The top placed ponies in the Topham Barnes 122cm, 133cm, 143cm and 153cm Show Hunter Pony of the Year sections will all go forward to contest the esteemed title of Topham Barnes Show Hunter Pony of the Year in a nail biting final on Saturday 6^th October. The ponies competing for this prestigious title should ideally be scaled down hunters while still maintaining pony characteristics. They should have more bone and substance than a show pony, but, like them, have excellent conformation and presence.

For the past three years, it has been the winner of the smallest section, the Topham Barnes 122cm Show Hunter Pony of the Year, who has successfully fought off the competition to take the title: Mrs Shirley Dennison’s Crystal Vision ridden by Harriet Dennison in 2011, Mrs Samantha Darlington’s Wortley Celebration in 2010 and Mrs Debbie Thomas’ Greylands Maid in the Dark in 2009.

The Topham Barnes Hack of the Year Championship brings together the winners of The Stennett Family Large Hack of the Year and the Small Hack of the Year in the Andrews Bowen International Arena on Thursday 4^th October.  
Having bred a small selection of horses and ponies at their stud near Epsom, the majority of Julia and David Topham Barnes’ stock has had great success winning at many County shows and at Horse of the Year Show.

Julia, now retired from breeding, commented: “Although our prime interest was in breeding and showing Hacks and Show Ponies, we have always had a great admiration for the qualities of the Show Hunter Pony and we try to watch these classes whenever possible.  Last year at HOYS we noticed that the Show Hunter Pony section was without a regular sponsor, so having so much enjoyed sponsoring the Hack Championship for the last three years, we are thrilled to be able to include these classes for 2012.”

Helena Pettit from Grandstand Media Ltd added: “We’re delighted to have Julia and David Topham Barnes sponsoring two of the most prominent classes at HOYS. The Show Hunter Pony of the Year is considered one of the most famous children’s classes at HOYS, while the Hack of the Year was one of the original classes first run in 1949. Their connection with, and passion for, showing aligns perfectly with these classes”.

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, alongside an exciting line-up of equestrian entertainment, including an exclusive new display to be announced soon, 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 popular Think Like a Pony Interactive Feature Area will make a welcome return, and of course 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 www.hoys.co.uk or call 0844 581 8282.

Horse of the Year Show Press Office

Grandstand Media Ltd

Tel: 01582 711 411

Email: press@hoys.co.uk

During The Showing Register Master Class, show judges David Ingle and Mathew Lawrence will offer helpful advice on showing, as well as explaining how to get the most out of competing.

The Showing Register is looking for six riders and their home-produced mounts, who have never competed at Horse of the Year Show to take part. These combinations will be selected from:

Coloured Horse and Pony Society Championship Show (a traditional coloured)
British Show Pony Society Summer Championship Show (a show or show hunter pony)
The National Pony Society Summer Championship Show (a mountain and moorland pony)
Ponies Association (UK) Summer Championship Show (a riding horse or hack)
British Show Horse Association Summer Championship Show (a cob)
MIDARC Summer Championship Show (horse or pony)

Each of the participants will receive one night’s stabling at Horse of the Year Show, three Saturday wristlets, a horsebox pass and a Horse of the Year Show t-shirt. The Showing Register will be offering support to help the riders to get the best out of their trip and each rider will be given vouchers to spend with professional showing producers and trainers to help them prepare for the 2013 season.

Each participant will also be invited to write a story about their pony and what it is like to be going to the Horse of the Year Show, with Facebook and Twitter feeds allowing followers to keep up-to-date with the ups and downs of preparing for the big day.

The Showing Register is a new organisation for everyone who shows ridden and in-hand horses and ponies. From hunters to natives, veterans to tiny tots, The Showing Register covers every aspect.

With a passion for showing, The Showing Register aims to encourage, protect and innovate, with realistic registration fees; home produced rider, breed and grass roots support; free training for members, and prestigious qualifiers at local shows.

Gail Chapman from The Showing Register commented: “Everyone involved with The Showing Register is delighted to be working with The Horse of the Year Show to help and encourage home produced exhibitors. And, furthermore, to offer an ongoing framework of training awards and mentoring from our showing professionals thereby bringing both sides of the showing world together.”

If your pony is home produced and you would like the chance to take part, contact the above mentioned associations for details of their shows and how to enter.

