Celebrating up-and-coming talent in the horse world. Nominees must be under 25 years old on the day of the H&H Awards (26 November 2025).
There’s a buzz about the burgeoning talent both in and coming up from the youth ranks. Which of these under-25s takes your vote in the annual Horse & Hound Awards?
Young Rider of the Year 2025 shortlist
Harrison Ashton
Age: 24
Discipline: dressage
Best horse: “Million Dreams – or Mildred, as we call her – what a horse! I’m honestly lost for words. She gave me everything and more at the [under-25s] European Championships. Being there was a dream come true, and I know it’s just the beginning for her. I’ve believed in her from day one.”
Proudest moment this year: “Winning team bronze at the Europeans on our debut – I couldn’t have asked for more. We hit personal bests in every single test, which I never expected! There were definitely nerves that week, but as a team we held it together and pulled it off.”
Goals for 2026: “Competing at the Europeans really lit a fire in me. It made me realise that this is what I want – to be a competitive rider and to represent my country. That’s the direction I’m heading.”
Ryan Hagger
Age: 16
Discipline: horseball
Best horse: “Joey, a 16.2hh seven-year-old thoroughbred. He retired from racing in February and has been playing horseball ever since, taking
to it incredibly well. We’ve already competed together in France and Belgium, and he performed brilliantly – especially as France was his first ever international competition.”
Proudest moment this year: “In France, I was playing in my first ever under-21s international tournament and was fourth-top goal scorer out of 45 players. I scored six – including three against France, one of the strongest teams in the world. It was an unforgettable experience, and I was incredibly proud of what Joey and I achieved together.”
Path into the sport: “About three years ago, I’d fallen out of love with riding. My mum came across horseball on a Facebook post and told me about the sport’s fast-paced and tactical style – I was instantly hooked. I attended the October Open, and just two months later I was selected to represent Great Britain in Italy. Horseball has completely reignited my passion for riding, and Joey has been the most incredible partner.”
Ella Howard
Age: 17
Discipline: eventing
Best horse: “Marchwood, because he’s a true professional, is such a privilege to ride and always tries his best for me. He loves to compete, and is so kind in the stable.”
Proudest moment this year: “Becoming junior European champion with Marchwood. I was lucky enough to go to three pony Europeans, but to win
gold was incredible! I was delighted I could give Marchwood the confidence to trust me and to make my dream come true.”
Equestrian inspiration: “My mum! She’s taught me to keep learning and working to be the best I can be and give the horses the respect, love and time they need.”
Main goal for 2026: “The junior Europeans again and with my two younger horses I’d like to step them up to four-star.”
Rachel Proudley
Age: 20
Discipline: showjumping
Best horse: “Quality Street is an incredible horse, she was always so consistent and tried her heart out for me – she’ll always be one of my best horses. I’m really excited about HK Stakkata – she’s a seven-year-old with a really exciting future having already jumped clear and been placed in a few 1.45m classes.”
Proudest moment this year: “The [young rider] Europeans, and winning individual gold with Quality Street – she put in an unbelievable performance jumping five rounds without ever touching a pole.”
Best advice: “Even when things aren’t going your way, you have to keep going, working hard, and pushing forward, because it’s the only way they’ll change for the better.”
Goals for 2026: “To jump on some senior teams for Great Britain, and hopefully keep progressing towards five-star shows. But we have a phenomenal line-up of horses in the HK Horses stables, so I’m just enjoying working with them and seeing where they take us.”
Voting closes at 5pm on Thursday 30 October and the winners will be revealed at a star-studded ceremony on 26 November, and featured online, on social media and in the following week’s magazine (4 December). Read the H&H Awards 2025 terms and conditions
Previous Young Rider of the Year award winners
Previous winners of this award include:
- 2023: Olli Fletcher, showjumper
- 2023: Alice Casburn, eventer
- 2022: Joe Stockdale, showjumper
- 2021: Ruby Hughes, dressage rider and vaulter
- 2020: Tabitha Kyle, showjumper
- 2019: Finn Healy, eventer
- 2018: Lottie Fry, dressage rider
- 2017: Will Furlong, eventer
About the Horse & Hound Awards 2025
The Horse & Hound Awards are celebrating their 10th year, being held in partnership with NAF and Agria.
As ever, the Horse & Hound Awards winners will be nominated and voted for by you, with the exception of the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award, which is decided by a Horse & Hound panel. We will recognise both the big names who have made 2025 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses, at every level.
The ceremony will take place at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire, where some 300 people, including stars of this summer’s European Championships, will enjoy a glamorous evening of champagne, winner reveals, Oscar-style speeches and dancing on Wednesday 26 November.
