Fans outraged after HOYS Facebook account hacked
Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) organisers were left red-faced after inappropriate content was posted on its Facebook page by hackers.
The page was targeted yesterday evening (Monday 2 March) and the HOYS team is now unable to use the account. Fans were left outraged by the content posted.
Two uncharacteristic links have appeared on the page since the hackers gained access. The first, entitled “Zooey Deschanel is being sued for riding a horse too hard and injuring it” (pictured below), was posted at 1.30am this morning (Tuesday 3 March).
At 2.30pm a second link was posted entitled “Miley Cyrus goes topless and straddles a horse statue while holding a blunt in leaked new single cover” (pictured top), with a picture of Katie Price doing dressage.
These posts have shocked HOYS fans.
“What is HOYS thinking of?” said Paula French. Megan McAuliffe added: “Has someone hacked HOYS’ Facebook page? Why is there absolute rubbish being shared? HOYS, if this is you, you need to strongly rethink who you put in charge of your social media.”
HOYS has since confirmed that the account was hacked and an investigation is currently being undertaken as to how the hackers gained access.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“It is with great disappointment we announce the official HOYS Facebook page was targeted by hackers late last night,” said a spokesman.
“Facebook has been notified and we are in the process of rectifying the situation. The Facebook account will remain unaccessible to the HOYS team during the investigation period and we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this frustrating time.”
The team currently has no access to the account and all administrators have been removed.
The spokesman added: “You can help by reporting the page as being hacked to Facebook.
“If during the absence of the Facebook page you require further information regarding HOYS please contact press@hoys.co.uk”
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
Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.