Agria Horse of a Lifetime 2026
Welcome to the Horse & Hound Awards 2026, which are back for our 11th year to celebrate the stars of equestrianism, in partnership with NAF and Agria
Agria Horse of a Lifetime 2026
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 considered a hero. We want to raise a glass to those fabulous horses who have changed the lives of those connected with them.
The shortlist
The veteran para driving speedster with the “heart of a lion”
Emily Ham’s Welsh section D Beechwood Bracken, aka Alfie, is her best friend. Fourteen years ago Emily bought him from the Broomes, and they have since been national young driver champions – and para driving world bronze medallists twice.
“Now 25, he has the heart of a lion and the athleticism of horses half his age,” Emily says. “He thrives on going fast through obstacles, his favourite thing, but he’s so sweet on the ground with me. I’m on crutches all the time, or in a mobility scooter and quad, and he just leads from that.
“Alfie is my great companion. He is my heart horse and gives me such joy. For me he is simply the best and truly deserving of the title my horse of a lifetime.”
The resilient all-rounder who has revived his rider’s passion for horses
Samatha Murray thought she would never ride again after her gelding Smurf died – then Bodach came along.
“He’s 20, but nobody seems to have told him,” Samantha says. “He’s taken me back eventing, side-saddle, things I thought I’d never do again. He’s faced Lyme disease, asthma and immune-mediated keratitis but his enthusiasm for life has never disappeared.
“I don’t use the words ‘horse of a lifetime’ lightly. Bodach isn’t internationally famous and most people will never know his name but he changed my world. At 20, he is still giving me firsts and returning dreams I thought I had lost forever. I never thought I’d love a horse again but he’s opened the doors and showed me my passion again.”
The “faultless” 40-year-old pony whom “hundreds of children” adore
This 11.2hh New Forest/Shetland mare is 40 years old, and a star of Katie’s Horse Care Club. This “riding school” without riding teaches children to care for horses, and hundreds fall in love with Ginger. She is owned by Amy Kingston, and Katie Hall of the club put her forward.
“She’s faultless,” Katie says. “Even if I get kids who say they don’t like horses, the next minute they’re cuddling her. Hundreds of children love her, parents tell me their children have her picture in their bedrooms and can’t sleep till they’ve kissed her. We had a 40th birthday for her and more people came than I had at my wedding! She’s incredible.”
The crowd-funded colic survivor who has given his child rider thrills of a lifetime
“I know I’m biased but he truly is the horse of a lifetime,” says Jessica Flack, who took her son Dylan Ward, then nine, to ride McFlurry three years ago.
They had such an instant connection and, thanks to social media, hundreds of people clubbed together to buy him for Dylan.
Dylan, who was diagnosed with inoperable bone cancer in 2022, underwent years of intense treatment that caused debilitating side effects. He finished treatment in 2024, and he and McFlurry went on to excel up to elementary level dressage.
McFlurry nearly died last November; he needed colic surgery, then long rehab but now he’s in his first season showing with Dylan and has qualified for the London International 148cm performance pony showing class.
“He literally is our pony of a lifetime,” Jessica says. “He’s not going anywhere.”
Previous Agria Horse of a Lifetime winners
This award is now in its fifth year at the Horse & Hound Awards, with the previous winners being:
- 2025: Hovis, the late H&H “diarist”, fundraiser and inspiration for books – with legions of fans
- 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 2026
The Horse & Hound Awards are celebrating their 11th 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 intend to recognise both the big names who have made 2026 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses, at every level.
The winners will be revealed at a glittering ceremony at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire on 25 November, where some 300 people, including heroes of the summer’s World Championships, will gather to enjoy a glamorous evening of champagne, winner reveals, BAFTA-style speeches and dancing.
