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!
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.
We’ve made it as easy as possible to enter this year:
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.
🏆 Winner
🥈 Two Runners-Up
#MyHOYSJourney and tag us in any social media posts.
We can’t wait to hear yours.
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
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
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
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,
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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