Hopeful of a pass to the 2026 HOYS heavy horse finals? Here’s your guide to the qualifying fixtures

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Emma Green and Cardington Billy Bob win the ridden heavy horse championship at HOYS
Emma Green and Cardington Billy Bob are 2025 HOYS champions.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

I’ve collated your need-to-know information for the 2026 HOYS heavy horse qualifiers because, whether your planning to show your Shire horse in-hand, your Clydesdale in harness, or your Suffolk Punch under saddle, 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.

While the HOYS qualifier shows have been announced for 2026, many of the hosts have not revealed their judges yet, so I’m frequently updating this page with all the new details as they are released.

2026 HOYS heavy horse qualifiers

The Barber Family British Ridden Heavy Horse of the Year

Below is the information for all ridden heavy horse qualifiers.

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Qualifier VenueDateJudgesEntries close
Woodbridge (Suffolk only)Trinity Park, Ipswich4 MayMiss Stephanie Turner (R)
Mr Peter Crockford (C)		18 April
The Fife ShowKinloss, Fife23 MayMrs Phillipa Miller (R)
Mr P Bedford (C)		23 April (noon); or until 13 May (noon) at a higher cost
Staffordshire County ShowThe County Showground, Stafford27-28 MayMs C Poole (R)
Mrs J Wordsworth (C)		1 May; or 17 May at increased rate
Stirling Agricultural ShowGogar Mains Farm Blairlogie, Stirling13 JuneMiss Kirty Aird (R)
Mr Anson Franklin (C)		31 May
Lincolnshire ShowLincolnshire Showground, Lincolnshire17-18 JuneMiss Michaela Bowling (R)
Mr John Peacock (C)		27 April
Royal Highland Show (Clydesdale only)Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh18-21 JuneMs Polly Coles (R)
Ms Charlotte Young (C)		15 April
The Royal Norfolk ShowNorfolk Showground, Norfolk24-25 JuneMr Craig Kiddier (R)
Mr Steve Ledsham (C)		6 May; late entries close 10 May
RWAS Royal Welsh ShowRWAS Showground, Powys20-23 JulyMrs Sarah Chapman (R)
Mrs Jayne Malkin (C)		20 May
New Forest & Hampshire County ShowThe Showground, Hampshire28-30 JulyTBC (R)
Mr J Whittaker (C)		22 June; late entries close 19 July
Essex Heavy Horse ShowBeechwood Equestrian Centre3 AugTBCTBC
National Hunter Supreme Championship ShowAddington Equestrian Centre, Buckinghamshire11-13 AugTBC31 July
National Shire Summer Show (Shire only)Rockingham Castle, Leicestershire23 AugTBCTBC
Moreton ShowMoreton Showground, Gloucestershire5 SeptTBCTBC
The Showing RegisterStoneleigh Park, Warwickshire5-6 SeptVicky Smith (R)
Elizabeth Whitehouse (C)		TBC

Driven Heavy Horse of the Year

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Qualifier VenueDateJudgesEntries close
The Fife ShowKinloss, Fife23 MayMr Walter Bedford23 April (noon); until 13 May (noon) at a higher cost
Suffolk ShowTrinity Park, Ipswich27-28 MayMr T J YatesHeavy horses: 24 April
Light horses: 17 April
Royal Three CountiesThree Counties Showground, Malvern12-14 JuneMr P Bedford8 May
Stirling Agricultural ShowGogar Mains Farm Blairlogie, Stirling13 JuneMr Benny Duncan31 May
Royal Highland ShowRoyal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh18-21 JuneMr Gawin Holmes15 April
The Royal Norfolk ShowNorfolk Showground, Norfolk24-25 JuneMr Phillip Lloyd Williams6 May; late entries close 10 May
RWAS Royal Welsh ShowRWAS Showground, Powys20-23 JulyMr John Fairbairn20 May
New Forest & Hampshire County ShowThe Showground, Hampshire28-30 JulyMrs Y Simmons22 June; late entries close 19 July
Essex Heavy Horse ShowBeechwood Equestrian Centre3 AugTBCTBC
National Shire Show (Summer)Rockingham Castle, Leicestershire23 AugTBCTBC

Shire Horse of the Year Championship supported by the Shire Horse Society

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Qualifier VenueDateJudgesEntries close
National Shire Show (Spring)Kelsall Equestrian, Cheshire21 MarchStallions:
Mr L M Fountain and Mr J Verhoeven
Mares:
Mrs S Ford and Mr A Franklin		20 Feb
Royal Bath & West ShowArena UK, Lincolnshire30-31 MayMr Jack Kitching28 April
Rutland County ShowRutland Showground, Oakham19 MayMr R Green12 May
Royal Three CountiesThree Counties Showground, Malvern12-14 JuneMrs Y Simmons08 May
The Royal Cheshire County ShowRoyal Cheshire Showground16-17 JuneMrs K Marx
Mr B Morgan		18 May
Lincolnshire ShowLincolnshire Showground, Lincolnshire17-18 JuneMr John Peacock27 April
The Royal Norfolk ShowNorfolk Showground, Norfolk24-25 JuneMrs Judith Massey6 May; late entries close 10 May
South Wales Shire Horse Society Annual ShowBailey Park, Abergavenny4 JulyMr Matthew BurksTBC
Newport ShowChetwynd Deer Park, Shropshire11 JulyMr Jason HolderTBC
Great EcclestonShowfield, Great Eccleston11-12 JulyTBCTBC
Nantwich ShowReaseheath College, Cheshire29 JulyDelma Nulty
John Etches		TBC
Ashbourne ShowPolo Ground, Osmaston15 AugAndrew Callwood31 July, reopening 1-3 Aug for HOYS qualifiers
National Shire Show (Summer)Rockingham Castle, Leicestershire23 AugTBCTBC
SESHARow 14 - Cell 1 5 SeptTBCTBC
Penistone Agricultural ShowPenistone Showfield, Penistone12 SeptMr A WhettonTBC
  • 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.