so downhill and croup-high, he’s like a horse of two halves,” she said. “But it’s not mattered, he’s done really well despite everything. I hope our story can inspire others to go to BD whatever breed you have and not to let diagnosis hold you back.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A rescued cob who may have felt she was always the bridesmaid as she repeatedly missed out on rehoming has performed just that duty for her new, loving owner.

Pumpkin, who was rescued in 2023 aged 15, spent more than 500 days at Blue Cross’s Burford rehoming centre “watching other horses get rehomed while she waited patiently for someone to fall in love with her”.

But last Christmas, Natalie King contacted the charity as her cob Domino had lost his best friend and was “struggling” on his own.

“Domino was absolutely miserable – he needed a friend and fast,” Natalie said. “I contacted Blue Cross and they matched us with Pumpkin who was looking for a home as a non-ridden companion. ‘She’s super-cool and just happy to be involved!’ they told me. Perfect!”

Natalie lives on 11 acres with a sheep, two pigmy goats and Domino, and plenty of room for Pumpkin.

“When they told me how long she’d been in their care, my heart went out to her,” Natalie said.

“Five days later Pumpkin arrived. I put her next door to Domino and after a quarantine period, they joined each other in the paddock. Happy days – they really liked each other. I was very relieved it was all so easy and that Domino was content again.”

Natalie said Pumpkin is an “angel pony”, who has not put a hoof wrong.

“When I call her name from the paddock gate, she trots over to me,” she said. “I’ve had Domino 15 years and he’s never once come when called! Pumpkin is so easy-going and polite. She’s a joy to have around.”

A few months later, Blue Cross Burford’s Bradley Moore-Taylor went to visit Pumpkin and Natalie, and “realising how happy Pumpkin was”, asked Natalie whether she would like to own her.

“And that wasn’t the only ‘Yes’ Natalie was saying,” a Blue Cross spokesperson said. “The following week she got married; Pumpkin’s legal ownership paperwork arrived the day before the wedding.”

Natalie explained that she and her husband Ben married in the village church and had the reception at home.

“The horses were very much part of the day, watching the goings-on from the paddock, and Pumpkin becoming officially mine just made it more special,” she said.

“Then my bridesmaid Siân said: ‘Pumpkin wondered if she could be a bridesmaid too.’ Sian had got her bridesmaid’s dress taken up and used the spare fabric to tie a bow in Pumpkin’s forelock.

“It was such a lovely gesture and Pumpkin looked gorgeous. So Siân and I had some official wedding photos taken with Pumpkin – girls together. Then my husband Ben and I had pictures with Pumpkin, Domino and ex-racehorse Benji (Old Beginnings), who had returned home from his retraining yard. The boys love their little sister!”

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Cobs are smart and willing – but sometimes underestimated in the dressage arena. Top trainers and judges share their best dressage training advice for helping cobs and cob-types succeed between the white boards.

“Cobs are massively underestimated,” says Sam Turner, who trained and competed her 14hh traditional gypsy cob, Cuffstown Rumble (Billy Whiz), up to grand prix.

“They’re clever, hard-working, and so game. You just have to be consistent, patient – and not worry about what anyone else thinks.”

International rider and list 1 British Dressage judge Sara-Jane Lanning agrees: “One of the most fun horses I ever competed was a big, chunky part-bred Irish Draught cob who came third in the medium gold at the winter championships. People don’t expect it – but they absolutely can do it.”

BDCC Level 3 coach and list 2 judge Alice Oppenheimer adds: “Dressage is about ‘gymnasticising’ the horse to make them more supple, athletic and elastic. You can improve any type – that’s the whole point.”

Dressage training for cobs: common strengths – and how to build on them

Cobs bring a lot to the table.

“They tend to have excellent minds,” says Alice. “If they enjoy their work, you’re already halfway there. They’re willing, smart and want to please – that gives you so much to work with.”

Sam agrees: “Billy wasn’t the fanciest mover, but he tried his heart out – and that’s worth more to me than fancy movement.”

They’re also often well-balanced and powerful.

“Cobs can have active hindlegs and a good walk – two things that really help,” adds Sara-Jane. “They often find straight lines easy – so if you focus on test riding and accuracy, that’s a quick way to earn marks.”

But trainers agree: don’t mistake enthusiasm for correct movement.

“They can be very willing – but that can mean rushing,” says Alice. “Balance and tempo are key. You want a consistent rhythm that shows swing and softness.”

Sam has learned that firsthand.

“I used to override Billy because I felt like we had to prove we belonged,” she admits. “Now I’d focus more on keeping him relaxed and letting the work speak for itself.

“Transitions, poles, and patience. That’s our bread and butter. We don’t need to be flashy – just consistent.”

She’s also learned the value of variety in keeping him switched on: “Cobs are smart – which is great but means you’ve got to keep things interesting. If I drill the same thing, Billy just tunes out. We mix it up and do a lot of hacking, and it keeps him sharp.”

Understand the build

Cobs come in all different shapes and sizes, but are often compact and downhill in their conformation. That can lead to leaning, heaviness in the contact and tension through the back.

“They’re not built to be uphill – so we have to create that posture through training,” explains Sara-Jane. “It’s about helping them find self-carriage. The rider can’t do the holding – the horse has to learn to carry itself.”

Getting the hindlegs stepping under, the back swinging, and the shoulders free will help develop a light, uphill balance and contact.

“A lot of the leaning or pulling comes from being out of balance,” Sara-Jane adds. “So you’ve got to slow the tempo without losing energy, and give the horse time to find its feet.”

Five exercises to develop balance and suppleness

1. Spiral-in and leg-yield out (on a circle)

This classic suppling exercise works across all types – but is especially useful in dressage training for cobs that tend to get tight or lean.

“Start on a 20m circle, spiral in to 10m, then leg-yield back out again,” says Alice. “It gets the inside hind under, frees up the shoulders, and encourages suppleness without rushing.”

Sam uses this one regularly, too: “It helped Billy loosen up and focus. We do it in all three paces depending on what we’re working on.”

2. Shoulder-in and travers into renvers

Once the horse understands lateral work, this series develops both sides of the body evenly.

“It encourages them to stretch both sides of the body,” explains Alice. “You want to develop the bend by lengthening one side, not just shortening the other.”

Sam adds: “The trick is not rushing the change between the two – you’ve got to give them time to find the new shape.”

3. On-the-spot halts to improve self-carriage

“Everyone does things like trot-walk-trot and canter-trot-canter, but if you’ve got a horse that’s running a little bit and leaning on the hand, I like to do stopping and starting,” Sara-Jane says.

“Ride to the corner, halt facing the wall [a few strides away], and give and retake the rein. They have to be able to let go of the rein without the horse falling forward or leaning. Then apply the leg – the horse should wait, not shoot off.”

This builds patience and balance – particularly useful for horses that rush or lean.

4. Shoulder-in on a circle

For cobs that lift their knees but struggle to cover ground in extended paces, try this.

“Working on medium trot or canter on a circle helps them find push and reach without rushing,” Alice explains. “It encourages more ground cover – not just height.”

5. Halt, halt, and halt again

Cobs can beat warmbloods on the basics – if you train them.

“A square halt is easy marks – and most people throw them away,” says Alice. “But you’ve got to train it. Repetition is key.”

Correct, balanced halts teach the horse to listen and engage. And with double-marked movements like halt and rein back, it’s worth the effort.

Accuracy, mindset and making a plan

“You’ve got to ride smart,” says Sara-Jane. “Focus on being straight, square and obedient. That’s where you can pick up marks.

“And don’t think you don’t stand a chance. The test sheet doesn’t ask what breed your horse is – it asks what it can do.”

All three trainers agree: accuracy is a key competitive edge. Straight centre lines, correct-sized circles, precise transitions – all add up.

And while ribbons are nice, that shouldn’t be the main motivation when dressage training for cobs.

“We’re not out here chasing red rosettes,” Sam explains, “we’re chasing the feeling of progress – that’s just as satisfying.”

Having the right support matters, too.

“If you have a coach that believes in you, you can go a long way,” Alice says. “Not every trainer suits every rider – but having someone in your corner makes all the difference.”

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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

A five-star event horse and rider and an amateur with a “little black cob” who swapped rides for a 90cm pairs hunter trial won their class – and raised over £2,000 in the process.

H&H reported that Fiona Kashel’s good friend Lynn Roberts was to take Fiona’s Badminton ride Creevagh Silver De Haar (Hero) to Munstead on 12 July, and Fiona Lynn’s 15hh Robbie Cob, in aid of the Georgie Campbell Foundation.

“It was the most amazing day,” Lynn told H&H. “Lots of people turned up, and were cheering us – and I felt like I was riding round Badminton. Robbie’s little legs had to try to keep up with Hero, who was cruising, but it was a lovely day.”

The riders were decked out in Georgie’s purple cross-country colours, thanks to tack shop Chobham Rider, and the last fence was bedecked with purple flowers.

Lynn said it was a fantastic experience riding 17-year-old Hero.

“Fiona said he’d look after me; we were springing along, but he didn’t over-jump so I wasn’t catapulted,” she said. “He did pull a shoe off; I think because the ditch was so small, he didn’t see it! But we were nearly home and he was fine.

“At one point, Fiona had to call to say ‘Slow down’ because Robbie couldn’t keep up; I’d felt we were just floating along. It was fabulous, he’s the most amazing horse. I said ‘Can’t I have him to do some 90s on?’!”

Lynn added that when Fiona next schooled Hero, she said, the horse went very well.

“So I didn’t ruin him, which is great – I think I’ve improved him and she’ll ask me to ride him before all the big events now!” she said.

“Fiona found it hard to see a stride on Robbie because he’s so bouncy, but she said in the end, she just went flat out, and I think she enjoyed it, and we’d aimed to raise £2,000, but got to about £2,500 including cash on the day, which was fantastic.

“I don’t know what the next challenge will be – maybe a dressage swap, that would be hilarious – but it was a day for the memory banks because it was so magical.”

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Danielle Heath and the charismatic Mr Vincent claimed the 2025 Royal International cob championship, the Surrey Envelopes British Show Horse Association supreme cob title at the Agria-sponsored show.

His shocked owner Isabella Mears Wood just missed the moment catching his lap of honour still in her jacket and breeches having run over from another ring.

“I can’t quite believe it,” said Isabella. “I was in the maxis with my other cob so I think I’m going to have to watch the videos a few times.”

Her disbelief is perhaps quite understandable given Isabella found the 10-year-old after posting an appeal on Facebook for a horse to hack and enjoy at home.

“His former owner Nigel Fuller said, ‘I’ve got just the horse for you. You’ll have loads of fun with him – he’s as honest as the day is long,’ and he is to be fair. I went for one lesson with Danielle and she said, ‘We have to show this horse, he’s a superstar,’” explained Isabella.

He has an undeniably sunny outlook as he goes.

“He’s loving every moment. The bigger the ring, the better he is. He’s just a little showman,” said Danielle.

Reserve champion in the 2025 Royal International cob championship heads to Scotland

In reserve for the 2025 Royal International cob championship was a teary Kirstine Douglas, who was fielding both second-placed cobs. She chose well, opting to ride Morean Hamilton’s 14-year-old lightweight runner-up Mr Bear.

“I’ve had him since a four-year-old,” said Kirstine, clearly moved by the occasion. “When you go into a championship on a second, you just don’t expect anything. This is just a dream. He’s a lovely little horse, he really is. He’s been a super little horse for me.”

Kirstine left Jasean Spraggett to pick up Morean’s Morrows Highwayman’s reins, second in the heavyweight division.

Jayne Ross piloted the jolly goer Hortons Rainman, a nine-year-old recently recruited to new owner Alan Marnie’s team.

In ninth place was Rachel Mccourt’s versatile Firespell piloted by Amelia Hood. He swapped rider and bridle later in the day to top the working show horse with Amelia’s husband Oliver in the saddle for the second time consecutively.

“He jumped so well,” said Oliver, “we’re thrilled with him. He’s a lot of fun.”

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It was a case of third time lucky for Monarch in the Mist (Jack), who clinched the Rogers Truck Services BSHA Maxi Cob Championship at the Agria Royal International Horse Show after a steady rise through the ranks.

The nine-year-old grey by Fintan Himself out of Maries Dancer is owned by Rosamund Lane and ridden by Will Morton.

”

“He’s been a brilliant horse for me,” said Will. “This is his third time here, and he’s gone one better every year. First year he was third, last year he was second, and now he’s won. He’s been champion at Windsor, too, and won a massive class at Three Counties — he’s just a fab horse.”

Will praised the gelding’s love of the Hickstead stage: “He loves that big ring. It’s a proper ring to ride in, and he loves the hill — he’s definitely a grass ring horse. Indoors, he can switch off a bit, but out here, he’s great.”

Jack now returns to Scotland for a well-earned break before Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) preparation.

“He’s having a couple of weeks in the field to chill with his owners,” Will said. “Then he’ll come back to me to campaign at the end of the season and prepare for HOYS.”

Sophie Lane, daughter of owner Rosamund, reflected on the horse’s unique journey to the top.

“We bought him from a photograph on the internet. He was jumping a 4ft hedge, and I just loved him,” she said. “His little ears were pricked, and I said to Mum, ‘I want him’. That was it. We bought him unseen, and he went straight to Will.”

Now, with a championship win under their belt, the family have plans to celebrate: “This has to be the highlight of his career — we’ll definitely be opening a lot of champagne tonight!”

Reserve was awarded to Randalstown Time Piece, beautifully ridden by Herefordshire-based producer Claire Oliver.

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A horse and rider who jumped clear across country at Badminton are taking on a 90cm hunter trials pairs class – but not together.

