Victory for Holly Smith as national classes conclude at HOYS 2025
Sunday 12 October 2025
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.
Image: 1st Class Images
