Your one-stop shop for the 2026 HOYS coloured qualifiers

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Jayne Ross and KBF Lucia are crowned HOYS supreme champion horse
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

I’ve collated your need-to-know information for the 2026 HOYS coloured qualifiers because I know first-hand how hard it is to find Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifier details and keep on top of planning your season.

Here you’ll find complete list of qualifying fixtures, judges and entry closing dates for all coloured ridden horse and pony of the year classes, sponsored by CHAPS (UK).

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Qualifier VenueDateJudgesEntries close
Royal Bath & West ShowArena UK, Lincolnshire30-31 MayMrs Sarah Chapman (R)
Mrs Alison Gladwin (C)		28 April
Rutland County Show (including juniors)Rutland Showground, Oakham19 MayMrs C Richardson (R)
Mrs K Atkin Bowdler (C)		12 May
Derbyshire Festival (including juniors)Somerford Park, Congleton, Cheshire6-7 JuneMs M Bowling (R)
Mrs S Draper (C)		19 May
Lincolnshire Show (including x2 juniors)Lincolnshire Showground, Lincolnshire17-18 JuneMs Stephanie Turner (R)
Mr David Bartram-Lawton (C)		27 April
Royal Highland Show (including juniors)Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh18-21 JuneMs Vicky Smith (R)
Mr Ian Smeeth (C)		15 April
The Royal Norfolk ShowNorfolk Showground, Norfolk24-25 JuneTracey Brooks (R)
Louise Gaunt (C)		6 May; late entries close 10 May
CHAPS Midlands (including juniors)Pickering Grange Equestrian Centre, Leicestershire28 JuneMs Pamela Brown (R)
Mr Richard Grace (C)		21 June; entries reopen on the day at a higher rate
Scottish Horse ShowHighfield Equestrian, Howe11-12 JulyMrs Katherine Hartenfeld-Bowling (R)
Mrs Emma Burrow (C)		26 June; late entries 6th July. Entries taken on the day
Great YorkshireGreat Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire14-17 JulyMiss Nicola Taylor (R)
Mrs Lin Herridge (C)		5 May
Stoneleigh Horse Show JulyStoneleigh Park, Warwickshire18-19 JulyEmma Green (R)
Dawn Christie (C)		3 July; late entries at a higher rate until 13 July
RWAS Royal Welsh Show (including juniors)RWAS Showground, Powys20-23 JulyMrs Polly Archer (R)
Mr John Helme (C)		20 May
New Forest & Hampshire County Show (including juniors)The Showground, Hampshire28-30 JulyMrs N Turner (R)
Mr V Seddon (C)		22 June; late entries close 19 July
Traditional of the Year Show (native/cob/traditional only)Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre, Warwickshire30 July – 1 AugMs Sue-Helen Shuttleworth (R)
Mrs Rosemary Keeling (C)		TBC
Stoneleigh Horse Show AugustStoneleigh Park, Warwickshire16-17 AugTBCTBC
Chaps UK Championship Show (including x2 juniors)Arena UK, Lincolnshire20-22 AugTBC13 August
Edenbridge & Oxted Show (including juniors)Ardenrun Showground, Lingfield30-31 AugJames Van Praagh (R)
Leanne Pickford (C)		TBC
Moreton ShowMoreton Showground, Gloucestershire5 SeptTBCTBC
The Showing Register (including juniors)Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire5-6 SeptBen Hester (R)
Ross Beeston-Delap (C)		TBC
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.