Fiona Kashel’s good friend Lynn Roberts is to take the reins of Fiona’s veteran five-star ride Creevagh Silver De Haar (Hero), and Fiona will ride Lynn’s 15hh Robbie Cob, at Munstead on 12 July. The pair have already raised nearly £600 of their £1,000 fundraising target for the Georgie Campbell Foundation.

Dealer Lynn and Fiona, whose yards are close together and who have known each other over 12 years, both told H&H the idea started as banter between friends.

“Fiona was teasing me, saying ‘You could ride Hero round a hunter trial and I’ll ride your cob’,” Lynn said. “I’m 60 this year and a bit of a wuss, and I thought she was joking, but she wasn’t. So I’ve stepped up to do this – and I’m literally bricking myself!”

The fundraising page is open now

Lynn said she has evented in the past.

“But I’m not very good at it,” she said. “My last event, I got eliminated in the showjumping and said I wasn’t doing it again. So I whizz round on my little black cob and we have a lovely time. We did try dressage and it didn’t go down well; cross-country is my thing and his thing, and I love him to bits.

“Fiona will hopefully let me ride Hero beforehand – I said she’d given him a tune-up round Badminton so he should be all right – but I don’t think she should ride the cob first, I think that’s fair enough!

“I wanted to do the 80cm but Fiona said the 90cm so hang on to your hats!” she added. “I rose to the challenge and will put my brave pants on; I used to be brave so I’m sure it will come back.”

Lynn said she and Fiona hope to find cross-country shirts in purple so they can ride in the colours, as well as the memory, of Georgie Campbell, the eventer who died after a cross-country fall a year ago. The foundation set up in her memory aims to improve safety in the sport and support young riders. Fiona knew Georgie, having competed alongside her, and Lynn also met her.

“We thought this would be fitting,” Lynn said.

Fiona told H&H Hero is “so straightforward and lovely”, and will look after Lynn.

“I just hope I don’t fall off the cob; the pressure is going to be unreal!” she said. “She’d better let me have a practice – I haven’t ridden a cob for a while; I think I will probably be more nervous about this than about Badminton!”

She added that she hopes to surpass their fundraising target in memory of Georgie, whom she had known for years.

“A couple of days after we put the fundraising page up it had raised over £500, which is amazing,” she said. “We thought it was good timing to do something for Georgie’s foundation, and wanted to do something close to her heart.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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For the second year running, Will Morton secured the cob championship at Royal Windsor Horse Show, but this time with Valerie Hosegood’s skewbald heavyweight winner Bannview So Smart.

“He has a lot of swag about him; he’s a proper geezer,” said Will.

The seven-year-old stood fourth at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in October, despite being a relative novice on the showing scene. He also won the Royal Windsor Horse Show healthy horse weight initiative Weigh to Win.

“He went home for the winter and only came back to me about six weeks ago,” added Will. “He was a bit porky so we have really been working on his fitness with lots of cantering up hills.

“I think it’s a really great initiative, especially for amateurs to see that professionals are winning the awards as sometimes people think because they are show animals they need to be fatter.”

Amateur crowned reserve cob champion at Royal Windsor

Taking the reserve spot was an emotional Isabella Mears Wood, winner of the amateur cob class with her maxi cob Brookdale Limited Edition (Archie). Isabella confessed she was a “blubbering mess” after winning her class earlier in the day.

“I just love him so much and he tries his heart out each and every time,” said Isabella of the 15-year-old grey gelding whom she has owned for eight years.

Produced by Danielle Heath, who has won on him here in the ladies’ class, Archie was marking his second win in the amateurs class and has also won the open maxi cobs here too.

Danielle rode Isabella’s coloured victor from day one of Royal Windsor Horse Show, Mr Vincent, to head the lightweight cob class. They also won the Weigh to Win rosette.

Vicky Smith added another win here to her belt – after she emerged victorious in the ridden coloured championship on day one – with Miranda Wallace’s unbeaten maxi cob A Red Knight (Razzle).

The outstanding 10-year-old is the reigning Royal International Horse Show and HOYS winner.

“He was pipped to the post here last year so I feel we have come back and got the big three. We will have a go at some of the big grandstand rings now,” said Vicky.

Richard Mills took the novice cob class with Petra Jenson’s five-year-old gelding Darrowby Cavalier (Ted). Ted was purchased from Martin Skelton and this is only his third show.

“As much as he is young, he has the head of a gentleman. He is so sane and nothing fazes him,” said Richard.

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A 65-year-old rider and her 15hh cob who have become legends of Aintree International Equestrian Centre hope their success will inspire others as to what is possible.

Sue Evans bought Belle Isle Conor to do some hacking, hunting and low-level competition – which they do. But having taken up British Showjumping (BS) competition a few years ago, they have now become an annual and major part of the National Amateur & Veteran Championships, held at Aintree every November and billed as “the greatest show”.

Conor and Sue have been there every year since their 2017 debut, excluding the Covid year, contesting the national 85cm final – but also famously flying the 1.20m joker fence in the accumulator class.

Their picture has been used by Clipmyhorse as the thumbnail for its coverage of the event, and their picture displayed at Aintree. Not only that, new championship sponsor Equiyd is sponsoring them, and funding their costs at this year’s finals.

“I couldn’t believe it when they got in touch,” Sue told H&H. “I’m not a great rider, we don’t win or get placed in the big classes. But I think it’s his exuberance – people can see that he just loves it.”

Sue said she was born a “city girl”, to non-equestrian parents, but always dreamed of having a horse. She started helping at a local riding school, riding ponies bareback to the field and “falling off a lot – I didn’t have a clue”. Later she managed to fund lessons every now and then.

“I was just besotted,” she said.

Sue lived in the Emirates for years, where she got more riding in, then the family, by this time with three children, moved back to the UK, and about 11 years ago, she bought Conor.

“I had a lovely mare who got arthritis in her knees,” she said. “I loaned her out to a friend, who loves her and hacks her out, but was in the market for another one. I didn’t have much money as I’d loaned her and was looking for cobs as I thought they’d suit me; something simple and quiet to hack round on and do some low-level stuff.”

Sue spotted Conor advertised, and noticed that his ad stayed on the dealer’s website for some time, so she asked her husband Gary, a farrier, to check him out when he went to the yard.

“He said ‘They all look the same to me, I just look at their feet’!” she said. “So I went to see him, and wasn’t very impressed. He was a bit skinny and looked like a cow.

“But they had a little arena with woodchip and a few things to jump – he couldn’t canter, but boy, could he jump! I thought ‘Hmm’.

“Athena had been really spooky so I asked if I could put my coat by the jump to see what he’d do and he jumped about the height of the wings; ‘I’m not going to touch it but I am going to jump it’. I asked if I could take him for the weekend and to a little competition, and if he behaved, I wouldn’t take him back. You know the rest!”

For the first few years, Conor and Sue went hunting – which mainly involved Sue apologising profusely as she was carted past the master – and hacked, and did some BS Club competitions. Then a friend told her about the amateur championships, and Sue thought they sounded good.

Watch Conor and Sue conquer the joker

“But she said you had to be a full BS member and I said ‘No chance, we’re just not capable’,” Sue said. “But she said no, they started at what we were jumping anyway, so I said we’d give it a go.”

They qualified, and turned up at Aintree the first year “exhausted” from the long journey in the trailer, Sue said, and with “no clue what to do or where to go”, but the staff and other riders were hugely helpful and welcoming.

“I didn’t come anywhere but it was so much fun and so exciting,” she said. “I’ve been going ever since. I love it there and Conor adores it; he knows exactly where he is.”

Sue said 2023 was their best year, when they came ninth in the hugely popular accumulator, as well as sixth in the equally well contested, and warp-speed, pairs class.

“That’s incredible for a little 153cm cob, against these brilliant horses and riders,” she said. “The accumulator is his class. When I did it the first time, I saw it was 80cm start height and thought fine, but it gets bigger all the way and the joker is 1.20m. I was bricking it! We had a couple of poles but he jumped the joker and no one could believe it. Last year, I managed to fall off before we got to it but he knew; he was looking for it.”

Sue said the Equiyd sponsorship offer came “out of the blue”, and she could not believe it was true at first. The company, an online horse management service, has not only offered her horse and rider wear but also her stable and entries at Aintree this year.

“It was unbelievable; a little hairy cob and an old woman getting this,” she said. “But a lot of people have said I’m the epitome of the amateur rider, with my little cob and my trailer, working hard, and looking like we’re having fun – which we always are. Every time I remember the course, it’a a bonus! But there’s Conor with his mane and feather flying, head up, sights on the jump, and ‘I’ve got this’. He just loves it and so do I.”

Aintree International manager Carly Sage said it is always a pleasure to have Conor and Sue; they featured them in a video interview last year, and in a picture on display.

“They’re great fun, and they show people anyone can showjump, this is a show for everyone,” she told H&H. “He comes alive at Aintree; he absolutely loves it here and she’s great fun. He is a superstar, and can seriously jump!”

Do you know of a super cob? Share your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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The hogged show cob is one of the most popular types of horses to both own and show, making training the cob well essential if you want to be competitive in the show ring. The heaviest stamp of ridden show horse, the cob is loved for its weight-carrying abilities, comfortable ride and versatility. Note, the show cob is a type, not a breed, and many people love them as they’re viewed as being calmer and more amenable in comparison to horses with more “blood”, although, of course, every horse is an individual and not all conform to the stereotype. Cobs are often of unknown breeding, although many have some Irish Draught bloodlines in them, and many top show ring stars have been found in weird and wonderful places. In show cob classes, a ride is required to assess the horse’s performance, and type and conformation is equally important for the second phase of the class.

According to the British Show Horse Association (BSHA), a cob is a short-legged animal which combines substance, bone and quality, and should be capable of carrying a substantial weight of rider. As well as key conformation elements, the cob should be a well-mannered and push-button mount suitable for nervous or elderly riders. The cob should have all the attributes of a good hunter, including low movement and be a comfortable ride.

Cobs are shown in one of three divisions: lightweight, heavyweight or maxi. Only mares or geldings can be shown in affiliated classes.

• Lightweight – minimum of eight and a half inches of bone, exceeding 148cm but not exceeding 155cm, capable of carrying up to 14 stone.
• Heavyweight – minimum of nine inches of bone, exceeding 148cm but not exceeding 155cm, capable of carrying more than 14 stone.
• Maxi – exceeding 155cm with a recommended height limit of 160cm. To be judged to the cob type.

Cobs are also seen in amateur, ladies’ side-saddle, novice and home-produced sections, as well as in working show horse classes. Some hogged cobs are successful in both weight and coloured classes. At some shows, usually at local or unaffiliated level, the lightweight, heavyweight and maxi cobs will come together in a single cob class.

Ensuring your cob is trained to the highest level is essential if you want to succeed in these uber-competitive classes. Owning a cob of a good type is not enough to stand at the top of the line and winter provides the perfect opportunity to refine your schooling and ringcraft ahead of the coming show season.

Training the cob for top performance in the ring

H&H speaks to some of the circuit’s top riders to find out how to solve some of the most common problems associated with show cobs.

1. Running on the forehand

Danielle Heath is a leading show horse producer who is based in Cheshire. She has won open cob classes at both Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Royal International (RIHS) and she has also produced show cobs to the top in side-saddle ranks. Danielle maintains that cobs either have a naturally uphill way of going, or they tend to run on the forehand due to their build generally being quite heavy and downhill.

“If something runs on it can be so hard to get them back, which is why schooling needs to be correct from the very early stages,” Danielle says. “If a cob gets to know its strength early on, you often have nowhere to go – so I like to get on top of it as soon as you get on them. If necessary, I would temporarily use a stronger bit – like a three-ring happy mouth or a Tom Thumb – on a cob that goes on the forehand and is heavy in front, to help them learn to carry themselves and not lean on the rider’s hand.

“Cobs, though, either have a natural way of going, or they don’t. Therefore, it’s very important that they’re done well early on, and are ridden in a combination of a suitable bit and noseband so they sit lighter from the beginning.”

2. Stuffy and sluggish

Keeping a show horse fit and not fat is essential, though cobs can be harder to keep in such a condition due to their size and stamp.

“The fitter a cob is the easier it is for them to give a good ride; if they’re unfit they can be very hard work,” Danielle says. “Plus, maintaining their fitness levels also keeps their shape so they don’t get fat, overloaded and barrel-like.

“If a cob is carrying too much weight in their neck, they can become strong through the bridle; often it might not be that they are unresponsive in the mouth, but they can’t flex and lack suppleness through the neck due to carrying too much bulk.

“All my cobs do lots of canter work; they’re in the field going up the hills most days. Our HOYS-winning heavyweight Bobbi Dazzler is a strong type and due to his stamp, he really thrives on being kept exceptional fit during the show season.”

3. Lacking suppleness

Lynn Russell is one of the circuit’s most well-known cob producers. She has won HOYS and the RIHS on cobs and is known for her business Top Cobs as well as her ability to find stars of the future.

Lynn says that cobs can become very solid in your hand if allowed to, so taking training back to basics is helpful.

“Because cobs are heavier animals they often don’t find it easy to bend and flex; they sit on your hand, especially on the inside rein,” she says. “I do a lot of walking, especially when they’re just backed. Just lots and lots of walking; on spiral circles, leg yielding in and out, on serpentines, while changing the rein. I will also walk over a pole, ride a sharp turn and double back over the pole to get that flexion. This helps enormously when we move through the paces.”

4. Overly strong

While every type of show horse should be forward and “look through the bridle”, some cobs can have a tendency to become strong in the hand.

“Cobs can be strong, and they’ve got to learn to respect the brakes, but this doesn’t come by the rider being savage with them,” Lynn says. “All of my cobs are responsive to voice commands – if any rider or judge says ‘woah’ they stop dead.

