To celebrate the careers of the top showing horses for the past 23 years, we look back through the H&H picture archives at HOYS supreme horses of the year, including this year’s winner.
This year’s prestigious Horse of the Year Show title went to Jayne Ross riding Lucy Cameron and Diane Stennett’s KBF Lucia. An inimitable force in coloured and ladies horse classes, this special coloured mare notched up her fifth HOYS win in the coloured championship, going on to claim the Supreme Products 2025 HOYS supreme horse of the year accolade.
HOYS supreme horse of the year hall of fame
2025: KBF Lucia ridden by Jayne Ross, owned by Lucy Cameron and Diane Stennett
Winner of the Supreme Products Supreme Horse of the Year Championship during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 9 - 13 th October 2024
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
2023 HOYS supreme horse: Forgeland Hyde Park, ridden by Danielle Heath and owned by Guy Mears and Isabella Mears Wood
Horse No 1015, winners of the Catplant Group of Companies Ltd. Show Hunter Championship during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 5 -9th October 2021
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
2019 HOYS supreme: Twinshock Warrior, ridden by Jayne Ross and owned by Jill Marsden
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
2018 HOYS supreme: Time 2 Reflect, ridden by Jayne Ross and owned by Diane Stennett
Jayne Ross riding TIME 2 REFLECT for owner Diane Stennett, winner of the Ripon Select Foods Supreme Horse of the Year Championship at the Horse of The Year Show 2018 at the NEC near Birmingham in the UK between 2nd- 7th October 2018
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
2017 HOYS supreme: Diamonds Are Forever, ridden by Oliver Hood and owned by Annabel Jenks
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
2016: Our Cashel Blue, ridden by Allister Hood and owned by Caroline Tyrrell
Allister Hood riding OUR CASHEL BLUE owned by Caroline Tyrrell, Champion in the Supreme Horse of The Year Championship during HOYS in the NEC in Warwickshire in the UK on 9th October 2016
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
2015: Broadshard Simplicity, ridden by Jayne Ross
BROADSHARD SIMPLICITY ridden by Jayne Ross for Rosettes Direct, Champion in Class 51, Supreme Horse of the Year Championship, during Horse Of The Year Show at the NEC Birmingham, West Midlands, UK between 07-11th October 2015
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
2014: Broadshard Simplicity, ridden by Jayne Ross
Jayne Ross riding BROADSHARD SIMPLICITY for Carol Bardo in the Supreme Horse of the Year Championship at the Horse of the Year Show at the N. E. C. Birmingham, UK between 8th -12th October 2014
2005: Bournebrook Golden Law, ridden by Shelley Perham
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
2004: Soldier Brave, ridden by Jayne Webber
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
2003: Zin Zan, ridden by Justine Armstrong-Small
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
What is HOYS supreme horse of the year?
Supreme horse of the year is the title awarded to the overall champion ridden show horse at the Horse of the Year Show.
HOYS is one of two shows that all showing competitors aspire to qualify for, the other being the Royal International Horse Show. With qualifiers held around the country, only the best horses in the country collect an all-important ticket that allows them to compete in Birmingham.
Once a horse has qualified, their rider then has to produce them ready for the big day so they can beat the best horses in their class from around the country. Many horses struggle with the unique HOYS atmosphere and it’s a huge challenge for producers to have a horse sparkling in front of, and when ridden by, the judges without boiling over.
The lucky few who do win their class, and go on to stand champion, will get the opportunity to go forwards to the prestigious supreme championship to be crowned HOYS supreme horse of the year on the final day of the show.
Bethan joined Horse & Hound as showing editor in January 2025, after spending two years as Editor for Showing World. Having adored ponies since childhood, she started showing as a teenager and has enjoyed wins at major shows up and down the country, including Royal Highland, New Forest, and the Royal Welsh, as well as HOYS, RIHS and London. She is particularly passionate about Welsh breeds and is also a Welsh language commentator.
