‘A real buzz’: Olympic showjumper takes two Golden Buttons in first hunt race

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Holly Smith Golden Button
Holly Smith riding Max and Maurice Lineham riding Woodie in the Equestrian Notice Board Golden Button Challenge 2022
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

British Olympic showjumper Holly Smith demonstrated her all-round horsemanship by finishing third in her first hunt race, the Ledbury’s Equestrian Notice Board Golden Button Challenge, last weekend (12 February).

Holly, 32, decided to take part in the three-mile race over natural country after she enjoyed a day’s hunting with the Ledbury last year. She regularly hunts with the Quorn and the Readyfield Bloodhounds in Leicestershire, where she is based.

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Catherine Austen
Catherine Austen
Hunting editor

A St Andrews’ graduate, Catherine joined Horse & Hound in 2002 and stayed for 11 years in a variety of roles until she went freelance in June 2013. She rejoined the team part-time in November 2016 as hunting editor. She pretty much lives on the hunting field or at the racecourse, but also loves eventing, as a journalist, press officer and competitor. She was H&H’s sole accredited journalist at the London Olympic Games and has reported from major race meetings and eventing, showjumping and dressage championships and shows round the world, and has hunted all over Britain and Ireland.