In a hotly fought contest, Penny the Cuckoo pushed a parrot and a skull horse out of the nest to scoop the Aardman Trophy at the 10th Sidmouth Horse Trials 2026.

Also known as the Hobby Horse of the Year Show, this event attracted a strong and diverse field of beasts. The term hobby horse covers processional and morris animals that range far beyond its C12th equine origins to include the mythical and unexpected. Notable entrants this year included a Primrose the cussed cow, an Ossicorn, Cerberus the three-headed dog and two seagulls.

Controversy was sparked by the appearance of William the Conker. Was a horse chestnut eligible? After all, chestnut horses have been well placed in previous years.

The sun was hot in Connaught Gardens. The 24 entrants showed their mettle on a going that was pronounced ‘hard to bizarre’. They each completed The Catwalk, the Jump and the Dressage. It was tough work for the panel of esteemed judges. Head Judge, Janet Dowling (storyteller), proclaimed the field to be ‘Stellar’. Richard Lewis (author) was the guest judge this year and described it as ‘satisfyingly chaotic’.

The show was opened by UkeStroud with a fine selection of animalistic melodies. Music for The Dressage was expertly and sensitively played by Will Pound, providing perfect conditions for each entrant to bust their best moves. Commentators Ewan Wardrop and Stephen Rowley helped the audience to follow the intricacies and eccentricities of the competition. The golden Aardman Trophy was presented by the event sponsor Sir Peter Lord, creator of Morph.