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, alongside an exciting line-up of equestrian entertainment including Equimax Pony Club Mounted Games for the Prince Philip Cup, Osborne Refrigerators Scurry Racing, a Dressage Demo with Richard Davison, a Show Jumping lecture demonstration with Tim Stockdale, the Think Like a Pony Interactive Feature Area as well as the famous HOYS Retail Village featuring hundreds of trade stands! Visitors are advised to book their tickets early to avoid disappointment.
For show information, including the show timetable, and to book, visit www.hoys.co.uk or call 0844 581 8282.

For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2012 or to request a selection of copyright free images please contact:
Horse of the Year Show Press Office
Grandstand Media Ltd
Tel: 01582 711 411
Email: press@hoys.co.uk

For press enquiries on The Showing Register, contact:
E-mail: admin@theshowingregister.co.uk

During the competition at HOYS, winners of the TopSpec Lightweight, Middleweight and Heavyweight Show Hunter sections will all go forward to the Championship in the Andrews Bowen International Arena, to contest the esteemed title of TopSpec Show Hunter of the Year. 

A champion Show Hunter horse should have temperament and manners to equal its movement and conformation; the horse should be relaxed and calm, while being attentive to its rider. Previous champions include, Sally Iggulden’s Middleweight Hunter Oathill Take the Biscuit in 2011, Jill Day’s Middleweight Hunter Pride and Joy in 2010 and John L Dunlop OBE’s Lightweight Hunter Finn McCool III in 2009.

The ridden hunter classes are considered to be some of the most traditional since HOYS was established in 1949.

Nicola Tyler of TopSpec commented: “We are delighted to sponsor the hunter classes at HOYS again this year. The classes combine an important part of Britain’s rural equestrian heritage with the glamour and prestige of the ultimate show in the equestrian calendar”.

Helena Pettit from Grandstand Media Ltd added: “It’s fantastic to have TopSpec continuing their sponsorship of a class that has been at HOYS since the outset. The Championship always provides us with a quality line up of horses and show riders.”

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, alongside 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, a Show Jumping lecture demonstration with Tim Stockdale, the Think Like a Pony Interactive Feature Area as well as housing the famous HOYS Retail Village, featuring hundreds of trade stands with something for every taste! Visitors are advised to book their tickets early to avoid disappointment.

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

Blue Barn Equestrian Centre
Great Chart
Ashford
Kent
TN23 3DH

Classes for Ring 3 will follow classes 1-4 in Ring 1. The working performance classes have been cancelled.

HOYS qualifying classes will not start before 1pm.

The class, governed by British Showjumping, will take place in the Andrews Bowen International Arena, situated in the LG Arena at the Birmingham NEC. A total of 300 horses are expected to contest the seven qualifiers, which will be held at venues around the country over the summer. The first qualifier will be hosted by Addington Manor Equestrian Centre itself on the 27th April 2012.

Open to horses registered in grades B and C and all seven-year-old horses, the top four placed horses will gain access to the final. One of these horses must be a seven-year-old and qualification will pass down the line to the highest-placed horse of this age if one is not placed in the top four of any qualifier. At the final, the winner will be crowned the Addington Manor Talent Seekers Champion, while the highest placed seven-year-old will become the new national seven-year-old champion, for which there is a bonus prize of £1,000.

Tim Price, Director of Addington Manor Equestrian Centre, said: “Addington Manor is pleased to continue their sponsorship at Horse of the Year Show through the Talent Seekers Championship, incorporating the Seven-Year-Old Championship. By supporting classes for young horses, we are looking to find the champions of the future.”

Helena Pettit from Grandstand Media Ltd added: “The inaugural Addington Manor Talent Seekers Championship promises to showcase the rising stars of the show jumping world. Many of the horses taking part will be just starting their international careers and it will be interesting to follow this year’s champion’s progress.

“We are delighted that Addington Manor, a regular sponsor at Horse of the Year Show, is supporting this class as their enthusiasm for developing the sport of show jumping sits perfectly with the aims for this new championship.”

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, alongside an exciting line-up of equestrian entertainment including Equimax Pony Club Mounted Games for the Prince Philip Cup, Osborne Refrigerators Scurry Racing, a Dressage Demo with Richard Davison, a Show Jumping lecture demonstration with Tim Stockdale, the Think Like a Pony Interactive Feature Area as well as the famous HOYS Retail Village featuring hundreds of trade stands! Visitors are advised to book their tickets early to avoid disappointment.