“I personally find riding a cob in a curb bridle, such as a pelham, helps. I might not be showing in the same bit or bridle, but I’d usually put my show cobs in a curb with two reins at home. It sits them up and helps them get used to it for the ring.”

5. Tension

Richard Telford is a Scottish show horse and native specialist who was cob of the year champion at HOYS in 2024 on heavyweight Taylor’s Hero. Horses can be tense for a variety of reasons, but Richard says that as a rider it’s your responsibility to not add to that tension with even more pressure.

“Tension comes from the mouth and the neck; if you’re holding a horse in a fixed outline and it can’t move its neck, it then can’t move it’s body,” Richard says. “The idea is to get the neck loose while keeping the contact and allowing them to move forward.

“Our maxi cob Clononey Mighty Mick, who was fourth at HOYS, was a real tense horse when he arrived. These types of horses invite you to hold onto them and you’ve got to train yourself to not pull when you feel like you need to. You’ve got to learn to hold with your seat, not by pulling them in the mouth. I think about it like a skid mechanism in a car – if you skid you automatically want to jump on the brake, but you must resist this reaction and pump the brake instead. It’s the same with the reins, give and take, give and take. If you just grab and hold tight the horse will run away from it.

“I ride loads of suppling exercises, concentrating on trying to control the horse with my seat and less with the reins. Try riding with your reins in one hand too, asking for transitions from walk to halt, trot to halt. Try stopping without using the reins, and then you’ll really see if you’re able to stop your horse using just your seat.”

6. The ride judge

When it comes to preparing your horse for the judge to ride, it’s worth getting experienced people you know and trust to help.

“Get other people to ride your horse if you can,” Richard advises. “Maybe someone who you regard as better than you, or who judges themselves so knows what the horse needs to be prepared for in the ring. This person can then advise you on what direction you need to go in.”

Thank you for subscribing to the H&H website. We will be bringing you showing news from major dates on the circuit including Royal Windsor, Royal Welsh, Royal International, HOYS and more, as well as important news that the showing world cares about throughout the year. Stick with us for all you need to know.

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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

A heavyweight contender came to the fore in a hotly-contested Harrod and Coles 2024 HOYS cob of year championship at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Anne Vestey’s Taylor’s Hero showed power and presence as he took to the International Arena with his long-term producer Richard Telford in the saddle.

Scottish showman Richard was marking a career first, too, noting this was his first cob victory in Birmingham.

The 10-year-old gelding, of unknown breeding, was making his second appearance at HOYS; in 2023, he finished seventh. Richard confirmed that he’s intentionally been produced slowly and carefully.

“He’s taken a long time to get here,” confirmed Richard, who co-owns him with Stuart Ashton and Anne. “When he arrived he was feral and a bit frightened. We had to keep stopping and starting with him. We’d do a bit, then stop and leave him, and then pick him up again.”

Taylor’s Hero didn’t begin his showing career until he was eight.

“Last year was his first open season,” Richard continued. “This year he’s just been really lucky for us; he’s got his head around the job and he’s had some really great wins. At home he’s cheeky, a real character.”

Anne was ringside to watch their glorious triumph: “We’re unbelievably happy. We do like to take time, it pays off, but we’ve always believed in him.”

Reserve in the 2024 HOYS cob of year championship was last year’s champions, Simon Reynolds and Rowenna Stevenson’s Copenhagen.

Oliver Hood had two through to the final and he opted to stay aboard second placed heavyweight, Catherine Dickin’s reigning RIHS champion Carters Top Gun, with his wife, Amelia, on the lightweight runner-up, Auriel Wilson’s The Chancer.

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The reigning Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) maxi cob champion defended his title as the best in the game as he won the Leeman Family HOYS 2024 maxi cob of the year title on the penultimate day of the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Vicky Smith got a smooth tune out of A Red Knight, a nine-year-old bay gelding owned by Miranda Wallace.

Known at home as Razzle, he’s been based with Vicky in Cheshire since the end of last season after being leased for a season by young rider Phoebe Price.

“I did feel the pressure [coming to HOYS] a little bit,” said Vicky, who last won HOYS on a cob in 2021 when Bling Cobsby took the lightweight crown. “I judge these classes so I know how well they all god. Razzle is so special; he’s like a Ferrari to ride.”

This win has been a major team effort, as Vicky explained: “I was so busy this morning so someone from the team worked Razzle in for me. Even though we’ve been manic you know he’ll deliver the goods for us.”

Long-term Miranda hadn’t ridden in the ring for eight years, opting to be supporting at the ringside, though Razzle got her back into the spotlight in September.

“She rode in the ring at the BSHA national championships,” Vicky confirmed. “Eventually, he’ll go back to Exmoor for Miranda’s Dad to hunt.

“I’ve had a tough year and my owners have been so supportive and loyal,” Vicky added. “I’m so grateful.”

Oliver Hood finished reserve in the 2024 maxi cob of the year final riding the Auriel Wilson-owned Indigo Jones, while Carole Harrison’s Cappa Noah finished in third place with Victoria Brooks in the saddle.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Horse of the Year Show, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Show horse specialist Vicky Smith won her third accolade of the 2024 Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) as a consistent and mannerly gelding headed a 21-strong 2024 RIHS BSHA maxi cob championship.

Vicky’s mount was Miranda Wallace’s A Red Knight. The nine-year-old is in his first season with Vicky, who adores him.

“He’s the yard favourite and everyone loves him; he’s so kind and makes our life very easy,” said Vicky, who stood reserve supreme coloured horse aboard Miranda’s Mysterie Van De Heuvel on Tuesday, and was reserve riding horse champion yesterday on Jane Davies’ home-bred mare Tremarl Timperni.

A Red Knight — who is known as Razzle at home — was based with Phoebe Price last season. He qualified for the RIHS final but his appearance didn’t quite go to plan.

“He was pulled in top last year with Phoebe and he got dropped to third, so I was worried that might happen again,” said Vicky. “He is an amazing ride; if you like something quieter he’ll drop down for you, but if you like something forward he’ll go up the gears a bit.”

He joined Team Smith after the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2023.

“I jumped at the chance to have him,” said Vicky, who has steered him to wins at UK Ponies and Horses, North of England and Royal Bath and West this season so far. He was also second at Great Yorkshire.

Vicky has enjoyed a stellar run at this year’s show, as she explains: “Until yesterday, I’d won 10 times here in the coloured horses. Now, I’ve won in the riding horses and the cobs in the space of two days.”

Will Morton finished second in the 2024 RIHS maxi cob championship on pure-bred Irish Draught gelding Monarch In The Mist. The seven-year-old, who is owned by Rosamund Lane, was cob champion at Royal Windsor back in May.

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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

Beauty comes in all sorts of different shapes and sizes — for every thoroughbred or warmblood lover, there are those of us who are totally addicted to cobs. Here’s just a few reasons why…

1. There’s something particularly heart-warming about a cob doing dressage — what’s not to love about a big, hairy beast dancing as elegantly as a ballerina? Cobs can be completely ace at dressage, if trained correctly. After all, cobs can do anything.

2. Ditto jumping. Cobs might look like they have four feet so firmly on the ground that they’d have to defy gravity to get over a small cross-pole, but some of them have jumping skills to rival many of their less robust equine friends.

3. With their calm natures (well most of them, most of the time), they’re perfect hunters — a lovely armchair ride for crossing country, soaring over fences, and standing sipping port at the meet. Good times!

4. Who doesn’t love a horse in leg warmers? If only hairy legs were so desirable in human beings — it would save a whole load of money on hair removal cream or razors. Mind you, all that lovely long feather does need maintenance, otherwise they can look more like those found on a dead crow than an elegant peacock.

5. Cobs are actually the hipsters of the horse world — they can pull off wearing beards and moustaches, not to mention bright colours and funky patterns, in a way that thoroughbreds and other taller, more elegant, horses just can’t. A thoroughbred in a sheep-patterned fleece rug looks like the Queen in fluffy slippers — just a bit wrong, somehow, while a cob can totally style it out.

6. Cobs are easy — well, relatively, they’re still equines after all. In most cases, you can leave them out all-year round — they probably won’t even need a rug – and it’s unlikely any fancy feeds will be required. A handful of chaff plus a balancer and away you go.

7. They might not take you around Badminton five-star, but cobs have certainly held their own at the grassroots version, and they’ll sure as hell give you a great ride out round your local bridleways.

8. It is said that a good show cob should have “the face of a lady and the backside of a cook”. We can all relate to that!

• Are you a fan of the cob or had any wonderful cobs in your life? Let us know your stories by writing to hhletters@futurenet.com including your name, nearest town and county for the chance to be published in H&H magazine

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If you’ve decided to let you horse or pony’s mane, tail and feathers go au naturel for whatever reason, chances are you will have heard one of these five comments at some point…

1. You’re always getting asked about your horse’s hair care routine

It’s true, you spend three times as much on your horse’s hair products than your own. While you tend to opt for an own-brand supermarket shampoo for yourself, your horse is treated to a luxury array of natural shampoos and conditioners to keep his mane and tail silky soft. You also battle with a bottle of foul-smelling pig oil a couple of times a week to keep his feathers healthy. Because let’s face it, his L’Oréal moment is way more important than yours.

2. ‘You should hog him’

Your yard friends with their finer plaited horses will constantly be nagging you to tidy up your horse’s locks. While they appreciate that mane might be a struggle to squeeze into a row of neat plaits, they seem intent on sharpening his look, and hogging seems like the perfect way to do this. But it certainly is an extreme makeover so proceed with caution before you get clipper-happy…

3. Your horse often gets judged on his fluffy appearance

Those who don’t know your horse might assume that he can’t keep up on hacks, or might be super cuddly in the stable. But don’t be fooled, when he’s on a mission he can out-walk any eventer, and don’t assume that just because he’s soft and furry he likes snuggles, as you could end up with a chunk missing from your arm.

4. Your mare is always getting referred to as ‘he’

Just because she’s rocking the longest moustache in the county does not mean she’s any less of a lady.

5. ‘Wouldn’t you like a horse to compete?’

The stereotype of the hairy cob still rages on but you’re more than happy to break down barriers and prove that just because he’s got a bit more mane than most, he can still extend his trot and gallop for glory. And wait until you see him jump…

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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

Horses give us something special at every stage of our lives, while our relationship with them changes over time...

While a love of horses often manifests itself at a young age, some less fortunate individuals miss out on those wonderful formative years, only realising the error of their ways when they plunge into the horse world later in life.

But regardless of when your passion begins, for all but the very few, once you’ve got the horse bug, it’s here to stay…

1. Infant

For the lucky ones who were born into horsey families, some of their earliest memories will alternate between towing their long-suffering first pony up and down (or round and round) the stable yard, and spending hours brushing their mane and painting their hooves with whatever came to hand. Riding was OK, but less important than spending hours and hours with your very best friend.

For those who didn’t have access to real thing, long summer days were spent hosting our very own My Little Pony gymkhana in our bedroom, or jumping an “Olympic” showjumping course built from upturned buckets and broom handles in the garden on our own two feet. Another pastime was staring longingly out of the car window at every single horse you passed. Regardless of size, colour or condition, they were all perfect in your eyes.

2. Junior

Having moved on from that ancient Shetland pony who put up with all your brothers and sisters before you, it’s time to get cracking with a “proper pony”. Pony Club camp beckons and you’re determined to beat your older sibling/friend by falling off as many times as you possibly can. After all, your friend’s mum said you have to fall off at least seven times to be a proper rider, so you’re determined to least reach that figure.

For others, these are the years of long enjoyable days working hard at the riding school, learning more than you could possibly realise as you muck out, groom, clean tack, square the muck heap and sweep the yard until it gleams. We all had our favourite riding school pony and our day could be made or ruined when you looked in the diary to see which one you had been allocated to ride.

3. Teenager

For many horsey families, the teenage years are the period when it’s all about working for a place on your Pony Club team for the Areas and then doing everything in your power to help your teammates qualify. To gain a spot at the prestigious national championships is the stuff of dreams, although it can equally be the source of some tension between Pony Club mums and their offspring.

Alternatively all those hours spent at the riding school might have finally persuaded your non-horsey parents that this “phase” isn’t going to pass any time soon. Many years of begging and saving every last penny of your pocket money have resulted in the arrival of a horse or pony “on loan”. He may not be a competition star, but you spend every hour outside school at the stables caring for him like he’s a top equine athlete. And it might keep you away from the opposite sex for a few more years…

4. College/university

This is tricky time as difficult decisions have to be made. Do you throw yourself into university life, saying goodbye to your wonderful equine partner, and allow riding to taking a back seat for a while? Or are you going to try to have the best of both worlds as you struggle home complete with hangover every weekend to keep up with your riding while your friends/family/random individuals keep your ride fit in between? Either way, something has to give…

5. Career

So you’ve said good riddance to your years of education and thrown yourself into the wonderful world of work. If you’ve been able to keep your riding going throughout, then life may not change very much (you’re still constantly tired and skint with little or no social life… but at least you’re managing to ride!)

If you’ve taken a break during university/college and were hoping you’d have more time and income to spend on your riding, the additional costs that come with “adulting” might put an unfortunate squeeze on your equestrian ambitions. If you’re lucky then you might find a student who is looking for someone to look after their beloved while they are away studying — if so that’s a win-win situation.

6. Middle age

So you’ve got the job, the house, the family – the kids are off to school/college/university and finally you’ve got a little bit more time to yourself. But while your heart might want that flashy warmblood or beautiful retrained racehorse, your head is wondering whether a native pony or sensible Irish cob might just be a slightly more realistic choice…

7. Old age

While you find it thoroughly irritating that your body no longer allows you to charge around the countryside on horseback like you once did, nothing brings you peace quite like spending quality time with your wonderful horse. Neither of you are getting any younger, but you know you will carry your love of horses through to the end and you wouldn’t change that for the world.

