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Horse Of The Year Show

Before Captain Tony Collings came up with the idea for Horse of the Year Show there was no special event to mark the end of the equestrian season - he believed that there was a need for a climax, a culmination of the year, a champion of Champions show. Indeed there was, for his idea was picked up by the then Chairmen of the British Show Jumping Association and British Horse Society Colonel Mike Ansell and Colonel VDS Williams.

Timing dictated that the show would be held in the autumn, and therefore an inside venue would have to be found. So a trip to the famous indoor show in Paris "Le Jumping" was planned. Ansell and Williams were amazed at what they saw, the audience reaction and participation was unlike anything they had seen and they set about transposing the show for a British audience.

As Ansell was chairman of the British Show Jumping Association, it was agreed that the BSJA would stage the show in conjunction with the Greyhound Racing Association, owners of the arena in Harringay, which had been selected as the venue for the show.

Tony Collings, the man behind the original concept, was brought back to plan the show and whilst his aim was to run a champion of champions showing event, a compromise was made with Ansell who believed that it was show jumping that would bring in and excite the crowds. It therefore became a BSJA jumping show; with a balanced mix of show classes open to qualified horses and ponies that had won prizes at major shows during the season. Thus in each section there would be a "Horse of the Year", and so in 1949 Horse of the Year Show was born.

The entries were good - there were 400 in all, and the competition was spectacular. With no lack of talent, word of mouth ensured that, by the final night, it was virtually a sell out and certainly a triumph.

The show moved to Wembley Arena in 1959 and for the next three decades the show went from strength to strength before coming under competition from the growing array of other sporting events.

Since the 1997 Horse of the Year Show, the event has been organised by Grandstand Media Ltd who have revitalised the presentation and content, including a special celebration in 1998 to commemorate the fiftieth show. Horse of the Year Show remains a National Institution, the finale to the showing year and the climax to the domestic show jumping year. It is a place to which all horse owners and riders aspire, as top show jumper John Whitaker highlights, "Winning at HOYS is the pinnacle of every equestrian`s career."

2002 saw HOYS move from Wembley Arena, its home for over 40 years to the NEC Arena, Birmingham. Logistically this was very complicated as the show takes up over 50 acres of the NEC complex, but with record attendance figures and outstanding competition it was described by Horse & Hound as a `Triumph` and was heralded a resounding success with sell out performances throughout the show.

Since the move to the NEC HOYS has developed and expanded experiencing record numbers visit the Show every year.

Each year, the Sunday Gala Night concludes with the emotive Ode to the Horse, read by Simon MacCorkindale.  1.40 Speed and handiness 2852
     2004) Billy Twomey - Tropicana
     2002) John Renwick - Brookend Fuehrer

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 1.40 Tempo tab. C 7514

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 1.45 Against the clock 2679
     2005) Geoff Luckett - Marleen
     2004) Robert Smith - Kalusha
     2003) Louise Pavitt - Make Haste V
     2003) Robert Whitaker - Karina
     2002) Paul Barker - Quinton
     2002) Scott Smith - Cabri D`Elle

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 1.45 Mista 7496

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 1.45 Mixed comp. 2705
     2005) Robert Whitaker - Nureev Du Houssoit
     2004) Billy Twomey - Whinnie Jackson
     2003) Di Lampard - Leo Z
     2002) Michael Whitaker - Haddon House Carlson

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 1.45 Speed and handiness 2725
     2005) Billy Twomey - CB Intermission
     2004) William Funnell - Machiavelli
     2003) Ellen Whitaker - Quinten II

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 1.45 Tempo 7459

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 1.45 Two phases 2454
     2005) Geoff Luckett - Animation (Showjumper)
     2004) Billy Twomey - Whinnie Jackson
     2003) Nick Skelton - Russel
     2002) Paul Barker - Quinton

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 1.50 Against the clock 2849
     2005) Robert Bevis - Lucy May
     2004) Nick Skelton - Arko III
     2002) Robert Smith - Mr Springfield

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 1.50 Fasi cons. 7472

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 1.50 Mixed comp. 2854
     2003) William Funnell - Machiavelli

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 1.50 Tempo 7465

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 1.50 Two phases 2477
     2002) David McPherson - Shearwater Gambit

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 1.55 Mixed comp. 3511
     2005) Billy Twomey - CB Intermission
     2002) Billy Twomey - Anastasia III

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 1.55 Two rounds 2429
     2002) - Lord Z

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 1.55 Winning round 3664
     2002) Michael Whitaker - Handel II

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 1.60 Accumulator 3274
     2004) Nick Skelton - Arko III
     2002) Tim Stockdale - Glenwood Springs

