Evie Daffin from Worksop is the latest British Showjumping Shining Star
Friday 20 February 2026
Evie Daffin, from Worksop, Nottinghamshire has been awarded the latest British Showjumping Shining Star accolade. Evie, a member of the British Showjumping Nottinghamshire Academy, was nominated for the award by her coach, Joanne Burns-Firth.
Fourteen-year-old Evie was over the moon to discover she had been nominated for the British Showjumping Shining Star Award. She currently competes three horses and ponies: Huberlienes T, known at home as Benny, who is a 14-year-old KWPN gelding who switched from eventing to showjumping in 2018; Annaghmore Whirlwind, or “Twister”, a 15-year-old Irish Sports Pony whom Evie has owned since he was four years old; and Glenomra Inis, known as “Diamond”, a seven-year-old Irish Sports Horse Evie is looking forward to producing further this year.
Evie’s British Showjumping journey started back in 2023 and since then she has gained a lot of experience and is looking forward for the future in her showjumping journey: “I have particularly enjoyed competing at Welsh Home Pony International for the past couple of years and hopefully will make it a third year competing there this year.
“In February 2025, I started riding Benny. I quickly moved up the heights and ended the year competing in some Young Rider and 1.10m classes which I absolutely loved. I’m also really excited to hopefully compete in some Children on Horses classes with Benny this year. I would also love to compete in a Horse of the Year Show qualifier on Benny and to continue producing Diamond to a high standard.”
Joanne Burns-Firth, Lead Coach for the Nottinghamshire Academy, said: “Evie is a valued member of our Academy, and she has successfully made the step from her ponies onto horses. She represented the Academy at the National Championships where she won the 90cm horse warm up class but more importantly she took time to make all the team members welcome, making them charms to put on their bridles and helped to decorate all the horses and riders. Whilst being successful is amazing, the lessons around good sportsmanship and the friendships made at Academy are invaluable.”
Commenting about what she most enjoys about being a part of the Nottinghamshire Academy, Evie said; “I absolutely love being a part of the Nottinghamshire Academy. Everyone is so supportive of each other, both at training and at shows, and our lead coach, Jo, always makes training fun and helps us to achieve our goal no matter how big or small.”
Stephanie Toogood, National Director of Sport for British Showjumping, said: “Evie is a fantastic role model within the Academy pathway. While her success in the ring is impressive, it’s her sportsmanship, kindness and the support she shows her teammates that truly make her a worthy Shining Star.”
The British Showjumping is for members of a Junior Academy who have shown a great deal of commitment, progression, and outstanding behaviour, along with their riding ability and much more. Riders are nominated by their lead coach and then judged and awarded by British Showjumping to one member each month.
Further information on the British Showjumping Academies can be found here: britishshowjumping.co.uk/training/Academies-1
