The wait is over – the line-up for the 2026 evoke All Star Academy has officially been announced, and it’s a brilliant mix of riders, each paired with a horse who means the world to them. From a Royal Navy veteran with a knack for statistically improbable injuries to a paramedic who can nap anywhere, this year’s cohort is full of personality, grit and horsey passion. Here’s your introduction to the riders and horses taking in the evoke All Star Academy this year.
Justine & Donny
Justine runs her own equestrian marketing consultancy and brings a wealth of industry know-how to the Academy, alongside a fun fact that’s hard to beat: she helped bring the McFlurry to the UK. Her eventing discipline of choice is no surprise given her idol is the legendary Lucinda Green.
Her horse Donny is a 14-year-old English Sports Horse standing at 16.1hh, and the pair have been together for almost three years. Donny’s favourite treat is any kind of mash — the messier the better – and one of Justine’s favourite memories with him is hedge hopping alongside three-time Olympian Vittoria Panizzon. Her goal for the year ahead? Competing at BE80. As Justine puts it, “if he hasn’t given me the right answer I probably haven’t asked the right question.”
Nic & Lad
A detective in child protection by day, Nic swapped a former life as a dancer for horse riding – though she can still do the splits. She loves dressage but admits cross-country still scares her, even though her horse Lad absolutely loves to jump. Her equestrian idols include Ros Canter, Becky Moody, Lottie Fry and Khadija Mellah.
Lad is a 9-year-old, 16.2hh Thoroughbred who’s been by Nic’s side for three years, and has come through surgery for kissing spines. One of Nic’s proudest memories is their first pleasure ride together following Lad’s rehab. Her aim for the coming year is simple: build the confidence to do more jumping with him, guided by the lesson he’s taught her – always listen to him and take their time.
Tiger & Alfie
Tiger, a business owner, only partnered with Alfie (full name Ballyerk Alfonso) four months ago, but the pair are already making waves in showjumping. Tiger’s party trick is impressive – he can jump 1.40m on foot – and he even named his puppy Joey after showjumper Joe Stockdale, his equestrian idol.
Alfie is a 7-year-old, 148cm Connemara. Tiger’s favourite memory so far is his first clear round at the David Broome Centre after knocking his confidence, and he’s aiming to confidently jump 90cm with him this year. His biggest lesson from Alfie sums up their partnership: “if I trust Alfie, then he trusts me and we absolutely blow everything out of the park.”
Ben & Aloura
An aircraft engineer by trade, Ben joined the Navy at 16 hoping to travel the world – only to never leave the UK, thanks to Covid. He competes in showjumping and counts Simon Grieve as his idol, with wound cream as his must-have product.
His horse Aloura is an 8-year-old, 17.1hh Thoroughbred x Irish Draught, and she holds a special place in Ben’s story as the very first horse he ever rode. The pair have been together for 20 months, and one of their best memories together is winning double firsts at their first ever competition. This year, Ben is hoping to affiliate and qualify for a national championships.
Amelia & Leo
Amelia works as a Key Account Director in financial technology, and her unusual party trick is breaking a whole apple in half with her bare hands. An eventing fan through and through, she grew up idolising Pippa Funnell – watching her at the Olympics, winning the Rolex Grand Slam, playing her video games, and now listening to her podcast.
Leo is a 14-year-old, 16.1hh Belgian Warmblood who Amelia has owned for 18 months. Her favourite memory is their first event at Little Downham, where Leo flew round the cross-country course ears forward, leaving her overwhelmed with happiness, relief and gratitude. This year, Amelia is hoping to earn a Badminton Grassroots qualification, move up a BS level, and take Leo to the beach. Above all, Leo has taught her patience — learning to be soft with a sensitive horse who’s scared of the mounting block but has learned to trust her.
Tegenn & Alice
A paramedic in her day job, Tegenn can apparently fall asleep almost anywhere – a handy skill on shift. Cross-country is her discipline of choice and like Amelia, she counts Pippa Funnell among her idols.
Her horse Alice is a 12-year-old, 15.3hh Warmblood who Tegenn has owned for five months. Their favourite memory together so far is galloping on the beach, and this year Tegenn is aiming for Newcomers showjumping and some grassroots British Eventing. Above all, her goal is simple: to have fun and enjoy the sport.
Becca & Gibson
A Finance Manager and Data Analyst at Amazon, and a retired Royal Navy Officer, Becca brings serious character to the Academy. She never rides without her evoke hat, which she credits with saving her from a fall so dramatic she can’t remember it, and she’s a self-confessed collector of Blackfort Breggings in every colour. Her idols are Ros Canter, for her superhuman consistency, and SillyPrune, for reminding everyone that horses are meant to be enjoyed and laughed with.
Gibson is a 16-year-old, 17hh Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) who Becca describes as her horse of a lifetime, and the pair have been together for 12 years. His competition highlights include clear rounds at Royal Windsor, Blenheim and Gatcombe Eventer Challenges, Hickstead, and the Barbury Cotswold Cup, plus success in formation riding and team chasing. This year, Becca’s focus is longevity and enjoying every moment with Gibson – and if she can jump another 1.10m track along the way, even better. Her biggest lesson from him: the game above the prize – variety, happiness and health matter more than any ribbon.
Hannah & Seven
Working in social media marketing, Hannah once took scuba-diving lessons in Thailand – a fun contrast to her love of cross-country in the saddle and like several of her fellow contestants, counts Pippa Funnell as her idol.
Seven is a 14-year-old, 16.2hh Thoroughbred, and the pair have been a partnership for two and a half years. Hannah’s favourite memory is completing their first event at Hazelton Manor in April with a double clear inside the time. This year, she’s hoping to improve their dressage marks in eventing and confidently step up to BE80. Her biggest lesson from Seven: patience, and taking everything slowly to enjoy the journey as much as the result.
Eight riders, eight incredible horses, and one Academy — the 2026 evoke All Star Academy is shaping up to be an unmissable season. Follow along as this year’s contestants take on the challenges ahead!