Our guide to where to go for 2026 HOYS veteran qualifiers
Is your veteran destined for glory? I’ve collated your need-to-know information for the 2026 HOYS veteran qualifiers because finding qualifier details and keep on top of planning your season leading up to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is no mean feat.
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 veteran qualifiers
Veteran Horse Society Ridden Veteran Horse of the Year
If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info
| Qualifier | Venue | Date | Judges | Entries close |
| Northern Ireland Festival | Cavan Equestrian Centre, County Cavan | 1-3 May | Martin Surman (R) Michelle Pickford (C) |
5 April |
| Hambleton District Show | Sutton Park, York | 23-24 May | Mrs C Senior (R) Mrs K Wilson (C) |
11 May |
| Royal Bath & West Show | Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet | 28-30 May | Mrs Laura Nott (R) Mr Adam Pike (C) |
28 April |
| Royal Three Counties | Three Counties Showground, Malvern | 12-14 June | Mr Martin Jones (R) Miss S Ramsden (C) |
8 May |
| The Royal Norfolk Show | Norfolk Showground, Norfolk | 24-25 June | Mrs Mandi Meer (R) Miss Harriett Wood (C) |
6 May; late entries close 10 May |
| NCPA Staffordshire Festival | Pickering Grange Equestrian Centre, Leicestershire | 4-5 July | Mr S Follows (R) Mrs L Rowntree (C) |
19 June, reopening until 26 June at higher rate for HOYS qualifiers |
| Scottish Horse Show | Highfield Equestrian, Howe | 11-12 July | Emma Jane Murray (R) Katrina Byrne (C) |
26th June; late entries 6th July. Entries taken on the day |
| Stoneleigh Horse Show July | Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire | 18-19 July | Ride TBC Nigel Vale (C) |
3 July; late entries at a higher rate until 13 July |
| Denbigh & Flintshire | The Green, Denbigh | 20 Aug | Diane Eaton (R) Kerrilee Wilson-Betts (C) |
10 July |
| VHS Championship Show | Arena UK, Lincolnshire | 4-6 Sept | TBC | 1 June |
- 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 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.