Twas the night before Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and all through the house not a creature was sleeping, not even a mouse! They were far too busy watching the weather forecast, double checking passports and packing extra rugs Just in case!With the final practices and shows done and dusted, attention turns squarely to the insanity that is HOYS this week.Whilst it really brings with it plenty of stress for a variety of reasons, most of the season we spend worrying about qualifying then once we qualify its the age old stress of coats, clipping, weight and working in.It really is an unbelievably special show and there isnt any other show quite like it in the world.Car Park of DreamsWith the final preparations mostly complete and the packing done the first of the competitors will be ready to roll in to the Car Park of Dreams on Tuesday morning.Some will be heading in for the week with ponies coming in and out on transporters, others just for the one night.There is such a range of experience amongst the competitors from the first timers in the Search for a Star classes to those that have been attending year after year and its lovely to see everyone get that buzz as they pull in.My best advice HOYS adviceFor those heading to HOYS for the first time my best advice is to allow extra time for everything, whether that is walking to the arenas or getting passes.It can all take longer than you anticipate and the last thing you want be doing is stressing and rushing.Remember you need to be there in person to collect your wristband, one person cant collect them for the group.To an outsider, it must seem utterly ridiculous that we spend all season traipsing the length and breadth of the country, getting up at ungodly hours and spending a fortune to qualify for another show and a show in a car park next to Birmingham Airport, for that matter.But anyone that has been in that hallowed car park knows that its not just another show. Its the show where dreams come true and lifelong goals are achieved.For a lot of people that doesnt mean winning or even placing, its getting to ride through those curtains into the Arena of Dreams and thats what makes this show so magical.Theres something in my eyeI hope Im not the only person that gets emotional when I hear the opening chords of Holyrood, even when I have absolutely no connection to the winner I cant help but find that there is something in my eye.It is such a powerful piece of music and feels perfect for that wonderful moment of leading off the lap of honour at HOYS.I hope that I will be that lucky person one day a girl can dream! But until then Ill continue to enjoy watching the fortunate few have their moment in the spotlight.The day starts at 3.30amFor show grooms, HOYS is a very long week. Most days start at around 3.30am to get horses fed and ready for the morning working in.Its then a day of running back and forth between the lorry, stables and the rings, whilst getting every horse worked enough in the limited time available and ready for their class.Your day isnt done when the classes finish as the next days horses all need to go down for their evening exercise slots. So its common to not be finished until 10.30pm.Hopefully most employers provide plenty of food and drinks for their staff. Ive been pretty lucky on that front with most people I have worked for.Team Elenor were brilliant for having easy-to-grab bits on the lorry, something always appreciated as there isnt always time to eat real food. Having said that, we did eat our bodyweight in chips last year from Five Guys on the Saturday night!Staple show groom dietAn absolute staple of the show groom diet for the week is a toastie from the infamous toastie van. Its not HOYS if you havent had at least one toastie!There have been some odd combinations witnessed over the years, but the toastie van queue is a strict no judgement zone and whatever you need to keep running goes.A personal favourite of mine is the KitKat toastie. Its the perfect post morning working in pick me up.Its safe to say the run up to HOYS has been a busy one for me this year, I have clipped six for HOYS this time from junior mountain and moorland workers to hunters and most sections in between.To say it is stressful doing such important clips is an understatement, but it is worth it to see them walk in that ring absolutely gleaming with the perfect coat.I will be glad to have a couple of days off next week!I will sign off now by wishing everyone competing the very best of luck for HOYS week. Stop to take a breath and enjoy every moment.It passes in the blink of an eye if you arent careful.Related contentHave you heard of a horse grooming vacuum?Meet our show groom blogger, Tabby Oliver!Diary of a Show Groom: what exactly does my job entail?Diary of a Show Groom: how to get into show groomingMain image of Tabby plaiting a horses mane by Ems Ohren PhotographyThe post HOYS Eve is here: 3.30am starts, KitKat toasties, Car Park of Dreams and spine-tingling moments await appeared first on Your Horse.