As we say goodbye to the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) for another year, it’s time to take a look back at some of the winning horses and ponies who wowed the judges and the crowds at the NEC.
For more photos and stories from the iconic show don’t miss this week’s edition of Horse and Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 10 October
Check out these 26 HOYS stars who shone brightly at the 2019 fixture…
Home-producer Victoria Casey had her first ever HOYS victory when she rode her own 10-year-old Connemara to win his breed class. The duo also placed eighth in the 143cm M&M working hunter pony final the following day.
The six-year-old Shire mare was crowned ridden heavy horse of the year with Abigail Gresty at the helm.
The popular 12-year-old Connemara took the overall M&M working hunter pony accolade for the second time in his career for his owner/rider Amy Smith.
Stand-in jockey Frankie Currell rode this six-year-old grey Welsh section A mare to glory in the open ridden M&M championship.
After standing reserve twice, Diane Stennett’s small campaigner took the riding horse of the year championship for producer Jayne Ross.
Paul Bedford’s nine-year-old mare trotted to victory in the Shire horse of the year final.
Robert Walker rode Rob Brookes’ nine-year-old small hack to win his class and take the section reserve.
Francoise Babington took the ladies’ side saddle honours on her own 10-year-old lightweight gelding.
Emmy Parkhouse and her home-produced 143cm contender stood reserve for the riding pony title.
The Connemara had his seventh HOYS win on route to standing reserve in the working hunter pony of the year championship with Susie Eddis.
A storming clear round secured this 13-year-old mare and her nine-year-old jockey Ila Wingrove the red rosette in the 133cm M&M working hunter pony class.
Allister Hood and Caroline Tyrrell’s legendary lightweight took the cob championship.
The 15-year-old stallion owned by Michelle Cuerden bowed out from coloured showing as he landed the coloured supreme title under Vikki Smith.
Sally Mcmillan’s three-year-old riding pony filly was crowned Cuddy supreme in-hand champion after winning the pony section on her HOYS debut.
The 10-year-old 133cm working hunter pony winner went through the card with her rider Chloe Lemieux to take the section title before netting the 2019 supreme pony of the year award.
Hayden Hankey and the five-year-old novice gelding secured a win in the horse working hunter ranks.
Sophia Chambers piloted her own seven-year-old stallion to clinch the non-native plaited coloured pony class.
The Fell pony stallion landed his breed class on his HOYS debut with owner Brian Williams in the saddle
The seven-year-old Connemara became the new 143cm M&M working hunter pony of the year for Mollie Mae Jeffrey.
The maxi cob tricolours went to Stephen Norris aboard Elizabeth Bury’s 10-year-old gelding.
The lovely eight-year-old mare won a competitive lightweight hunter class for rider Jasean Spraggett and owner Lucinda White.
Emma Boardman and her own Welsh section D won their class for the second consecutive year and went on to stand reserve M&M pony of the year.
The nine-year-old stallion took the Welsh section B pony of the year title for owner/rider Nicole Wayman.
Sam Walker and Jill Day’s five-year-old scooped the intermediate show hunter championship.
Magnus Nicholson got a winning tune out of this classy heavyweight cob for the second year running.
The five-year-old 138cm show pony — who was only contending his seventh ever show — took the riding pony of the year accolade with Charlotte Caulfield.
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday. The full 2019 Horse of the Year Show report with all the action from the showing, showjumping and dressage classes is available now in 10 October issue.
