Sport & Results
HOYS 2026: Vikki Smith and Copperbeech Encore Win the M&M Championship
Connemara stallion Copperbeech Encore, ridden by Vikki Smith, has claimed the Mountain and Moorland Championship at the 2026 Horse of the Year Show. The Reserve Champion title went to Welsh mare Wortley Sinderella, ridden by Lucy Glover.
Equidara editorial team · 11 October 2026 · 1 min read
Copperbeech Encore, ridden by Vikki Smith, has triumphed in the Mountain and Moorland (M&M) Championship at the 2026 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). This was reported by the British equestrian magazine Horse & Hound in their report on October 9, 2026. The seven-year-old Connemara stallion is owned by Debbie Todd, and Smith has been riding him for two seasons.
Securing Qualification at the Final Opportunity
Copperbeech Encore secured his spot at the Moreton-in-Marsh Show, the final qualifier of the season. Prior to this, he had won at the Dublin Horse Show and placed second at the Clifden Connemara Show.
The stallion is also used for breeding, which meant he didn't start competing at the beginning of the season. Furthermore, the team missed several qualifiers due to an extended stay in Ireland.
Initially, in the HOYS arena, he reacted with some apprehension to the spotlights. “He was a little worried, but he trusted me,” Smith commented. After that, he performed beautifully. For owner Todd, it was the first time one of her own Connemaras had competed at this show. This title is intended to mark the end of his HOYS career.
Wortley Sinderella Named Reserve Champion
The Reserve Champion title was claimed by the Welsh Pony Section B mare Wortley Sinderella, ridden by Lucy Glover. The mare was bred by Gillian Simpson. She had only been broken in during spring 2026 and had competed in just a few young pony classes before qualifying for HOYS.
Sources
Written by Equidara editorial team. Last checked: 11 October 2026.
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