Twelve combinations were crowned SEIB Search for a Star winners at Your Horse Live 2025 over the weekend. Spectators were treated a spectacle with amateur combinations of all breeds, types and shapes turning out polished to perfection for their 11 finals before amateur and professional combinations went head to head in the open Still A Star final for veteran horses and ponies.

SEIB Search for a Star winners at Your Horse Live 2025

1. We Ride At Dawn

Lancashire-based Hannah Brown and her own We Ride At Dawn – or “Hector” – graduated from the in-hand horse final to land the in-hand championship and then the overall supreme.

2. Thistledown Alice

Welsh section A mare Thistledown Alice and five-year-old Pentyrch Pony Club member Efa Moore won the Pony Club SEIB Search for a Star lead-rein final and then the ridden championship, before finally standing reserve supreme. They were led throughout by Efa’s mum, Laura Moore.

3. Weston Candy Girl

Known as “Candyfloss” at home, Lucy Drummond’s Welsh section A Weston Candy girl and her rider Sofia Drummond stood reserve champion ridden having won the Pony Club SEIB Search for a Star first ridden final.

4. Broadtown Make A Wish

Kathryn Masters’ Broadtown Make A Wish was reserve champion in-hand having won the in-hand plaited pony final, handled by Kathryn’s daughter Emily Masters.

5. Charlwood Not The Norm

Liz Filler’s 20-year-old Charlwood Not The Norm was handled by Liz’ daughter Maisie Filler to win the in-hand veteran spoils.

6. Chillham Night Sky

The in-hand mountain and moorland (M&M) spoils headed home with Andrew Elsworth and his own Connemara mare Chillham Night Sky.

7. Luneside Mario

Despite a blow-out on their journey from Cumbria to the show, Luneside Mario and owner Chelcea Brough topped the in-hand traditional, native type and rare breeds final.

8. Minnie

Kent-based Clare Castle and her own Minnie topped the in-hand rescue horse or pony final.

9. Delamere Kaleidoscope

South Shropshire Riding Club member Hannah White won the British Riding Clubs Search for a Star show horse or pony astride Delamere Kaleidoscope.

10. Rising Phoenix

Alice Taylor, 10, rode Rising Phoenix to the Pony Club SEIB Search for a Star open title.

11. Wishaw Ellie May

Welsh section D Wishaw Ellie May and her owner Sarah Hobbs landed the SEIB Search for a Star ridden M&M final.

12. Colour Coded

Jill Wormall and her own 17-year-old Colour Coded won the SEIB Still A Star veteran final, the only final open to amateur and professionals alike.

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Patience paid off for amateur rider Jane Hemmings and her SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star (SFAS) cob and maxi cob winner The Boss 2, taking the overall Search for a Star championship at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), sponsored by SEIB Insurance Brokers.

Jane bought the six-year-old grey gelding unbacked two years ago.

“Eighteen months ago, The Boss and I had an accident on the road with a cyclist and I ended up having a brain haemorrhage, and as he had only just been backed we had to start him all over again,” explained Jane, who was first due to compete in this final with a hunter 20 years ago, but lameness put an end to that dream.

“This is simply a dream come true, everything we have been through just makes it all the more special.”

Standing reserve in the overall Search for a Star championship was Falkirk-based Julie Flockhart with her SFAS hack winner Westcountry Lady Guinevere (Savannah). As the pair qualified via a wildcard ticket, they only had three weeks to prepare for the final.

“We tried two qualifiers last year and then two more this season, then I got the call to say we had won a wild card to HOYS,” said Julie, who bought the mare six years ago.

“I backed her myself during Covid, but I felt there was something wrong so our vet came out to examine her and found that she had a huge bladder stone. She underwent general anaesthetic to have it removed and it was touch and go during the operation, followed by a long recovery,” explained Julie.

Julie admitted that Savannah can sometimes be nervous, but the pair coped exceptionally well with the buzzy atmosphere of the international arena. “People often say that if you can get a mare on side they will give you their heart and today she definitely did that,” Julie added.

Jack springs a surprise

Also in the overall Search for a Star championship were winners from earlier in the week.

VWH Pony Club member Charlotte Ramage and her 18-year-old gelding Jack In The Box II were the winners of the working pony title, in their first year of showing.

The pair, who mainly compete in eventing and Pony Club, won the first qualifier of the year at Hartpury College. “Cross-country is definitely our favourite thing, I didn’t think we would even get placed in the qualifier,” admitted Charlotte.

