{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}
Trending:

‘He’s just phenomenal’: six-year-old delights for small hunter spoils at Royal Windsor 2026

Bethan Simons Bethan Simons

    • Day two of the Royal Windsor Horse Show proved a lucky one for Will Morton. Will punctuated a red letter day in which he first claimed his third cob championship by taking the 2026 Royal Windsor small hunter spoils – sponsored by the Trembath family – astride Red Valentine II (Vinny).

    Vinny was bred by Maurice O’Mara out of Knockbrack Spirit and by Lagans Obos Quality.

    The six-year-old was purchased from Val Sheehan by his owner Rosamund Lane in 2024 before making his show-ring debut last term with Will, now based in Essex with fellow producer Justine Armstrong Small.

    Will Morton and Red Valentine II are 2026 Windsor small hunter winners

    Will Morton and Red Valentine II, the small hunter winners at the 2026 Royal Windsor Horse Show.

    “Last year was his first season and he only did a handful of shows,” Will said. “He went to HOYS and he was a bit green, but it was his first time there.”

    Despite being just lightly campaigned, Vinny certainly made his mark. He won the novices here, collected a Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) pass at the hunter championships, then staked the supreme hunter title at the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) championships, judged by seven-time Olympian Mark Todd.

    “He’s taken to the job like a duck to water,” said Will. “He’s probably one of the easiest horses I’ve ever had to produce, and so far he’s had a wicked year.

    “He’s just phenomenal – something out of this world.”

    The pair have campaigned three shows so far this season, and remain unbeaten in small hunter ranks, having taken champion at British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Area 16 and a win at the BSHA Spring show.

    Jayne Ross fielded yet another top-two placing finishing runner up in the 2026 Royal Windsor small hunter ranks here. This time she was astride Ryan Anderson and Jamie Smyth’s Irish-bred seven-year-old grey gelding Highview Overado, the reigning HOYS small hunter of the year.

    You may also be interested in:

    Bethan Simons
    Bethan Simons

    H&H showing editor
    Bethan joined Horse & Hound as showing editor in January 2025, after spending two years as Editor for Showing World. Having adored ponies since childhood, she started showing as a teenager and has enjoyed wins at major shows up and down the country, including Royal Highland, New Forest, and the Royal Welsh, as well as HOYS, RIHS and London. She is particularly passionate about Welsh breeds and is also a Welsh language commentator.
    Bethan Simons

    You may like...