Six-year-old Gracie May Whitaker, a pupil at Belmont Grosvenor School in Nidderdale and member of a renowned horse-riding family, will be featured in an upcoming Channel 4 documentary about the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Gracie, who has been riding ponies since before she could walk, comes from a lineage of elite equestrians including Olympic medallists John and Michael Whitaker and her father, European Gold medallist George Whitaker.

The documentary, presented by Matt Baker, offers a behind-the-scenes look at HOYS, highlighting the experiences of riders, horses, and supporters. Gracie, who placed fourth and fifth in recent pony competitions, was a strong contender with her horse Annandale Let’s Dance but chose to withdraw him from the class due to his distress from the event’s atmosphere. Her mother, Michaela Whitaker, also an accomplished equestrian, supports her decision.