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

Ends

For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2012 or to request a selection of copyright free images please contact:
Horse of the Year Show Press Office
Grandstand Media Ltd
Tel: 01582 711 411
Email: press@hoys.co.uk

For press enquiries on Addington Manor EC, contact:
Pippa Holt on 01296 712402
Email: info@addingtonmanor.co.uk

The first part of your entry form:

SHOW: ___________________________________________ DATE: _________________CLASS NUMBER (Inc. SECTION): __________________ ENTRY FEE: £__________________

is relevant to the qualifying show you are entering. If you are entering multiple shows with the same combination (horse/pony, rider, owner), this is the only part of the form that needs changing from show to show. If you complete the rest of the form, it can be photocopied and these top four parts are the only parts of the form which will need to be filled in for each qualifying show you enter.

Exhibitor details
All parts of section must be completed. The exhibitor is the person who is responsible for the entry and must be over 16 years of age.

Names must be written out in full, not as initials.

Only one society membership number needs to be entered and this should be the society membership number relevant to the qualifiers you are entering.

Telephone numbers must be completed. If no landline number is available, please re-enter the exhibitor’s mobile number and vice versa. We need these numbers to be able to contact the exhibitor if there are any issues that need bringing to their attention or if you have won one of our new awards.

If the exhibitor does not have an email address, please enter “no email address”. We use email addresses to contact the exhibitor in case of any issues that need bringing to their attention, if they have won an award, to send receipts for entries to Horse of the Year Show, and to confirm their entry.

Horse/Pony Details
All parts of this section must be completed

The name of the horse/pony should be entered as it is written on the animal’s passport. Also, the correct passport number must be entered.

If the sire and dam of the horse/pony is not known, enter “unknown”. If the breed and breeder are unknown, enter “unknown”.

Your horse/pony’s society registration number must be entered.

JMB certificate numbers must be entered for all animals entering classes which have height restrictions and divisions. If you are not entering a class which has a height restriction or division, enter “not applicable”.

If foaling information is not relevant to your class/horse/pony, please enter “not applicable”. This information is required for relevant class entries, such as the Cuddy Supreme In-Hand Championship.

Owner details
All parts of this section must be completed.

Names must be written out in full, not as initials.

Only one society membership number needs to be entered and this should be the society membership number relevant to the qualifiers you are entering.

Telephone numbers must be completed. If no landline number is available, please re-enter the owner’s mobile number and vice versa. We need these numbers to be able to contact the owner if there are any issues that need bringing to their attention or if they have won one of our new awards.

If the owner does not have an email address, please enter “no email address”. We use email addresses to contact the owner case of any issues that need bringing to their attention or if they have won an award.

Rider details
All parts of this section must be completed.

Names must be written out in full, not as initials.

Only one society membership number needs to be entered and this should be the society membership number relevant to the qualifiers you are entering.

Telephone numbers must be completed. If no landline number is available, please re-enter your mobile number and vice versa. We need these numbers to be able to contact the rider if there are any issues that need bringing to their attention or if they have won one of our new awards. If the rider is under 16 years of age, a parent or guardian’s contact details can be entered.

If the rider does not have an email address, please enter “no email address”. We use email addresses to contact the rider in case of any issues that need bringing to their attention or if they have won an award. If the rider is under 16 years of age, a parent or guardian’s email address can be entered.

The date of birth is required for classes with rider age restrictions. If this is not relevant to the rider’s class entry, enter “Not applicable”.

2. Other questions regarding the entry forms

What happens if I have not completed my form or completed it incorrectly?
The secretary of the qualifying show will contact you to advise you of this and ask you for the missing/correct information.

I entered one show with a separate Horse of the Year Show entry form, but another show I entered didn’t ask for one. Why is that?
Some shows have chosen to incorporate the information required by Horse of the Year Show into their own entry forms, so no second form is needed.

Will my qualification be stripped if I have not completed the form correctly?
You will not be able to enter the qualifier if your form has not been completed correctly, so would not have been able to gain qualification.

Will my data be sold to third parties?
No, Grandstand Media Ltd, organisers of Horse of the Year Show, does not sell its data. Please see the relevant Terms and conditions on the website.

What should I do if I realise I have sent off an incomplete entry form?
Don’t panic. If there is a problem with your entry, the show secretary will contact you. Unless you hear back, assume all is fine.

Should I contact the show secretary to check once I have sent off my entry form?
No, you will be contacted if there is a problem with your entry form.

