As we look forward to the 2021 show, we have reflected on past qualifying seasons and the classes that form the Championships at Horse of the Year Show.
The Supreme In-Hand Championship – a Championship that celebrates the supreme light horse or pony shown in-hand, irrespective of breed or type – has long been established as the ultimate in-hand showing accolade. Without doubt the Supreme In-Hand Championship at Horse of the Year Show has seen fabulous horses and ponies represented. However, we are aware that at the qualifying shows we are increasingly seeing a reduction in the classes for the individual breeds or types of horses/ponies resulting in grouped classes.
For 2021, the Supreme In-Hand Championship qualifiers will run at the established county and society shows as they have done in previous seasons.
In addition to the customary Supreme In-Hand qualification process, 2021 will see an additional series of semi-finals at breed show championships and other suitably selected shows. The winners of these semi-final shows will then have the opportunity of getting their golden ticket for Horse of the Year Show at the In-Hand Championship at Stoneleigh Park in September.
The introduction of the additional semi-final shows in 2021 will provide a broader understanding of the support for the in-hand classes, and will allow us to continue to assess whether there is further merit for increasing the qualified numbers to Horse of the Year Show through a semi-final series’.
Event Director, Emma Williams, commented: “We are committed to progressing the Supreme In-Hand Championships whilst maintaining its prestige and ethos. For the upcoming season we intend to introduce a semi-final series that will run in conjunction to the normal qualifiers, and provide specific breeds or types further opportunities to be part of the qualification process. We look forward to seeing an array of outstanding breeds and types at the In-Hand Championship in September as we award the Supreme In-Hand qualification for HOYS.”
If shows, that are not already a direct qualifier for this class, would like to be considered for semi-final then we would ask them to express their interest via email on showsecretary@hoys.co.uk before 30th January 2021.
We look forward to introducing the semi-finals series into the season, and hope that many competitors will embrace this exciting new opportunity to qualify for the esteemed Supreme In-Hand Championship.
Horse of the Year Show takes place from 6th-10th October 2021 bringing together another year of unbeatable competition. For show information, visit our website.
ENDS
For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2021, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk
