"HOYS 2008"

The world’s most famous horse show returns to The NEC in October 2008 (8^th – 12^th) to celebrate its 60th Anniversary. With the most spectacular programme of events ever seen at Britain’s biggest indoor equestrian venue, Horse of the Year Show hosts the finals of the most highly regarded national showing championships and celebrates the end of the competitive season in true style. From stunning displays to tense competition, Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is an equestrian extravaganza not to be missed.

HOYS was first held in 1949 at Harringay Arena before moving to Wembley Arena ten years later. The show again moved to Birmingham's NEC in 2002 and has become bigger and more complex each year in its larger venue, including the introduction in 2003 of an extensive Equestrian Retail Village.

Known as the 'champion of champions' Show, it’s an event of stringent competition to which all riders and owners aspire. Over 120 county and equestrian shows in Great Britain host qualifiers for this huge indoor event and it is renowned for its prestigious qualifier places and even more prestigious Championship titles on offer!

Due to its high standards of competition and its placement at the end of equestrian year, the Show has become a national treasure in the UK, rich in heritage and tradition and is considered to be the most famous horse show in the world.

The show features the finals of all of the most prestigious national show jumping championships and also runs a full programme of international classes, five of which offer world ranking points. The atmosphere is electric as riders and horses tackle the huge jumps and tight turns in a variety of classes including the Speed Horse of the Year, the famous Puissance and the pinnacle class of the week – the Leading Show Jumper of the Year.  Alongside the competition, HOYS also boasts dazzling displays and equestrian entertainment that the whole family will enjoy.

This year’s displays include:

The Household Cavalry sponsored by Virbac

A firm crowd favourite, the Household Cavalry, will debut their new regal Musical Ride demonstrating their exceptional horsemanship and the very best of British tradition. Hailed as the oldest regiment in the British Army, the majestic Household Cavalry will be gracing the NEC Arena on their beautiful black horses resplendent in their tunics, gleaming steel cuirasses and plumed helmets. The State Trumpeters and magnificent drum horse will feature in the display performing intricate movements with perfect military precision to create a thrilling and emotive atmosphere.

Osborne Refrigerators Musical Drive of the Heavy Horses

Back by popular demand! The famous Osborne Refrigerators Musical Drive of the Heavy Horses will continue in the same traditional vein in an exclusive display especially choreographed for 2008. The much-loved Musical Drive, for decades a traditional feature at the Show, has been reformed especially for this year’s Horse of the Year Show and features Shires, Clydesdales, Percherons and one of the UK’s rarest breeds, the Suffolk Punch. This noble display will strike chords of the by-gone era and will be set to stirring traditional music.

With two arenas, 1,500 horses, 1,400 competitors and a huge variety of shopping at over 250 stands, 1.2 million square feet of The NEC is transformed into a horse lover’s paradise.

Tickets are on sale now. For show information and to book visit www.hoys.co.uk or call the Box Office on 08719 45 45 00.