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 1.60 Diff.prog. 7455

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 1.60 Group comp. 2479

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 1.60 Two rounds 2478
     2003) Duncan Inglis - Lavetto

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 6 Year Old Championship 603
     2005) Scott Brash - Senette
     2004) Robert Bevis - Radetzky (Showjumper)
     2003) Carron Nicol - Hollywood
     2002) Robert Smith - Oakhill Supreme
     1991) Grace Barton - Macepark Velsk
     1990) Robert Smith - Marius Claudius
     1989) John Renwick - Grannus Lady

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 7 Year Old Championship 602
     2005) Christian Weir - CARISCO
     2004) Tim Stockdale - Corlato
     2003) Louise Whitaker - Pamone
     2002) Robert Maguire - Midtime
     2001) Keith Shore - It`s Magic Max
     2000) Michael Whitaker - Tornado FC
     1999) John Renwick - Temple Voyager
     1998) Michael Whitaker - Junior II

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 Accumulator 546
     2005) Kristof Cleeren -
     2004) Nick Skelton - Arko III
     2003) Guy Williams - Loro Piana Hamlet
     2002) Tim Stockdale - Glenwood Springs
     1993) Geoff Luckett - Vantage

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 Accumulator 12347

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 All4horses.Tv Puissance 11860
     2006) Ben Maher - Eperlan Du Fouquet
     2006) Robert Whitaker - Finbarr V

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 Bates Security Systems 2107
     2005) James Paterson-Robinson - ALMADOOB

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 BBC Radio 5 Live Trophy 616
     1993) Harry Marshall - Cruiseline

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 British Ladies Championship 617
     1996) Kelly Brown - Gulliver (Showjumper)
     1995) - Seven Dales
     1994) Emma-Jane Mac - Gringo
     1993) Alison Bradley - Endeavour

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 British Novice 843

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 Daewoo Championship 220
     2002) - Lord Z
     2001) Billy Twomey - Prince of Wales
     2000) Robert Smith - Mr Springfield
     1999) Carl Edwards - Bit More Candy
     1998) Michael Whitaker - Showdown
     1997) Carl Edwards - Moneymore

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 Dengie Alfa A Cup 734
     2003) Mattijs Van Asten - Larthago

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 Dengie FibreFeeds Stakes 614
     2003) Hauke Luther - Index 29
     2002) Paul Barker - Blue Chip Quinton
     2001) Robert Smith - Kalusha
     2000) Geir Gulliksen - A-Dur I
     1999) Michel Hecart - Aster
     1998) Michael Whitaker - Two Step

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 DGPF 14661

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 Easibed Stakes 11849

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 Everest Championship 547
     1994) - Grannusch
     1993) Nick Skelton - Showtime

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 Exhibition Cup 618
     1997) Dirk Demeersman - First Samuel
     1996) Michael Whitaker - Elton
     1995) Malin Baryard Johnsson - Gem Stone

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 Finnforest Hunter Woodshavings Cup 2111
     2004) Billy Twomey - Tropicana
     2003) Robert Whitaker - Karina
     2002) John Renwick - Brookend Fuehrer

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 Fordyce Curry Trophy 728
     2002) Michael Whitaker - Haddon House Carlson

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 Foxhunter 604
     2005) Philip Spivey - Romanov II
     2004) David McPherson - LOWEN HERZ
     2003) Helen Tredwell - Opportunity B
     2002) Joe Clee - Unbelievable Darco
     2001) William Funnell - Cortaflex Mondriaan
     2000) Robert Smith - Marius Claudius
     1999) John Popely - Luidam
     1998) - Carnival Spirit II
     1997) John Renwick - Temple What A Flash
     1996) Duncan Inglis -
     1995) Michael Whitaker - Ashley (ex Alizé des Isles)
     1994) Peter Murphy - Valentino R
     1993) John Popely - Fleurance
     1992) Malcolm Pyrah - Itziweeni
     1991) Michael Whitaker - Henderson O`Flynn
     1990) Nigel Coupe - Balou
     1989) Nick Skelton - Cut Loose
     1988) Nick Skelton - Don Kelly
     1987) Emma-Jane Mac - Oyster
     1986) Geoff Billington - Edisford Bridge
     1985) Elizabeth Broome Edgar - Everest Asher
     1984) William Funnell - Once More
     1983) Mennell Watson - Charlie Brummel
     1982) Geoff Goodwin -
     1981) - Hopscotch
     1980) Derek Ricketts - Corals Morning Glory

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 Golden Bear Classic 2108
     2005) Leon Thijssen - Nairobi

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