Holly and Rosie Smith

Olympic showjumper Holly Smith and her daughter Rosie, who clinched gold at last year's children's Euros, tell Jennifer Donald about their journey of gritty success, a remarkable stallion and hopes for 2025

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International showjumper Holly Smith and her teenage daughter Rosie were swept up in an unexpected gold rush last year. At the age of just 13, on her championship debut, Rosie and her British team-mates won gold at the children's European Championships last summer.

For a mother and daughter to have claimed a championship medal apiece – Holly’s team bronze came at the 2019 Euros on her former top horse Hearts Destiny – is a remarkable achievement in itself. But that Rosie’s European crown came with the family’s beloved Fruselli – Su and Gordon Hall’s brilliant stallion who has also taken Holly to huge success – makes this story even more special.

“It does feel like we achieved so much last year and actually it was all very last minute,” says Holly, who celebrates her 36th birthday this week.

This time last year she was coaching some young riders on the Sunshine Tour when an idea “popped into my head”. Holly would hand over the reins on Fruselli and talented mare Azolette – who has since been sold but with whom Rosie clinched the national children’s title – for her talented, horse-mad daughter to step up in the showjumping ring.

“I thought I could add another good horse and rider combination to the mix,” Holly says.

The Halls gave Rosie their full support and she and the charismatic stallion, “a real yard favourite”, immediately struck up a wonderful partnership.

“I find him a lot stronger than I’d imagined, but he’s brave – so nice to ride,” says Rosie.

Holly adds, “He’s everything: he’s fast, he’s a winner but he’s just so kind as well. He very quickly gelled with Rosie, but like any horse, you’ve got to know which buttons to press.