For most riders one victory at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) would be enough to satisfy a lifelong dream, but this year’s show saw a 12-year-old lift two classes across different equestrian sports within an hour of each other.
After winning the 128cm children’s riding pony of the year accolade on Lisha Leeman’s home-bred Kellythorpe Tiny Dancer (Gillie), Cate Kerr had to make a quick dash to the International Arena to ride three ponies in the 128cm showjumping championship.
Not flustered in the slightest, Cate not only picked up seventh with HOYS debutante Marons Romeo, but jumped to win the class on her 10-year-old dun gelding Dunbarover IV (Yogi).
Cate also made showjumping history by becoming the first rider to win the 128cm championship on the same pony two years in a row.
Cate Kerr riding DUNBAROVER IV, winner of Class 8, 128cm Championship, during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 6 -10th October 2021
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
“It is very special to win it again,” Cate said.
“It all happened on the same morning within an hour,” said Cate’s mother, Lisa Kerr, who later watched her daughter ride Gillie into reserve position in the children’s riding pony of the year championship during the evening performance.
Gillie is based with show producers Craig Elenor and Sara Parrott and was a winner at the Royal International with Cate in 2019.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The Kerrs are based in Newmarket and Cate trains with Mike Maloney.
“Yogi was bought from Ireland and Cate has worked very hard with him,” explained Lisa. “She’s up every morning before school to ride the ponies.
“She loves the speed of the showjumping, but understands how important solid ground work and proper schooling is. Her showing experience definitely helps her jumping.”
Cate had four ponies to warm-up before her classes even started on Saturday morning at HOYS.
“After the show ponies, she had to quickly take out her pigtails and change out of her jacket into her bling for the jumping,” said Lisa. “We said after the show pony class that the chances of winning two classes at HOYS in one day are very slim, but here we are. It was a phenomenal day.”
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
Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
