Got big dreams for your miniature? Here’s our guide to the 2026 HOYS miniature qualifiers 

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A miniature horse at HOYS trots from the ring under the lights with their handler waving to the crowd.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

I’ve collated your need-to-know information for the 2026 HOYS miniature qualifiers to help fulfil your dreams of qualifying your miniature horse for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Finding out who’s judging which fixture takes a lot of time and effort, so this should make planning your season much easier.

While all the HOYS qualifiers 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 miniature qualifiers

UKAMHS American Miniature Horse of the Year sponsored by Pandoras Miniature Farm

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Qualifier VenueDateJudgesEntries close
UK American Miniature Horse British Open ShowOnley Grounds Equestrian Centre, Warwickshire25 AprilTBCTBC
Miniature Horse Club of Great Britain Spring ShowOnley Grounds Equestrian Centre, Warwickshire26 AprilRosemary Keeling
Kevin Blaskeyfield		12 April
Devon County ShowWestpoint, Exeter21-23 MayMrs E Willets07 April
The Royal Norfolk ShowNorfolk Showground, Norfolk24-25 JuneMr Mark Sheen6 May, late entries close 10 May
RWAS Royal Welsh ShowRWAS Showground, Powys20-23 JulyMrs Ruth Roberts20 May
New Forest & Hampshire County ShowThe Showground, Hampshire28-30 JulyMiss L Willetts22 June; late entries close 19 July
UK American Miniature AMHA Regional Championship ShowPickering Grange Equestrian, Leicestershire8-9 AugTBCTBC
Miniature Horse Club of Great Britain Championship ShowMoreton Morrell, Warwickshire15-16 AugTBCTBC
AMHA European Regional Championship ShowTorhout, Belgium23-24 AugTBCTBC

Miniature Horse of the Year Supported by the British Miniature Horse Society

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Qualifier VenueDateJudgesEntries close
BMHS Spring ShowStretcholt Equestrian Centre, Somerset19 AprilMr Nick True (R)TBC
Devon County ShowWestpoint, Exeter21-23 MayTBC7 April
Hertfordshire County ShowThe Showground, Hertfordshire23-24 MayMrs L Rowntree10 May; late entries accepted until 20 May at increased rate
Royal Bath & West ShowBath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet28-30 MayMr R Stone28 April
Derbyshire FestivalSomerford Park, Congleton, Cheshire6-7 JuneMr M Jones19 May
Royal Three CountiesThree Counties Showground, Malvern12-14 JuneMrs J Price8 May
The Royal Norfolk ShowNorfolk Showground, Norfolk24-25 JuneMiss Henrietta Barton6 May; late entries close 10 May
South Wales Shire Horse Society Annual ShowBailey Park, Monmouthshire4 JulyMr Simon SomersTBC
Great YorkshireGreat Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire14-17 JulyMrs Debbie Howarth5 May
RWAS Royal Welsh ShowRWAS Showground, Powys20-23 JulyMrs Beverley Beresford-Batten20 May
New Forest & Hampshire County ShowThe Showground, Hampshire28-30 JulyMiss L Barrow22 June; late entries close 19 July
Garstang ShowThe Show Field, Preston1 AugTBCTBC
Stoneleigh Horse Show AugustStoneleigh Park, Warwickshire16-17 AugTBCTBC
Edenbridge & Oxted ShowArdenrun Showground, Lingfield30-31 AugJane CooperTBC
Denbigh & FlintshireThe Green, Denbigh20 AugTBC10 July
BMHS Breed ShowMoreton Morrell College, Warwickshire5 SeptTBCTBC
  • 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.