On Thursday 9th October, showing stalwart Carey Knox played host to the highly respected Kellythorpe Leading Breeder and Kellythorpe Leading Sire of the Year Awards at Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham.
Now in their 14th year, the highly esteemed awards kindly sponsored by the Leeman family, have firmly embedded themselves into the annual celebration of the horse. They celebrate the vital contributions of breeders and owners within the showing industry, paying tribute to some of Great Britain’s most outstanding and accomplished horses and ponies.
The HOYS awards series is an opportunity to reward the consistent success of the animals bred by a person or stud in this country or elsewhere, as well as progeny on the ground, using a points system for all results in Horse of the Year Show qualifiers throughout the season. Points start with 10 points for 1st place to 1 point for 5th place.
The Kellythorpe Leading Breeder Awards are based on the results of the ponies who are placed in numerous HOYS qualifiers throughout the season, subsequently proving the person/stud prefix’ consistency to breed animals that can succeed at the highest level.
The Kellythorpe Leading Sire Award merits the horse or pony whose progeny qualify for HOYS, as well as those whose progeny are consistently placed in preceding qualifiers. All showing qualifier classes are eligible with the exception of shire in-hand horses, ridden heavy horses, racehorse to riding horse, harness horse and pony, and supreme in-hand.
Following a celebratory attended by the respective breeders, the much sought after accolades were awarded as follows:
The awards evening would not be possible without the generous support of the award’s sponsors, Richard and Lisha Leeman, and their family, who continue to contribute tirelessly to the sport across many areas.
The 2025 section winners are named below:
| Breeder of the Year | Sire of the Year | |
| Hunter | Ms Carolyn Bates of Grafham Stud | Watermill Swatch of Kylemore Stud |
| Show Horse | Ms Sally Hobbs of Comberton Stud | Kilvington Scoundrel of Whalton Stud |
| Coloured | Ms Jane Turnbull of Burghwallis Stud | Free Spirit of Horestone Stud |
| Hunter Pony | Mesdames J & V Stephens of Annandale Stud | Moleview Celebration of Annandale Stud |
| Show Pony | Mrs ME Mansfield of Rotherwood Stud | Cusop Dimenion of Whiteleaze & Wycroft Stud |
| Arab | Ms Georgina Rees of Valletta Stud | Emerald J of Jadem Arabians |
| Miniature | Mrs Carole Lindsey | Scott Creek Monarch Sumkinda Wiz |
| Connemara | Mr & Mrs Staveley of Eastlands Stud | Glencarrig Knight of Glencarrig Stud |
| Dales | Mrs J & Miss A Pennell of Nipna Stud | Lowhouses Black Magic of Nipna Stud |
| Dartmoor | Miss J Newbery of Newoak Stud | Newoak Prosper of Newoak Stud |
| Exmoor | Mr David & Mrs Emma Wallace of Anchor Stud | Anchor Honeymead of Anchor Stud |
| Fell | Mr R & BK Potter of Greenholme Stud | Greenholme Warrior of Greenholme Stud |
| Highland | Miss Anne Mitchell of Dunedin Stud | Glenbanchor Gillebrighde of Perburn Stud |
| New Forest | Mrs Wendy Gover Fromm of Nutschullyng Stud | Moortown Nobby – Mr W G King & Mr N Williams |
| Shetland | Mrs Vivien Hampton of Briar Stud | Briar Piccolo of Briar Stud |
| Welsh A | Mr Sandy Anderson of Thistledown Stud | Thistledown Esteem of Thistledown Stud |
| Welsh B | Mr & Mrs HS Davies of Cadlanvalley Stud | Hilin Telstar of Colby Stud |
| Welsh C | Mr Peter & Mrs Ann Jones of Menai Stud | Rhyd-ddu Fury of Rhyd-ddu Stud |
| Welsh D | Mr Andew & Brian Thomas of Caederwen Stud | Cascob Jack Flash of Caederwen Stud |
| American Miniature | Ms Lisa Berberich of Pandoras Miniature Farm | Covergirl Boleros El Conquistador |
ENDS
For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2025, please contact
Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd.
Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk
Image credit: Julian Portch
Don’t miss a thing. Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest on competitions, news and events.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
