The Leeman Family and Kellythorpe Stud to sponsor the Maxi Cob of the Year Championship and the Leading Sire Awards at Horse of the Year Show 2012

The Leeman Family and their own Kellythorpe Stud will again be supporting Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), "The World's Most Famous Horse Show", through sponsorship of the Maxi Cob of the Year Championship and the new Leading Sire Awards from 3rd – 7th October at Birmingham NEC's LG Arena.

The Leeman Family Maxi Cob of the Year Championship will take place in the Caldene Arena on Saturday 6th October. In association with the British Show Horse Association, the class was introduced to the HOYS schedule in 2011 as a result of its growing popularity and the number of successful cobs who measured out of the existing light and heavyweight sections. Last year, Ms Heather Boden and Tom Clay's Hallmark IX took the title ahead of ten starters. This year, there are an additional two qualifiers, setting the stakes higher.

The Kellythorpes Leading Sire Awards are one of three new award sections launched by Grandstand Media Ltd, organiser of Horse of the Year Show, to recognise some of the top stallions in the country producing quality young stock. Victors will be decided using a points scale for placings at HOYS qualifiers, which will then be added to a league table. There will be an award for horses, ponies, Arabs and Miniatures, in addition to each of the 12 native British breeds.

Richard and Lisha Leeman developed the Kellythorpe Stud from a plot of land just outside Chelmsford in Essex and today it boasts an impressive stable yard housing 25 horses. The team bred horses before starting to show their stock three seasons ago. The stud has had great success with many of its show horses, including a lightweight, heavyweight and maxi cob, in a fairly short space of time. The Leeman Family now gives back to the discipline through generous sponsorship of classes at numerous events.

Lisha Leeman commented: "We're thrilled to be continuing our sponsorship of the Maxi Cob of the Year for its second year and proud to have the stud supporting this new award to celebrate the leading sire. Horses have always been in our blood and we really do treasure our time at Horse of the Year Show each October."

Helena Pettit, of Horse of the Year Show organiser Grandstand Media Ltd, added: "We're delighted to have the Leeman family supporting Horse of the Year Show again this year. It's wonderful to have such a passionate supporter of the Maxi Cobs and, given its success in breeding, the Kellythorpe Stud is the ideal partner for the Leading Sire Awards."

The 2012 Horse of the Year Show promises to be another exceptional not-to-be missed event! It will host the finals of the most highly regarded national showing and show jumping championships, international show jumping, alongside its exclusive display The Final Charge performed by Atkinson Action Horses, an exciting line-up of equestrian entertainment, including the Equimax Pony Club Mounted Games for the Prince Philip Cup, Osborne Refrigerators Scurry Racing, a Dressage Demo with Richard Davison and a Show Jumping lecture demonstration with Tim Stockdale. The famous HOYS Retail Village, featuring hundreds of trade stands, will be on site to tempt every taste! Visitors are advised to book their tickets early to avoid disappointment.

For show information, including the full show timetable and timings, and to book, visit http://www.hoys.co.uk or call 0844 581 8282.