Can I register on the Grandstand Online Entries System even if I haven’t qualified?
Yes. In fact, it is more beneficial to you and the qualifying show secretaries if you do. You can do this by visiting http://www.grandstandentries.com/

Below are the general Rules and Regulations of the Horse of the Year Show. For specific rules appertaining to each class, please refer to that class heading in this book. All Exhibitors competing at the Horse of the Year Show or its qualifiers shall be considered as having read the following regulations. Exhibitors must note that at the Horse of the Year Show final they will be subject to further practical rules and regulations relating to attending the event.

GENERAL RULES

1. All ridden animals must be four years old and over. The age of an animal shall be calculated from the 1st January in the year of its birth.

2. An animal must be shown in the name under which it was originally registered with the AHS, BMS, BSHA, BSPS, CHAPS, NPS, Native Breed Stud Books, SHB(GB), BS or any other recognised passport issuing society.

3. Mountain and Moorland ponies must be registered in the main body of their respective Breed Society Stud Books to compete in the Mountain and Moorland classes.

4. The identification of the animal must be in accordance with their National Passport, at all times.

5. Exhibitors are required by DEFRA to carry with them Passports for all horses/ponies when competing or travelling.

6. Exhibitors must comply by the membership/registration requirements as set out in the class specific rules before the date of the show which they attend the qualifier.

7. Mares with a living foal born during the current season may not be shown in any ridden classes.

8. In the Final at HOYS riders in Lead Rein and First Ridden classes will not be asked to dismount; the ponies will not be stripped; however they will still be assessed for conformation. At qualifying shows First Ridden ponies will be stripped unless on health and safety grounds it is unsafe to do so. This will be agreed at the discretion of the organiser and judge.

9. No animal or rider may leave the ring without permission of the judge or ring steward.

10. No rider may ride more than one animal in a class except for the jumping phase of the Sport Horse Breeding (GB) Working Hunter class

11. Once a class has commenced, there shall be no change of rider, except in a championship when a rider finds they have more than one exhibit eligible to compete. The substitute rider must be eligible for the class and the ring steward informed of the change of rider.

12. A fall of animal or rider while mounted in any class will result in disqualification and they MUST leave the ring dismounted. If an animal gets loose from its handler while in the ring, it will also result in disqualification.

13. Animals displaying continued disobedience may at the discretion of the judges be disqualified.

14. In all classes the rider must complete all phases unless they have prior permission from the organisers.

15. On Health and Safety grounds, all competitors must be in good general health and physically fit in order to take part. It is advised that any competitors found to be under the influence of excess alcohol or drugs will be immediately disqualified. Grandstand Media Ltd reserves the right to randomly Drug and Alcohol test anyone thought to be in breach of this rule.

16. Correctly secured British Standard Skull Caps/Riding Hats Nos. PAS015, EN1384 (USA) ASTMF1163 that meet current Safety Standards MUST be worn by riders 18 years and under, riders competing in intermediate , Mountain and Moorland classes and riders in the jumping phase of the W.H.

17. A rider whose hat comes off will be disqualified with the exception of Bowlers, Hunting Caps and Top Hats where permitted, when it must be passed up from the ground. A rider, whose strap comes undone whilst competing must on penalty of disqualification, replace it or fasten it before continuing. The rider may stop without penalty to refasten the strap.

18. Correct dress should be worn in all classes as per the guidelines set out in the class rulings. Please note gaiters may be worn however Chaps are not permitted in any class.

19. Body protectors may be worn and are recommended whilst competing in WHP classes.

20. No ear rings, piercings, or visible jewellery should be worn

21. Mobile telephones, ear pieces and communication devices MUST not be used in the ring.

22. Spurs/dress spurs are not permitted in any pony classes.

23. Show canes are not to exceed 75cms (30”) in pony classes. Hunting crops are permissible.

24. In Lead Rein and First Ridden classes, Reins must be of a normal length and not knotted or stitched together in a short loop. In Lead Rein classes the reins must not be attached to the saddle.

25. In Lead Rein classes handles on saddles are permitted.

26. Under no circumstances may tack be changed during the judging of a class.

27. If competing in a championship the same tack used in the class must be worn. Whips are not considered tack.

28. All Lead Rein and First Ridden ponies must be shown in a suitable snaffle bridle only with the exception of Mountain and Moorland First Ridden when they may use any suitable bridle.

