Celebrating HOYS supreme ponies of the year: 2003–2024

This year’s Supreme Products 2024 HOYS supreme pony of the year title at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) was lifted by a five-year-old rider and a lead-rein show pony.

Heather Clay watched her tiny daughter Sienna Clay reign — and take the £1,000 prize pot — on their eight-year-old gelding Derw Dream Boy (Dave).

About this prestigious pony title

The supreme pony of the year was first crowned at HOYS in 2003. Until then the top ponies of the show went forward to the supreme horse of the year championship.

In 2014 the number of ponies forward for the supreme increased as all the mountain and moorland (M&M) champions became eligible (ridden pony, working hunter pony and mini pony), rather than only the M&M supreme pony of the year champion, as in previous years.

M&Ms have taken the supreme pony title on five occasions so far, starting with Welsh Section A Penwayn Ryan in 2003. He was ridden by Laura Collett, who has since gone on to become a successful five-star event rider and won Olympic team gold in both Tokyo and Paris.

HOYS supreme pony of the year winners

Carol Phillips

H&H website editor

Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.