Celebrating the occasion horse who has thrilled the crowds together with his or her talent and bravado throughout the three phases.
Black Nova Designs Occasion Horse of the Yr winner
London 52
15yo Holsteiner gelding, Landos x Quinar Z
Rider: Laura CollettOwners: Keith Scott, Karen Bartlett and riderBreeder: Ocke RiewertsGroom: Tilly Hughes
The three-time five-star winner who led Britain to Olympic workforce gold and snaffled his personal particular person bronze in Paris, following workforce gold in Tokyo. Laura Collett admits she left Japan with unfinished enterprise: “It was by no means going to be put to mattress until I got here away from Paris with a person medal – I went to Tokyo realizing I ought to win one and I tousled two phases. I simply felt the horse has at all times deserved a person medal and I’ve stopped him from getting one.” Laura acted on learnings from Tokyo to interrupt the Olympic report within the dressage, and with sturdy leaping performances too the pair took their particular person bronze.
Additionally on the shortlist…
Lordships Graffalo
12yo British-bred gelding, Birkhof’s Grafenstolz x Rock King
Rider: Ros CanterOwners: Michele and Archie SaulBreeder: Lordships Stud and Pennie WallaceGrooms: Sarah Charnley and Travis Leigh
After a profitable 2023, Ros Canter saved Lordships Graffalo quiet this spring, doing simply sufficient to safe Olympic choice. In Paris, the pair had been victims of a controversial flag resolution, with out which they’d have been fifth individually, however helped Britain to workforce gold. They then headed to Burghley, the place Ros has a lot historical past, from Pony Membership showjumping proper by means of to her first five-star. With eleventh her earlier greatest right here, she upped her sport spectacularly and cruised to victory. “I wasn’t certain I’d ever tick the Burghley field,” she says. “It simply seems you simply want a horse like ‘Walter’, don’t you? He’s completely unreal. What a machine.”
JL Dublin
13yo Holsteiner gelding, Diarado x Canto 16
Rider: Tom McEwenOwners: James and Jo Lambert and Deirdre JohnstonBreeder: Volker Göttsche-GötzeGroom: Adam Brief
JL Dublin joined the elite group of horses who’re championship gold medallists for 2 totally different riders this yr. The Diarado son was European champion underneath Nicola Wilson in 2021, then went to Tom McEwen late in 2022 after Nicola’s severe accident. The pair had ups and downs as they constructed their relationship, however emerged able to struggle for a Paris place, racking up a win at Kronenberg CCI4*-S, second at Kentucky five-star and second within the scorching CCI4*-S at Luhmühlen. On the Olympics, “Dubs” and Tom put in an impeccable efficiency as pathfinders for the gold medal-winning British workforce and completed fourth individually on their dressage rating.
Shadow Man
14yo Belgian warmblood gelding, Fidjy Of Colors x Winningmood Van De Arenberg
Rider for 2024: Chris BurtonOwners for 2024: rider and Man Bloodstock LtdBreeder: Atoon LoosGroom: Madelaine Taylor
Shadow Man and Chris Burton gained particular person silver in Paris, a outstanding achievement for a partnership that got here collectively solely at first of this yr. Australian rider Chris has centered on showjumping since 2021, however acquired the experience on Ben Hobday’s normal mount quickly for an Olympic marketing campaign. They had been very good in Paris, including simply 0.4 of a time-fault within the first showjumping spherical to their dressage. “I stated after we went as much as Ben’s to experience him and vet him in the identical day, I felt like I knew him already – we’re made for one another. However anybody would really feel that sitting on him, he’d break your coronary heart,” says Chris.
Earlier Occasion Horse of the Yr Award winners
The earlier winner of the Occasion Horse of the Yr Award was:
2023: Lordships Graffalo, Ros Canter’s sensible associate who gained Badminton and the Europeans
Previous to 2023, the Horse of the Yr Award ran throughout all equestrian disciplines, and the winners embody:
2022: Vanir Kamira, the much-loved veteran mare, who added Burghley to her earlier Badminton win
2021: the world’s greatest showjumper and Olympic champion Explosion W, experience of Ben Maher
2020: the legendary Valegro was topped the horse of the last decade (2011-2020) by H&H readers
2019: Piggy French’s experience Vanir Kamira could also be “a ache within the arse 352 days a yr”, however this true five-star horse “comes into her personal at Badminton and Burghley”
2018: Arctic Soul, the previous racehorse turned elite eventer, ridden by Gemma Tattersall
2017: Nip Tuck, Carl Hester’s excellent equine associate
2016: Valegro, the elite dressage star and world report breaker, ridden by Charlotte Dujardin
In regards to the Horse & Hound Awards 2024
The Horse & Hound Awards returned for a ninth yr in a row, in partnership with NAF and Agria.
As ever, the Horse & Hound Awards winners had been nominated and voted for by you, except for the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award, which was determined by a Horse & Hound panel. We’ll recognise each the large names who’ve made 2024 particular and the unsung heroes who make it potential for all of us to get pleasure from equestrian sport and our horses, at no matter stage.
This yr we returned to Dallas Burston Polo Membership in Warwickshire, the place some 300 individuals, together with Olympic and Paralympic superstars, loved a glamorous night of champagne, winner reveals, Oscar-style speeches and dancing on Wednesday 27 November.
H&H web site editor
Carol is an skilled journalist and editor, who can be a passionate novice rider and devoted horse proprietor, having ridden since childhood. She has a selected curiosity within the emotional well-being and moral coaching of horses, alongside veterinary issues, having garnered in depth first-hand expertise of quite a few equine well being situations by means of greater than 30 years of horse possession.