29. Bit-less bridles and running gags are not permitted unless otherwise stated in the class specific rules.

30. In W.H./W.H.P. classes the use of any nosebands and martingales are permitted.

31. a. All Working Hunter Pony classes – Boots of a plain colour only may be used for the jumping phase of Working Hunter Pony classes. The inside protection must be smooth, the hind boots fixations must be non-elastic Velcro, no hooks or straps may be used. The rounded rigid part of protection must be placed around the inside of the fetlock. No additional elements may be used in conjunction with the protection. Boots must be removed for the conformation section of the class. Boots are not permitted for any other classes.

b. Working Hunter classes (Horses) – No Hind boots or bandages of any description are allowed in the collecting ring, warm-up area or in the actual class.

32. No bandages or protective pads on any animal’s legs or feet are permissible in any class

33. Only normal shaped shoes that do not cover the frog are permissible. Normal shaped open heeled plastic stick-on shoes are permissible. No Bar Shoes are allowed.

MEASUREMENT

1. In height restricted classes the Rules on the measurement of animals are in accordance with the Joint Measurement Board (J.M.B.) Rule Book, copies may be obtained from the J.M.B. unless otherwise stated in the class specific rules

2. All animals in ridden height restricted classes (Mountain and Moorland classes exempt at qualifying rounds) will be required to be in possession of a JMB height certificate in accordance with regulations stated in the class specific rules. A copy of which must be submitted at time of Registration to the governing society.

3. All Animals competing in Mountain and Moorland Ridden, Mountain and Moorland WHP and Mountain and Moorland Lead Rein and First Ridden classes will be required to be in possession of a current/valid JMB height certificate for the final, a copy of which must be submitted at time of entry.

4. An animal which has qualified for the Horse of the Year Show which subsequently measures out of the class for which it has qualified, will then be ineligible to compete at any Horse of the Year Show qualifiers for the remainder of that season and previous qualification for that year will be rescinded. Any re-measurements must be completed at least seven working days before the commencement of the Horse of the Year Show. Any objection to a Height Certificate must be received by the JMB no later than 2 clear working days after the last Horse Of The Year Show qualifier

5. In the case of above the qualification will be passed to the next eligible exhibit with the eligible placing’s.
JUDGING OF CLASSES

1. In all cases the judge’s decision is final.

2. Animals must NOT be escorted beyond the entrance to the ring.

3. No person, including exhibitors, handlers or grooms should enter the ring at any time without the judges’ permission. When permission is granted to enter the ring a person must be suitably attired and wear a hat at all times.

4. A class is deemed to have commenced when an animal enters the ring, if the judge is then present in the ring. If the judge is not present then the class shall commence when the judge enters the ring.

5. Exhibits will not be allowed into the ring after the ponies/horses have been asked to trot.

6. A class is deemed to be over when the judge has given permission for the class to leave the ring.

7. All ridden classes are to be judged using a marks system at the Horse of the Year Show. The details of how marks are to be allocated can be found in the class specific information. Details on marking system used in qualifying rounds to be found in the class specific information.

8. Marks must be recorded in ink; judges must not alter marks unless in extreme circumstances, if the marks are altered the Judge MUST sign the mark sheet.

9. Judges have the right to alter placings if an animal misbehaves after the marks have been awarded.

10. If a mistake in the marks is discovered, even after dismissing a class, it MUST be corrected and any qualification/result amended.

Judges

1. Judges who accept to judge at the Final of the Horse of the Year Show will be asked specifically to adhere to Rules (i) and (ii). The other rules apply to the Final and the qualifying shows.

Final
Judges must not:
(i) Own, produce or exhibit any horse/pony for any Horse of the Year Show qualifiers leading to the Championship class he/she is judging at Horse of the Year show in that year .
(ii) Judge, own, produce or exhibit any horse or pony in any competition taking place at Horse of the Year Show on the same day as he/she is judging.

Qualifying shows and Final

(iii) Judge any horse/pony under the ownership or production of any person for which he/she, his/her partner or business partner has provided or obtained livery or had any other connection (business or otherwise) Since 1st January of the preceding year, stud fees are exempt as per society guidelines.

(iv) Judge any horse/pony that is or has been owned, bred, produced or exhibited by him/her, a relative, business partner or partner.

(v) Judge any rider who has shown a horse/pony owned or produced by him/her since the 1st January of the preceding year.

(vi) Judge any horse/pony owned or produced by a person from whom the judge has purchased horses/ponies or to whom he/she sold horses/ponies since 1st January of the preceding year in which he/she is judging.