The SFAS working H=horse title went to dental implant nurse Caroline Champion with the grey cob gelding Heartthrob. He is owned by Susan Fletcher, and Caroline has had him on loan for the past six years; they are no strangers to the limelight having won the working show horse final at London International Horse Show in 2022.

Kai Wood, who works full-time as a work rider for racehorse trainer Rebecca Menzies, claimed the SFAS riding horse title with his mother Tammy Britton’s bay gelding Fridebi Timberland (Tim); the eight-year-old is by the prolific sire Tiger Attack.

Alice Kent added the icing to Jo Richardson’s birthday cake when she rode Jo’s Whistle to fight off strong competition and land a win in the SFAS hunter championship, and Zoe Clarke and Marley VI won the gypsy cob championship.

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Alice Kent added the icing to Jo Richardson’s birthday cake when she rode Jo’s Whistle to fight off strong competition and land a win in the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star hunter championship at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Jo said: “I didn’t think these things happened to people like us. And on my birthday, too – what a present! Not in a million years did I think Alice and Whistle would win today; we were just hoping to be placed.”

By Anne Bassett’s thoroughbred stallion Aveia, Whistle was bred and backed by the amateur duo, making the win all the more special.

“This is beyond amazing”, said Jo, adding, “several of her half siblings have done well in showing, too.”

The SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Championships at HOYS give amateur riders the rare chance to compete at this major championship show. The Search for a Star championships have taken place at the prestigious end of season show since 1998, giving thousands of amateur riders the opportunity to compete at HOYS with many going on to enjoy success in open classes.

Series organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “We are thrilled to be providing these opportunities for amateur riders. The HOYS Search for a Star championships are the culmination of months, and in some cases years, of preparation and training for the riders and their horses and ponies.”

Search for a Star winners will be vying for the overall championship accolade in the Andrews Bowen International Arena later in the week. Don’t forget that you can keep up to date with all results via our live blog.

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An amateur rider and a cob bought for £85 to be a “happy hacker” made their two-day journey to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) worth every minute by winning the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star traditional gypsy cob championship.

Zoe Clarke and Marley VI saw off strong competition yesterday (8 October) to win the title on their HOYS debut.

“I couldn’t have asked more of Marley; he thrived on the magical HOYS atmosphere and I am delighted,” Zoe said. “My mum, Nicola Clarke bought Marley 12 years ago when he was six months old for just £85 at a dispersal sale, in a cattle shed. She wanted him as a happy hacker but has never ridden him herself!”

Zoe said the trip was two days overall from her home in Inverness to the NEC Birmingham, including an overnight stop in Carlisle.

“Marley just takes it all in his stride,” she said. “We’ve enjoyed the build-up to HOYS and I would love one day to come back in the open classes. I work as a veterinary physio and am very lucky to be self-employed and control my diary so we can come to these shows.”

The Search for a Star classes have run at HOYS every year since 1998, giving amateurs the chance to ride in the arena of dreams.

Series organiser Nicolina MacKenzie said: “We are thrilled to be providing these opportunities for amateur riders. The HOYS Search for a Star championships are the culmination of months, and in some cases years, of preparation and training for the riders and their horses and ponies.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Connemara gelding Spinway Colm and Hartpury University student Daisy Beards shone the brightest in the 2024 SEIB Search For A Star supreme championship at Your Horse Live. The pair led the ridden supreme field before being called forward to lift this year’s overall supreme crown.

Colm, a 12-year-old pure-bred Connemara gelding, is owned by Stoneleigh Riding Club member Daisy and her mother Fiona. They qualified for the supreme after winning the first-ever British Riding Club show horse or pony final.

The pair are relative newcomers to the show ring and have thrived in multiple disciplines during their partnership, including in dressage and eventing.

Daisy, 17, is studying agriculture and she qualified for the SFAS finals at Vale View EC. Remarkably, this season was the first she has competed in the show ring.

“Aside from a few local shows when I was a child, I’ve never done any showing,” confirmed Daisy. “My sister saw the new SFAS riding club class on Facebook and while I was a bit dubious, we decided to give it a go. To our surprise, we qualified for Your Horse Live on our second go.”

Colm has been based with the family since he was a four-year-old.

“We’ve learnt and grown together,” Daisy continued. “He’s made me into something I am quite proud of.”

Daisy’s most-loved discipline is dressage, and the pair are regulars at the winter and summer championships.

