12 to watch in 2024

Which up-and-coming riders will make their mark this season? H&H predicts this year’s rising stars

- 

SHOWJUMPING Leo Lamb

THIS young horseman only started competing at age 16, building a reputation as a sympathetic producer of young horses. But with two of those home-produced stars now ready to step up – the eight-year-old Gmail and seven-year-old home-bred Chrysler Key SR (above) – and with the British Showjumping gold development programme behind him, this could be the year the talented 23-year-old is propelled into the top tiers of the sport.

“I just wanted last year to be over so I could start doing it all this year – I’m so excited,” says Leo. “I have two amazing horses in Chrysler and Gmail so I’m hoping this year will be my best yet. We’re heading to Spain in March so hopefully by the end of that, Gmail will be jumping in a few ranking classes, then by the end of the year it would be amazing if we could be picked for a team. Then I’d love to try to get the three HOYS [Horse of the Year Show] tickets for Chrysler like I did with Gmail last year.”

Fergal Holohan 

THE 17-year-old is currently juggling school with showjumping and qualified for the prestigious under-25 British Championship at the London International, riding his mother’s “fantastic” home-bred Kan Annie (right).

Based in Ayrshire, this rising star was born into the saddle. His father is a former National Hunt jockey and his mother a showjumper and coach, but he has produced all his horses and ponies himself and this is reflected in his quietly assured riding style.