Visitors to day two of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) were treated to a spectacle of heavy horses. Alongside the wonderful Musical Drive of the Heavy Horses for the 75th Anniversary, these magnificent breeds were also battling it out for some of the most sought-after titles in the showing world. First up was The Barber Family British Ridden Heavy Horse of the Year Championship where the two oldest horses took the spoils. Harry and Hannah Bardsley’s 15-year-old Shire mare Moorfield Nancy was crowned Champion, giving the whole team, including rider Alice Pimbley, their first HOYS win. Harry said: “I’ve known her [Nancy] since she was two hours old. This

Hollie Gerken completed a remarkable and historic double on day two of the Horse of the Year Show at Birmingham NEC. She became the first rider to win Leading Pony Showjumper and Pony Newcomers classes in the same year, completing a spectacular title double in the space of just four hours. The Demolition Services Ltd Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year competition first took centre-stage at HOYS in its inaugural year of 1949, and Hollie became just the fourth rider since then to win it two years in succession. Only five combinations made the jump-off, but Hollie held her nerve on Galaxy V to clock 33.09 seconds and edge Darcy

Scottish rider Jordan Thompson reflected on “a big day” for him after he completed a stylish victory in the Events Through a Lens Talent Seekers, incorporating the seven-year-old championship.. It concluded a busy opening day of the 75th anniversary Horse of the Year Show at the NEC Birmingham as Jordan triumphed in both elements – overall winner and best seven-year-old horse. His long journey from Renfrewshire became a double success story after just six combinations from 29 starters made the jump-off. The Talent Seekers is a highly-anticipated competition with more than an eye on the future, and there can be no doubt that Jordan’s partnership with stallion Double De Muze

The Sport Horse Breeding of GB Working Hunter of the Year Championship has been an integral part of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) since 1951 and competition this year was as fierce as ever. 34 combinations started out over David Cole’s course of rustic fences, with marks available for both jumping and style. The testing track soon narrowed the field down to 12, who were all invited back to the Andrews Bowen International Arena for the ride and conformation judging. Ride judge Jessica Stalling, one of Australia’s most accomplished show riders, worked her way through “a very strong field” while conformation was judged by HOYS-winning producer Simon Reynolds. After

Maisy Williams delivered a trademark family masterclass as she had a Horse of the Year Show debut to savour by winning the Senior Newcomers Championship. Maisy, the 18-year-old daughter of Great Britain European team bronze medallist Guy Williams, produced a thrilling jump-off performance with Billy Heinz to deny Charlotte Ash and Air Sandulay by just 18 hundredths of a second. Guy, a renowned top-level performer against the clock, looked on at Birmingham NEC as Maisy and Billy Heinz clocked 30.93 seconds to land a class that was first contested at HOYS 39 years ago. The podium places, meanwhile, were completed by Miles O’Donnell and Jackpot DS. “She is really fast

The curtains opened on the 75th edition of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at Birmingham’s NEC with the Mears Flooring Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship; an elegant spectacle of horse and rider that set the tone for this special celebration of HOYS’ rich history. 22-year-old Phoebe Price held her own in a very strong field of 17 starters to pilot Heather Rothwell’s 12-year-old Warmblood cross, Happy Valentines, to victory in only their second season together. “He was on top form”, exclaimed a delighted Phoebe, who finished sixth with the gelding last year. “He loves it in that ring and always knows it’s time to show off.”