The pages of the anniversary issue include exclusive birthday content and Britain’s best-loved riders reflect on what Horse & Hound means to them. 

Fifteen renowned riders from across the sport’s disciplines — including Carl Hester, David Broome and William Fox-Pitt — recall their Horse & Hound memories: their first covers, first pictures, first mentions and the part the brand has played in their careers. Mary King reminisces on reading the magazine on the school bus and says “It was always a dream to be on the cover…”; Ginny Elliot reveals she’s kept all her covers and everything written about her in scrapbooks; and Carl Hester says “H&H is the greatest equestrian magazine of my lifetime.”

Taking a nostalgic look at the past 135 years of the sport, former franchise The picture…the story is brought back, with the team speaking to those involved in five iconic moments from the sport’s history. Readers can also enjoy a reprinted interview with HRH The Prince of Wales that appeared in the Five I Won’t Forget series —one of the title’s most popular franchises of the past 50 years — in which he remembers the five horses who meant the most to him throughout his riding career.

In H&H Hero to Hero, Horse & Hound invites its equestrian icons to interview their heroes from the sport. Charlotte Dujardin speaks with Carl Hester; Piggy French to Mary King; and Scott Brash to Nick Skelton.

Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief Sarah Jenkins, says: “Since launching in 1884 and over the course of 7,000 editions, there have been many highlights for Horse & Hound; capturing history-making moments, guest edits from Olympic medal winning riders, launching our Horse & Hound Awards and, of course, being name-checked by Hugh Grant in the film Notting Hill. Illustrator David Stoten has immortalised some of our best-loved horses and riders for the cover, artfully reflecting the sense of humour commonly found in equestrian sport, which I know will make our readers smile. The interviews between riders in our Hero to Hero franchise are some of the most insightful and joyous I have had the pleasure to read in sports journalism and I’m extremely proud of our team for creating this beautiful, bumper and extra special issue — which was no mean feat with its additional 60 pages.”

Gareth Beesley, Horse & Hound managing director, adds: “Horse & Hound is regarded as the bible of the equestrian world and the comments from Britain’s best riders on what this brand has meant to them over the years is a fantastic endorsement of this truly iconic brand.” 

The birthday issue is on sale from Thursday 20 June.