Horse of the Year Show has revealed the international showjumping riders heading to the Andrews Bowen International Arena at HOYS 2026, with 35 combinations set to contest some of the show’s biggest classes.
The line-up features a strong mix of established international names and rising British talent, with no fewer than six members of the Whitaker family on the list.
John Whitaker will be joined by Robert, William, Jack, George and Joe Whitaker, continuing the family’s long association with top-level showjumping and Horse of the Year Show.
Brothers Shane and Trevor Breen are also among those confirmed, alongside Holly Smith, Guy Williams, Joseph Stockdale, Jodie Hall McAteer, Oliver Fletcher and French rider Julien Anquetin.
International showjumping riders confirmed for HOYS 2026
The full list of riders announced for the international classes is:
- Angelie von Essen
- Julien Anquetin
- Harriet Biddick
- Shane Breen
- Jonathon Buxton
- Sammie Jo Coffin
- Mark Edwards
- Chris Franks
- Jodie Hall McAteer
- David Harland
- Maddison Heath
- Holly Smith
- Alexander McLean
- Thomas Pritchard
- Max Routledge
- David Simpson
- James Smith
- Olivia Sponer
- Joseph Stockdale
- Trevor Breen
- Joe Trunkfield
- Emily Ward
- George Whitaker
- Jack Whitaker
- John Whitaker
- Robert Whitaker
- William Whitaker
- Joe Whitaker
- Guy Williams
- Charlotte Ash
- Fraser Reed
- Chris Smith
- Carron Nicol
- Rebecca Marsh
- Oliver Fletcher
International showjumping takes place from Friday through to Sunday, with a packed programme of classes across the three days.
Puissance and Six Bar riders
All of the international riders will have the opportunity to put themselves forward for the Ripon Select Foods Puissance on Saturday evening and/or the International Six Bar during Sunday’s daytime performance.
Five additional riders are also set to join the international field for these classes:
- Ryan Page
- Rachel Proudley
- Morgan Shirley
- Andrew Hodgins
- Hayley Webster
The Puissance remains one of HOYS’ great crowd favourites, while the International Six Bar will provide another opportunity to see horses and riders tackle increasingly demanding fences inside the Andrews Bowen International Arena.
Leading Showjumper of the Year to close HOYS 2026
The international competition reaches its climax on Sunday evening with the Leading Showjumper of the Year Championship, one of the most coveted showjumping titles awarded at Horse of the Year Show.
With 35 riders initially lining up for the international programme and some of Britain’s best-known showjumping families represented, the closing championship promises to provide a fitting finale to three days of international competition.
Horse of the Year Show takes place at the NEC Birmingham, with international showjumping running from Friday to Sunday.
Tickets for HOYS 2026 remain available through the official Horse of the Year Show website.
