The Herts County Show 2025 once again proved why it is one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures in the equestrian calendar. From elegant hunters and charming cobs to promising young ponies, this year’s Rising Star and Performance competitors went on to deliver unforgettable moments at the London International Horse Show, having secured their qualification at Herts.
Excellent results in the Open Cradle Stakes Champion, Islyn Arafa Don, ridden by Miss Frankie Summers, who captured both 1st place and the overall Championship title. It was a class brimming with quality, but Frankie and Islyn Arafa Don’s polished, rhythmic show set the standard for the day — earning them their well-deserved victory and the top headline of the show.
Across the Rising Star sections, it was a fantastic display of upcoming talent.
- Miss Jemma Millman and Clooniereen Silver Knightnot only captured the judges’ attention as Rising Star of Ridden Hunter Type (Lightweight/Small Horse) but also proudly took home the Healthiest Body and Turnout award, a testament to their care and presentation.
- Miss Georgina Steele guided Samjen Charlieto a strong 10th place in the Ridden Hunter (Middleweight/Heavyweight), while Miss Sophie Brown and the ever-popular Red Himself clinched 4th in the Rising Star Cob section.
- Miss Charlotte Wheeler, riding Clononey Ruby, achieved a well-earned 8th in the Rising Star Maxi Cob, and Miss Zara Thain aboard Courtwas congratulated for a wonderful effort in the Small Hack/Riding Horse section.
- The Working Show Horse section saw Miss Helen Forster and HS Queen Beaimpress their way to 2nd place and the title of Reserve Champion, while Mr Noel Cochrane, aboard Gone With the Wind, earned glowing praise for his performance in the Working Hunter Type division.
The Side Saddle discipline saw Miss Barbara Wale and Hide ’n’ Seek beautifully presented to take 7th place, while in the Heritage divisions, Mrs Rachel Bakshi with Cibberswick Lancelot and Miss Claire Sutcliffe aboard Crumpwell Finella both received warm congratulations for their lovely performances.
Among the younger riders, Miss Scarlett Sharp stole hearts and headlines as she and Northford Money Spinner (“Bee”) achieved 2nd place in the Junior Performance Pony Scarlett described the experience in her own words:
“LIHS was magical – Bee has never been at such an atmospheric show before or in that kind of environment, so we weren’t sure how she would cope, but she pinged round like she had done it all before. We were on joint marks with the winner, and I had worked really hard for the final. It was my first time, and to come 2nd was just incredible.”
For Scarlett, this achievement was deeply personal. Having lost two beloved ponies in the two years leading up to the show — one only weeks before Herts County — she entered with no expectations, just a heartfelt determination to ride for the joy of it. With what started as a simple wish to represent at their local show turned into a dream LIHS qualification and Reserve placing.
Elsewhere in the performance rings, Mr Owen Parker and Rushill Diplomat finished 6th in the Open Nursery Stakes, while Miss Daisy-May Ovens and Melliver Willy Wonka took 11th in the 148cm BSPS Performance Pony, and Miss Lucie Gorden-Burdess achieved 8th place with Bankswood Savoir Faire and further congratulations for her impressive results aboard Burghwallis Creme de la Creme in the Coloured Native/Traditional/Hogged section.
Mrs Sophie Johnson and Trevadlock Golden Star also earned warm praise for a polished show in the Coloured Non-Native Horse/Pony division.
✨ In summary, the 2025 Herts County Show celebrated exceptional horsemanship, resilience, and rising talent — from Frankie Summers’ championship performance to Scarlett Sharp’s inspirational journey to LIHS. It was a weekend where hard work, heart, and harmony between horse and rider truly took centre stage — and the future of equestrian sport looked as bright as ever.
Note: The Rising Star is run by the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) and is for amateur riders (minimum age 15) and horses (over 148cms), the Performance classes are run by the British Show Pony Association and are for ponies (except the coloureds and riders are generally under 25).
Image
Miss Scarlett Sharp Northford Money Spinner
Image Credit Real Time imaging
Results at LIHS Gallery Images include Daisy Darby and Bankswood Savoir Faire Photo Credit Real Time Imaging
