Horse of the Year Show (HOYS): The Highlight of British Equestrian Sport

What is the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS)?

The Horse of the Year Show, often simply referred to as HOYS, is one of the most traditional and at the same time most modern equestrian events in the United Kingdom. Since it was founded in 1949, it has brought together the best riders, horses and breeders for the grand finale of the British competition season. What originally began as an end-of-season event for national showing competitions has developed into an international spectacle attracting more than 60,000 visitors.

HOYS brings together all facets of equestrian sport: from top-class showjumping and traditional showing classes to spectacular displays and a shopping experience that is almost unrivalled in Europe. Many fans refer to the event as the “Wimbledon of equestrian sport”. For competitors, winning here is a major achievement – those who succeed at HOYS are considered among the very best.

Another aspect that makes HOYS so special is its emotional appeal. The event celebrates not only sporting performance, but also the unique bond between horse and rider. With performances such as the “Ode to the Horse”, the Pony Club Games and its traditional prize-giving ceremonies, HOYS creates unforgettable moments that stay with visitors long after the event.

Livestream: watch live & on demand

The Horse of the Year Show offers a diverse programme of equestrian sport, emotional highlights and unforgettable show moments. On ClipMyHorse.TV, you can follow the most important competitions and programme highlights via livestream or watch them later on demand in the archive. This way, you can stay close to the action at HOYS and never miss a decisive moment.

History and development of HOYS

The history of the Horse of the Year Show began in 1949 with a vision: to create an event that would bring together the country’s best horses and riders for the grand finale of the season. What started as an ambitious project at London’s Harringay Arena has grown into one of the most prestigious equestrian events in Great Britain. HOYS was initiated by Captain Tony Collings, with support from leading equestrian organisations such as the British Horse Society and the British Show Jumping Association.

In its early years, the event was strongly influenced by traditional showing. National showjumping classes were soon added and quickly became popular with spectators. A major milestone came in 1959, when the show moved to Wembley Arena – a symbolic step that firmly placed HOYS in the spotlight of international equestrian sport.

However, during the 1990s, the event ran into financial difficulties. The potential loss of the show was only prevented by a major relaunch. Since 1997, HOYS has been organised by Grandstand Media Ltd, which gave the event a more modern identity with a clear structure, reliable logistics and a professional ticketing system. Since 2002, the show has taken place at the NEC Birmingham, one of the largest exhibition centres in Europe.

Today, HOYS is firmly established in the calendar of equestrian fans. Every year, thousands travel to Birmingham to watch the season’s finalists, look back at historic HOYS Results, or simply experience the atmosphere of this unique horse show. The history of the event is therefore not only a chronicle of equestrian sport, but also a reflection of Britain’s passion for horses.

Venue and date

Since 2002, the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham has been the home of the Horse of the Year Show. The NEC is one of Europe’s largest event centres and offers ideal conditions for an event of this scale, including spacious halls, a main arena with more than 6,000 seats, modern infrastructure and excellent connections to the airport, railway and motorway network.

HOYS takes place every year in October and runs for five days, from Wednesday to Sunday.

The event is structured to offer something for every type of visitor. During the week, national finals and shopping opportunities dominate the programme, while the weekend reaches its climax with international classes, gala evenings and emotional prize-giving ceremonies. Saturday evening is particularly popular, when the major Puissance competition and spectacular show performances thrill the crowd in the sold-out arena.

The experience is completed by the extensive Shopping Village, where more than 250 exhibitors present everything related to horses, riding, lifestyle and gifts. Many visitors use the weekend as an opportunity for a short break, combining a day of equestrian sport with live entertainment and the atmosphere of one of Europe’s most traditional horse shows.

Competitions and highlights

Showjumping

Showjumping is one of the central elements of HOYS and attracts some of the country’s best riders every year, as well as international competitors, to Birmingham. The programme ranges from national finals to international ranking classes that award points for the Longines World Rankings.

HOYS is particularly well known for its feature classes, which regularly provide exciting and memorable moments:

• Puissance: The famous wall competition, in which horses and riders must clear heights of more than two metres. It is a class requiring courage, technique and precision and is often one of the highlights of Saturday evening.
• Senior Foxhunter Championship: This class is considered the “FA Cup of showjumping” for young horses. Only combinations that have successfully qualified through several stages are eligible to compete in the HOYS final.
• Leading Pony Show Jumper of the Year: One of the most important competitions for riders under the age of 16. The class promotes young talent and excites spectators with its speed and technical demands.
• Leading Show Jumper of the Year: The major final of the international classes, featuring the best 28 horse-and-rider combinations and prize money that ranks among the highest in British equestrian sport.

The list of winners in these classes reads like a who’s who of British showjumping. Names such as John Whitaker, Robert Smith, Ellen Whitaker and William Funnell are closely connected with the history of HOYS. Many of them have won on several occasions, sometimes with legendary horses such as Milton, Nick Skelton’s Arko or Romanov II.

