A competitor’s guide to the 2026 harness horse and pony HOYS qualifiers

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A rosettes basket at Horse of the Year Show
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

I know first-hand how hard it is to find qualifier details and keep on top of planning your season, so I’ve collated your need-to-know information for the 2026 harness horse and pony HOYS qualifiers in one place. Negotiating where to go to secure your Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualification is no mean feat, but this should help make your planning much more straightforward.

While the HOYS qualifier list has been announced for 2026, the some fixtures are still confirming their judges. So I’m frequently updating this page with all the new details as they are released – most recently the Edenbridge and Oxted judges – so it can be your one-stop-shop for planning your qualification.

2026 Harness horse or pony HOYS qualifiers

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Qualifier VenueDateJudgesEntries close
British Driving Society Spring ShowPickering Grange Equestrian Centre, Leicestershire4 MayCaroline Dale-Leach MBE28 April
Hertfordshire County ShowThe Showground, Hertfordshire23-24 MayMr M King10 May; late entries accepted until 20 May at increased rate
Bucks SpectacularNewbury Showground, Berkshire25 MayMrs Beth FosterTBC
Royal Three CountiesThree Counties Showground, Malvern12-14 JuneMrs D Holt Atkinson8 May
Lincolnshire ShowLincolnshire Showground, Lincolnshire17-18 JuneMr Richard Lanni27 April
BDS Annual ShowSmiths Lawn, Windsor21 JuneJoanne Hartland14 June
The Royal Norfolk ShowNorfolk Showground, Norfolk24-25 JuneMiss Araminta Winn6 May; late entries close 10 May
Kent County ShowKent Showground, Kent3-5 JulyMr John Henry White5 June
RWAS Royal Welsh ShowRWAS Showground, Powys20-23 JulyMrs Janice Clough20 May
Border Union ShowSpringwood Park, Kelso24-25 JulyMr Gordon MarksTBC
New Forest & Hampshire County ShowThe Showground, Hampshire28-30 JulyMrs R Neale22 June; late entries close 19 July
Ashbourne ShowPolo Ground, Osmaston15 AugAlex Hogg31 July; reopening 1-3 Aug for HOYS qualifiers
Edenbridge & Oxted ShowArdenrun Showground, Lingfield30-31 AugJames LewisTBC
Victoria Carriage Driving ExtravaganzaBury Farm, Buckinghamshire12-13 SeptTBCTBC

View all the 2026 HOYS qualifying shows and classes

  • For all your need-to-know information for other 2026 HOYS qualifiers, plus more expert showing advice from top riders and updates on shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Bethan Simons
Bethan Simons
H&H showing editor

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.