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A couple who are trying to swap their way from a gypsy cob to a grand prix showjumper say they have thoroughly enjoyed the process – and have qualified for the Hickstead speed Derby.

Tamsin Lott and Frankie Penford started with a £700 cob and now have 10-year-old warmblood Castleconnell Shamboozie (Paddy).

Tamsin told H&H the idea came about as she had lost her beloved horse after 11 years, last March.

“Frankie could see how devastated I was, and my horse wasn’t insured, and I didn’t have the money to buy one,” she said. “So he came up with this idea.”

The couple travelled to Wales to buy Misty, a 13.2hh cob, whom Tamsin said was “absolutely perfect”.

“She was so sweet,” she said. “I schooled her a bit and we did lots of hacking, and we found her a lovely home with some kids.”

The couple used the money from Misty’s new owners to buy Darcy, a coloured cob of about 13hh, who Tamsin said was also very sweet and enjoyed her jumping.

“We sold her to a lovely little girl also called Darcy, which was really cool,” she said.

The next project was a 14.2hh cob, whom they bought from Cornwall, called Sausage.

“I think he’s been my favourite,” Tamsin said. “We kept him for a bit, got him fit and riding, and jumping. We’re near Ashdown Forest [in East Sussex] and he loved hacking there.”

By the time they sold Sausage, last September, the couple had about £5,000, which they used to buy a horse called Julio, from Duckhurst Farm in Kent. They kept him till March, when he went to Scotland with his new owner.

“She’s really happy with him,” Tamsin said.

This left them with £9,000, and they bought Castleconnell Shamboozie (Paddy), who impressed both of them so much, they decided to aim for Saturday’s feature class at Hickstead, qualifying yesterday with Frankie (20 June).

“And I don’t think he’ll be the final one!” Tamsin said, adding that while they had Julio, she and Frankie had also started again finding good homes for other project horses.

“It’s quite difficult to find them, we’ve done a lot of travelling,” she said. “Some have just been in the field not doing anything so it’s been so nice to find them such good homes.

“I wouldn’t have believed we’d be able to do what we’ve done. I was so heartbroken over losing my horse, it just gave me something to focus on. I’ve treated them all as my own, then found them the best homes.”

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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

If you want to buy a cob to compete in lightweight, heavyweight or maxi cob divisions, then this essential guide is a good place to start.

What is a show cob?

Cobs are a type of horse and their classes are some of the most popular and hotly-contested classes within showing. Under British Show Horse Association (BSHA) rules, show cobs are split into three categories; lightweight, heavyweight and maxi. Mares and geldings aged four years old and over are eligible to compete. At some shows, the weights are judged together, and some fixtures hold classes for novice cobs and amateur-owned cobs.

According to the BSHA rule book: “The cob is a type rather than a breed. A short-legged animal, with bone, substance and quality, capable of carrying a substantial weight. The cob should be well mannered and ideal for nervous or elderly riders. Cobs should have sensible heads, (sometimes Roman nosed), a full generous eye, shapely neck, well muscled, with a hogged mane (showing no significant growth) and well defined wither. The cob should also have clean, strong hocks and all the attributes of a good hunter; low movement and a comfortable ride.”

A lightweight should not exceed 155cm and have at least eight-and-a-half inches of bone. A heavyweight should also not exceed 155cm and have at least nine-and-a-half inches of bone. A maxi cob is more than 155cm but must be of true cob type. There is a recommended height limit of 160cm and judges must pay particular attention to type, judging them as they would a lightweight or a heavyweight cob.

Some show cobs can also compete in working show horse classes if they can jump. Cobs that are skewbald, piebald or another variation can compete in coloured classes, and many horses are successful under both guises during their careers.

Showing is not the only sphere cobs excel in, though, and they are also popular choices for riders of all levels, abilities and ambitions. Cobs are often seen in lower-level dressage competitions, and in the riding club. They also make good all-rounders or hackers, usually due to their heavier stamps and sometimes quieter dispositions.

What to look for in a good show cob

Reid Finlay has been responsible for finding many top-class show animals before they went onto become famed rides in the ring. Cobs he has discovered have won titles at major shows such as the Royal International (RIHS), Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), Royal Windsor and other national and county shows. He has discovered multiple former H&H cover stars, too, including champion show cobs Copenhagen, Colour Index, Lord Alexander, Colebrooke and Colebourne, as well as the traditional cob The Magpie.

“The priority should always be the frame of the animal,” says Reid. “Prospective buyers should not be considering condition of a potential show cob, but the frame that is there to furnish. I also look for clean limbs, plenty of quality bone — enough to do the right job — and nice flat knees. Good-sized, open feet are also essential.

“The step is also very important; if a cob doesn’t move you’ll be swimming uphill from day one.”

Reid says that there are a couple of no-nos that he would advise buyers to look out for when they are looking to buy a show cob: “I would avoid a horse that dishes, and a lot of cobs have no pasterns; the foot often comes straight out of the fetlock. Any show animal also needs to possess manners as it’s so important for their job; if a horse doesn’t stand in the ring, for example, it could easily cost it their placing.”

When it comes to maxi cobs, Reid says that we should be looking for the same quality, type and conformation as we would in a lightweight and heavyweight cob.

“There is no maximum height but I prefer them not to exceed 16.1hh, and I like to find maxis that will finish off at about 15.3hh or 16hh,” he says. “A good test of type is if you stand a cob against a blank background, you should not be able to tell that it’s a maxi, it should just look like a cob. Basically, we don’t want tall horses with their manes taken off, the type still needs to be there.”

Where should I buy a cob from?

Show cobs for sale will be advertised at various times in the season on online platforms, as well as via horse dealers, private sellers and via word of mouth.

“When you buy from depends on your level of experience,” says Reid. “If you aspire to go straight into the county level circuit but it’s all new to you, then you are best to take advice from someone who has been there and done it.”

How much should I expect to pay?

The cost of a show cob depends on various factors, including the age and competition record of the horse, or the potential of it if it is a younger model.

Cobs are one of the most in demand types of horses because of their versatility and suitability to different riders. This is reflected in the market for cobs, which is competitive. Prices for quality cobs with show ring records or with potential are usual at the higher end. While you can expect to pay slightly less for a low-level cob of lesser quality, there is still a strong want for such horses if they are safe, sane and sensible.

What happens when I’ve agreed to buy a show cob?

When you have found the right horse for you, then it’s time to arrange a pre-purchase vetting, something that is strongly recommended.

The vet will assess the horse with the specific job you want it for in mind, so it’s important to let the vet know prior to the vetting that your main goal is to compete in the show ring as a cob. As you want the horse for showing, the vet should pay close attention to any conformational faults which could impact its future career, even if they don’t impact soundness or performance. Show horses should be clean limbed and have no blemishes, either.

“Every horse that leaves my yard goes with a clean five-stage vetting certificate,” says Reid. “Vettings are essential for both buyer and seller, as everyone knows where they stand from day one.”

You may also be interested to read…

H&H’s guide to show cob classes: from weight divisions to showing off correctly

How should you present a show cob correctly and how are the different weight categories defined?

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

An upstanding grey cob bought from a hunting picture landed the maxi cob class before heading the Martin Collins Enterprises 2024 Royal Windsor cob championship with rider Will Morton.

Monarch In The Mist, a pure-bred Irish Draught gelding, was ‘light on his feet’ for ride judge Joanne Shaw.

The seven-year-old, who is owned by Rosamund Lane, was bought unseen after being spotted in a picture out hunting.

“I saw his white knees and his pricked ears coming through a hedge and that was it,” said Rosamund, who purchased him two years ago. “I sent him straight to Will and he’s done all the work with him. He’s done a fabulous job and it’s amazing to win here.”

Rosamond is also hoping to watch the son of Fintan Himself contest ladies’ side-saddle classes with her daughter, Sophie Lane, later this season.

This was a first Windsor cob championship win for Essex-based Will, who came fresh from a win at BSPS Area 4B last weekend where the pair took the Irish Draught title.

“He’s a happy horse who loves his job,” said Will, who has previously won a part-bred championship at Windsor. “He’s consistent, comfy and super safe – you could pop your granny on him.”

Out of Marie’s Dancer, the champion was “the perfect stamp of a cob” for judges Michael Lyons Esq and Joanne Shaw.

“He gave me a beautiful ride as he was up in the bridle,” said Joanne. “From the moment he came into the ring he was forward and wasn’t heavy on the ground. He has a light step and in the championship his gallop just tipped it for him. He has a lovely front and movement to go with it.”

Reserve in the 2024 Royal Windsor cob championship was the lightweight cob winner Red Rock III, a 12-year-old skewbald gelding ridden by Janay Atherden. This duo were winning their class for the second year in a row; last term they hit headlines as they lifted both cob and coloured accolades.

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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

Hayley Erner’s prolific heavyweight show cob Its Abracobdabra has been put down aged 17 after an injury sustained in the field.

Its Abracobdabra, who was known as Magic at home, was a two-time Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) winner, once with his former producer Jayne Ross in the open heavyweight final and secondly with Hayley who won the amateur equivalent a few years later.

Rosemary Hetherington was responsible for finding Magic in Ireland as a four-year-old. He joined Team Ross to begin his ridden career, where he tallied an impressive CV, including multiple county show wins, his Hickstead victory and a second-place finish at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

He then joined Rachel McCourt, then Hayley bought him after HOYS in 2016.

“Jayne rang me to say that Rachel was considering selling Magic and that she thought he’d be the perfect fit for me,” said Hayley. “I bought him unseen and we began our partnership the following year.”

Hayley and Magic enjoyed success at the RIHS, North of England, the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) national championships and they also appeared at the HOYS final.

“He was the loveliest horse and he was an absolute gentleman,” Hayley added. “He wasn’t the easiest to produce as he was a sensitive soul, but he always tried very hard and we had a storming time together over two seasons.

“He was such a mover — he floated along in trot while always lowering and going in the gallop. He was like a Rolls Royce to ride.”

Magic was retired from the show ring after HOYS in 2018. He spent the rest of his days with Alison Gregg who enjoyed him at home as well as in other disciplines, such as long-distance riding and working equitation.

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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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

A cob who was rescued from a railway line at three weeks old has gone on to compete at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) – as well as at prix st georges (PSG) dressage.

Farrier Lucy Hamblett-James told H&H she would never have believed it, 14 years ago, had anyone told her what the tiny orphaned foal would go on to do.

“He’s just epic,” she said.

Lucy said she was working as a horse warden in Wales at the time a call came in to say a horse had been hit by a freight train, in the early hours of the morning.

“There were six horses in total,” she said. “A couple were injured and there were two foals. One had a headcollar on that was so tight, it had to be cut off.

“We had to deal with the poor horse who had been hit, and clear the tracks, and get the others to safety. He was in the bunch, with his mum, but she had broken her leg so she had to be put down.”

Lucy said Coblet, as she called him, was “very runty and poorly”, but she took him to keep her warmbloods company.

“In all my time as a warden; I saw a lot of horses and could have taken them all home, but he was the one,” she said. “He needed extra help. I thought he could be a companion to mine – but he’s turned out mega.”

Lucy and a friend cared for Coblet, weaning him on to pellet feed and he thrived, but his poor start had had its effects.

“He was entire for a long time as every time we went to geld him, there was something wrong,” she said. “I don’t think he got the first milk from his mum; the other foal he was with was very boisterous and dominant, and I’ve got a feeling he was taking it. Coblet had a very poor immune system, and still has.”

Lack of colostrum aside – he once spent three nights in a veterinary clinic owing to an allergic reaction to baby shampoo – Coblet has thrived, under Lucy’s careful management.

“I called him that as he was such a runt, and I didn’t realise Coblet was a thing!” she said. “I was an event groom, and grew up with dressage horses, I didn’t really get cobs. I had my two mares, and he was just going to keep them company.”

But one day, on a trip to the beach – Lucy said she and her wife Hannah used to take Coblet there for ground and in-hand activities – Lucy got on board.

“He was no bother to back at all,” she said. “We’d done so much playing, he’s a playful boy who likes to learn ‘tricks’, and we just had a lot of fun. That’s how we’ve got to where we are.”

That includes qualifying for the Search for a Star final at HOYS in 2016.

“I feel like I wing life a bit!” Lucy said. “We went to the qualifier and I didn’t know I had to take my earrings out, and when I took the tack off, I put it in the wrong place; I didn’t know what we were doing, but we were pulled in second.

“HOYS was incredible. H&H had covered his story and he had quite a following; I remember going into the ring to the biggest round of applause.”

Coblet, or Galliano Gold Dust, and Lucy have also competed at PSG, something Lucy said she had never thought would be possible.

“Our first one, I cried all the way down the centre line, I was so overwhelmed, and nearly went wrong straight away!” she said. “He really is just the best cob; we won’t be world-beaters but we have such a good time, strutting his fabulous stuff.

“We get help from people who just want him to do well and feel his best; Bethan Lloyd at The Vale rehabilitation clinic gives him monthly treatments and he has regular water treadmill sessions; we want him fit and healthy as it’s hard at this level.

“As the saying goes, it takes a village; he was bred to pull carts but he now dances round the dressage arena.”

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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

The owner of a cob she says changed – and saved – her life believes hers is a story that has “probably been told a thousand times”, and she hopes it will resonate with others.

Alice Price told H&H she cannot imagine life without Alfie, the 14hh cob who “looked like Frankenstein’s monster” when she first met him, over 14 years ago, but with whom she has shared everything.

Alice said she does not come from a horsey family; she was “the typical little girl who had a horse phase but it never left me”.

“I think my poor mum hoped I’d be a ballerina or something,” she said. “I was allowed to ride in summer, then when the clocks changed, that was it till the spring. I think the plan was that I’d forget about it, but the next March I’d be ‘Is it time yet?’ – I spent as much time with horses as I could.”

