HOYS 2026 day one results: returning champions and first-time winners
Horse of the Year Show 2026 opened today, Wednesday 7 October, at the NEC Birmingham. After months of preparation, from competitors working towards qualification to businesses preparing their trade stands, the anticipation could finally give way to five days of competition, shopping and the chance to fulfil a HOYS dream.
For some, that dream became reality on the opening day. Read all the latest below.
Katie Benbow wins after injury-hit preparations
Katie Benbow and Latico won the HOYS NAF Five Star Bronze League Championship after a broken wrist left the North Yorkshire rider relying on help to prepare her mare for HOYS.
Eight of the 14 starters reached the jump-off, with Katie recording a winning time of 36.94 seconds. Anabel Cluer and Ciao Bella Z finished just over a second behind in second place, followed by Martin Brake and Juduela.
“I broke my wrist a week after qualifying for HOYS, so I haven’t really been riding,” Katie said.
Although everyone pulled together, Katie remained uncertain about how their HOYS appearance would unfold. “I’ve had friends, family, everyone keeping her fit, my partner keeping her fit for me, just riding her and just trying to keep her going. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but we managed to pull it off.
“I don’t think it is going to sink in for a while. It’s unbelievable. She is a very quick mare and very competitive against the clock, but anything can happen on the day.”
Contrichta takes the Silver League title at 19
Catherine Housman and her 19-year-old mare Contrichta secured the NAF Five Star Silver League Championship, their biggest win together.
Just 1.33 seconds separated the top three in the jump-off. Lucy Hassall and One for Lucy finished second, with Emily Mould and My Ariana third.
The Kent rider said an early draw helped her focus on her own round, despite knowing there were fast combinations still to come. She had considered retiring Contrichta after HOYS, but the mare’s continued enthusiasm has left that decision open.
“She has been an incredible mare, she owes me nothing, and to come here and win is extra special. She is well, she is fit and she still loves to jump.”
Jayne Ross and KBF Lucia reclaim the side saddle title
Reigning Supreme Horse of the Year KBF Lucia won the Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship with Jayne Ross, reclaiming the title she took in 2023.
Owned by Diane Stennett and Lucy Cameron, the nine-year-old piebald mare, known as Poppy, already has multiple coloured horse victories at HOYS to her name.
“It’s a very emotional win,” said Jayne. “She just throws her heart out and gives you her all.”
“She has a beautiful attitude to life, what you see is what you get. She never gets revved, or worried or upset, she comes out time and time again, smiles and does her job. She’s just very special.”
Amelia Hood rode her own eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Seabourne Singing Hills, to reserve on the gelding’s first side saddle appearance at HOYS.
Rich Man Poor Man wins on his fifth championship appearance
Morean Hamilton’s Rich Man Poor Man took the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse of the Year Championship with Kirstine Douglas, having been placed on each of his previous appearances in the class.
The 13-year-old thoroughbred, known as Robbie, headed a field of 14 former racehorses assessed by ride judge Hayden Hankey and conformation judge Sacha Shaw.
“This is my first HOYS win! It’s quite surreal to have done it!” said Morean.
Based in Dumfries and Galloway, Robbie joined Kirstine as a four-year-old after leaving Philip Kirby’s racing yard. He was big and weak when he came out of training, and his development into a successful show horse has taken nine years of patient work. Alongside his ex-racehorse results, he has also earned placings in middleweight hunter classes.
“We’re over the moon”, Kirstine said. “He’s been a great horse for us and this is the icing on the cake.”
Georgina Andrews’ Migration stood reserve with Hannah Horton. The 10-year-old gelding earned more than £200,000 in win and place money during his racing career before moving into showing in 2024.
Bugatti wins in his first open ridden season
Bugatti won the NeedleSmart, John Illingworth and Cliff Kirby Ridden Purebred Arab of the Year Championship with Natasha Nelson in his first open season under saddle.
The chestnut stallion, owned by Mike, Jayne and Sandra Johnson, had previously competed in-hand. His victory also gave Natasha her first HOYS championship centre-line moment.
“He did a lot of in-hand showing before he came to me for his ridden career”, said Natasha.
“I’m absolutely blown away… As a person he’s really gentle and cuddly. Your nan could lead him out, he’s a darling and really fun to have around.”
Reserve went to Daniel Botwright and Anne Bevan’s 10-year-old stallion Waliandro, ridden by Sian Warman.
Plains Royalty makes it five wins from five
Neil Wray’s Plains Royalty won the Harness Horse and Pony of the Year Championship for the fifth time from five appearances.
The 15-year-old Hackney stallion returned to competition following two years off, having been bought by Neil from the Netherlands as a two-year-old.
“We gave him two years off… and brought him back today as he was a bit miserable at home,” Neil said.
“We’ve been fortunate to have some very good horses, but this one is Mr Consistency and has everything.”
Defending champion Hatterall All Gold stood reserve. Owned by Jessie Dudley and driven by Kelly Searle, the palomino stallion will now take a break from showing for breeding.
Shemika Snip becomes the first ridden veteran champion
At 26, Shemika Snip was the oldest entrant in the inaugural Veteran Horse Society & Harry Hall One Club Ridden Veteran Horse of the Year Championship. She left with the title, ridden by Kelsey Bishop, who has owned the skewbald mare for 18 years.
Judges Susan Stockley-Bridges and Deborah Alderson selected the pair as champions in the new class for horses and ponies aged 15 and over.
“Not once did I think a pony I bought for £700 would get somewhere like this, let alone win it,” said Kelsey.
Originally bought as a showjumper, Shemika Snip found her strength in showing in her mid-teens. An injury early last year raised the possibility of retirement, but she returned to work and qualified for HOYS at her first attempt.
The 21-year-old Welsh section D gelding Taffechan Flashman Berti Blaze stood reserve, owned by Susan Don and ridden by Shonagh Stark.
For Kelsey, the result reflected a partnership that has lasted nearly two decades: “She’s good as gold and I love her to bits, but she can be quite sassy – she loves her job.”
What’s on at HOYS tomorrow?
HOYS continues on Thursday 8 October, with the Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year Championship at approximately 2.55pm. The evening programme includes the Dressage Future Elite Championship at 5.55pm, the Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year Championship at 8.40pm and the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Championship at 9.30pm.
Feature Image: Katie Benbow and Letico win the NAF Five-Star Bronze League Championship 2026 at Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham. Image credit 1st Class Images,