'It's the stuff of dreams' - Rugby rider qualifies for Britain's top horse show

"A year ago, I didn’t even know I wanted to show. I had zero experience of showing and it was my second ever showing show, and the first time ever in the ring with the horse I qualified for the American Miniature HOYS final.

"I live in London but the horse – the incredible JSW Peppermint Blaze – is based at Minstrels Miniatures in Warwickshire and I’m going there twice a week for pre-HOYS training.”

Last December, following the unexpected end of a relationship, Katharine lost her ‘forever’ home, moved into a little flat and back to working full time marketing for a property company.

"I moved my two horses to a new yard where I knew nobody. I made another unexpected decision. I bought an American Miniature Horse, EBF Vinnies Black Moon Ashes (aka Cinders), from Minstrels Miniatures.

“I had no intention of becoming a show person and knew virtually nothing about miniature horse showing. But through Cinders, I got to know Tolga and Carol Cooper, who encouraged me to have a go. That led to Carol offering me the opportunity to try to qualify her own heart horse, Peppermint, for HOYS.”

Peppermint is a four-year-old American Miniature mare standing at just 31.5 inches with ‘superstar’ written through every inch.

"Her movement, looks and beautiful face are breathtaking, and she has a presence and power far beyond her tiny frame. She was born for the ring. Our qualifying show was the UKAMHS Open Spring Show. It was only my second ever showing show and my first time in the ring with Peppermint. I was absolutely terrified.

“Somehow the training came together. When our HOYS place was called I was completely overwhelmed.”

Since June, the journey towards HOYS has involved a huge amount of training, hard work and travelling for Katharine – alongside a full time job and caring for her own two horses.

“I also have an old brain injury which can make learning new skills and routines more challenging, so learning exactly where to stand, when to move and how to present Peppermint to her best advantage has been another part of the learning curve,” she said.

“HOYS has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was little, my mum used to take me to Wembley every year to watch the Horse of the Year Show.

"Later, I went with my stable friends, and it became one of those special events that was simply part of my equestrian life. I never imagined that one day I would walk through those gates as a competitor — certainly not at 48 years old. The whole thing still feels slightly surreal.

“Now I’m going to walk into the Horse of the Year Show. With Peppermint. At The Arena of Dreams. And if that isn’t the stuff of dreams I’m not sure what is!” she said.