GUDE AFFAIR NAMED 2025 ROOD & RIDDLE SPORT HORSE OF THE YEAR
Contact: Lauren Biddle
lauren@toba.org
859-276-6793
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) announced Gude Affair, owned and ridden by Allison Smith, as the recipient of the 2025 Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year
Award. The award will be presented during the TOBA National Awards Dinner on September 10 at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Ky., where TOBA will recognize outstanding achievements in Thoroughbred breeding, racing and sport horse competition.
A former racehorse who has gone on to a successful second career in the hunter/jumper arena, Gude Affair has compiled an impressive record in show jumping competition under Smith’s guidance. The 16-year-old Thoroughbred has competed successfully in classes ranging from 1.10m through 1.20m and recorded multiple victories throughout the 2025 season.
Smith has owned Gude Affair, known around the barn as “Roo,” since he was three years old. Over the course of their 13-year partnership, the pair has competed in a variety of disciplines, including eventing, dressage and show jumping. In recent years, Roo has excelled in the jumper ring, prompting Smith to expand his competition schedule and pursue higher-level opportunities.
During the past year, Gude Affair earned wins and top placings at competitions throughout the region, including victories at shows in Ohio and strong performances in classics, zone finals and his first Mini Prix competition. Smith credited the horse’s consistency, versatility and willingness to adapt to new venues and challenges as key factors in his success.
“Last year I decided that I was going to try everything I could with him,” said Smith. “We did all the different classics I could find, went to different shows, won in Ohio, tried our first Mini Prix, competed at Tryon and won at the Zone Finals. He handled every challenge we put in front of him.”
Originally involved in Pony Club and Young Riders programs, Smith developed an appreciation for Thoroughbreds while working with FEI event rider Lynn Symansky and caring for the Thoroughbred event horse Donner. Her experience with Thoroughbreds continued through her own competitive career and ultimately led to her long partnership with Gude Affair.
The Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year Award recognizes Thoroughbreds that have demonstrated exceptional success in a second career following racing. Gude Affair’s accomplishments across multiple disciplines, and particularly his achievements in show jumping, showcase the versatility and athleticism of the Thoroughbred breed.
Zealand (who raced as Our Prince Charlie), owned by Grace Walker, was the recipient of the 2024 Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year Award.
Tickets to the 2026 TOBA National Awards are now available and can be purchased at https://toba.org/awards-2026/.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), based in Lexington, Ky., was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of leading Thoroughbred owners and breeders. TOBA’s mission is to improve the economics, integrity and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders. Projects managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, Claiming Crown, Ownership Seminars, Breeding, Conformation & Pedigree Clinics, US-Bred, OwnerView and the Sales Integrity Program. TOBA provides international representation for U.S. owners and breeders on the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee, International Cataloguing Standards Committee and International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation. Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) is the charitable arm of TOBA. TOBA Media Properties, a subsidiary of TOBA, is the co-owner of BloodHorse LLC. TOBA is represented on the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium as founding members.