Showing and Champion of Champions

Alongside showjumping, showing is the most traditional discipline at the Horse of the Year Show. It focuses on presenting horses and ponies to perfection in terms of conformation, movement, behaviour and overall impression. Anyone who wins here has often prevailed against hundreds of other competitors and earns one of the most prestigious titles in British equestrian sport.

The route to the final involves an extensive qualification system. Specialist shows are held throughout Great Britain during the season, giving competitors the chance to qualify for HOYS. At the event itself, the winners of the different classes then compete against each other in the fiercely contested Champion of Champions finals.

Some of the most important showing categories include:

• Working Hunters
• Show Ponies & Show Hunter Ponies
• Cobs, Hacks and Riding Horses
• Coloured Horses
• Mountain & Moorland Ponies (including miniature horses)

Since 2000, Miniature Horses have also been a permanent part of HOYS. The “British Miniature Horse Society” organises dedicated competitions featuring representatives of the breed such as Farthingwood Romeo and Moortown Countryman.

The Supreme In-Hand Championships and ridden finals are particularly emotional moments, as the best horses of the entire event compete against one another. Those who win can officially call themselves the “Best of the Best” – a title that brings major recognition for breeders and owners.

Entertainment programme and experiences

HOYS is much more than a competition – it is a complete event experience for all the senses. This is particularly evident in the daily entertainment programme, which combines show elements, music, emotion and equestrian artistry. Many visitors attend not only because of the competitions, but also because of the unique atmosphere that makes the event so special.

A central feature is the Sunday gala evening, during which the moving “Ode to the Horse” is traditionally recited – a tribute to the horse and its importance to people. This moment has been an established part of HOYS for decades and is regarded as one of the most emotional highlights of the entire week.

Other highlights include:

• International show acts featuring stunt riders, liberty performances and musical shows
• Performances by well-known equestrian artists such as Emma Tytherleigh with her miniature stars
• The Pony Club Mounted Games, particularly the final for the Prince Philip Cup, in which children and young riders compete against one another in teams

Another major attraction is the extensive Shopping Village, featuring more than 250 exhibitors. From premium riding apparel and horse equipment to art, jewellery and regional delicacies, visitors, riders and families can find almost everything an equestrian enthusiast could wish for.

There are also numerous activities for children, including petting zoos, pony rides, interactive areas and dedicated family zones, making HOYS an experience for visitors of all ages.

Whether you are interested in HOYS live results, want to see famous riders in action or simply enjoy a special day with your family, the entertainment programme ensures that HOYS remains an unforgettable experience for every visitor.

Famous HOYS competitors

Over the decades, HOYS has provided a stage for some of the best-known figures in British equestrian sport. In showjumping in particular, names such as John and Michael Whitaker have played a defining role at the event. Through their achievements, riding styles and legendary horses, they continue to represent the close connection between British showjumping and the Horse of the Year Show.

Later generations have also used HOYS as an important stage. Ben Maher, Harry Charles, Scott Brash and Jessica Mendoza all gained valuable experience here before achieving major success on the international stage. This demonstrates HOYS’ special role as both a springboard for emerging talent and a meeting place for established stars.

Outside showjumping, personalities such as Charlotte Dujardin have also demonstrated the versatility of HOYS. Her roots in British pony and showing competitions highlight how the event not only stages major competitions but can also play an important role in shaping equestrian careers.

Conclusion

The Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is much more than an equestrian competition – it is a celebration of equestrian sport, tradition and community. Whether you attend live at the NEC Birmingham or watch via livestream, HOYS offers unique insights into the worlds of showjumping and showing, emotional entertainment and top-level sport. From emerging talents to Olympic champions, from impressive ponies to the legendary Puissance competition, HOYS brings together everything that makes equestrian sport in Great Britain so special.

It is a stage, a career springboard, a meeting place and an institution all at once. And it remains a place where history is made – year after year, rider after rider, horse after horse.

HOYS: The most important questions and answers

When does the next HOYS take place?

The HOYS 2025 is scheduled to take place from 8 to 12 October at the NEC Birmingham, as usual.

Can I watch HOYS live?

Yes. All competitions are broadcast via livestream on ClipMyHorse.TV, both live and on demand.

Where can I find HOYS results?

Current live results and results are also available via ClipMyHorse.TV. There you can find starting lists, provisional standings and placings in real time.

Who is allowed to compete at HOYS?

Participation is generally based on qualification. Nationwide qualifying classes are held for both showjumping and showing. Only the best riders qualify for a place in the HOYS final.

What makes HOYS so special?

HOYS is one of the country’s most traditional equestrian events. It combines top-level national and international competitions, emotional show elements and a passionate equestrian audience. It is considered the major finale of the season and, for many riders, one of the most important competitions of the year.