Feel Every Beat.
Help us make Horse of the Year an event you’d expect from a Horse of the Year. The funds we raise will ensure we can put the details and final touches on the event, lifting it back to the level it so deserves for those who attend and support it, while supporting the grassroots of equestrian.
In the spirit of competition, for which the equestrian community is renowned, we’re inviting everyone who loves Horse of the Year - clubs, riders, supporters, and trade partners - to help us fundraise and deliver the show the way it deserves to be.
In 2026, for our 71st show, we’ll be making quite a fuss of the people behind the scenes, our supporters and alike who provide the financial support to make it all happen.
Behind every rider is a team.
Behind every great show is a community.
Horse of the Year has always been a partnership.
Like the partnership between horse and rider.
Two Hearts. One show.
What it takes to put on Horse of the Year
These are a few of the costs needed to put on HOY.
- 2,891 ribbons are awarded and celebrated, costing $24,477
- We use 1.5 km of panels for our trade sites
- We clear away 120 tonnes of manure during the week
- We spend $22,695 catering for our 400+ all-important volunteers and officials
- We hand out over $250,000 in prize money
- We installed 4.2 km of fencing, costing $36,249.15
- We spend $51,070 on rubbish collection for the week.
- We spend $26,000 on 150 rugs and 87 garlands
- We provide 498 nights of accommodation for officials, costing $91,269
There’s much, much more, of course. But every donation makes a difference and helps us to put on Horse of the Year, the way you’d expect Horse of the Year to be put on.
CLUB OF THE YEAR PRIZE
If you’re a club, every item you help sell raises money—not just for the show, but for your own club. Raise the most, and you’ll become our inaugural Club of the Year.
- HOY reserved seating and hospitality for your chosen title class, including week entry (up to 20 people)
- Premier ring presentation attendance for Sunday Cup Day (HOY/DOY/EOY/POY)
- Social media post and imagery celebrating your achievement.
- Michelle Clarke Club Day shoot.
Club of the Year will close on 31 January 2026 and will be announced 7th February 2026.
PARTNER OF THE YEAR PRIZE
- Benefits over and above those of a trade site holder or sponsor
- Co-branding - brought to you by
- Co-branding on all title awards (rugs & ribbons)
- Promotion in the show programmes and EDMs
- Exclusive hosting, hospitality, and ticket package
- Mentioned in all mainstream and digital advertising
- Live streaming/onsite big screen advertising
- Inclusion in regional billboard signage
- Inclusion in digital event branding
- On-site visibility - event arena signage rights (section)/entrances - at partners' costs (arenas etc)
- Presentation rights
- Announcer MC mentions
Partner of the Year closes on 24 December 2025 and will be revealed on 31 December 2025.
Valued at $100,000
SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR PRIZE
We’ll pay special recognition to our individual supporters. You don’t have to be part of a club to win.
- 1st place getter presented with an official HOY rug
- HOY reserved seating and hospitality for your chosen title class, including entry for up to four people
- Premier stable.
- Free entry to the reserved hospitality area.
- The top six sellers will be presented with:
- HOY Sash
- HOY merchandise pack
- Full week entry and parking to HOY 2026
Supporter of the Year will close on 31 January 2026 and will be announced 7th February 2026.
Two Hearts. One show Collection
Fundraising Merchandise
