British five-star showjumper Jodie Hall McAteer shares her reflections on the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the state of producing young horses in Britain compared to Europe. She appreciates the nostalgic and familiar atmosphere of HOYS, highlighting the strong sense of community in British showjumping. After spending time competing in Europe, she values the growing opportunities to compete at a high level within the UK, which has allowed her to effectively develop a younger team of horses at home. Despite the challenges of a quieter winter calendar, she remains optimistic about building her career in Britain, inspired by top riders like Scott Brash and Ben Maher who continue to be based there.

Jodie notes the solid infrastructure of British showjumping with well-organized events such as Chepstow, Bolesworth, and Hickstead, and praises the sport’s health and competitiveness, evidenced by recent successes like Di Lampard’s team. She calls for a stronger British premier series during the winter months to fill the current gap in the calendar. Overall, she is encouraged by the potential for the next generation of riders to thrive in the UK, balancing domestic competition with selective international trips.