Diamond Geezer is 2022 HOYS riding horse of the year

Horse No 1398, winners of the BSHA Riding Horse of the Year Championship during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 5 -9th October 2021

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

A striking grey riding horse achieved the biggest win of his career at the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) as he took home the BSHA HOYS riding horse of the year championship.

Darren Crowe was aboard his own lovely nine-year-old large winner Diamond Geezer.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.

‘Beautifully schooled’ riding horse answers all the right questions en route to first HOYS championship

The Dox Index son, who is out of Hauptstutbuch Feine, qualified for this year’s final at Mid-Herts County where he was also section champion.

Darren bought “Crumpet” from a local owner after he came to him for an assessment day. The gelding has been carefully produced and Darren has hopes that he’ll foray into the dressage arena in the future.

Darren qualified Crumpet for HOYS in 2021, but was unable to ride him at the final as he was out of action after an injury. Friend and show producer Danielle Heath took Crumpet’s reins and finished fourth in the large class.

“He is just a showman and he loves the main arena,” said Darren. “He is the most amazing, genuine horses. This is the first time I have won HOYS with my own horse, too.”

Jayne Ross took reserve with the second placed large, Debbie Harrod’s King Of Clubs.

Joining them in the championship were the top two from the small class, Adam Forster aboard Vicki Rudd’s home-bred Shildons Regal Gold, and Debbie Harrod’s Lulu De Bele.

Nancy Graylen assessed ride during the riding horse classes: “Our champion was beautifully schooled. He allowed me to ask different questions without being robotic. I felt that I could have asked him anything.”

Conformation judge Caroline Nelson said: “Our champion stood four square over the ground and was totally symmetrical with excellent, sound limbs.”

You might also be interested in…

Walk the course the 2022 HOYS working hunter finalists had to jump

‘That was the most magical moment’: Jo Bates takes HOYS hack spoils with young mare