Posted: 10th October 2026 | Back to news feed
The Equestrian Index Trade Stand of the Year Awards at HOYS 2026 celebrate exhibitor excellence in trade stand presentation and customer engagement throughout the show week. All exhibitors at Horse of the Year Show are automatically entered into the awards, which recognise two categories: Best Display 24sqm and Under and Best Display 25sqm and Over.
Judging took place anonymously on Wednesday and Thursday during trading hours, with each stand and its team assessed against four key criteria: overall impression, warmest welcome, best use of space and customer interaction.
The winner of the 24sqm and Under category for 2026 was Hunter Stables, a specialist supplier of handcrafted timber stables, field shelters and bespoke equestrian buildings, built around quality workmanship and practical design. Their stand created the feel of a beautiful, working stable yard, providing an authentic setting to showcase their craftsmanship and attention to detail. The space was used brilliantly, and the team were engaging and welcoming, making the stand a particularly strong example of how to bring a product and its quality to life for visitors.
Taking top honours in the 25sqm and Over category was Team Bloomfields, the equestrian clothing and horse wear brand bringing glamour, individuality and plenty of sparkle to the equestrian world. Positioned front and centre as visitors entered the show, their eye-catching stand made an immediate impression, with glitter and sparkle at every turn. Behind the striking display was a team working incredibly hard, welcoming customers with energy and enthusiasm and ensuring the stand remained a lively and engaging place to shop.
Amanda Watson, Managing Director at The Equestrian Index, and Carl Storey, Tradestand Manager at Horse of the Year Show, presented both winners with a trophy, certificate and rosette, along with a year's digital membership to The Equestrian Index.
Amanda Watson commented:
“Choosing our winners is always a challenge, particularly when so much thought, creativity and hard work goes into the stands across the show. Hunter Stables and Team Bloomfields both stood out for very different reasons, but each showed just how much a well-presented stand and an engaging team can add to the visitor experience. Congratulations to both winners, and to every trader who has helped make shopping at HOYS such a fantastic experience once again!”
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