As a teenager, Alice started helping at a yard to which young horses would be sent for training. Every weekend, she and others who became close friends would be living “the dream”.

“We were the guinea pigs, put on anything that needed riding, as we bounced!” she said. “And that’s where I met Alfie.”

Alfie was “an unknown entity”, a little piebald cob who had arrived with a load of “beautiful sport horses”.

“We would get youngsters, and get them ready for their first shows; that was the deal,” Alice said. “And that was the deal with him – only it took a hell of a lot longer.”

Alice said Alfie was in a “woeful state”, terrified of everything and semi-feral.

“You couldn’t get near him,” she said. “He fell by chance into my hands and it took months. I spent days in the field, trying to win his trust, but little by little, day by day, he got there.”

Over the next couple of years, Alice’s work started to pay off, and he was eventually in ridden work and ready for his first show.

“It was the worst day of my life,” Alice said. “He was amazing at the show, but the deal was that then, he would go back, and he wouldn’t be mine any more. The day came, and there was a horsebox waiting at the yard but I couldn’t face loading him. I asked my friend to do it but he wouldn’t go because he was looking for me. I took him and he followed me up, then I went out of the jockey door. They drove away and I could hear him calling, all the way down the road. It was heartbreaking; as a teenager anything can be the end of the world but this felt like it was.”

Alice said her parents could not afford to buy or keep a horse, and she struggled without Alfie, her schoolwork suffering.

“I couldn’t drag myself out of the pit of missing him,” she said. “Other horses came into my life but I was just going through the motions.”

By the time six or seven months had gone by, Alice had “given up hope”, assuming Alfie had been sold and was living a new life. Then she had a message to say the sale had fallen through, as the buyer had lost his job, and Alfie’s owner asked her to go and visit.

“I thundered downstairs and begged my mum and dad to take me,” Alice said. “I think they were worried about what it would start, but pleased at the chance of having a slightly less heartbroken daughter. When the day came, they both took me.

“We got there, parked and before we turned the corner, heard this chorus of neighing and snorting. The yard owner said ‘I think he can hear you’. My feet carried me to him, I was through the door, arms round his neck, face in his mane, and he cuddled me with his head. I burst into tears; euphoria and heartbreak in one. I had everything I’d ever wanted, but it was just that bit out of reach.

“Mum and dad were agape. They went off with Sally, came back and said ‘He’s yours now; we’re taking him home’. It was beyond my wildest dreams. To have him as mine, and safe for the rest of his life, is more than I could have hoped. We’ve been together ever since.”

Every decision Alice has since made, about university, jobs, homes, has been made with Archie’s wellbeing as top priority.

“It wouldn’t be outrageous to say that Alfie, at times, has truly saved my life,” she said.

“Through battles with severe and completely debilitating mental illness that threatened to take my life altogether, needing to drag my resisting body to the stables every day to care for Alfie, quite literally put one foot in front of the other for me. I had my entire world in my hands and he gave me the resilience and grit to keep hold of life, to keep hold of him, with everything I had.

“Every day, he faced his insecurities and fears. He listened to me over his instinct to bolt and flee the panic and took steps on his road to recovery. I just showed him the way, and he followed me every time. His trust in me kept me tied to life. I saved him, and in return, he saved me.”

Alfie is now 20, and has overcome a cracked tibia, having been kicked in the field last year.

“He’s remarkable; he didn’t need surgery and he was so good on box rest, he just did what he needed to do, to heal,” Alice said. “I really thought I was going to lose him; we’ve had a lifetime together but that’s not enough. Every day with him is precious.

“Ours is probably a story that’s been told thousands of times but it’s my life and hopefully it will resonate with other people who have been through similar. Life will change, but he’ll keep my heart safe for ever.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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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

A rider who had been out of the saddle for 30 years but was bought a horse for a 60th birthday surprise has now converted her husband too, and is living her ‘perfect life’.

Carol Watson, who had ridden from childhood until she was 30, was convinced her husband Steve was arranging a second proposal at her 60th birthday two years ago. But instead, she met Molly.

“It’s changed my life,” Carol told H&H. “Before I had Molly, I think my family were worried about me; I work for myself and I was pasty-faced, sitting at a computer till 11pm every day. That feels like a lifetime ago.”

Carol started riding aged eight, saving her pocket money for lessons with a Miss Gibbons, and helping at the yard until she bought a “feisty but beautiful” part-bred Arab in her 20s.

“I loved it but then family life took over,” she said. “I had a 30-year break, and I don’t know where my husband and daughter got this idea from!”

Carol said Steve had hired a venue in the Peak District for Carol’s 60th, inviting friends and family to the party. But he and their daughter Jade were being secretive in the run-up to the big day, and disappearing a couple of times a week.

“I convinced myself that they were practising some kind of dance routine and that Steve was going to propose!” Carol said, adding that the couple had had to cancel their planned renewal of vows owing to Covid.

“Steve knows I’m a big romantic and love to watch the surprise proposals on TV with music and dance routines. I’d convinced myself so much, I even had my hair in a ‘put up’ style for the evening!

“We got to this beautiful house and he did this amazing presentation, with beautiful music, then he told me to watch the screen carefully and read the words.”

Carol watched as sentences such as “Hello Carol, you don’t know me but I’ve heard all about you”, and “don’t worry, I’m very gentle but strong” scrolled across the screen.

“I was getting worried thinking I had a stripper!” she said. “This carried on for a couple of minutes until the words said ‘Are you ready to meet me?’ I was a bit scared!”

But then the screen read “My name’s Molly, and I’m yours,” with footage of a piebald cob cantering around an arena.

“It took me ages to understand,” Carol said. “He’d planned it all, had livery sorted out, everything; it was unbelievable.”

Carol said her only slight doubt was that 14hh cob mare Molly was “like a kid’s pony”, and a far cry from her previous horse.

“I’d never have chosen her!” she said. “But I met her the next day and she was adorable. I hadn’t ridden for 30 years so I was a bit nervous. I couldn’t even remember how to tie knots, and there was this little beastie to look after.”

Carol said it was a “massive learning curve”, and she needed to regain her confidence, but gradually she and Molly started hacking out, with Steve on his bike.

“We both got stuck in,” Carol said. “Steve got on her a couple of times; he rode as a lad, and we just fell in love with the lifestyle. My computer got dusty because I was at the stables all the time.

“It took a while to get my confidence back but she’s given me such confidence and we’ve had the best fun ever. She’s solid, safe and funny – my heart is completely hers.”

Carol invested some of her pension in a pink horsebox, and not only that, Steve is now a convert too.

“My husband loved the lifestyle so much that he bought a horse for himself six months later,” she said. “It’s the best thing we’ve done. Two 60-year-olds having this in common; it’s unbelievable.”

Carol and Molly, and Steve and Sal, spend their time “tootling about”, and enjoying every minute of the whole lifestyle.

“I never do any housework now, and if we’re out with friends and start talking about horses, we have to remind each other that not everyone is horsey; we have a safe word, ‘cucumber’, if one of us is talking about horses too much – and it’s usually him, as he’s completely in love with his horse.”

Carol thanked the supportive other liveries on her yard for helping her find her feet again in the horsey world, adding: “When I was a lass, it was New Zealand rugs, now it’s all 50g or no-fill, and the riding’s different too. But to be back in the horse world after all this time – it’s changed my life.

“Before, I had no exercise or fresh air, I was just thinking myself into this computer world. Now, I wake up every day so excited to see Molly. When I look between her ears and hear that clippity clop, it lifts my soul. It’s just the perfect life.”

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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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

Meet wonder cob Jimmy, who events, hunts and shows, and who lives with a rhea called Neenee.

Debbie Attrill was given Jimmy as a colt, whom his owner had bought for £100; Debbie told H&H she was a fan of thoroughbreds rather than “ploddy cobs”, but took him as a companion for her “horse of a lifetime” Dandy.

But when she lost Dandy, two years ago after 25 years together, there was Jimmy, aged 10 and unbacked.

“We were both left on our own, and both a bit lost, and I think we found each other,” she said.

The pair have competed in all disciplines together; Jimmy will “jump everything you put in front of him”, and also struts his stuff in the show ring and between the white boards.

“He’s completely changed my perspective of cobs and brought me back to life again,” Debbie said “The turbo button gets stuck on but I wouldn’t change him for the world.

“He hasn’t got a nasty bone in his body. He lives with a rhea, who was born in the stable opposite him; I reared them from chicks and two died so Neenee was on her own, and so was Jimmy. I thought ‘I wonder if this will work’.”

A first meeting in the yard did not initially look promising for the future of the relationship.

“They went round the yard and she kept pecking him!” Debbie said. “Then I realised she was pecking the flies off, so he had a perfect fly-catcher.

“He got a bit bullied by her at first, then one afternoon there were feathers in the yard so he must have retaliated – and now they have an understanding.

“He neighs to her, and she spends the night in his stable and they just wander round together. When I ride him back up the lane, she walks up the other side of the hedge. It’s a strange partnership but it works; some people have a goat or a sheep for company for their horses – I’ve got a mini ostrich!”

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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

A woman who failed to get vet treatment for a seriously ill and underweight foal left tethered without food, water and shelter has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years and given a suspended prison sentence.

Months-old colt Cricket was seized by police but despite vets’ efforts, had to be put down to end his suffering, the RSPCA said. Carol Summers, a 60-year-old from Foss Walk, Castleford, admitted causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the horse’s needs.

A spokesman for the charity said the foal, thought to be six to eight months old, was found in a field in Castleford, West Yorkshire, on 13 January this year after welfare concerns had been reported to the RSPCA.

At a sentencing hearing on 6 December, Kirklees magistrates heard that RSPCA inspector Kris Walker had visited the field and seen multiple tethered horses but “one in particular raised concern”.

In a statement to the court, Mr Walker said: “I saw a tethered young colt. He did not look any older than eight to 10 months old. He was lethargic, wobbly on his feet and very thin with his hips and spine all prominent. The rug he was wearing was too big for him and not on properly. He was scouring badly. There was no food, water or shelter readily available for him and he should not have been tethered due to his young age.”

A vet gave Cricket a body score of one out of nine and said he was suffering from dehydration, hyperthermia and diarrhoea and needed urgent veterinary care, the RSPCA said, adding that police took in the foal, and he was taken for treatment.

“He was so thirsty as he was taken up the road that he drank from the nearest puddle,” an RSPCA spokesman said.

“Summers then arrived on the scene and was told Cricket had been seized by the police because he was suffering and an investigation would be started. At that point she agreed to sign him over into the care of the RSPCA, telling inspector Walker she’d owned the foal for six weeks and had been given steroids by a vet to treat him, although no record of this was found.”

Cricket was taken to nearby vets, then transferred to an equine hospital.

A vet who gave evidence as part of the case said: “There was no shelter available for the foal and no water was provided. Overall, this was not a suitable place for the foal to be tethered, nor was the foal of suitable age for tethering. Cricket should have been provided with ad-libitum water, especially given that he was sick with diarrhoea and so had a higher demand for water intake.

“He was too young to be tethered and also not appropriately tethered as he was tethered connected to a fabric headcollar which poses a serious risk of injury. The Defra code of practice clearly states horses under the age of two years old should not be tethered.”

Another vet who gave evidence said Cricket was emaciated and estimated to weigh 85kg (187 pounds) when he was found.

“This is severely underweight for a cob colt foal of six to eight months old,” she said. “At this age, the foal should be approximately 40 to 50% of its adult weight. A cob of 13hh to 14hh will weigh between 300 – 400 kg respectively. This foal should have weighed approximately 150 kg, demonstrating how severely underweight he was.”

Despite extensive treatment and care, Cricket’s condition did not improve in the following weeks and “a vet made the decision that it was in his best interest to put him to sleep to prevent further suffering”, the RSPCA said.

“The court heard that despite Summers telling the RSPCA inspector she had owned Cricket for six weeks, she later disputed this and said it had only been three. However, she agreed she had assumed ownership and had failed to get the foal the care he needed and he had suffered unnecessarily as a result.”

As well as the suspended 16-week prison sentence and the 10-year ban, Summers was ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay costs of £400 and a victim surcharge of £154. She will not be able to appeal her ban for the next five years.

“Magistrates said Cricket’s basic needs had not been met and there was a failure by the defendant in all aspects of horse ownership,” the RSPCA said. “In mitigation they heard Summers had various caring responsibilities and accepted she should never have become involved in looking after the foal.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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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

Simon Reynolds and Rowena Stephenson’s upstanding lightweight Copenhagen (Teddy) were the deserving victors of The Harrod and Coles Family 2023 HOYS cob championship at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The uber-consistent 1o-year-old adds his name to the hall of fame by becoming one of the few show cobs to win both HOYS and Royal International (RIHS) titles in the same year.

“Of course, there was pressure, there always is, but I have a lot of confidence in Teddy,” said Simon, who last took the overall cob tricolour at HOYS back in 2001 riding Teletubbs, who was also RIHS champion earlier that season. Simon’s wife Natalie was a three-time HOYS cob champion with Cassanova and Simon has also been reserve here riding Morrows Marksman.

“Teddy holds it together well and he enjoys it. He likes going to the fun fair if you will, but he never gets over excited.”

Teddy has been the runner up at HOYS and the RIHS in previous years, but the well-mannered grey has enjoyed his best season yet.

“He consistently shows up and gives 100%,” Simon added. “That is a rare commodity in any athlete, whether playing tennis or football, or you’re a show horse!

“Like a fine wine, he’s gotten better as he’s gotten older. He’s not a marmite cob, he’s always been in the top few.”

Jayne Ross continued her epic week of results by finishing second and reserve in the lightweights and in the championship with low-milage eight-year-old Randalstown Aristocrat, owned by the Roberts family.

