The Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) has revealed its judges for 2026 but will withhold class assignments until the evening before finals, reviving a format from 2024. Organisers cite transparency and fairness, though reactions among competitors are mixed. This approach aims to level the playing field while managing potential conflicts of interest.
The Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), organised by Grandstand Media, has confirmed a panel of judges for its 2026 edition, drawing from the UK, Australia, Canada, and Ireland. However, competitors will not learn which judge is assigned to their class until the evening before they compete, a return to the 2024 system designed to promote transparency and fairness.
Pony specialist Gill Thompson praised the change, telling Horse & Hound: “I think the format is really refreshing. When we had the Australian judges, it was exciting as no-one knew what they would like or be going for so there were no preconceived ideas about who was going to do well. It was exciting to watch as spectators too.” She added that it creates a more equitable atmosphere in the collecting ring.
Not all feedback is positive. H&H columnist Rebecca Penny expressed concerns about the uncertainty, noting the significant costs of preparing for qualifiers. “There are significant costs associated with running a pony on the HOYS circuit for a season... do you continue to spend thousands of pounds attending qualifiers, knowing there is a real possibility of the disappointment of not being able to compete on the day?” she said.
Producer Harrison Taylor, who rode a horse owned by one of this year’s judges, highlighted the challenges: “It’s tricky for us all not knowing who is judging and fearing someone’s going to be disappointed on the day.” An unnamed home-produced exhibitor has already contacted organisers to check eligibility for her daughters’ season.
HOYS event director Emma Williams reported “an abundance of positive feedback” from 2024, stating: “By confirming a world-class panel while withholding individual allocations until the finals, we are able to maintain transparency and ensure every competitor enters the arena with confidence in the process.” A spokesperson noted that in 2024, only a small number of competitors were affected by conflicts, with three unable to compete after qualification and three more advised beforehand. Organisers urge potential conflicts to be reported to entries@grandstand.co.uk.
Confirmed judges include Mrs Deborah Alderson, Ms Stephanie Barrington, Mr Jonathan Carnduff, Mrs Glenis Cockbain, Mr Graham Dunkley, Miss Lucinda Elliott, Mr Hayden Hankey, Mr John James, Miss Rachel Moore Rooney, Ms Meg Nicholls, Mrs Tina O’Brien, Mr Jim O’Brien, Ms Ann Rushton Green, Mr Randy Robertson, Miss Sacha Shaw, Mrs Helen Starkie, Mrs Susan Stockley-Bridges, Ms Julie Templeton, and Mr Chris Yates.
