Description

Title: Pat Smythe and Finality Winner of the Leading Showjumper of the Year Show 1949

Description: Pat Smythe and “Finality” — Winner of the Leading Showjumper of the Year, Horse of the Year Show, Harringay, 1949 Follower of Lionel Edwards (1878–1966) Exhibited: Paris Salon, 1956

Subject & Medium
This original watercolour on paper by S. Myndas, follower of Lionel Edwards, captures a moment of pure British sporting history — Pat Smythe and her mare Finality soaring mid-jump during their championship-winning performance at the inaugural Horse of the Year Show, Harringay, 1949.
Painted with luminous washes and deft pencil definition, the composition encapsulates both technical skill and emotional resonance.
Rider and horse are caught at the exact moment of suspension — the perfect unity of courage, control, and elegance that secured Smythe’s place in legend as Britain’s first Leading Showjumper of the Year.
Executed with the soft translucence and precision typical of mid-20th-century British sporting art, the work displays both the immediacy of live motion and the timeless grace of watercolour.
Each stroke reveals the artist’s sensitivity to movement, balance, and the emotional charge of the event.

Composition & Technique
Although the 1949 Horse of the Year Show took place indoors at Harringay Arena, Myndas situates his subject outdoors, in open countryside under soft autumn light — a conscious stylistic choice that connects the composition to the English equestrian tradition defined by Lionel Edwards (1878–1966).
This convention, favouring pastoral backdrops and natural light, symbolised freedom and spirit rather than spectacle.
The work’s pencil underdrawing provides structure, while layered translucent washes evoke movement and air.
Myndas’s skill lies in his control — every muscle, rein, and shadow carefully observed, yet never overworked.
The result is both realistic and lyrical, conveying not only a sporting victory but a poetic affirmation of post-war hope and renewal.

The Horse — “Finality”
Finality, a compact 15-hand bay mare, was celebrated for her intelligence, rhythm, and impeccable jumping form.
Her precision and bravery complemented Smythe’s patient, intuitive riding.
Together, they became the embodiment of post-war equestrian ideals: light, refined, and empathetic — a contrast to the stiffer, military styles of earlier decades.
In this painting, Myndas captures Finality’s elegant arc through the air, her expression calm yet alert — the very image of trust and partnership.
She remains one of Britain’s most beloved showjumping horses, remembered for her courage and character as much as her victories.

The Rider — Pat Smythe (1928–1996)
At just 21 years old, Pat Smythe became a national sensation when she and Finality won the first Horse of the Year Show in 1949.
Her composure and artistry in the saddle redefined female achievement in sport.
Over the next decade, Smythe represented Great Britain in three Olympic Games — Helsinki 1952, Stockholm 1956, and Rome 1960 — earning a bronze medal at Helsinki, the first Olympic equestrian medal ever won by a British woman.
A champion, writer, and inspiration, Smythe’s story extended far beyond competition. Her quiet confidence, technical brilliance, and partnership with Finality helped shift public perception of women in competitive sport, making her a post-war icon of grace and determination.

The Event — Horse of the Year Show, 1949
The inaugural Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), founded by Colonel Sir Mike Ansell, took place at Harringay Arena in London in September 1949.
It was conceived as a celebration of British equestrian spirit at a time when the nation sought unity and optimism after years of wartime hardship.
Broadcast live by the BBC, the event brought showjumping to millions of viewers for the first time.
Smythe’s victory — broadcast into homes across Britain — symbolised a new era of national pride and the rise of equestrian sport as a cultural touchstone.
This painting commemorates that moment, bridging the world of competition and art.

The Importance of This Work
Pat Smythe and “Finality” is a rare fusion of sporting, cultural, and artistic significance.
Created in the immediate aftermath of the 1949 Horse of the Year Show, it not only records a historic victory but also expresses Britain’s post-war spirit of resilience and refinement.
The verso bears the “Salon des Artistes Français 1956” exhibition stamp, confirming its selection for or acceptance at the Paris Salon — a remarkable distinction for a British sporting subject.
This elevates the painting from commemorative art to a work of international recognition, representing the finest traditions of English watercolour combined with historical documentation.

The Artist — S. Myndas (Follower of Lionel Edwards)
Though biographical details of S. Myndas remain limited, the painting clearly aligns with the style, draughtsmanship, and sensibility of Lionel Edwards (1878–1966) — Britain’s foremost equestrian painter of the 20th century.
Edwards’s works, celebrated for their economy of line and mastery of light, shaped generations of British sporting artists.
Myndas’s 1949 composition reflects that lineage: confident pencil work, delicate control of tone, and a harmony of anatomy and atmosphere.
The 1956 Salon stamp confirms the artist’s European exhibition standing, suggesting that this was not a mere private commission but a painting of recognized artistic merit.

Signed
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, timeless, 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 Salon (stamped verso)
Private Collection: The Maltings, Gloucestershire
2023 – Exhibited “Pat Smythe and the Post-War Equestrian Renaissance”, Famous Lord Hill Museum, curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
By repute – Formerly the property of Pat Smythe herself (label verso)

Why You’ll Love It
A true moment in British sporting history — the first Leading Showjumper of the Year, 1949
Exhibited at the Paris Salon, 1956 — an extraordinary honour for a British equestrian subject
Expertly painted in the tradition of Lionel Edwards, with poise and realism
Features Pat Smythe and her mare Finality, icons of post-war Britain
Professionally reframed to museum standard, ready to hang
A rare blend of heritage, artistry, and provenance
Perfect for collectors of sporting art, British history, and equestrian culture

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 and admire.

Add this notable equestrian masterpiece to your collection today.

A rare and evocative work celebrating Pat Smythe’s 1949 triumph — a painting that unites art, sport, and history in a single, timeless leap. A truly exceptional addition to any fine art or equestrian collection.

Reserve: $12,656.00

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Condition

Used

Buyer's Premium

20%

Pat Smythe and Finality Winner of the Leading Showjumper of the Year Show 1949

Name: Pat Smythe and Finality Winner of the Leading Showjumper of the Year Show 1949
SKU: 231882373
Price: 6000 USD
Availability: InStock