Equestrian Painting Grace in Flight — Pat Smythe & Finality, 1949 Harringay Champions

Grace in Flight — 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 defining moment in British sporting history — Pat Smythe and her mare Finality mid-jump during their championship-winning performance at the inaugural Horse of the Year Show, Harringay, 1949. Painted with luminous washes and fine pencil definition, the work combines technical mastery with emotional depth. Horse and rider are suspended in perfect harmony — a fleeting instant of courage, control, and grace that established Smythe as Britain’s first Leading Showjumper of the Year. The composition exemplifies the refined clarity and atmosphere of mid-twentieth-century British sporting art, every brushstroke alive with energy, precision, and poise. Composition & Technique:- Although the 1949 event took place indoors at London’s Harringay Arena, Myndas reimagines the scene beneath open skies, bathed in soft autumn light — a deliberate artistic choice echoing the pastoral tradition of Lionel Edwards. The setting evokes freedom, vitality, and timeless beauty, aligning with the English equestrian ideal. A confident pencil underdrawing defines structure, while translucent layers of colour suggest motion and air. Every muscle, rein, and shadow is meticulously observed yet never overworked. The result is both realistic and lyrical, expressing not only athletic triumph but also the poetic spirit of post-war renewal. The Horse — Finality Finality, a compact fifteen-hand bay mare, was celebrated for her intelligence, rhythm, and flawless jumping form. Her composure and agility matched Smythe’s intuitive riding style, forming a partnership built on trust, empathy, and precision. In this work, Myndas captures Finality at the height of her leap — her expression calm yet alert, every line conveying power, grace, and serenity in motion. Their harmony symbolised a new chapter in British equestrianism: light, refined, and deeply connected. The Rider — Pat Smythe (1928–1996) At only twenty-one years old, Pat Smythe became a national sensation when she and Finality won the inaugural Horse of the Year Show in 1949. Her composure, artistry, and courage in the saddle redefined what women could achieve in competitive sport. Over the next decade, she represented Great Britain in three Olympic Games — Helsinki 1952, Stockholm 1956, and Rome 1960 — earning bronze in Helsinki, the first Olympic equestrian medal ever won by a British woman. A rider of immense skill and quiet strength, Smythe’s influence extended beyond sport: she became a post-war symbol of grace, discipline, and perseverance. The Event — Horse of the Year Show, 1949 Founded by Colonel Sir Mike Ansell, the inaugural Horse of the Year Show took place at Harringay Arena, London, in September 1949. Conceived to celebrate national spirit and resilience after the war, it marked the rebirth of British equestrian culture. Broadcast live by the BBC, it introduced showjumping to millions for the first time. Smythe’s victory became a moment of national pride and optimism, embodying both sporting excellence and cultural renewal. Myndas’s painting memorialises this defining moment — where art and achievement meet. Significance:- Grace in Flight — Pat Smythe and Finality, 1949 is a rare fusion of artistic mastery, sporting history, and cultural resonance. Created shortly after Smythe’s victory, it celebrates the elegance and resilience of post-war Britain. The verso bears the Salon des Artistes Français, 1956 stamp, confirming its exhibition or acceptance at the Paris Salon — a distinction rarely granted to British sporting subjects. This recognition elevates the painting beyond commemoration to the realm of internationally acclaimed art, blending fine draughtsmanship with historical depth. The Artist — S. Myndas (Follower of Lionel Edwards) While little is known about S. Myndas, this work demonstrates his clear artistic lineage to Lionel Edwards (1878–1966) — Britain’s pre-eminent equestrian painter. Myndas adopts Edwards’s hallmarks: economy of line, sensitivity to light, and a profound understanding of equine form. His control of tone and movement reflects professional refinement and genuine empathy for his subject. The 1956 Paris Salon stamp attests to Myndas’s standing within the wider European art world. 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) Highlights A true moment in British sporting history — the first Leading Showjumper of the Year, 1949 Exhibited at the Paris Salon, 1956 — a remarkable honour for a British sporting subject Painted in the refined tradition of Lionel Edwards Features Pat Smythe and her mare Finality Superb provenance and museum-standard presentation Perfect for collectors of sporting art, British heritage, and equestrian culture A rare and evocative celebration of Pat Smythe’s 1949 triumph — “Grace in Flight” captures the elegance, courage, and unity that defined a generation. A timeless fusion of art, sport, and history, and a distinguished addition to any fine art or equestrian collection.