Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) kicks off this week in Birmingham (3-7 October), with all the usual top class showing and showjumping and a host of other exciting equestrian events.

Supreme horse and pony

HOYS marks the end of the showing calendar with 27 championship classes, from miniatures to working cobs. The winner of each class then qualifies for the show’s most prestigious titles on Sunday; the supreme horse and supreme pony.

Returning to HOYS for the tenth year is the popular SEIB search for a star championship on Friday, which gives amateur riders the opportunity to qualify and compete at the show.

SEIB also sponsors the racehorse to riding horse show championship, which is on the Saturday and is another big hit with the crowd. The series aims to recognise the abilities of ex-racehorses and provide them with a new lease of life. 

World's top showjumpers

In the Andrews Bowen international arena some of the world’s biggest names in showjumping will battle it out for the top prizes. Thursday sees the prestigious Horse and Hound Foxhunter championship, while on Saturday the popular puissance takes place.

Finishing off the show in style on Sunday are the leading showjumper of the year classes. During the day the under 16s will compete for the much coveted pony title, while the evening performance welcomes the world's very best senior riders.

Fast and furious

The Pony Club is part and parcel of HOYS, and it will once again host the club's top six teams. They fought off over 250 other clubs to be there and will all be keen to get their hands on the Prince Philip Cup, which is on Friday.

Just as fast and furious is the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry Racing, which takes place every evening. The championship is on Saturday night, while the celebrity scurry – which features top showjumpers and nation hunt jockeys – will be held on Sunday.

Displays of horsemanship

Alongside all the competitions are some fantastic displays of horsemanship. Triple olympian and dual world equestrian games winner Richard Davison will host a classic dressage master class on Friday, while the Final Charge combines stunt riding and liberty work. The daily show, which is set on the battlefields of World War I, is exclusive to HOYS, and will be performed by Atkinson Action Horses.