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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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

A coloured cob had a lucky escape yesterday morning after it managed to get stuck on railway lines in Kent.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers were called to the scene in Hoo St Werburgh, in the Medway area, at about 8am yesterday (1 August).

“We attended a different kind of job this morning where a horse had got itself stuck on the railway lines at Hoo,” a spokesman for BTP Kent said. “Luckily, members of the public had managed to cut the fence and secure the horse.”

The BTP officers helped get the horse off the lines to safety, then contacted the RSPCA about the best action to take.

“It was decided as there were no owner details, the RSPCA would collect the horse,” the spokesman said.

A BTP spokesman told H&H today that the owner had since been found and notified, and reunited with the horse.

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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

Are you gearing your cob up for the 2023 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) (25 – 30 July) at Hickstead? This year’s RIHS cob ride judge Lucy Seletto, who will be judging both lightweight and heavyweight classes alongside conformation judge Sarah Smith, talks to H&H about what she’ll be looking for on the day, and what qualities her winners will possess.

Who is Lucy Seletto?

Norfolk-based Lucy Seletto (nee Heseltine) is a show horse rider who has been successful in the ring on multiple horses, including the middleweight and ladies’ horse Kozee and the riding horse Funtime Frankie. Her horse Queenstown won the amateur riding horses at the RIHS three times. She last judged at the RIHS in 2019, when she was officiating in the maxi cob class, and she has also judged the amateur riding horses at the show.

Which judging panels is she on?

Lucy is on the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) panel.

What will she be looking for when each combination enters the ring?

“I will initially be looking for the cobs which are true to type with good limb. A nice, strong walk always stands out. I want the horses to be looking through their bridles, too. Overall, those horses who produce a nice go-round showing each of the paces well, finished off with a good gallop, will impress me the most.”

How will the winning cobs ride?

“I like a ride that is both comfortable and forward. Again, I want each horse to be looking through the bridle. I like cobs that are light on their feet and that take me forward.”

What are some of Lucy Seletto’s show ring pet hates?

“I dislike horses that lean down on the bridle, aren’t light in the hand and don’t ride straight. When either the jockey or I ask for the gallop, I want to see or feel that the cob is nice and straight and isn’t sitting to the edge of the ring.”

What are some key characteristics she looks for in show cobs?

“Horses that are fit, and not overly fat. When it comes to the championship in the main arena I hope that we’ll have four beautiful cobs to choose from. The result will depend on who rises to the occasion in the ring on the day. It’s a big atmosphere for a horse to contend with and how they deal with that will definitely be taken into consideration.”

Finally, any sign off advice for those riding there for the first time?

“It’s a big occasion, especially if both a rider and horse are attending for the first time. But try to enjoy it and make the most of the day, as getting there is the hard part.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

A cob who arrived at his owners’ hugely overweight and having not been ridden for years has shed 150kg to win an affiliated event and qualify for the regional championships.

Scooby Doo, owned by mother and daughter Mandy and Emma Morris, finished on his dressage score of 25.8 to win the BE80(T) at Cooke Coachbuilders Stafford Horse Trials on 3 June. This was his and Emma’s sixth top-10 placing from their seven British Eventing starts, which also include three second-place finishes.

Mandy told H&H she bought Scooby as a 14-year-old just over two years ago as she had lost her older horse Fred.

“I always said Fred was my heart horse – I’d had him for 23 years – and never thought I’d find one I loved as much,” Mandy said. “Then I met Scooby.”

Mandy had a horse to try from a dealer but felt he was not the right one, so he went back. Then she heard Scooby was for sale.

“I went to see him and I just knew,” she said. “He’d done virtually nothing, and hadn’t been ridden for a few years, and he was ridiculously overweight; he’s 15.3hh and he weighed well over 600kg.”

After Scooby’s arrival in the November, he was strictly managed; muzzled on the yard’s good winter grazing, his hay restricted, and fed in a “very, very small-holed haynet”.

“Fred had had EMS [equine metabolic syndrome] and we’d got him through that but I was very aware Scoobes could go the same way, so I was very strict,” Mandy said.

“My daughter’s a coach and knows how to bring them back into work properly so it was just a case of less in and more exercise.”

Mandy checked Scooby’s weight at the same time every week, and the pounds started to drop off. He is now carefully managed, she said, so although the yard he is kept on has good grazing, she will allow the horses who need that, such as Emma’s former racehorse, to go on it first and eat the grass down.

“I weigh his hay and measure all his food,” she added. “Handfuls can get bigger and bigger, and he only gets treats when he’s been worked. If we want him to run across country, and get within the time, he can’t be fat. You can’t expect athletes to be fat, and I want him to have a long and happy life.”

In the early days, Scooby “couldn’t canter; he was like a rocking horse on the spot”, and his first few jumps were “like a stag”, Mandy said.

“Then he learned it was fun, and started really enjoying it. Speed isn’t his thing; he can jump 1m, but on a cross-country course, for that distance, he wouldn’t get the time. He does at 80 and he enjoys it, and it’s better for him to do a lower level and have a lovely time than push him. He’s got to have fun too, so we won’t go over 80.”

Mandy competes Scooby in British Dressage, including at the Area Festivals and associated championships at novice level, and they contended the Trailblazers final last year. She has also arranged her music for freestyle classes, including the Scooby Doo cartoon theme.

“At Trailblazers, we did a lap of honour to the Horse of the Year Show music, which to me was like being at the Olympics,” she said. “He scored about 65% at the associated championships, which is amazing for a horse like him, and now he’s qualified twice for the eventing regionals with Emma. That means he’s got two chances to qualify for the final at Bramham; we never dreamed that this scrubby little cob, who was for me to hack on and maybe do an intro [dressage test], would turn out to be a prince.”

Mandy said Scooby, who is always ridden in a snaffle and plain noseband with no martingale, and unshod behind, is a horse who attracts attention whenever he is out and about.

“Everyone loves him; he’s one of those everyone stops to compliment you on, and on his lovely moustache! I’m not going to hog him; he is what he is, with his long shaggy mane.”

Scooby and Emma came second at Shelford Manor on 28 May, and Mandy said they ummed and ahhed about whether to take him to Stafford the next week. Because it was the last running of the horse trials, owing to the HS2 rail line, they went in support, aiming to take it steady.

“We thought we’d go slowly but no, he wasn’t having that!” Mandy said. “There was no expectation, we just wanted to support their last event, then he went and won it.

“He’s a family horse; Emma and I are both the owners on his passport, and he’s loved by everyone – but mostly by us. His name’s Scooby Doo, so he’s got to be brilliant, hasn’t he?”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

Meet Mikey, the 14.2hh 20-year-old supercob who jumped clear round Badminton.

Star X, as he is known for British Eventing (BE), and his owner Morven Ritchie travelled for nine hours from their home in north Ayrshire, Scotland, to compete in the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championships – and it was worth every minute.

“I came through the finish line and couldn’t keep the smile off my face,” Morven told H&H. “It was absolutely amazing.”

Morven was 13 when Mike arrived, eight years ago.

“I wasn’t looking for a pony but Mum saw his ad and said ‘What about this one?’” Morven said. “I said ‘For what’!

“We got him on loan for six months and it went well, and when he came up for sale, we bought him.”

Morven said she had not bought Mikey to event, or even compete at all.

“But he was this amazing wee pony,” she said. “We did Pony Club, and all-round things, and I started doing one-day events. He was quite good, so we did a couple of BE on a ticket, to see what it was all about.”

Morven and Mikey’s first full affiliated season was 2019 and they have since competed up to BE100, with a host of podium finishes. They qualified for Badminton by finishing second at Blair last August.

“I’d done a few qualifiers but never thought we’d do it; I didn’t want to get my hopes up,” she said. “It was amazing to come second, then there was the stress of making sure he was ok all winter!”

Mikey was fine, as proved by his and Morven’s fifth and ninth places at Kirriemuir and Forgandenny last month, then they set off for Gloucestershire last week, in their one saddle they use for all three phases, their snaffle, cavesson and bare feet behind.

They scored 32.9 in the dressage and the showjumping did not go entirely to plan, Morven said, they jumped clear inside the time across country.

“I wasn’t bothered about penalties or going inside the time; my aim was to finish,” she said. “So to go clear inside the time was just amazing. It was a challenging course and I’d thought we’d have issues but crossing the finish line felt surreal. He absolutely loved it too.”

Morven has since been deluged with messages of support, and from people she and Mikey have inspired.

“I got one message from someone who said all the girls at her riding school were so excited because a pony who looks like the ones they ride has gone round Badminton,” she said. “I think that’s amazing. All the thoroughbreds and warmbloods that go round, people can’t relate to and think ‘That might be me one day’, but now they can.

“Some cobs aren’t suited to jumping but take things on an individual basis; he’s amazing at it and if I’d said ‘No cobs’, it would have taken a massive opportunity away, for not wanting a horse who looks like that.”

Mikey will now have a holiday, then head to Hopetoun next month, but Morven has not planned more than that as her one goal was Badminton.

“I’m not bothered about qualifying again, although that would be amazing, as he’ll be 21 next year so we’ll just see how it goes and have fun,” she said. “That’s what I’ve always set out to do.”

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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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

While the full-time professionals often take centre stage at the major championship shows, the Royal Windsor Horse Show celebrates amateur equestrians and their animals with a range of classes specifically for those riders who show as a hobby. Each amateur winner then gets the opportunity to contend in the section championship, held in the Castle Arena.

Check out these amateur show horse winners who were the judge’s choices for this year’s amateur awards. Will you be looking to aim for a royal outing next year with your hunter, hack, riding horse or cob?

1. Cob

Avril Bartolomy and her own and her husband Robin’s 10-year-old maxi cob Epimetheus, a maxi contender who is produced from home, takes the amateur cob class, providing Avril with her first Royal Windsor win.

2. Hunter

For the second year on the bounce, home-produced 10-year-old lightweight Glenkeeran Dance In The Deep, the reigning Royal International (RIHS) amateur hunter champion, nets the amateur hunter title with his owner Camilla Stowell Davies in the saddle.

3. Hack

Helen Whiteley-John, also winner of the large riding horses with her own Absolutely Fashion the following day, pilots Susan Church’s Stanley Grange Royal Appointment eight-year-old Royal Regatta to amateur hack victory.

4. Riding horse

The riding horse field was led by Charlotte Pearson and her mother Sally Pearson’s Up With the Lark eight-year-old Thurstonhouse Blencathra’s Boy, who also competes as an intermediate show riding type.

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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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

A 76-year-old rider ticked off another mark on her bucket list, as she triumphed in the Martin Collins Enterprises Royal Windsor amateur cob class at the 2023 Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Avril Bartolomy’s ride was her own and her husband Robin’s Epimetheus (Em), a 10-year-old bay maxi cob, who Avril produces from home.

“I’ve been second here at Windsor three times, last year with Em and twice with my now retired maxi cob, Clantara Shadow Play,” said Avril. “It’s only taken me 76 years to win here! This is the one thing I wanted to do before I retire.”

Avril bought Em, who was started by cob specialist Lynn Russell, from a family friend.

“My friend came over to go hacking and noted that Em was for sale,” said Avril. “At 75 years old, I wasn’t in the market for a new horse, but Robin and I both loved him so much that we bought him.”

Last term, Avril and Em finished their season by standing fifth in the open maxi cob of the year final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). The pair are also off to the Royal International final in July in both amateur and open cob classes.

“I’ve never sat on anything like him,” Avril added. “He’s a true gentleman and is an amazing sit on, which helped him come up to win after his initial second place pull.”

Ali Talbot and 13-year-old lightweight contender Bling Cobsby, a former open cob champion at Windsor Castle, posted second place in the Royal Windsor amateur cob class.

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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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

A prolific coloured cob proved he’s the gift who keeps on giving as he scored top honours in the Royal Windsor ridden coloured championship on the first day of the 2023 fixture.

Earlier in the morning, Janay Atherden’s 11-year-old Red Rock III advanced on a second initial pull in during the CHAPS (UK) ridden coloured cob/native/traditional cob class, coming up to take the red rosette.

“He gave me a sublime ride, and he was pulled second after the go-round,” explained Janay, who won at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), was reserve supreme coloured at the Royal International (RIHS) and lifted the overall supreme at CHAPS championships under “Red” last year.

“Then, he went the best he’s ever gone for the ride judge; I was in awe of him and he looked incredible. He was moved up to win. Even though he went so well it was still so unexpected as we were pulled second.”

Red was coloured champion at Windsor in 2021 under his former rider, Victoria Hesford. However, this was the first year the lightweight gelding had performed in the main ring.

“I was slightly worried before the championship as he went to sleep after his class, but he rose to the occasion and he gave me everything; I’m absolutely ecstatic,” said Janay, who won the heavyweight cobs two years ago with her late coloured show cob, Randalstown Top Notch.

“At home he does loads of hacking and he I often ride him in the farmer’s field; it keeps him sweet,” Janay said. “He regularly goes galloping, as you can tell by the way he flew in the championship!”

Vicky Smith took reserve in the Royal Windsor ridden coloured championship riding Miranda Wallace’s 10-year-old mare Mysterie van de Heuvel.

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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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

An all-round cob kicked off the lap of honours at the 2023 Royal Windsor Horse Show as he jumped to the Royal Windsor working show horse title, providing his rider with a career first.

Sarah Mckay’s Castlebreg, a 12-year-old black gelding who is known as Cyril at home, was ridden by his producer Justine Armstrong-Small, who noted that she’s never won the working show horses on royal soil, until today.

“What a whirlwind,” said Justine, who was fourth in the Royal Windsor working show horse class with Cyril last year. “We were so late this morning; we got stuck in traffic so I got dressed while we were sitting in the queue. When we arrived we just threw the tack on Cyril and legged it to the ring. I was last to jump so we popped a cross pole and went in.

