Equestrian Masterpiece A Leap To Glory — Pat Smythe And Finality, 1949 Harringay

A Leap to Glory — Pat Smythe and Finality, 1949
Winner of the Leading Showjumper of the Year, Horse of the Year Show, Harringay
S. Myndas (Follower of Lionel Edwards, 1878–1966)
Exhibited: Salon des Artistes Français (Paris Salon), 1956
Subject & Medium
This original watercolour on paper by S. Myndas, follower of Lionel Edwards, captures a moment of pure sporting triumph — Pat Smythe and her mare Finality mid-flight during their championship-winning performance at the inaugural Horse of the Year Show, Harringay, 1949.
Executed with luminous washes and deft pencil work, the painting unites technical precision with emotional depth. Horse and rider are suspended in perfect balance, embodying courage, elegance, and control — the very qualities that defined Smythe’s historic victory as Britain’s first Leading Showjumper of the Year.
This composition epitomises the vitality and refinement of mid-twentieth-century British sporting art, where movement, atmosphere, and character merge seamlessly.
Composition & Technique
Though the 1949 competition was held indoors at London’s Harringay Arena, Myndas relocates his subject outdoors beneath a soft autumn sky — a deliberate choice reflecting the pastoral tradition of Lionel Edwards.
The open landscape evokes freedom and grace rather than spectacle. Beneath its calm surface, the work reveals a disciplined structure: a confident pencil underdrawing, transparent washes of colour, and subtle shifts of tone suggesting air and motion.
Every detail — muscle, rein, and shadow — is precisely observed yet never overstated. The result is both realistic and lyrical, blending the immediacy of competition with a timeless serenity.
The Horse — Finality
Finality, a compact fifteen-hand bay mare, was admired for her rhythm, intelligence, and flawless jumping style. Her composure and courage complemented Smythe’s intuitive control, their partnership founded on trust and harmony.
In this painting, Finality is portrayed at the height of her arc, her expression calm yet intent — the image of unity and balance in motion. She remains one of Britain’s most beloved showjumping horses, remembered for her character as much as her achievements.
The Rider — Pat Smythe (1928–1996)
At twenty-one, Pat Smythe became a national icon when she and Finality claimed victory at the first Horse of the Year Show. Her artistry and composure redefined women’s roles in competitive sport.
Over the next decade, she represented Great Britain in three Olympic Games — Helsinki 1952, Stockholm 1956, and Rome 1960 — winning a bronze medal in Helsinki, the first Olympic equestrian medal ever awarded to a British woman.
Her legacy extended beyond competition. Smythe’s quiet authority, skill, and determination made her a symbol of post-war resilience and grace.
The Event — Horse of the Year Show, 1949
The inaugural Horse of the Year Show, founded by Colonel Sir Mike Ansell, took place at Harringay Arena in September 1949. Conceived as a celebration of national renewal, it quickly became a cornerstone of British equestrian culture.
Broadcast live by the BBC, the event brought showjumping to a wide audience for the first time. Smythe’s victory became a defining post-war moment, representing courage, unity, and pride.
Myndas’s painting captures this spirit — the fusion of sport, artistry, and national optimism.
Significance
A Leap to Glory — Pat Smythe and Finality, 1949 is both a work of art and a historical document. Created in the aftermath of Smythe’s victory, it reflects Britain’s post-war confidence and refinement.
The verso bears the stamp of the Salon des Artistes Français, 1956, confirming its exhibition or acceptance at the Paris Salon — a rare honour for a British sporting subject.
The painting thus transcends commemoration, embodying the highest traditions of English watercolour combined with international recognition.
The Artist — S. Myndas (Follower of Lionel Edwards)
Though little is known about S. Myndas, this painting clearly reflects the influence of Lionel Edwards (1878–1966), Britain’s foremost equestrian painter.
Myndas’s confident draughtsmanship, tonal control, and sensitivity to equine anatomy show both skill and reverence for the tradition established by Edwards. The Paris Salon stamp further confirms the artist’s professional stature and exhibition history.
Signature
Lower right: “Pat Smythe / Finality / 1949 / S. Myndas”
Verso: Stamped “Salon des Artistes Français, 1956.”
Frame
Newly framed to museum conservation standard:
Larson Juhl gold-leaf spoon-profile moulded frame
AR70 anti-reflective, UV-protective glass
White and gold double mount complementing the palette
Acid-free backing, sealed and professionally finished
Elegant, archival, and ready for display.
Dimensions
Framed: 71 cm (W) × 60 cm (H) × 4.5 cm (D)
Provenance
1949 – Painted and signed by S. Myndas to commemorate Pat Smythe’s victory at Harringay
c.1950 – Professionally framed by The Rowley Gallery Ltd., Kensington (label verso)
1956 – Exhibited or accepted at the Salon des Artistes Français, Paris (stamp verso)
Private Collection – The Maltings, Gloucestershire
2023 – Exhibited: “Pat Smythe and the Post-War Equestrian Renaissance”, Famous Lord Hill Museum, Shrewsbury, curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
By repute – Formerly the property of Pat Smythe herself (label verso)
Condition
Excellent condition. Colours are bright; paper is stable with no foxing or fading.
Professionally conserved and newly framed using archival materials and UV-protective glass.
Ready to hang.
Highlights
A pivotal moment in British sporting history — the first Leading Showjumper of the Year, 1949
Exhibited at the Paris Salon, 1956, an exceptional distinction for a British equestrian subject
Painted in the refined tradition of Lionel Edwards
Features Pat Smythe and her celebrated mare Finality
Exceptional provenance and museum-standard presentation
Perfect for collectors of sporting art, British heritage, and equestrian culture
Shipping
Worldwide shipping available. Professionally packed, fully insured, and dispatched with care.
A Leap to Glory — Pat Smythe and Finality, 1949 is a rare and moving tribute to one of Britain’s most iconic sporting moments — a painting that unites art, history, and heroism in a single, timeless image.