Royal visit to Horse of the Year Show
Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), the world’s most famous hose show, will be commemorating the 50th Prince Philip Cup competition at this year’s Show (4th-8th October at the NEC Arena, Birmingham) and is delighted to welcome Prince Philip to present the prestigious trophy following the final on Sunday evening, the Show’s Gala performance.
The Prince Philip Cup which was first introduced at the 1957 Horse of the Year Show as an enduring challenge trophy and has been an integral part of this world famous equestrian event ever since. The Pony Club Mounted Games, currently sponsored by Farmers Guardian, was devised by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh who recommended to the HOYS Show Director, Col. Sir Mike Ansell, that a competition based on Calvary techniques would be entertaining, visually engaging and enhance rider skills and teamwork.
Since it was first established, the Prince Philip Cup, has become a prestigious fixture on the Pony Club calendar with over 250 teams challenging for the six finalist places each year. The Pony Club has over 110,000 members across the world and in the UK has produced many of this country’s top equestrians across all disciplines including Pippa Funnell, John Francombe and Tim Stockdale.
This summer has seen many qualifiers take place all over the country with youngsters doing everything in their power to win their Zone finals in an effort to compete at HOYS. The five teams who have qualified to date are: Banwell, Eglinton Hunt, Sir W. W. Wynn’s, Oakely Hunt West, Essex Union. One final place in the Prince Philip Cup Final 2006 will be awarded to the top team from the Pony Club Championships at Sansaw Park on 24th August.
As part of the 50th Prince Philip Cup celebrations, previous winners from the last 49 years have been invited to take part in a Champions’ Parade immediately before this year’s final during the Gala Night on Sunday 8th October.
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