The national showjumping championships at the Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) kicked off on Wednesday (24 July) with a superb victory for 15-year-old Emily Irvine riding the appaloosa mare Runard Lass in the Oakley Coachbuilders BS winter JC championship.
That left Emily Irvine a slither of breathing room, although the pressure is always immense in the high-intensity cauldron of Hickstead’s vast international arena. The teenager showed superb horsemanship and natural flair with the charismatic “Dolly” to produce a delightful clear, much to the delight of connections.
“It feels amazing, she jumped mega,” said the teenager after collecting her first RIHS winner’s sash. “I thought, even if she doesn’t win, I’m happy because she’s done more than we ever thought she could do. It makes me happy just to be able to go in the ring with her.
“I thought it was a nice course – I was just a bit scared of slipping round corners on the grass, but it was perfect. The ring is big so you have to keep moving.”
Unorthodox pony bought from Spain
Emily and her mother Alison Irvine bought Dolly from Spain four years ago after being tipped off by coach Fiona Hobby and they snapped her up despite the fact nobody else had been keen to buy the quirky mare.
Emily has produced the mare slowly through the grades, recently stepping up to 1.30m and pony showjumper of the year qualifiers before winning this prestigious championship at RIHS.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“She knew the basics when we got her, but not much, but we knew she could jump – we loved her as soon as we tried her,” said Emily of the appaloosa 15-year-old mare. “We thought she would just be a pony for metre classes but she’s ended up being a lot more than that.
“She’s easy to look after but she gets away with everything! She’s so much fun to ride. Every time I go in the ring with her I think ‘Yes, let’s go and see what happens’.”
“When I first got her people used to call her ugly but I think she’s beautiful, I just love her,” said Emily.
Finishing second behind Emily Irvine in Wednesday’s Oakley Coachbuilders BS winter JC championship was Emily Gulliver, with mares filling four of the top five placings. Third place went to Sienna Palin riding the stunning dun pony Agharanny Chloe Clover as the fastest four-faulter from round one.
You may also like to read…
(Image credit: Elli Birch/Boots And Hooves Photography)
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the Paris Olympics, Royal International, Burghley and more 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
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
Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
