The horse who may not be a superstar in the eyes of the world, but who has changed lives – and deserves to be recognised for the magic he or she has produced for the good of those around him or her.
A horse doesn’t have to win medals to be a hero. Raise a glass to four fabulous horses who have changed the lives of those connected with them and choose who you want to vote for below…
Agria Horse of a Lifetime
Hovis
The late H&H “diarist”, fundraiser and inspiration for books – with legions of fans
“What made him so utterly special was he just connected with people wherever he went” – Karen Haggerty’s (née Thompson) much-loved part-bred Clydesdale, who died this year aged 23.
Hovis built an army of fans around the world through his long-standing weekly H&H diary, which started in 2008. His humorous antics were made into nine books, raising more than £100,000 for Bransby Horses, cancer research, victims of the Australian bushfires and Riding for the Disabled Association groups.
“He achieved an awful lot in his lifetime and left a legacy behind,” said Karen, who bought Hovis when he was four. “There are amazing elite athletes out there, but Hovis was different because he was just ordinary, and that’s what the magic of him was.”
Huckleberry Pie
The all-rounder who has become a literary hero for kids
“If he was a man, he’d be my soulmate. I’d have married him already” – Steff Singleton’s 15-year-old cob and star of her children’s books The Adventures of Huckleberry Pie.
Steff was working as a riding instructor in Dubai when she bought “Pie” unseen for her homecoming. Pie has turned his hooves to a range of activities and disciplines from showing and dressage, to horseback archery, and Riding for the Disabled Association sessions.
“He’s taken me to astronomical heights, and filled so many people’s hearts,” said Steff. “You can ask him anything and he says, ‘No problem.’ Not only has he helped people physically, but he has helped a lot of children and adults with reading difficulties through our books.”
Rasani
A partnership forged over three decades – his rider’s first love
“It’s a privilege to have had a horse for 30 years, he’s seen me through from a 14-year-old stroppy teenager to a working-mum-of-three” – the 35-year-old Arab owned by Francesca Pulleyn.
When Francesca bought unruly youngster “Raz” for £950 to produce and sell, she didn’t foresee that he’d never leave her side. The pair have done everything together – but always on Raz’s terms.
“One day he’d do dressage and win it, the next day he’d canter sideways down the centre line,” says Fran, who describes Raz as her “first love”.
“He’s taught me more than any horse. He’s a gent on the ground, I take him on the lead-rein with the children and he’s just absolutely brilliant.”
Whitehawk Dancing Fire
The spotty dressage pony who’s made it all the way to grand prix
“He’s my whole world. He has the heart of a lion and he tries his little soul out” – the 14.1hh 11-year-old Knabstrupper/Appaloosa gelding owned by
Naomi Aguilar.
Jersey-based Naomi bought “Enzo” on impulse as a foal for £800 after seeing his advert on Facebook.
She’d planned to have him for “hacking around the Jersey lanes” – but in 2024 they made their British Dressage grand prix debut and they continue to go from strength to strength.
“I backed him myself and we’ve figured it out together,” says Naomi. “He doesn’t look like anything special, he’s a bit short, he’s croup-high, but he’s taken me to places that I never thought I would go. He’s incredible.”
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 Agria Horse of a Lifetime winners
This award is now in its fourth year at the Horse & Hound Awards, with the previous winners being:
- 2024: Waltham Scorpio, Emma Barrow’s Welsh section D, who died in 2024, aged 31
- 2023: Cashel Bay JJ, a top working hunter pony
- 2022: Carltonlima Emma, The late Queen’s beloved hack
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.
