The dates for Horse of the Year Show 2026 showing qualifiers have now been confirmed, with an extensive programme running from April through to September 2026.  With over 1000 qualifiers across 31 Showing Championships, including the newly announced Veteran Horse Society Veteran of the Year Championship qualifiers, there has never been a better time to start planning your journey to HOYS and your opportunity to ride under the spotlight in the renowned Arena of Dreams.  Qualifiers will be staged at venues throughout England, Wales and Scotland, with one fixture each in Northern Ireland and Ireland.  The qualifier calendar offers something for everyone, ranging from prestigious county shows such as the The Royal Cheshire County Show, Royal

Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) extends its sincere thanks to competitors, judges, societies and supporters for their engagement throughout the 2025 season. Following a period of trials, consultation, and detailed review, HOYS would like to confirm a series of carefully considered updates to the Rulebook for the 2026 season.  All changes of note have been introduced in collaboration with the relevant societies. Horse of the Year Show 2026 will take place from 7th to 11th October. Plaited First Ridden Height Adjustment Fully Adopted After a successful trial throughout the 2025 season, the upper height limit for the Plaited First Ridden Pony of the Year will continue to be set

Stoneleigh Park played host to a landmark weekend as the inaugural Thistledown Stud Elite Pony Auction made a spectacular debut alongside the TSR Amateur of the Year Finals. More than 350 spectators attended the Thistledown Stud Elite Pony Auction in person, while a further 1,200 tuned in online to watch 30 elite ponies go under the hammer. The auction, expertly conducted by Shae Price of Clee Tompkinson & Francis Auctioneers, was hailed as “highly professional,” giving each pony the time and presence it deserved in the ring. With homemade mulled wine adding to the festive spirit, bidding was enthusiastic from the very first lot. The sale proved a resounding success,

As the Thistledown Stud Pony Auction approaches, interest continues to build around an offering that represents more than 30 years of carefully considered breeding.   Among the highlights of this year’s catalogue is the remarkable breeding associated with Thistledown Rain Man (Rain Man PS), who sold for $175,000 (approx. £133,350) in July at Traverse City Open Sales 2025 – a testament to the value and reputation of these bloodlines.  The Thistledown sale features 30 ponies – 10 who are by Rain Man PS’s influential sire Thistledown Arctic Air and a half-brother (Thistledown Rainmaker) out of the same dam -Thistledown Summer Rain – giving buyers a rare opportunity to secure youngsters carrying the same proven genetics that have already made such an impression within the breed.  As we head into the

This prestigious new sale showcases an exclusive collection of 30 elite ponies from Thistledown Stud – one of Britain’s most respected breeding programmes, renowned for producing generations of elegant, talented ponies. Taking place at Stoneleigh Park on Saturday 29th November 2025. “We began at Thistledown with just two ponies for our daughters to ride. Disappointed by the training and temperament of the animals available, we decided to try breeding our own ponies with the character and disposition to suit a young child. “For us they need to have a good front balanced movement to cover the ground and sound conformation. This journey was not easy within the Welsh Pony &

The Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is thrilled to announce the introduction of a brand-new class for 2026 – The Veteran Horse Society Ridden Veteran of the Year Championship.  This exciting addition will celebrate the remarkable partnership between riders and their much-loved older equines, offering competitors the chance to showcase their veterans in front of a world-class audience. The new Championship will shine a spotlight on the longevity, versatility, and enduring spirit of horses aged 15 and over.  The Veteran Horse Society (VHS), which is solely dedicated to the care and welfare of older horses and ponies, will sponsor this new Championship. Founded over 20 years ago, the VHS has grown from a small support network