Photot credit: Holly Smith and Nike Van Het Singraven – 1st Class Images.
National showjumping classes at the 2025 Horse of the Year Show concluded on Sunday morning with Holly Smith and Nike Van Het Singraven being crowned Grade C champions.
The prestigious jump-off competition first took place 52 years ago, and former winners include the likes of Derek Ricketts, Caroline Bradley and Tina Fletcher.
And Leicestershire-based Holly showcased all her experience to not only take the top prize, but also second place with Sing Z, just 11 hundredths of a second behind her winner.
Ronnie Jones and Ultimo Z were third, and less than half a second separated Holly’s winning time from Miles O’Donnell and Jackpot DS in fourth.
Holly represented Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics, and she is also a European team medallist, and she is understandably excited about the potential of her two seven-year-olds.
“I am absolutely delighted,” she said. “They are two top-class seven-year-olds, and a massive mention goes to the team of owners behind this and my team at home.
“It is a journey with the novice horses to qualify and get here, and you never quite know how they are going to react on the day.
“I had a second place earlier in the week, but I have also had a few eight-fault rounds here, just being a bit green at screens and little bits and pieces, but I am really chuffed with today.
“You can feel the horses feeling the atmosphere here, but they were absolutely amazing and I couldn’t be more proud.
“This show is a celebration of the horse across all sorts of different disciplines, and it is an absolute pleasure to participate.”
The Grade C launched a packed final day of action in Birmingham, with the Leading Showjumper of the Year Grand Prix an eagerly-anticipated headline act, while the Speed Horse of the Year was also set to be crowned.
Link to audio interview with Holly Smith, winner of the Grade C Championship at the Horse of the Year Show.
All Articles
