James Smith claimed an impressive victory aboard chestnut mare, Juno Rose 23 at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 2026, heading a competitive British field in The Evoke Stakes (CSI3*) on Friday, 9 October.

Competing in the Andrews Bowen International Arena, Smith produced a faultless round in 56.99 seconds aboard the 12-year-old mare, owned by Thomas Carruthers and Gillian Blackburn. Securing first place, the pair rode away with €3,300 in prize money.

Joseph Trunkfield came closest to challenging the winning combination, finishing just 0.38 seconds behind with the 13-year-old stallion Darjeeling Desir. Their clear round in 57.37 seconds secured second place and €2,200.

Thomas Pritchard completed the top three aboard Angot HH Z, stopping the clock at 58.37 seconds without fault to collect €1,650.

Tight Competition Among the Leading Riders

The competition remained close throughout the leading placings, with Madison Heath and BP Millionaire finishing fourth in 58.40 seconds, just three-hundredths of a second behind Pritchard.

Emily Ward secured fifth aboard Wild Star HF with another clear round in exactly 60 seconds, followed by Sammie Jo Coffin and Cornet of Follyfoot in sixth on 61.36 seconds.

Carron Nicol and RRH Out of the Blue took seventh, ahead of Olivia Sponer and Kockie W in eighth. Max Routledge and Crosby Ter Doorn Z finished ninth, while John Whitaker completed the top ten aboard Cornets Olona.

All ten leading combinations finished without jumping or time penalties, highlighting the importance of speed in determining the final placings.

Whitaker Family Among the Competitors

The class also featured several members of the Whitaker family, with John Whitaker securing the highest placing in tenth.

Robert Whitaker finished 11th aboard Equine America Vermento, collecting one time penalty, while Jack Whitaker and Meesca finished 15th with six penalties.

George Whitaker took 18th aboard Route 55, with eight penalties, while Joe Whitaker and Seaview Evolution finished 23rd.

HOYS 2026: Top Ten Results

1. James Smith – Juno Rose 23 – 0 faults, 56.99 seconds
2. Joseph Trunkfield – Darjeeling Desir – 0 faults, 57.37 seconds
3. Thomas Pritchard – Angot HH Z – 0 faults, 58.37 seconds
4. Madison Heath – BP Millionaire – 0 faults, 58.40 seconds
5. Emily Ward – Wild Star HF – 0 faults, 60.00 seconds
6. Sammie Jo Coffin – Cornet of Follyfoot – 0 faults, 61.36 seconds
7. Carron Nicol – RRH Out of the Blue – 0 faults, 61.88 seconds
8. Olivia Sponer – Kockie W – 0 faults, 63.45 seconds
9. Max Routledge – Crosby Ter Doorn Z – 0 faults, 63.80 seconds
10. John Whitaker – Cornets Olona – 0 faults, 64.56 seconds

Horse of the Year Show 2026 continues at Birmingham’s NEC, bringing together leading riders and horses for one of the most anticipated events on the British equestrian calendar.

Keep up to date on all HOYS news and results here.

Feature image: James Smith and Juno Rose 23. 1st Class Images