Sold-out event defies cost-of-living concerns.
The average Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) spectator spends between £200 and £500 at the event.
Last year, the show attracted a total of 60,372 visitors over five days, says organiser Grandstand Media. Of those, 97.5% indulged in some retail therapy in HOYS’ shopping village.
The top three most popular stands, according to Grandstand’s visitor survey, were Holland Cooper, Fairfax & Favor and Townfields Saddlers.
Also making the cut in the ranking of favourite HOYS stands are LeMieux, Crafty Ponies, Equidry, Black Heart Equestrian, Aztec Diamond Equestrian, Blackfort Equestrian, HOYS Merchandise, Showponyprep, Horzehoods, Pony Magazine, Joules, British Horse Society, Joshua Jones, Thomas & Co, House of Tweed, Le Beau Cheval and Polished Shoes.
HOYS’ tradestand manager Carl Storey told ETN that exhibition space within the 2024 shopping village is already sold out.
“We plan to keep the layout very much the same, with the reduced number of stands as this works very well for several reasons,” he said.
“I continue to employ a selective process with new applicants, so we can continue to improve the retail offering, keeping the visitors engaged in this area.”
The 75th edition of HOYS returns to the NEC, Birmingham in October.
