The annual show started in 1967 and remains the calendar highlight, despite a shortage of visiting competitors due to travel issues leaving the team competition to be shelved.
BS Guernsey vice-chair Jo Penney, among the many who have been putting in the hard work before the first competitive jumps, is looking forward to the five days’ action at Chemin Le Roi.
‘We’re really excited that it’s the 60th,’ she said.
‘Disappointed that we couldn’t get our Jersey competitors over due to the travel problems – they’ve been an integral part for years. It’s good to have the sportsmanship and others to compete against.’
She continues to miss the team event, which she called ‘a real crowd pleaser’, but still expects the mostly local field to put on a good show.
‘It’s always a high standard. Whatever level, all the classes, we will have a good standard of riding.’
A jump designed and built by Tania Mahy and inscribed with 'GHOYS – 60th' will help mark the significance of this year’s event.
This will also be the first GHOYS to utilise the newly-upgraded Gower All Weather Arena.
Otherwise, action will take place on the green grass of the Network Insurance Arena, which has been kept in healthy condition through the drought.
Like last year’s opening sessions, today will be dedicated to younger or otherwise less-experienced competitors, in the form of the nervous and novice classes.
‘It’s lovely to see the young riders and horses come out and it’s a good foundation,’ Penney added.
‘It’s extremely popular – very popular again this year.’
Thursday’s programme is headlined by the new All Inclusive Championship, which will amalgamate the Gents’ and Ladies’ events, making for a larger and more competitive field.
However, the corresponding trophies will still be presented to the top male and female competitor.
Friday is dedicated to showing and culminates in the Supreme Championship – pitting together the various class winners.
Saturday’s busy jumping programme includes various championships, the feature classes being the Grands Prix.
Action concludes on Sunday with speed classes in the morning, building up to the Showjumper of the Year and Masters competitions.
Guernsey’s own Roger Hughes will be on course-building duties through the week.
‘Roger will build some fantastic courses,’ Penney added.
‘We have a small committee and I would like to thank everybody that has helped at HOYS and through the season.’
Beyond the local participants, there will be two new competitors from the UK, together with a visiting judge in Nottinghamshire’s Zoe Muxlow.
BS Guernsey are welcoming spectators to come along, with Penney hoping to see some returning faces for this milestone 60th event.
‘We should be able to give back to those people who have spent a lot of time and money getting us to where we are today.’
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