(vii) Undertake any judging appointment in the same season for open classes which are the same as the final which he/she is judging at Horse of the Year Show.

2. Compete in any class and Judge a HOYS qualifier at the same show, on the same day. This also includes immediate family

3. If a judge has reasonable grounds for belief that any section of the above rulings are being contravened then the judge must ask the rider to leave the ring and the rider must withdraw.

4. Judges may only accept to judge qualifying shows in accordance with the guidelines as set out in the class specific guidelines. Judges may judge an additional qualifier, if shows have been let down at short notice, providing the show asks the governing society in the first instance or Horse of the Year Show for approval.

5. Judges will not ride ponies in Horse of the Year show classes.

6. In the event of a ride judge falling from an exhibit, they must not remount that exhibit in that class, that horse must be asked to leave the ring and will not be allowed to compete further in that class. In the event of a judge falling from an exhibit it is at that judge’s discretion as to whether they feel fit to continue judging. In the event of the judge not being fit to continue riding, a replacement judge may be found or competitors will be asked to do an individual show. The organisers retain the right to over-ride a decision should they think the judge is un-fit to continue.

7. It is good judging practise to carry this Rule Book when judging Horse of the Year Show classes. It is essential to have a Rule Book for reference if any questions or problems on rules arise.

8. It is the duty of all Judges to understand and comply with these rules and to ensure they are fit and well to judge.

9. Judges who fail to observe Horse of the Year Show Rules or whose conduct in any respect shall be, in the opinion of the Horse of the Year Show derogatory to the character or prejudicial to the interests of the Horse of the Year Show, will be referred to the relevant Governing Society/Societies for action and will be dealt with in accordance their rules and disciplinary procedure, a copy of which will be lodged with the Horse of the Year Show office.

Horse of the Year Show Championship Show Administration

All entries for Horse of the Year Show and Horse of the Year Show qualifying rounds must be submitted on the standardised Horse of the Year Show entry form.

Substitution or nomination entries are NOT permitted.

The person who pays for the entry is then deemed as the owner of that entry. Changes of ownership must be submitted in writing by the seller to the Horse of the Year Show office before any change to said entry is made.

All entries must be accompanied by full payment.

The winner of a Horse of the Year perpetual cup is held responsible for its safe return the following year. These trophies remain the property of Horse of the Year Show. Cups and trophies must be returned to Horse of the Year show by the date requested. Entries may not be accepted if any trophies belonging to Horse of the Year Show are not returned by the requested date.

All Exhibitors at Horse of the Year Show and qualifying rounds are bound by the Rules as detailed in this handbook. Horse of the Year Show reserves the right to amend these rules when required. Exhibitors shall be deemed to have consented to all the provisions thereof by submission of an entry to Horse of the Year Show or its qualifying rounds.

No Exhibitor shall conduct himself in a manner or be guilty of behaviour which is derogatory to the character or prejudicial to the interests of the Horse of the Year Show and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) no behaviour of an offensive, abusive or unpleasant manner to any person at any show will be tolerated.

No person shall ill-treat animals at any time whether by misuse/excessive use of a whip, bit or any item of saddlery or in any other way whatsoever.

Failure to observe any of the rules may result in disqualification of the animal concerned and the instigation of disciplinary proceedings by Horse of the Year Show, against the person breaking the rules in accordance with the disciplinary procedure of Horse of the Year Show. In the event of disqualification any cup, rosette, prizes in kind or prize money will be forfeited.

The decision of Horse of the Year Show (including their employees, representatives and show officials) the Veterinary Surgeons and any Judges upon any of the matters required by the foregoing Rules to be decided or directed by any such persons or bodies including any question of height or soundness or want of merit or exclusion from final judging or granting of any permission or otherwise shall be final and binding in all respects and no objection shall be made on account thereof nor shall any appeal lie there from on any ground whatever.

Any act of discourtesy or disobedience to any Judge, Steward or to any Show Official on the part of the competitor groom, rider, driver or agent of an animal, will, at the discretion of such Official disqualify that animal from being judged, in which case entry fees, prizes and charges will be forfeited. Competitors are reminded of their responsibility for the actions of others within their party.

DOPE TESTING
Any horse or pony taking part in classes judged under the Rules of the Horse of the Year Show will be liable to Dope Testing in accordance with the Rules and Dope Testing procedure as laid down by any Society authorised by Horse of the Year Show. Should Horse of the Year Show subsequently, at any time, be advised by a governing body that a positive dope test carried out at Horse of the Year Show or its qualifying rounds has been recorded against an animal, Horse of the Year Show will automatically disqualify the animal concerned.

COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS PROCEDURE.

1. At Horse of the Year Show qualifying rounds any complaint or appeal should be lodged in accordance to the procedure as set out by the society that qualifier is affiliated too.

2. At Horse of the Year Show Final any objection or protest is to be lodged by obtaining a printed Objection Form from the Equestrian Manager at the Show which must be completed by and signed by the Objector and delivered to the Equestrian Manager for Showing competitions accompanied by a deposit of £250.00 in cash within an hour after the results have been announced in the arena, in respect of which the objection is lodged.

3. Horse of the Year Show is unable to accept objections involving Joint Measurement Board certificates.

4. The objection shall be determined by the Appeal Committee who may require and receive such evidence as they think fit and in particular may require the Objector or the Competitor in respect of which such objection was lodged to make a statutory declaration upon any question of fact concerning the matter of such objection. If the objection shall be determined against the Objector he shall also be liable to the Show for the amount of costs and expenses occasioned by the objection and the determination thereof, unless in the opinion of the Organisers who determine the objection there existed good and reasonable grounds for the objection, when they may order to the contrary.

Equestrian Manager duties:

• Working with other departments within the company to deliver a successful competition timetable
• Liaising with the officials pre-, during and post-show
• Development and management of the Grandstand Online Entries System
• Managing the equestrian office on-site at HOYS
• Compilation of results from HOYS for every competition/championship and the analysis of HOYS qualifiers, to include a review of current Championships and their development
• Liaison where necessary with governing bodies, officials etc in line with role responsibilities
• Attending meetings as required

Candidate:

• Must have superb knowledge of the equine industry to include showing and show jumping   
• Computer literate – MS Word and Excel essential, plus the use of databases and entry systems
• Excellent “people skills”
• Flexible approach to work
• Able to work within a team environment, as well as being able to use own initiative
• Excellent communication skills
• Good management skills
• Good time keeping essential
• Excellent English/writing skills

If you are interested in this position, please apply with your CV and a covering letter detailing why you are suitable for the role to personnel@grandstand.co.uk quoting the reference “EM”.

Deadline: 30 April 2012

The awards have been made possible due to the Grandstand Online Entries System’s stored information, which will be collected from every Horse of the Year Show qualifier. This means the new showing awards are the only ones in Britain based on accurate data collected for every eligible animal.

For all three series, points will be allocated a scale of five for first place, down to one for fifth place in Horse of the Year Show qualifiers. Points will not be given for the finals. The points will then be tabulated for each section within the series, with almost 100 awards available overall. The winners will be revealed once the qualifiers have been completed.

Sponsor support
Two of the categories have already attracted support from equestrian companies. The most consistent animal awards will besponsored by leading clothing company Tagg Equestrian and will be named the Tagg La Liga.

Tom Eastwood, managing director of Tagg, said: “TAGG Equestrian is delighted to be involved in a new venture for showing. The La Liga tables will provide the data showing the most consistent horses and ponies in each section. We are happy to provide the winning prizes, we are committed to excellence in support of the showing world.”

New online reference tool www.breedersguide.co.uk, the definitive source of information for those wishing to breed show animals, will be the sponsors for the leading breeder titles.

Gail Chapman from Breeders Guide is delighted to be associated with the inaugural breeder awards, and said: “These awards give breeders a chance to be recognised at the highest level. We look forward to meeting the winners at Horse of the Year show in October, when we are also launching Breeders Guide, which will be an invaluable marketing tool for even the smallest breeder.”

This exciting new way of rewarding those who perform at the highest level during the qualifying season is planned to expand in future. The implementation of further awards and benefits, for which the Grandstand Online Entries System was designed, are being investigated all the time, and the usefulness of the system can now be much more widely seen.

“The awards are only the first of many new initiatives we have planned for using the Grandstand Online Entries System data,” says Helena. “There is a whole lot more it can offer, such as breeding and production statistics; highlighting trends in individual breeds; seeing how far people travel to qualifiers, and which classes are proving the most popular. This is exactly why we believed in the need for this system within the showing world and Grandstand Media intends to make the most of it for the good of the industry.”
More about the awards

One of the prizes in the Taga La Liga is a Carleton mocha jackets

The Tagg La Liga
Tagg La Liga points will be accrued across Horse of the Year Show qualifying sections with a points scale of five for first place, down to one for fifth place awarded. These points will then be recorded into individual league tables for each section, giving a total of 55 awards for all types of horse and pony qualifying for HOYS, from first riddens to ladies’ hunters. The victors will be announced after the last qualifier.

