HOYS Qualifying Stories are back!

HOYS Qualifying
stories competition

Got a HOYS story? We want to hear it.

Every rider who qualifies for Horse of the Year Show has a story worth telling. The early mornings, the setbacks, breakthroughs and the partnership with your horse that made it possible.

We want to hear yours!

What are qualifying stories?

A nationwide celebration of the journeys behind HOYS tickets – spotlighting the passion, personality, and dedication of horse and rider partnerships across the UK.

Whether it’s your first time qualifying or a long-awaited return, your story matters.

How to enter

We’ve made it as easy as possible to enter this year:

Send a video

  • Film a 30 – 60 seconds video
  • Tell us about your journey to HOYS
  • What does qualifying mean to you?
  • What challenges have you overcome?
  • What makes your partnership special?
  • Send your video to press@hoys.co.uk or tag us in your video on social media
Share a photo
  • Post a photo of your special moment
  • Add a caption telling us what it means to you
  • Send your video to press@hoys.co.uk or tag us in your video on social media
Fill out a quick form
  • Submit directly on our website
  • Horse Name
  • Rider Name
  • What class you’ve qualifier for
  • Your key moments
  • What qualifying HOYS means to you

Why enter?

  • Be featured on HOYS social media and newsletters
  • Celebrate your journey and inspire others
  • Be in with a chance of winning exclusive prizes

Prizes

🏆 Winner

  • 2 x Sunday evening hospitality tickets
  • HOYS Competitor Hoodie
  • HOYS Official Programme
🥈 Two Runners-Up
  • 2 x Sunday evening tickets
  • HOYS Competitor Hoodie

 

Stories will be shared throughout the season. The entries close on 15th September, with a public vote to decide the winner and runners-up, once the entries have closed.

Use our campaign themes or hashtags when sharing:

#MyHOYSJourney and tag us in any social media posts.

We can’t wait to hear yours.

Qualifying Entries Submission 2026

Name(Required)
Tell us what class you’ve qualifier for, What are your key moments and what does it mean to you to qualify for Horse of the Year Show?
Max. file size: 20 MB.

Read the qualifying stories

Natalie Devlin’s Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “I bought Lexi in July last year after spotting her on someone’s Instagram story. I instantly knew she was special, so I sent a message. I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to try her before she was officially advertised for

Read Full Story »

Sarah Winterbottom’s Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “My HOYS Journey – 1989 to 2026. It’s been a very long time since I last qualified for HOYS. My first time was back in 1989, when I qualified in the ponies. That year, I was 1st, 3rd, 7th and 8th in

Read Full Story »

Sarah & Bella’s Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “We have owned Felix (Fawsley Temple-Hill) for about 18 months, and he has definitely become part of our family and really loves the variety in his life! Hacking, jumping and being cantered round bareback whilst Bella is doing the Macarena on top!

Read Full Story »

Kelsey Bishop’s Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “Myself and snippy, who’s 26 qualified at Royal Bath & West for the Veteran ridden final. “We nearly lost snippy back last year, she recovered but then damaged her cheek ligament in the field a few weeks later, meaning total box rest

Read Full Story »

Stacey Cook’s Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “Myself and my partner of 15 years, Gigant, have qualified for the NAF Bronze League Final. “In 2019, my first ever time competing at HOYS, we won the NAF Silver League Final! Then in 2020 he had to have his eye removed,

Read Full Story »

Katie Mason’s Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “The pony that does it all… One minute riding around a busy county show, the next teaching the girls’ dad to do his up-downs. Dolly was originally bought as a happy hacker for Clara to gain confidence on after a nasty fall.

Read Full Story »

Amy Payne’s Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “I bought Bella, a Green 13’2 Traditional Gypsey Cob for my daughter Freya Jean on her 5th birthday…everyone thought I was mad 😆 “Bella has been the best £1500 I have ever spent. Freya and Bella showing achievements include… a place at

Read Full Story »

Morgan Yeomans Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “Myself and Lumcloon Susie have qualified in the SEIB SFAS Show Cobs & Maxi Cobs class. I have owned Susie since she was a 3 year old (she’s now 9) and I have done everything with her myself (backing & producing) but

Read Full Story »

Deirdre Conroy’ Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “Some horses come into your life exactly as you imagined. Jinx did the complete opposite. “After what felt like endless disappointing viewings in 2020, I found an 11-year-old 16.1hh mare. I had been searching for a gelding, over 17hh and under eight

Read Full Story »

Charlotte Driver’s Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “After we bought Cush last April we had him cut and Charlotte started to get to know him. It took a little bit of time for their partnership to grow and by the end of the season they were really starting to

Read Full Story »

Anthony Chapman’ Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “We are a home produced family in Devon who never dreamed in a million years we would qualify a pony for horse of the year show. It was a dream come true. “We bought benji (Wycroft Benjamin Bunny) last year when he

Read Full Story »

Elizabeth Mantel’ Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “Eleven years after winning at Horse of the Year Show, qualifying again feels incredibly special. Gracey has completely transformed over the years. “She was never the fastest horse, but after I lost my once-in-a-lifetime speed horse, NPS Andre, she stepped up in

Read Full Story »

Harry’s Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “Harry was a starved and beaten cruelty case from Ireland, he was bought by a dealer from Cheshire and brought to England at the end of 2018, where he was conditioned broken and sold. “After tracing the lady who bought him from

Read Full Story »

Paula Gautrey’s Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “We have qualified for the SEIB Search for a Star Traditional Cob. It will be our first time riding at HOYS although I have been coming to HOYS for many many years as a spectator. “Our story isn’t out of the ordinary

Read Full Story »

Katie Goodwin’s Story

Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜 “Moelview Prince Harry and myself qualified at Lincolnshire County in the Welsh Section Bs. “Lincolnshire County is about four hours away and one we haven’t done for a few years. Harry hadn’t been there before. They have lovely big rings and this

Read Full Story »

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