Everything you need to know about this year’s Horse of the Year Show at the NEC, Birmingham
This year will see the Horse of the Year show take place at its third venue in its 53-year history on 9-13 October. Early indications are that the move to the NEC Birmingham, formerly home to the Royal International, has been welcomed by spectators and exhibitors alike.
The new layout means visitors can spend less time getting between locations and more time shopping or enjoying the action with the extensive trade stand area adjacent to the International Arena.
Another plus is the location of the International Arena collecting ring, which means spectators will be able to watch the show’s stars warming up prior to their classes.
A new addition to this year’s event, which will no doubt prove popular with competitors, is a 50x25m outdoor exercise arena adjacent to the stables. All the arenas, which are larger than at Wembley, will surfaced by the show’s title sponsor, all weather riding surfaces supplier Equestrian Surfaces.
Click here to view the new show’s layout.
The show’s packed programme of displays includes the ever popular and amazing French horseman Jean Francois Pignon demonstrating his amazing bond with his beautiful greys and the British Young Rider dressage team with a new modern routine choreographed by Jennie Loriston-Clarke.
Other entertainment will include Joel Chacon, who is bringing his comedy routine across the Channel for the first time, plus the ever-popular Osborne Refrigerators double harness scurry and Prince Philip Cup Pony Club mounted games.
A numberof leading international riders including Belgium’s Philippe Lejeune, France’s Herve Godignon and Holland’s Roelof Bril have been tempted to England’s shores to take on Britain’s best in this year’s show, which has a total price fund of nearly £79,000.
The winner of Sunday evening’s Grand Prix will walk away with £7,500, while there are substantial bonuses of up to £100,000, courtesy of BEIB, available to any rider who wins between two and four of the following classes:
- The Leading Show Jumper of the Year
- The Zinc Management Speed Horse of the Year
- The AON Puissance
- The Grand Prix
As well as top international show jumping, HOYS also hosts a number of national championships, including the prestigious Horse & Hound Foxhunter final (see in-depth preview in this week’s Horse & Hound).
The Horse & Hound Arena is packed with top class showing action including the SEIB Search for a Star finals for amateurriders, plus the inaugural SEIB/BEF young horse evaluation championships. Jenny Pitman and Liz Edgar will crown the supreme showing champion in the Horse & Hound Arena on the final day.
Click here to view our online timetable.
TV Times
SKY Sports will be transmitting show jumping coverage from this year’s Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham,with featured classes including the Aon Puissance, Zinc Management Speed Horse of the Year and grand prix.
The transmission times are as follows: 17 October: Sky Sports 2: 5pm; Sky Sports 3: 8.30pm; 18 October: Sky Sports 2: 2.30am & 12.30pm.
For more information about HOYS visit www.hoys.co.uk
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