Public voting in the official Equus polls opened on Monday and will close on Friday 12 August.

This year for the first time the equine categories for the Equus awards will be decided on three elements: a points system for performance, a vote by an expert panel and a vote by the public.

The system is based on the UK’s Cartier Racing Awards.

The Equus Horse Of The Year Contenders are Captain’s Ransom, Jet Dark, Kommetdieding and Sparkling Water.

The public are now able to visit the Equus website to vote.