Each of the winners will receive a certificate, a branded Tagg Carleton jacket, a branded rug and a pair of SSG digital glove at Horse of the Year Show.

Breeders Guide Awards
Breeders Guide award winners will be decided using a points scale of five for first place, down to one for fifth place in Horse of the Year Show qualifiers which will then be added to a league table. There will be an award for the leading breeders based on points gained for horses, ponies, Arabs and Miniatures, in addition to each of the 12 native British breeds.

The winning and reserve breeders in each of the 16 categories over the season will be invited to an exclusive Breeders Guide reception at Horse of the Year Show for the presentation of the victors’ awards. The overall leading breeder will be treated further to VIP hospitality at the show and a second award presentation.

For more information on Breeders Guide, call: 0292 1252027

Leading Sire Awards
As with the leading breeder award, victors will be decided using a points scale of five for first place, down to one for fifth place in Horse of the Year Show qualifiers which will then be added to a league table. There will be an award for the leading sires based on points gained for horses, ponies, Arabs and Miniatures, in addition to each of the 12 native British breeds.

All winners will receive a certificate to recognise their achievement.

Learning more about the Grandstand Online Entries System
Grandstand Media is offering six training/demonstration sessions for any secretaries or show organisers interested in learning more. Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and will be held on 12th, 14th and 19th June 2012 in morning and afternoon sessions. If you wish to become a delegate for these sessions, email: gemma.griffith@grandstand.co.uk

Are you registered on the Grandstand Online Entries System?
If you we a HOYS competitor in 2011 and are unsure if you are registered on the Grandstand Online Entries System, please email: entries@grandstand.co.uk, with your full name and address and your login details will be forwarded to you

All 2011 exhibitors from Horse of the Year Show were registered as part of the entries process, but may not have requested user login details.

For more information about the awards, email awards@grandstand.co.uk, visit www.hoys.co.uk or call the Grandstand Equestrian Department on 01582 711411.

For full terms and conditions, click here

Historically, New Forest Ponies have only been able to qualify for Horse of the Year Show in classes which also include Connemaras. During the past two years, there has been a significant increase in the amount of New Forest Ponies coming forward in these qualifiers, coupled with a marked rise in the number of top-quality animals. Grandstand Media Ltd, organiser of Horse of the Year Show, believes that these positive trends should be reflected in the number of New Forest Ponies being represented at the show. Therefore, from next year, there will be eight qualifiers for New Forest Ponies only, in addition to a number of qualifiers combined with Connemaras.

“The New Forest Pony Society has implemented a good breeding programme and we are now seeing the results of this,” said Grandstand Media Ltd’s Managing Director, Helena Pettit. “The programme has produced a much more versatile animal and, using the successful template introduced in 2011 for the Highland pony stand alone qualifiers, we believe this is a positive step forward to further encourage good breeding of native ponies.”

For the Horse of the Year Show final, the New Forest Ponies and Connemaras will be judged as a combined class.

After careful study of each breed and its capabilities, the Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Pony Classes will now be split into four height divisions for 2013’s qualifiers. These height divisions will be: Not exceeding 122cm, not exceeding 133cm, not exceeding 143cm and exceeding 143cm.

“These height divisions will allow all the Mountain and Moorland breeds to compete on a level playing field,” said Helena Pettit. “When looking at each breed’s heights and capabilities, these divisions gave the best split to allow for a much fairer competition, without penalising any one breed for a particular inherent trait.”

Mountain and Moorland classes have been an important and popular element of the HOYS timetable since 1999. These positive changes are being implemented to ensure that each breed is truly represented so Britain’s finest natives can be celebrated at the “World’s Most Famous Horse Show”.

For more information on Horse of the Year Show qualifiers, visit www.hoys.co.uk/competitor/competitions.php. Final details and venues for 2013 qualifiers will not be available until after this year’s show.

This year’s Horse of the Year Show, held in the LG Arena at Birmingham’s NEC, promises to be another exceptional not-to-be-missed event. The equine extravaganza will host the finals of the most highly-regarded national showing and show jumping championships, international show jumping, featuring stars from across the globe, and an exciting line-up of entertainment to be announced very soon.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.ticketfactory.co.uk or phone the Box Office on 0844 581 8282.