Horse Of The Year Show

Horse of the Year Show features the finals of the most prestigious National show jumping championships, running a full programme of International classes, five of which carry world ranking points."

Before Captain Tony Collings came up with the idea for Horse of the Year Show there was no special event to mark the end of the equestrian season - he believed that there was a need for a climax, a culmination of the year, a champion of Champions show. Indeed there was, for his idea was picked up by the then Chairmen of the British Show Jumping Association and British Horse Society Colonel Mike Ansell and Colonel VDS Williams.

Timing dictated that the show would be held in the autumn, and therefore an inside venue would have to be found. So a trip to the famous indoor show in Paris "Le Jumping" was planned. Ansell and Williams were amazed at what they saw, the audience reaction and participation was unlike anything they had seen and they set about transposing the show for a British audience.

As Ansell was chairman of the British Show Jumping Association, it was agreed that the BSJA would stage the show in conjunction with the Greyhound Racing Association, owners of the arena in Harringay, which had been selected as the venue for the show.

Tony Collings, the man behind the original concept, was brought back to plan the show and whilst his aim was to run a champion of champions showing event, a compromise was made with Ansell who believed that it was show jumping that would bring in and excite the crowds. It therefore became a BSJA jumping show; with a balanced mix of show classes open to qualified horses and ponies that had won prizes at major shows during the season. Thus in each section there would be a "Horse of the Year", and so in 1949 Horse of the Year Show was born.

The entries were good - there were 400 in all, and the competition was spectacular. With no lack of talent, word of mouth ensured that, by the final night, it was virtually a sell out and certainly a triumph.

The show moved to Wembley Arena in 1959 and for the next three decades the show went from strength to strength before coming under competition from the growing array of other sporting events.

Since the 1997 Horse of the Year Show, the event has been organised by Grandstand Media Ltd who have revitalised the presentation and content, including a special celebration in 1998 to commemorate the fiftieth show. Horse of the Year Show remains a National Institution, the finale to the showing year and the climax to the domestic show jumping year. It is a place to which all horse owners and riders aspire, as top show jumper John Whitaker highlights, "Winning at HOYS is the pinnacle of every equestrian`s career."

2002 saw HOYS move from Wembley Arena, its home for over 40 years to the NEC Arena, Birmingham. Logistically this was very complicated as the show takes up over 50 acres of the NEC complex, but with record attendance figures and outstanding competition it was described by Horse & Hound as a `Triumph` and was heralded a resounding success with sell out performances throughout the show.

Since the move to the NEC HOYS has developed and expanded experiencing record numbers visit the Show every year.

Each year, the Sunday Gala Night concludes with the emotive Ode to the Horse, read by Simon MacCorkindale.

The UK`s biggest indoor equestrian event boasts a line-up of first-class entertainment and a shopping experience to match.

Visitors to Horse of the Year Show can enjoy a fantastic shopping experience whichever performance they choose to attend. With a huge variety of goods and services on sale among the 250 exhibitors, there is something for everyone and unlimited choice for you and your horse! A very comfortable shopping experience awaits visitors who will benefit from the improved show layout introduced at the 2008 show, wider shopping aisles and the extensive range of visitor attractions on offer. Added Retail Village attractions include new catering facilities, the ever-popular Equine Feature Area where visitors can come face to face with a variety of different horse and pony breeds and Rider Signings with top competitors such as The Whitakers (Ellen, Robert, William, John and Michael), Tim Stockdale, Ben Maher and Geoff Billington

Visitors who wish to make the most out of the vast shopping facilities at HOYS can add another day to their visit with a Shopping Only ticket, available on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Shopping Only tickets allow visitors access to the Retail Village, to shop at their leisure without missing any of the action in the ring!

On Saturday and Sunday, both daytime and evening ticket holders may access the Retail Village all day.

1.40 Speed and handiness
2002) John Renwick - Brookend Fuehrer

1.40 Speed and handiness
2004) Billy Twomey - Tropicana

1.45 Against the clock
2002) Paul Barker - Quinton
2002) Scott Smith - Cabri D’Elle

1.45 Against the clock
     2005) Geoff Luckett - Marleen
     2004) Robert Smith - Kalusha
     2003) Louise Pavitt - Make Haste V
     2003) Robert Whitaker - Karina

1.45 Mixed comp.
     2005) Robert Whitaker - Nureev Du Houssoit
     2004) Billy Twomey - Whinnie Jackson
     2003) Di Lampard - Leo Z

1.45 Mixed comp.
     2002) Michael Whitaker - Haddon House Carlson
1.45 Speed and handiness
     2005) Billy Twomey - CB Intermission
     2004) William Funnell - Machiavelli
     2003) Ellen Whitaker - Quinten II

1.45 Two phases
     2005) Geoff Luckett - Animation
     2004) Billy Twomey - Whinnie Jackson
     2003) Nick Skelton - Russel

1.45 Two phases
2002) Paul Barker - Quinton

1.50 Against the clock
2002) Robert Smith - Mister Springfield

1.50 Against the clock
2005) Robert Bevis - Lucy May
2004) Nick Skelton - Arko III

1.50 Mixed comp.
2003) William Funnell - Machiavelli