“Thankfully, Cyril is so genuine and he really loves his jumping. It’s always a lovely course in the main ring, and today we had big oxers and lots of open space. I didn’t have time to walk the course so I just rallied round looking for the numbers.

“This has been a lovely end to a hectic morning!”

Sarah has qualified for Cyril for the amateur cob final at the Royal International (RIHS) in July.

“He’s a real family horse,” said Sarah, who bought Cyril from Nicola Wainwright, who in turn sourced him from Val Sheehan. “It was a 10 hour round trip in the snow to go and view him.”

Justine, who has won the working hunter championship at Royal Windsor in previous years, was initially surprised by Cyril’s potential over a fence.

“We didn’t jump him when we went to see him but one day at home we had a play with him and low and behold he had a pop in him,” she said. “He ballooned over the jumps.”

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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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

The top show cob Colebrooke has died aged 23.

The heavyweight contender was known for his partnership with show horse producer Matthew Ainsworth, who credits the upstanding gelding for putting him on the map during the early years of his career.

Colebrooke, known as Lordy at home, was discovered by cob specialist Reid Finlay and sold to his long-term owner Hayley Hyde-Andrews in 2005.

Matthew was first acquainted with him when he worked for the late Robert Oliver. When Matthew set up his own production business, Lordy was one of the first horses to join his team.

“I owe this horse everything; he set me alight,” said Matthew. “For such a big horse he was so nimble. For a couple of seasons while he got going he was wobbly and unbalanced, but when he turned seven years old he was a machine.”

Matthew and Lordy went to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Royal International Horse Show multiple times and they won most major titles on the county show circuit, including at the British Show Horse Association championships, Royal Cheshire and Three Counties.

“We also won the Queen’s Cup at Royal Cornwall once; I will always remember being presented with an award by Princess Anne,” said Matthew, who eventually bought Lordy from Hayley. “He did other jobs, too, always with a smile on his face.

“He became the first cob to qualify for HOYS in the ladies’ side-saddle final, with Emma Wilesmith. In 2015, we went for a nice day out to the New Forest. Lordy dinged it and won the class; he’d only had a side-saddle on his back once prior!”

Lordy spent his later years with the Ainsworth’s friends, Tor and Jimmy Verdin, hacking around their farmland in Herefordshire.

“He was a Christian and the children used to ride him, too,” Matthew said.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

Meet Porridge – the 14.1hh traditional cob who was rescued as a yearling and is competing at prix st georges (PSG) dressage – with dreams of grand prix.

Sam Gorman and the 10-year-old gelding scored over 60% in their PSG debut at Sheepgate on 28 April. Sam told H&H she likes to share Porridge’s achievements to “inspire people to make the most of what they have, despite the breed or type of horse”.

Sam said she was looking for a warmblood seven years ago when she bought Porridge, who had been rescued in “a bad condition” as a yearling.

“But there was this lovely little cob and I thought I could train him up,” she said. “He’s not flash, a leg in each corner, but he always does his best and I enjoy his company.”

Porridge and Sam started competing at prelim level five years ago and have since worked their way up, winning at advanced medium en route to their PSG debut.

“I’m a bit delusional and stubborn, and if someone says I can’t do something, I’ll do it!” she said.

“I don’t tend to do well on him at Area Festivals when we’re up against the big, expressive horses but he’s always such a joy, and if I get a comment saying ‘What a lovely partnership’ or something, I’m happy.”

Sam and Porridge took part in a demo with international judge Stephen Clarke a year ago and have been training with him since, which Sam said has been hugely beneficial.

“His canter pirouettes aren’t there yet but they’ll come and if not, we’ll do little circles,” Sam said. “Life is too short to wait and as long as we enjoy it and aren’t terrible, we’ll have a go, as it’s so easy to miss the boat. I spread it around so people can believe in themselves.”

Sam said she will keep working up the levels – and that both she and Stephen think Porridge will go to grand prix.

“He’s only 10, and he’s started piaffe-passage and shows talent for it,” she said. “I’ve got to work on strengthening the tempis, as we can get them on a good day, and I’m confident we’ll get there in two to three years. Why not?”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

A traditional gypsy cob bought as “a bag of bones” is set to compete at next week’s Winter Dressage Championships at novice and elementary – and his owner hopes he will prove an inspiration to others.

Julie Bakter’s 13-year-old Jack In A Box is may only be 14hh, but he’s proved he has a huge heart and plenty of talent, too.

“I have had him since he was nine months old, when I bought him off a local river bank from a dealer,” says Julie. “He was all fluff and a bag of bones. I knew very little about horses but I wanted to give him a home. I even had to learn to ride once I had him backed at four years old.”

The little gelding, who is also now broken to drive, was introduced to dressage in 2018 under Ellie Pargeter, and when Ellie moved to Australia, Julie’s friend Diane Grinyer took over the ride on him. Diane has ridden Jack once a week for the past 18 months, taking up dressage together in 2022.

“They had a battle on their hands; as soon as they turn up the centre line they have had judges switch off and mark them low, as they just see a cob and that’s not their cup of tea,” says Julie. “But they never gave up.”

Jack, whom Diane describes as “a trier who really makes you smile”, came home with two titles from the British Dressage Traditional Gypsy Cob Associated Championships last October. They have since qualified for the novice freestyle gold at the Winter Dressage Championships – after posting an impressive 74.4% at regionals – and the elementary silver at the Area Festival Championships.

“This has proved that cobs can do it, so never give up,” says Julie. “If you own a traditional gypsy cob, get out there – they can do it even with obstacles in the way.”

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The owner of a cob who was bred “by mistake” and is now excelling at prix st georges (PSG) dressage, on the hunting field and team-chasing has paid tribute to his ultimate all-round ability.

Sarah Vousden is succeeding with two “exceptionally versatile” horses; 12-year-old Harley, a cob with no recorded breeding, and 15-year-old pure Connemara George, who also competes at PSG and inter I level dressage.

Sarah told H&H she lost her cob Medwyn this week aged 29.

“It all started with him,” she said. “I’ve had horses most of my life, tried eventing in my early 20s and ended up over-horsed, and I got Meddie on load to get my confidence back. I bought him 18 months later and owned him for 21 years.”

Sarah showjumped Meddie to 1.10m, but as he was “14.3hh on a good day”, the distances proved an issue, so she turned to dressage.

“Having been an eventer, dressage wasn’t my thing!” she said. “But we started doing quite well at unaffiliated, and that started my love of dressage. He hunted too and was a proper all-rounder, and I realised I loved natives, and the variety. But he got me into dressage.”

Sarah and Meddie competed up to elementary, then she bought Harley as a five-year-old.

“His breeding’s unknown; the lady I bought him from, who’s a friend, got him at six months old, he was a mistake in the field,” she said. “She got him to keep her youngsters company but later backed him, and she said ‘I’ve got a cob who would be perfect for you’. He was going to be my hunting cob but because of Meddie, I started schooling him and we’ve just kept going.”

Sarah had already bought George, as a just-backed four-year-old who had his very challenging moments, but he has also turned out to be versatile, she said, and what she learned from him and Meddie has helped Harley’s progress.

Sarah and Harley did their first team chase last spring – “I was going to sit at three or four but the others were a bit sticky so we ended up leading for half the course!” – and she is a Bicester subscriber. “He loves a hedge,” she said.

They also do beach rides, as well as recently coming fourth at advanced medium level dressage, and 10th in the PSG Addington Area Festival qualifier.

“He adores his hunting and I’m very pleased we do dressage as I think that gives me the control I might not have otherwise!” she said. “I think he enjoys dressage too; he just loves life and whatever he’s doing, he’s got his ears pricked. He always wants to do his best for you and he loves a crowd.

“I love country music so my PSG freestyle music with him is a country mix including Take me Home, Country Roads, and when we did a demo to that, the crowd was clapping and laughing, and he loved it.”

Sarah said Harley is an advocate for “being the underdog and doing it anyway”.

“We don’t have a medium trot, and I think some people get stuck at novice for that reason but I’ve got to PSG without it, it’s only one movement,” she said. “I just go to get a qualifying score and a point or two, and if I do, I’m thrilled.”

Sarah believes the word is spreading about how much cobs are capable of and how versatile they are.

“But at PSG you don’t see many cobs in the classes,” she said. “I think people are concerned about competing against warmbloods, but don’t worry about what they’re doing, just try to better your last score, or improve that movement. I had to change my mindset, or I was constantly comparing myself to the big-moving warmbloods, which you can’t do. To me, he’s worth his weight in gold.”

George was the first horse Sarah competed at PSG; she said she became despondent having scored 63% on him at novice but trainer Tom Graham encouraged her to try the higher moves, so she moved up, and is now scoring the same at PSG level.

“We found he could do the movements, and 63% at PSG is something to be proud of!” she said. “I’m so proud of producing these types of horses to this level; they’re my life.”

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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

The heartbroken owners and riders of Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) stalwart Sam have paid tribute to his “lifesaving” contribution.

The 15.2hh cob, who won the hearts of staff and participants at Parklands RDA in Staffordshire, had to be put down in the autumn, after six years with the charity.

Parklands’ Alison Ramseier told H&H that horses such as Sam are “like gold dust”.

“He played a massively significant role in people’s lives,” she said. “His riders felt so safe on him; his riders were adults and a lot of them were able to come off the lead rein when they rode him; for some people with disabilities, it’s a huge thing to be off the lead rein and feel safe.

“He knew he could change gears; one minute he might be with a rider who was never going to trot, then his next rider could be learning to pop a cross-pole. He had a natural ability to pick up the pace and slow it down, and could be a bit cheeky on the ground; always nuzzling pockets but never nasty.”

Sam was found suffering with colic in October and there was nothing that could be done to save him. And after the heartbreak of losing him, Alison said, “The first thing we thought was about his riders”.

“Emily, who rode him, was in a dark place when she came to us,” she said. “And for Josh, Sam was a lifeline when things were tough. He wasn’t just their therapy when they were here, the horses help them manage other areas of their lives. He was a support for them, and now that’s been taken away.”

Sam’s riders are too big to ride the Parklands ponies and although they have been able to spend time grooming and on groundwork, it is not the same.

Donate to the appeal

Parklands is trying to raise £10,000 for a new horse to allow riders like Josh and Emily to be able to do what they love. Alison said the difference this would make is unmeasurable.

“I don’t know if you can really explain the difference, but it would literally save lives,” she said. “We were the last chance for one rider – horses like this really, really do change people’s lives.”

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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

NO one has ever been heard to say cobs can’t jump – but if they had, Alun would convince them otherwise.

The part-Hackney was caught on camera during a groundwork clinic, by owner Rachael Wainwright, who had bought him two months earlier; he had lived on the same yard but with another owner.

“The clinic was fantastic,” she said. “

Alun’s previous name was Shearer, owing to his black and white colouring and the fact he lives in Newcastle. Rachael was not keen, so changed it to the first name of the legendary Newcastle and England striker instead.

“He’s the most beautiful horse; so nice-natured,” she said. “I just hack out and ride in the arena but my daughter’s going to jump him this year – he really loves his jumping!”

Rachael said that as she had not owned Alun long, her aim in taking part in the Darren Wilson groundwork clinic, for which all sorts of obstacles are set up, was to build trust and confidence between them.

“You walk them to the arena and take them through all the obstacles,” she said. “But he took one look and bolted back to his field. We got him back, with my daughter’s pony, and Darren took him because he was scared, and by the end, he really enjoyed it.”

Rachael said when she and Alun first tackled the obstacle pictured, for which the horses are supposed to push through the swimming-pool “noodles”, he jumped it, but then got the hang of it and walked through calmly.

“We have a loaner, my daughter’s best friend Lois, who rides him and is really keen,” Rachael said. “She came to watch and when I’d got Alun going round, she asked if she could try. I said ‘Of course’, and I wanted to get some pictures. But because it was suddenly Lois and not me, I think he got scared again, and he just jumped it! It was unreal, I couldn’t believe the photo.”

Alun then walked happily through the noodles again, having cleared them at about 1.20m, as well as all the other obstacles.

“He was really enjoying it, I was so proud of him,” she said. “It was a fantastic workshop; an amazing experience for me and him. He’s a different horse now, calm and chilled and if I tell him something’s ok, it’s ok. Without a doubt, we bonded that day.”

Rachael posted the picture on Facebook, which led to a previous owner getting in touch – and telling Rachael Alun’s name was once Little Al.

“It’s like fate,” she said. “We’re keeping him till the end of his days; he’s our forever horse.”

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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

A traditional coloured pony returned to London International Horse Show to lift the coveted 2022 SSADL ridden championship accolade after standing reserve three years ago.

Amy Hunter had her 19-year-old “horse of a lifetime” Pillgrim right on song to impress the two judges Penny Clifford and Jackie Webb.

“It was our time,” said estate agent Amy, who last rode Pillgrim at Olympia in 2019 when he took the reserve supreme sash. “He went mega today and he turned it on for me, as always; he just loves the job and he always puts a big smile on my face, win or lose.”

Amy has owned Pillgrim for eight years and together they’re enjoyed a dream run of results while also having fun in other disciplines:

“He’s done a bit of everything, from showing to dressage, and he’s taken me to all the ‘biggies’, including Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Royal International (RIHS),” said Amy. “He can only be described as a bit of a troublesome one, but the bond we have is unbelievable. I think I could ride him down the M6, but he’d only do it with me. If I tell him ‘it’s alright mate, we’ve got this’, he listens, which is why I never get nervous ahead of a show.”

“He’ll never, ever go anywhere and he owes me absolutely nothing,” Amy added. “He’s a once in a lifetime horse and I wouldn’t want to walk into that arena on anything else.”

Amy’s London preparation has been juggled around her work as an estate agent, and she’s back in the office on Monday ahead of the Christmas break.

