Showing qualifiers for Horse of the Year Show 2017 are set to take place at venues across the UK between March and September. Recognised as the pinnacle of the showing year, HOYS 2017 is set to return to Birmingham’s NEC from 4th – 8th October 2017. As part of the continual developments made to ensure “The World’s Most Famous Horse Show” provides the best competitor experience possible, we have implemented changes across some of the classes for next year’s show as demonstrated below.
Connemara breed awarded with standalone HOYS qualifiers
Due to the number of Connemara’s contesting HOYS qualifiers throughout the 2016 season and the continued increase in numbers, Horse of the Year Show will be recognising this by ensuring that the breed consistently has standalone qualifiers for HOYS in 2017. This has resulted in some changes to the qualifiers throughout the 2017 season and will see some qualifiers with a mixed large breeds class consisting of Fells, Dales, Highlands and New Forest ponies. We have also ensured that each large breed M&M has a minimum 10 direct qualifiers throughout the showing season, this is to ensure that all breeds are well represented at HOYS 2017. The total number of M&M open qualifying places at HOYS 2017 will be 182, which is an increase on the 176 places at HOYS 2016.
A change in entry requirements for the Coloured Horse & Pony of the Year
The decision has been made to change the entry requirements for the Coloured Horse & Pony of the Year Championship. For 2017, Horse of the Year Show competitors will be able to compete as members of The Showing Register (TSR) and the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association (TGCA) as well the previously stated Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS UK).
In addition, mares/gelding registered with the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association (TGCA) will now be able to enter the classes. Stallions will remain to be graded with CHAPS only. The judges for the 2017 showing season will all sit on the CHAPS panel, however, from 2018 the TSR coloured judges panel will be accessible for the qualifier classes. The classification of the coloured horse/pony will remain as it has in previous years.
Format change for the Miniature Classes at HOYS
The format of the prestigious Miniature Horse of the Year Championship at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) has been revised for 2017. Due to changing trends within the breed’s qualifiers, one mixed-sex Championship will replace the individual sections of Youngstock, Mare/Gelding and Stallions. The number of qualifiers will increase from 11 to 16, however just one horse will qualify at each. Qualifying shows will be encouraged to keep the three separate classes in place and award the one HOYS ticket to the winner of its Championship. One exception to this will be the British Miniature Horse Society (BMHS) Spring Show, at which three qualifying places will be available. In summary, 16 Miniatures will go forward to the Miniature Horse of the Year Championship at HOYS.
For all class rules, please adhere to the 2017 Horse of the Year Show Rule Book which will be available on the HOYS website in January. For more information on the Show please visit www.hoys.co.uk or call 02476 858 205.
