PAW & HOOF PRINT
Sparkle and magic
The wonderful atmosphere of the UK’s Horse of the Year Show will come to the Island for five days in October with Home Farm Equestrian hosting the Jersey Horse of the Year Show
‘S
parkle and magic’ – that is how the atmosphere of the famous annual Horse of the Year Show in the UK is often described. Now that same atmosphere will come to Jersey in October, with the introduction of a first ever Jersey Horse of the Year Show. It will take place at Home Farm Equestrian, Rue ès Abbes, St John. Spectators will be able to enjoy showing, dressage, working hunter and show jumping split over two weekends while taking advantage of an on-site shopping village featuring a variety of trade stands and including children’s activities, such as face painting.
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The aim is for competitors to qualify so they can go forward to JHOYS and celebrate their riding accomplishments Emily Bell, who is a member of the 15-strong JHOYS committee, said the show will provide an opportunity for those who have a love and passion for the horse and for riding, to showcase the best of Jersey’s equestrian community. She added there had already been a lot of interest from sponsors keen to support the annual event which is expected to become bigger and better each year.
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‘It is an opportunity to get involved in one of the largest sports in the Island,’ said Emily. ‘It’s going to be a fun event and we want to invite the whole family for a day out.’ There will be over 50 classes and about 500 competitors taking part at JHOYS, and Home Farm Equestrian is working closely with local organisations such as the Jersey Riding Club, the Dressage Club, the Jersey branches of the British Association of Show Jumping and the Pony Club, to select qualifying classes from horse shows held throughout the 2022.
‘The aim is for competitors to qualify so they can go forward to JHOYS and celebrate their riding accomplishments,’ said Emily. She added that riding in the winter months can be challenging, because of the dark mornings and evenings and the wet and windy weather, so Home Farm Equestrian hopes the show will give the horse community something to look forward to every year. The Home Farm Equestrian club, which was launched on 9 May 2020 and has over 200 members, caters for all ages and abilities and offers a fun, friendly and supportive atmosphere for equestrians.
