Day-by-day
HOYS
DAY-BY-DAY
If you don't want to miss any of the action this week, be sure to follow our day-by-day guide covering all of the highlights over the show
WEDNESDAY
The National Pony Society/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden sections will be kicking things off in the TopSpec Arena. Over in the Andrews Bowen International Arena, the first National Showjumping competition of the week will start the day, the NAF Five Star Bronze League and NAF Five Star Silver League Championship, followed by the graceful Mears Flooring Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship. If you're looking for a touch of the countryside, be sure to watch the Westown Stud Working Hunter of the Year Championship as they tackle a challenging course of rustic fences during the afternoon. Another must-see during the evening, in the Andrews Bowen International Arena, is the Equitop® Senior Newcomers Championship.
Far Left: Working Hunter of the Year Championship, Above: Mears Flooring Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship. Left: SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse of the Year Championship
wednesday
SHOWJUMPING
CLASS 2: Equitop® Senior Newcomers Championship
National Final: Table A7 (Jump-Off Class)
Starting height: 1.35m
The Equitop® Senior Newcomers Championship is designed for novice horses with little or no confidence of jumping in front of such a large crowd or such a daunting setting as the Andrews Bowen International Area. The start of the course is designed to be straightforward, encouraging and to build confidence as the course progresses. The first qualifying round for this class will typically have more than 35,000 entrants, making the final 24 places at HOYS extremely coveted. The 2021 title was won by 20-year-old Robert Murphy.
SHOWING
CLASS 20: Mears Flooring Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship
This must-see class brings delicacy and class to the show ring, with side saddle always a joy to watch. Sometimes an influential class, the 2018 winner, Jayne Ross riding Time 2 Reflect, was also named Supreme Horse of the Year Show Champion! The 2021 champion was Seabourne Silent Valley ridden by Francoise Babington.
CLASS 22: SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse of the Year Championship
The SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse of the Year Championship class is open to both amateurs and professionals. The class has been created by SEIB to support and encourage the re-education of thoroughbreds taken out of racing and re-schooled. Hunters, hack or riding horses which have raced in either Point to Point, Flat or National Hunt Racing are all eligible to compete in this class. All horses are over the age of 4 and 148cm or higher, with riders also over the age of 15. The 2021 champion was Minella Rebellion ridden by Katie Dashwood.
CLASS 23: Westown Stud Working Hunter of the Vear Championship
First appearing on the HOYS timetable in 1951, this class combines a challenging course of rustic fences, a ride phase where horses are ridden by a judge as well as conformation judging. Working hunters should jump freely at a good hunting pace, with the horse-rider combinations achieving the best rounds being invited back in to perform their individual shows. In 2021, the title of Working Hunter of the Year was Ricruiso ridden by Hayden Hankey.
Early access
Early morning access to the Andrews Bowen International Arena will be via Lakeside Entrance of Resorts World Arena.
Early morning access to the TopSpec Arena will be via the NEC Piazza main entrance.
RETAIL VILLAGE OPENING TIMES:
Wednesday: 09:00 - 20:30
Thursday: 09:00 - 20:30
Friday: 09:00 - 20:30
Saturday: 09:00 - 21:30
Sunday: 09:00 - 20:00
Times subject to change
THURSDAY
Thursday is when the upcoming stars of dressage compete for the crown in the Bret Willson Dressage Future Elite Championship, which has been held by Charlotte Dujardin for the past five years. Today, the Andrews Bowen International Arena also hosts the National Final of the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Championship along with the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Championship. The champion of the National Pony Society/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year will also be crowned in the Andrews Bowen International Arena. In the TopSpec Arena you can catch the Mountain and Moorland breeds showing off their adaptability in the Thor Atkinson Steel Fabrications Ltd. M&M Working Hunter Pony of the Year Championship.
FRIDAY
Kicking things off in the Andrews Bowen International Arena today is the Catplant Group of Companies Ltd. Lightweight Show Hunter of the Year. Friday also sees the start of the muchanticipated International Showjumping classes. In the evening, the Pony Foxhunter Championship will be thrilling the crowds and the winner of Britain's most renowned in-hand Championship will be crowned in the The Price Family Supreme In-Hand Championship. Working hunter fans can head to the TopSpec Arena to watch The National Pony Society/Mole Valley Farmers Working Hunter Pony classes.
SATURDAY
In the Andrews Bowen International Arena today you can catch some of showjumping's best young British talent in the 128cm Championship and Equine Rescue Services 138cm Championships. The Leeman Family Maxi Cob of the Year Championship will also be taking place, showcasing some of the stunning, larger equine types. HOYS also welcomes some of its youngest riders as they step into the limelight today across several different children's classes in the TopSpec Arena, including Barberstown Castle Mini Show Pony of the Year Championship. Saturday evening is when the crowd favourite takes centre stage to thrill and excite the audience, the Ripon Select Foods Puissance! Riders will tackle the imposing big red wall as it reaches towering heights until the winner is crowned.
SUNDAY
Sunday is the day of Champions! The Supreme Champions are crowned today in the Supreme Products Supreme Horse of the Year Championship, the Supreme Products Supreme Pony of the Year Championship, the Shire Horse of the Year Championship supported by The Shire Horse Society, the Naylors Pony Club Mounted Games - Prince Philip Cup Final and the JCB Leading Showjumper of the Year. The evening will draw to an exciting end as we celebrate another incredible year at Horse of the Year Show. The evening finale includes the majestic Jehol display as well as the highly anticipated parade of Champions where the week's most supreme horses and ponies will take their final bow in the Andrews Bowen International Arena.
EVERYDAY
- You can shop 'til you drop in the HOYS Retail Village, with 150 trade stands located in the heart of the Show you are sure to find that ultimate memento. Coming back is the Champagne Bar, this year in the centre of the Retail Village for all to enjoy!
- The Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry will take place Wednesday to Friday and culminate with the Championship on Saturday. Support the teams and watch the ponies go all out in this fast-paced competition.
- Every day you can catch the action of the thrilling and wildly entertaining Naylors Pony Club Mounted Games. The teams will be competing for the Naylors Pony Club Cup on Wednesday and Thursday before battling for the coveted Naylors Prince Philip Cup from Thursday evening onwards.
- Be drawn to the edge of your seats with this year's main display, for the first time in the UK, Jehol! They are a highly skilled display troop, ready to wow our audience with acrobatics, stunts and liberty all while showcasing the beauty and athleticism of the horse.