Get to Know Tabby Morgan-Evans

At the 2024 Children on Horses European Championships, Great Britian secured team Gold with a perfect team performance, finishing on a score of 0. When the team stepped onto the podium, Tabby Morgan-Evans, at 11-years and 10 months old, became the youngest rider to win a Gold Medal at the European Championships for Great Britian. In this exclusive newsletter Interview, British Showjumping spoke to Tabby to find our all about her Championship experience, and what she has planned next.

Having been around horses since birth, Tabby only started riding properly at seven-years-old, previously only plodding around on her first pony, Alfie, but recalls when she got the bug to start jumping: “I remember we went for a hack in a bit of a wooded area and there were a few logs, and I was like ‘mum can I jump it?’ and that’s where I properly started jumping.”

Tabby joined her local British Showjumping Academy to help develop her riding under coach Mia Palles-Clark and in 2021 was the recipient of the NAF Shining Star Award for always having ‘smile on her face and a pat for her ponies’.

Soon finding her passion for showjumping, Tabby quickly hit her stride: “My first real pony who got me kind of jumping at HOYS and Olympics and all the big shows, really got us into it was Rupert,” aka Rathcoole Rupert. Together Tabby and Rupert jumped double clear and placed at Hickstead, competed at London International Horse Show twice and were placed at Horse of the Year Show on their first visit

In 2024 the decision was made for Tabby to concentrate on Children on Horses classes, taking over the ride of Bermudez BDA, an 11-year-old British bred gelding known as Billy at home.

Success at the Children on Horses qualifiers, held during the Winer Pony Premier shows, saw Tabby selected to represent Great Britian at several Youth Nations Cup competitions with Billy. Not letting her inexperience get in the way, Tabby piloted her new ride to a triple clear in Zduchovice for team third and rode a double clear in Zuidwolde for team second.

Tabby was subsequently selected for the Children on Horses European Team which took place in Peelbergen, Kronenberg, and culminated in a team gold medal: “We had such a good season. Billy and I jumped triple clear and won gold at the Europeans which was just crazy,” exclaimed Tabby.

Talking about the Championship show, Tabby said: “The whole experience was incredible. Peelbergen was such a great venue for the Europeans, and it was an amazing atmosphere to jump in.

“The final team day was exciting,” she added. “It was very close, and probably my favourite day at the whole competition, the day we won gold. We needed our last rider, Rosie Smith, to jump clear to win gold and it was very nerve wracking watching from the side but when she landed over the last fence, we were all so excited and relieved. I cheered a lot!”

Commenting on the success this season, mum Tiffany said: “It is a huge privilege, it really is. I think to represent your country in any sport is special, but to go and be so successful and win gold, it is so amazing for her.”

Individually Tabby and Billy finished ninth, just touching an unlucky pole in each round of the final but the young rider is savouring every opportunity she can: “When we went out there, I has no idea I would be the youngest person ever to win gold. It was a nice cherry on top [of the cake]. I have to thank Peter Maloney, my trainer. Going into the Europeans, I felt so ready and that’s all down to him. I’m also very grateful to Clare Whitaker for giving me such an amazing opportunity to be a part of this team.”

When asked about her future ambitions in Showjumping, Tabby is shooting for the stars: “This is definitely one of my biggest achievements so far, but I’m really excited for the future. I’d love to win double gold next year at the Europeans and then ride in Juniors Young Riders and then Seniors. One day I want to hopefully go to the Olympics.”

Tabby’s dad, Richard, had to pinch himself to check the whole event wasn’t a dream: “I think for me and Tiff it was probably more unreal than for Tabby. She’s the one doing it and we’re obviously that much older in that we’ve experienced much more of the world, whereas she’s still only 11 and has gone and won gold at the Europeans [on her first go].”

Commenting on her partner, Tabby had nothing but good things to say: “He [Billy] is just perfect; he’s got the biggest heart and he’s the most genuine horse ever. He will always try his hardest for you and is on a very well deserved break. I can’t wait for our future.

“I feel very grateful to go at such a young age and have this experience so in a few more years I’ll know more about what I have to do,” she added.