Overview
- ⏱️5 daysApproximate duration
- 🏟️Medium sizedVenue capacity is 10,000
- 🌟Highly ratedFans scored this event 4.7 stars
The Horse of the Year Show – often shortened to HOYS – is one of the biggest events in the equestrian calendar and is held annually at Birmingham's NEC Arena.
In 1949, after years of anticipation, Captain Tom Collings' idea to fill the void of there being no special event to mark the end of the equestrian season was realised, and the Horse of the Year Show was born. As the finale to the showing year, the event has a balanced selection of show classes open to horses and ponies that have qualified by winning prizes at major shows during the season. The show was first held in Harringay before moving to Wembley in 1959, and in 2002 it moved to its current home in Birmingham.
The Horse of the Year Show has something for every member of the family to enjoy including equestrian entertainment and breath-taking displays, as well as fine dining, shopping experiences, and a chance to get up close to the horses. There are 5 days of thrilling competition, stunning shows, and spell-binding horsemanship.
Horse of the Year Show Tickets
As events during the Horse of the Year Show take place in different arenas within the NEC, there are different options when purchasing tickets. From Wednesday to Friday, spectators can purchase a Gold ticket which offers admission to the Andrews Bowen International Arena and the TopSpec Arena so that you can see all of the action on each day. On Saturday and Sunday, you can either purchase a daytime (action in the Andrews Bowen International Arena and TopSpec Arena) or an evening (action in the Andrews Bowen International Arena) ticket. On the Sunday, you can also purchase a ticket to cover both daytime and evening admission. All tickets come with all-day access to the Retail Park.
Within these tickets, you have the option to select your seating level for the events in the Andrews Bowen International Arena with varying price brackets dependent on the quality of the view:
- Premium Ringside – some of the best seats in the house with uninterrupted views from the side of the ring
- Band A – located just behind the Premium Ringside seats with a great view of the action
- Band B – situated further back on the higher tiers of the arena, but still offering good views of the competition
- Band C – located in the back of the tiers, these seats are further from the action but you'll still enjoy the incredible atmosphere of the event
There is also the opportunity to upgrade to the hospitality area in the fantastic Champions Bar offering panoramic views with direct access to a fully licensed cash bar.
