The story behind the Philip Smith Memorial Trophy – one of South Africa’s coolest riding competitions!
Have you ever watched a really talented rider and thought, “Wow, they make it look SO easy”? That feeling of watching someone ride beautifully, like horse and rider are one, is exactly what equitation is all about!
But before we get to the epic competition that is the Philip Smith Memorial Trophy, let’s wind the clock back to 1969…
It all started in 1969
Back in 1969, a famous American riding coach called George Morris came to South Africa. He gave clinics (special training sessions) in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and even in Harare, Zimbabwe (which was called Salisbury back then).
When George arrived, he noticed that riders in South Africa used lots of different styles of riding – some picked up their skills from farming, some from the military, and some from European traditions. The result? A real mix of techniques!
George noticed that many riders could get results from their horses, but some looked much more polished and correct than others. He brought with him a very exciting idea from America:
“Perfect style creates a perfect performance from the horse.”
In other words – when YOU ride correctly and beautifully, your HORSE can perform at their very best. You give your horse the best possible chance to do what you’re asking.
Enter: Equitation in South Africa!
After all the excitement George Morris brought, a rider and trainer called Charlotte Stubbs got to work. In the 1970s, she officially launched Equitation as a discipline in South Africa.
The idea was brilliant: give riders helpful, constructive feedback – especially those in areas where good coaching wasn’t easy to find – and help everyone ride more correctly and effectively.
When Charlotte was asked what it would take to win the National Equitation Championships, she said hard work would be essential, but that the prestige of winning would be enormous – for both riders AND their instructors. And she was absolutely right! That’s still true today.
⭐ Fast fact!
Barry Taylor made it to the top six of the Nationals TWICE – finishing 4th in 1974 and 6th in 1975. He later coached the very first Philip Smith Memorial winner, Casey Lourens, in 2001!
The first National Championships
In 1971, the very first National Equitation Championships were held! Twenty-four riders, who had already won Silver medals in their provinces, competed for Gold. These competitions were held over several days in the indoor arena at the famous Rand Show venue.
The competition got tougher round by round. The top six riders even had to SWAP horses; they had to show they could ride any horse brilliantly, not just their own! Then the final two riders went head-to-head on a mystery horse, performing both flatwork and jumping tests. Talk about pressure!
Over time, this evolved into what we know today as the SA Junior Individual Equitation Championship.
The WAS Championship
In 1982, a brand-new title was launched: the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society (WAS) Supreme Equitation Championship. This quickly became THE title every ambitious young rider wanted to win! The WAS invited the top six riders from the SA Junior Individual Championship and used six borrowed horses – three for flatwork tests and three for jumping tests.
Some of today’s top riders have that WAS title on their CV, including Jonathan Clarke and Andrea Harrison.
And then… The Philip Smith Memorial Trophy 🏆
In 2001, a brand-new trophy took centre stage: the Philip Smith Memorial (PSM) Trophy. It was named in honour of Philip Smith, an incredibly talented and stylish rider who represented South Africa many times. What a legend to be named after!
The format was tweaked again to make things even more competitive. Only the TOP FOUR finalists from the previous year’s SA National Junior Individual Equitation Championship are invited to compete. So if you’re here, you’ve already proven you’re among the very best!
So what actually happens at the PSM?
The PSM is a two-day competition, and both days are seriously impressive.
Day 1 – Flatwork
Each rider performs a flatwork test – first on their OWN horse, and then on EACH of the other three horses. Judges are watching to see how smoothly and correctly you can ride horses that you’ve never ridden before. It’s all about feel, skill, and adaptability!
Day 2 – Jumping
Day two is jumping – again on your own horse and all the others. It kicks off with a gymnastic exercise ridden ONE-HANDED and with NO STIRRUPS (yes, really!), followed by a course of jumps set between 1.15m and 1.20m.
Here’s the really wild part: competitors are not allowed ANY outside help during the whole competition – not even during course walks or warm-ups. You’re totally on your own. This is where true horsemanship shines!
Why does Equitation matter?
From the very beginning, the goal of Equitation in South Africa has been to raise the standard of riding across the country – and it’s worked! But the journey never stops. Becoming a more correct and effective rider is something ALL of us can keep working towards, no matter our level.
International showjumper Jessica Springsteen (yes, of THAT Springsteen family!) put it perfectly:
“The best riders in the world with the best horses make it look so elegant and graceful. When you watch it done well, it looks so easy that it’s difficult for the public to understand how hard this really is.”
That ‘effortful effortlessness’ – making hard things look easy – is what every rider, coach, and pony parent should be aiming for. And the PSM is the perfect stage to see it in action!
Want to watch?
If you want to cheer on the 2026 PSM competitors and see South Africa’s most talented young equitation riders in action, head to the Bob Charter Arena on Saturday 4th April for the final. It’s going to be spectacular – don’t miss it! 🐴✨
