The best equestrian artists strike a rich chord, touching us on a deeper level than mere aesthetic appeal. Catherine Austen finds out which paintings speak to art-loving riders

We celebrate the achievements of some top horses who died in 2025

Fans of the leading British artist David Hockney will know how much he doted on his pet dachshunds. Sold at Phillips last autumn, Little Stanley Sleeping was a poster made for the show ‘David Hockney:

Painting a local cricket match, Sherree Valentine-Daines received an invitation that changed her career and led her to become artist-in-residence at Goodwood

Native ponies reign in the supreme championships, with an experienced Dartmoor and a promising Highland colt each shine brightest in their respective divisions

A sale of Modern British Art earlier this year brimmed with the kind of wonderful works that auctioneers find a little heart-wrenching to let go, including a Waterfall full of wild windiness by Sir Kyffin Williams