Jersey Horse of the Year Show's doors open to everyone

Seasoned equestrians and enthusiastic novices are all catered for at this year’s Jersey Horse of the Year Show (JHOYS) at Home Farm Equestrian. The event in September will see hundreds of competitors take part, ranging from primary schoolers to retirees. What they have in common is a love of the sport, and a warm welcome from the competition organisers. Tamara Timothy found out more about this highlight of the equestrian calendar.

Five years on from the establishment of Home Farm Equestrian, the club is fulfilling its mission to be an inclusive, welcoming facility – and that extends to its most high-profile competition, the Jersey Horse of the Year Show. The 2025 event will be the third JHOYS competition it has held.

Home Farm Equestrian’s Club Secretary is Nicolle Maltwood. She explained how the club came about:

“Home Farm was established on 9 May 2020 during the Covid lockdown by our Chair Karen Barette. We started with a strong ethos that it would be a place for riders of every skill and ability to come together. No matter what level you are at or how nervous or new to riding you are, you are welcome here. We have riders who come in and are terrified of a walking pony up to very experienced equestrians happy to jump over one metre and ready to head off to UK competitions.”

Once the club was established, the team behind it was determined to showcase its riders’ abilities. For Nicolle, a competition like JHOYS is the perfect way to inspire everyone: “Some of our members have competed at high level events in the UK, and have been lucky enough to take part in the prestigious Horse of the Year show, the Traditional Gypsy Cob of the Year Show, and various top dressage events. Experiences like those are absolutely incredible, so we were very keen to try to recreate some of that magic for everyone here in Jersey. We wanted others to experience that buzz and excitement – these competitions are about more than just you and your horse, you are a part of a community with everyone who has their own dreams about riding.”

In 2022 that dream became a reality with the first JHOYS, and after a break last year will return this September to the Home Farm Equestrian grounds. Taking place over three weekends, it is a major event for the Committee to organise. “In previous years we have had up to 500 competitors over the course of the event, riding at all levels,” said Nicolle. “As well as preparing the venue for the different competitions, we are also bringing over officials from the UK.”

While riders don’t need to qualify for JHOYS, it does showcase Jersey’s top equestrians. The three competition weekends culminate in the final showing championship of the year. Sponsored by local mortgage provider, Skipton International, the last day will see the ‘Supreme Champion’ competitor crowned.

Along with sponsoring the final day of competition, Skipton International’s support includes providing a new jump for the club, which will be used during the showjumping weekend and throughout the year.

Ceri Powell works at the company as Senior People Services Business Advisor as well as being a committee member at Home Farm Equestrian. With her experience of both, she thinks the two organisations are a perfect fit: “Through its community fund, Skipton is well known for reaching the smaller causes that can be missed by others – and Home Farm’s ethos is to ensure that it caters to everyone in the riding community. That community support and drive for inclusivity is certainly a theme for both organisations.  We are so appreciative of Skipton’s support, which will make a significant difference to the success of the event.”

While the club says that riders of all levels are welcome, so too are non-riders. Refreshments will be served throughout the three weekends, so everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy the atmosphere and entertainment.

 

THE JHOYS SCHEDULE

The JHOYS competition takes place over three weekends in September, with a different focus for each of the dates.

Last weekend focused on dressage events, along with a dog show for the smaller four-legged friends.

19-21 September is the showjumping weekend, which will feature Skipton International’s new jump.

27-28 September will see the event out in style, with the showing aspect of the competition taking place on the final weekend before Skipton’s ‘Supreme Champion’ is crowned.