The Hackney Horse

Hackneys standing over 14.2 hands are classified as Hackney Horses.  Shown in a variety of ways, the Hackney Horse is a versatile performer.

Hackney Horses are often driven in both Carriage and Combined Driving Events as singles, pairs, tandems, unicorns and four-in-hand. In the sport horse disciplines, today’s Hackney Horses are competing in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, Combine Training (Eventing), English Pleasure, and Competitive Trail Riding/Driving.

Many owners are once again competing in Carriage Driving and Coaching with their Hackney Horses and each of them is very successful. There is nothing more elegant than a Hackney Horse put to an antique carriage or coach! It is not an easy task to beat one in the new American Driving Society Park Division. Why drive another breed when you can have the Rolls Royce of carriage driving?!

In 2003, The American Hackney Horse Society created the Open Competition Awards Program to acknowledge and recognize those Hackneys who were competing against other breeds.

 More Hackneys are competing in Dressage! They are making their mark in both the USA and UK. As of 2004, the Hackney was added to the United States Dressage Federation annual All-Breeds Awards.

Hackney Horses have again returned to the Jumping Division in both the USA and UK. Their incredible power and scope surprises those who have never seen this breed before. 

The Hackney Horse is also no stranger to the show ring.  Several shows offer Hackney Horse classes.  They can be shown as a single or pair in the show ring as well as In-Hand.