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Birstwith girl, 7, wins top title at Horse of the Year Show

Winner: 7-year-old Gracie-May Whitaker at the Horse of the Year Show 2026.

A seven-year-old rider from Birstwith has celebrated a major victory at the Horse of the Year Show.

Gracie-May Whitaker, who attends Belmont Grosvenor School, rode Thistledown Wood Owl to win the Supreme Products Supreme Pony of the Year Championship.

The success rounded off a memorable week for Gracie-May and the six-year-old Welsh Section A mare, known at home as Birdie.

The pair had already won the Welsh lead-rein class and the overall Mountain & Moorland Mini Pony of the Year Championship, accompanied in the ring by producer Craig Elenor.

Owned by Gracie-May’s grandfather Martin Wood, Birdie went on to take the supreme title in front of judges Olympic eventer Laura Collett MBE and Edwin Prosser.

Gracie-May’s father, international showjumper George Whitaker, said:

“Everyone who comes to the Show wants to do that centre line under the lights, and it’s amazing she’s done it.”

Gracie-May follows in the footsteps of both her parents, who have enjoyed their own successes at Horse of the Year Show.

Reflecting on her daughter’s earlier championship win, mum Michaela Whitaker said:

“I’ve won HOYS eight times. Not one of them lives up to this.

"Gracie was jumping in Holland a couple of weeks ago and I didn’t get nervous, but this was so nerve-wracking today!

"It’s the most amazing, unreal feeling - it’s a dream to win here. And we love the mare so much."

Birdie has been produced by Craig Elenor and Sara Parrott since she was three, with this year marking her first appearance at the show.

Read more about Gracie-May’s success on the Horse of the Year Show website.

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