Ellie Hirst

The 26-year-old is making headway in the working hunter and showjumping spheres from her Norfolk base. Alex Robinson learns about the horses who made her and the ones to watch

- Alex Robinson

THE working hunter course built at the Royal International (RIHS) is arguably the most famed on the showing circuit. A true hunting-style track with iconic permanent fences and tricky lines, it requires agility and bravery, from both horses and riders, in equal measures.

Only the best-prepared combinations will return home with a clean score sheet and just four standout horses from the lightweight and heavyweight classes make it into the main arena championship.

In 2022, one of the youngest riders on the horse worker circuit came to the fore to lift the RIHS working hunter supreme title. It was Ellie Hirst – just 25 at the time – and her heavyweight winner Noble Gladiator (OB), who was competing in his third class of the week, after also appearing in the middleweight and ladies’ hunter finals. The victory was a bucket-list moment for Ellie, now 26, who had watched older sister Fiona Hirst win the same heavyweight class in 2015 and 2016 aboard the family’s Dartans Barrack.

“That track and the atmosphere are just made for OB,” reflects Ellie, who achieved another dream result earlier this year with the 12-year-old – bought from Kelly Ward in 2017 – when he was champion at Royal Windsor. “I’d jumped clear [at the RIHS] and finished third on my lightweight, Lord Domino, just missing out on getting into the championship in the main ring, something I’d always dreamt of. I tried to keep the nerves at bay while on OB, but I think he wanted to win as much as I did. When they called us forward as class winners, I couldn’t believe we’d done it.”