Holly Smith

Holly was born in Leicestershire to a horse-mad mum, and has ridden for as long as she can remember. Her first competitive memory was with a 12.2hh called Skater. They had lots of fun and he certainly taught Holly the highs and lows of competing from an early age. 

It wasn’t until Holly and her husband Graham found Dougie Douglas at the horse sales in Goresbridge, when Holly was 20 years old, that her career reached a real high point. Holly and Dougie were soon representing Great Britain on the senior Nations Cup teams.

Dougie Douglas and another purchase from the sales, Quarryquest Echo, were each bought for 5,800 euros – now Holly’s lucky number! Holly loves to see these two horses still competing at top level (Quarryquest Echo went on to have a successful eventing career with Piggy French before being sold to Japan), having been produced by her from a young age. 

Holly couldn’t do what she does without the support of husband Graham, who has an exceptional eye for young, raw horse talent and has given Holly so much confidence to go out there and have a go. It certainly helps that he has a background and interest in horses – he’s been national team chase champion for five years running, and now runs the Readyfield bloodhounds from home.

Holly finds it hard to have other interests outside of horses because they take up so much of her time, but if she’s not competing she likes to take her daughter, Rosie, out to a local show or try to find the time to make the family’s favourite meal – lamb chops!