“In the run up to the show, I was getting home from work at 7pm each night and going to the yard to ride,” she explained. “We had no water yesterday so someone from the yard had to go and fetch me some so I could give Pillgrim a bath. It took eight hours to get here, too, but it was so worth it for this experience.

“I’ll be back at work on Monday; I sent a video to the work group chat, though my colleagues aren’t horsey. They’ve been cheering us on, though they’re not quite sure what we’ve achieved!”

Reserve in the 2022 SSADL ridden championship was the ultra-consistent combination of Georgia Kirby and her mother Susan Kirby’s 19-year-old chestnut gelding Woodview Fiocco.

The show hunter pony and Georgia, 15, were making their debuts at London International after a superb season which includes winning the SSADL ridden supreme at the RIHS back in July and lifting the overall supreme title at the Veteran Horse Society championships in October.

Standing third was the only lead rein combination forward, Millie Rackham-Cobb riding her 18-year-old mare Overley Gamebird, handled by Millie’s mother, Heidi Rackham.

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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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

A small-scale, family-run equestrian store has proved that mighty oaks from little acorns grow by winning the equine retailer of the year competition at the 2022 equestrian business awards.

Michaela Pollitt’s Equisign Tack and Feed pipped 312 nominated businesses to clinch the prize, which was announced at an awards ceremony held at the Village Hotel and Spa in Nottingham.

Michaela and her husband, Tony, have shown horses at top level for over a decade. Their charges include the maxi cob Polestar who has been placed at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) in both open and amateur ranks.

Michaela, who also runs showing clinics, judges at local and agricultural shows and is a talent spotter for The Showing Register’s training pathway series, runs Equisign with one part-time staff member in North Lincolnshire.

“The shop is my baby,” said Michaela, who sold stable signs and cross-country colours at Equisign and branched out into tack and feed supplies in 2016. “I wish I could say that we had some amazing, well thought-out business plan, but one night over a few glasses of wine we made the decision to transform our garage into a tack shop and supply equestrian products to the local community. We live in a very equestrian area and there was a definite gap in the market for a shop with traditional values that would benefit the whole equestrian community and act as a hub for advice.”

The idea was initially intended to supplement Michaela’s teaching:

“We are still a small shop in terms of size and we’re still based in humble premises, but our reach has been brilliant,” she said. “Our unique selling point is our service knowledge, our passion and our commitment to the local community; we want to be a source of support, whether that be to someone looking for feed advice to aid a specific condition, or someone looking to pick up tips on showing turnout.”

Equisign made it into the top three finalists in the retailer of the year award, alongside Equidry and North Wales and Conwy Valley tack shop.

“It’s great that the awards have recognised that we’re worth a lot more than our size,” said Michaela, who, alongside feed, bedding and tack supplies, offers other services such as rug cleaning, saddlery repairs, clipper sharpening and zip replacement and more specialist services such riding instruction arena hire and plaiting and turnout. Product demonstration videos also feature on Equisign’s social media.

“We aim to be a hub at the heart of the local equestrian community and provide customers with an introduction to local services, too. Today, you can buy anything you want or need online, but the local tack shop still provides that extra service where people can go to seek advice and help. We collaborate with other industry professionals and regularly signpost our customers to their services, and we’ve recently finished a viewing area for our school; as well as providing a vantage point to watch lessons we are hoping the area will serve as a venue to host clinics, coffee mornings, talks and demos. I also have my own herbal range that I am keen to bring to the market.

“My passion for the people we serve and their horses makes this the best job in the world. I can’t tell you the buzz I get from hearing that a product we have recommended has made a massive difference to a customer’s equestrian life or helped their horse. Supply issues and the current issues with pricing across all sectors has been challenging but we do follow trends and have so far weathered the storm thanks to the loyalty of our customers.

“We are often described as an Aladdin’s cave of desirable equestrian products but it’s our personal and warm service that we are best known and appreciated for.”

Michaela started showing in 2010 with her lightweight show cob Harvey Nichols who qualified for the SEIB Search For A Star finals in 2012. Tony started riding later in life but he has enjoyed plenty of success in the show ring in recent years.

“When I started out I used to be at the bottom of the line but I had a thirst for learning,” Michaela said. “My husband, Tony, now does the majority of the showing and he’s been placed at the RIHS with our maxi cob. More recently, we’ve bought an ex-racehorse, Chorus Of Lies, who was second at Aintree in-hand earlier this year. We hope to bring him out under saddle very soon.”

You might also be interested in:

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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

A rider who had always had hunters and never imagine herself riding with feathers flying has become a “cob convert”, enjoying national success with her coloured gelding.

Laura Rose had no plans to take on anything like 14.2hh Borough’s Doorman (Barry), but “took a gamble”. That gamble paid off as the six-year-old has this year not only won at the British Dressage Associated Championships, but also equalled the winning score at the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Championships.

“I was that person,” Laura told H&H. “I’d never had a cob, it was all big ladies’ hunters, and I wasn’t looking for him until he came.”

Laura was looking, unsuccessfully, for a horse when Barry became available on her livery yard, and having ummed and ahhed and said no twice, she ended up buying him for herself.

“He was only four and had been backed and ridden away, so I started with hacking him,” she said. “We’ve got a beach two minutes away so I’d ride there and to the North Yorkshire moors. We’d go on our own and pay £10 to camp in a field for the night, then go climbing mountains, and we bonded like that.”

Once the partnership was formed, Laura started taking Barry to shows, starting at preliminary level but enjoying success from the start.

“We qualified for the winter and summer Petplan Area Festivals, then went to the final and were joint first in the bronze freestyle, and were only pipped to second on the collectives. To do that on a cob was crazy.”

The pair then went to the associated championships at Bury Farm, won the prelim silver Traditional Gypsy Cob Association class and the bronze novice, and was the overall highest-scoring cob in the prelim sections.

The day was not without its dramas, as when Laura arrived after her journey of five and a half hours, she found she had left her hat at home.

“I asked other competitors but no one had a spare hat so I went to the secretary’s table to withdraw,” she said. “The lady who runs Bury Farm ran down to the closed-down tack shop and found the only BD-legal hat she had left in storage, still with tags, and let me use it. I took home four beautiful sashes, all thanks to that lady.”

Laura added: “I’m on a yard of about 300 liveries, and everyone knows me as having a type. When I got Barry, he was all hairy and looked like he should have been tied on the side of a roundabout. People laughed at me and said ‘What have you bought?’ and even my mum said ‘What have you bought him for?’. So after that, I thought ‘Watch me turn him into a champion’, and that I’d prove them all wrong.”

She added that Barry can be “a bit of a showman” in the ring, and she has to contain his enthusiasm at times.

“He loves to flash his feathers and do his fancy trot, but that’s not required at prelim!” she said. “I’m a cob convert and I wouldn’t have anything else now.

“Look at what we’ve achieved; don’t be like me and snub cobs because I’d missed out on this opportunity and journey for so many years.”

You might also be interested in:

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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 enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that 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

A pony who was found with a severed tendon and crawling with lice at about six months old has this month won the prelim gold and overall cob titles at the British Dressage Associated Championships.

Katie Lee was overjoyed to win on KSL Long Shot – so named as his survival hung in the balance at the start of his life.

Katie told H&H she was working for the vet practice to which “Minty” was brought as a months-old colt in early 2014.

“He was tiny,” Katie said. “The lice and malnourishment were obvious, and there was blood on his hind leg. It didn’t look too bad until it was clipped but the extensor tendon was completely severed. He was standing with his head pressed against the wall, and I thought I’d never sen such a depressed horse.”

Minty’s case was discussed and it was suggested that the kindest option might be to put him down.

“It would have been difficult to rehome him as he was so young and with a severe injury that needed daily care,” Katie said. “Who was going to want to take him with his injury, and pay for it? But I’d been looking after him every day and I just loved him.

“People have asked me what it was about this poor, mangled little thing, and it was his beautiful face. He was terrified but I loved him.”

Katie went home to talk to her parents, as “horses and competing are very much a family thing”.

“I said ‘You’re going to think I’m barking but why don’t we rehome him?’” she said. “I think my dad was thinking I’d not long bought this lovely warmblood to compete, and why did I want a six-month-old 12hh cob with no tendon. I got it but every horse we’ve had has worked out.”

Katie spoke to all the right people, who were happy for her to take Minty.

“Everyone was very clear it was a long shot, which is where his name came from,” she said. “Friends would say ‘Katie, that’s a long shot; you might end up with a lovely pony or you might be heartbroken’ but I said ‘I’ll give it a go’. And within a fortnight, it was evident he wanted to live.”

After extensive rest and treatment, Minty joined Katie’s other horses, and buddied up with Katie’s youngster Wally.

“He walked up to Wally doing his little baby chatter and put his head under his tummy and started sucking on his sheath,” Katie said. “Wally was looking at me like ‘Mum, what is this and why’s it doing that?’ He should still have been with his mum. He didn’t really know what feed was, although that and sleep are now his favourite things.”

Minty thrived but was still tiny, Katie said, and his “temperament was to die for; he’s a horse who should have been terrified of humans, but he’s beautiful”. He eventually matured at 14hh, which meant she could ride him. He has a significant scar on his leg and frequent physio and farrier visits but has never been lame.

He and Katie had done some showing, but had “no great ambitions” in this area.

“I do dressage with my others but he’s a traditional cob, not a dressage horse,” she said. “But then my parents said ‘You do dressage on a Welsh section D so why can’t he do it?’ and I thought ‘Too right he can’!

“There’s plenty you can do, then British Dressage brought out the associated championships and I thought that was an excellent idea. This year I affiliated him and thought ‘Let’s give it a whirl and see what happens’.”

What happened was that in a few prelim tests, Minty qualified for the championships, so they made the five-hour trip from County Durham to Bury Farm.

“Off we went with no expectations.” Katie said. “In the test, I was walking round trying to conserve his energy, then the horn went and I picked him up, and thought ‘I’ve never sat on a trot like this, he’s totally got this’.

“My husband said afterwards that he’d aced it, it was the best test he’d ever done and I was saying ‘Stop it, his year will be next year’.”

There was confusion over the scores but in the presentation, when sashes were put not only on Minty but on Katie too, she realised he had won both titles.

“It was surreal,” she said. “We’ve had lots of success in BD and unaffiliated but there was something different about that day, and with where he came from in life, I really felt he deserved it. It’s almost unbelievable, remembering where he was.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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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

Meet this stunning “supercob” who’s both silver and gold, changes colour throughout the year – and is a dab hoof at dressage.

Catherine Chalkly and Bradwell Dun Deal, both 16, secured second place in the elementary dressage to music class at the British Riding Clubs championships at Bury Farm on 30 September.

Catherine’s mother Hannah told H&H they have owned “Brad” for four years.

“We clip him all year round and he’s golden, but goes grey in winter,” she said. “He didn’t have many dapples when we bought him; they’re more a recent thing! He changes shade throughout the year.”

The buckskin gelding is described as dun in his passport, but also shows off varying shades of grey.

“We don’t know how he’s bred; when he got him, he had an appaloosa passport!” Hannah said. “He’s now registered as a part-bred with the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association. We’re not sure what the other part is; people have said Clydesdale, Connemara, Friesian – no idea!”

Hannah said her daughter has only been riding for five or six years, and Hannah originally bought Brad for herself, but “he became Catherine’s horse very quickly”.

“They started doing dressage just before Covid; she does a bit of jumping and cross-country but dressage is her big passion,” Hannah said.

“Before we bought him, he’d spent most of his life in a field doing nothing so he was really green and we had to start him from the beginning but he’s been an absolute star, brilliant to do everything with. He can be a bit grumpy but he hasn’t got a nasty bone in his body.”

Hannah added that she trusts the cob implicitly, whatever Catherine does with him.

“We’ve got to a difficult junction in Catherine’s life because she takes dressage very seriously and wants to progress but she’s been told he’ll never get selected for any teams,” Hannah said. “The question came up of selling him but we just couldn’t, we love him, and he’s making her a rider.”

Hannah said she would not want Catherine to have a “push-button” dressage horse, and that she and Brad were selected to represent their region this year, and are hoping to move up to medium level this winter.

She added that she was nervous at the championships – “She was the only junior in the class and there were some very good riders there!” – but all went well.

“I was very proud,” she said.

And as is the case at most shows, others were full of questions about Brad.

“People always ask what colour he is, and what breed,” Hannah said. “They ask if he’s for sale, even when we’ve stopped at service stations! His stable name is really Rolo but we call him Brad as we imagine he’s like a surfer, loving himself with his long hair.”

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A husband and wife team scored an impressive one two in the lightweight division before their class winner headed the Harrod & Coles Family HOYS cob of the year title at the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Their winning mount was Richard Leeman’s seven-year-old Love Joy, who was ridden by Richard’s son-in-law Frazer Atherden. The gelding was bought from Wayne Thorneycroft as an unbroken three-year-old.

“He had his four-year-old year out to mature and then the pandemic hit,” said Frazer, who had pushed wife Janay into second on her own Red Rock III during the morning’s lightweight final. “But it did him the world of good as it gave him more time to develop at his own pace. He’s never been rushed and he’s only done a handful of shows; HOYS 2022 is his fourth show of the season. We have young children so we like to spend as much time as we can with them, too.

“I’m over the moon for Janay, but I was in the dog house a little bit,” Frazer laughed. “But I think I might have made up for it by winning the championship. We do the horses together so this result is what dreams are made of.”

Reserve champion in the HOYS cob of the year championship was Claire Oliver riding winning heavyweight, Susan Granger’s 10-year-old Freddie Kruger, who was joined in the championship by second placed heavyweight, Danielle Heath with Anne Leigh’s Bobbi Dazzler, last year’s class winner.

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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