2026 HOYS veteran qualifiers full list of shows to attend

A judge has his back turned and is assessing horses at HOYS — (Image credit: Benjamin Clark Photography)

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

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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.