“He always brings home sashes and rugs,” Daisy said. “While I love dressage, Colm loves jumping and we’ve done British Eventing for the past few years. He’s even been hunting with my sister. He really is a true all-rounder. At home, he’s cheeky and his life revolves around food. Though he’s a legend. He’s utterly bombproof, probably because he lives on a farm. He takes everything in his stride and while it’s taken a while for him to get to grips with it all, and he’s still learning, once he picks something up there is no stopping him.”

Daisy aims to “take showing a bit more seriously” after her 2024 SEIB Search For A Star supreme triumph: “It’s been daunting as it’s completely new, but everyone has been so helpful and supportive. I’m still in shock that we won. I forgot my number so when they called us out my reaction was a bit delayed. It was so overwhelming to be chosen as supreme as the standard was so high.”

The SEIB Search For A Star in-hand supreme sash was scooped by Claire Crerand leading her 10-year-old part-bred mare Tambrook Prayer In C, winner of the in-hand plaited ponies.

“Lucy” is sired by coloured stallion Roquefort out of Copybush Catchlight. Claire’s mother, Julie Richardson, bought Lucy for Claire as a birthday present in June.

Prior to her joining Claire and Julie, Lucy bred a foal and she’s only ever been lightly shown as a hunter pony.

“I bought her to eventually become my next ridden horse,” said Claire, who runs her own rosette business and is also a commercial HGV lorry driver. “We bought her by chance; we went to see another horse at Nicola Taylor’s yard and he wasn’t suitable, but we tried Lucy – who had arrived earlier that week – and she was perfect.”

Claire last rode at Your Horse Live in the veteran final three years ago on her late Arab.

“She really was Miss Dependable and we’ve been looking for a replacement ever since we lost her,” Claire continued. “We hope Lucy will be a small hack, though we’ve been told by judges that we should put her back in foal and compete her in-hand again next year. We’ll see how she settles back into the ridden job over winter and then decide on our plans. She can be a typical mare and she knows she’s very pretty, but she’s got a good temperament.

“I couldn’t do this without Mum,” Claire added. “Mum does the horses everyday, and I go up to ride three or four times a week.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A batch of dedicated home-producers and their beloved show animals graced the arena at Your Horse Live to compete for the 2024 SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) titles (8 November).

As well as the prestigious finals at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in October, SEIB host championship classes at Your Horse Live held at Stoneleigh Park. There are 11 finals, culminating in a supreme of show held the following day.

Meet those who won the 2024 SEIB Search For A Star accolades. Is anyone you know featured?

2024 SEIB Search For A Star winners

SFAS in-hand veteran

Randall IV, owned and handled by Lucy Ashworth, scored the in-hand veteran title. The 26-year-old ex-international showjumper is retaining the title he won here in 2022, the same year he was also champion at Royal Windsor.

SFAS in-hand plaited horse/show cob

Donna Hoe led her own and Gemma Hoe’s 28-year-old gelding Midnight’s Magic to the plaited horse and show cob crown. Larry and Gemma used to compete up to 1.30m level in showjumping and their best result in the SFAS series previously was third in 2022.

SFAS in-hand plaited pony

Part-bred Welsh Tambrook Prayer In C scooped the in-hand plaited ponies for owner Claire Crerand. The mare, who will eventually contend small hack classes, previously bred a foal and this is her debut at Your Horse Live.

SFAS in-hand M&M

Five-year-old Dartmoor gelding Treworgan Titanium reigned in the M&M in-hand final with owner Jessica Bowring at his bridle.

SFAS in-hand native and traditional

Kimberley Turner’s Bromley Cask Of Magners was best of the native and traditional in-hand championship line-up. The traditional gelding was formerly driven by Kimberley’s late father prior to him foraying into in-hand ranks.

SFAS British Riding Club show horse or pony

The first-ever British Riding Club title was awarded to Spinway Colm, owned and ridden by Hartpury University student Daisy Beards who is a member of Stoneleigh Riding Club. Daisy also competes her Connemara in eventing, Riding Club competitions, dressage and showjumping.

SFAS Pony Club lead-rein

Treworgan Titanium did the double, adding the lead-rein title to his in-hand victory earlier in the day. On this occasion, he is piloted by six-year-old South Nottinghamshire Pony Club member Molly Bowring and led by her mother Jessica Bowring.

SFAS Pony Club first-ridden

Emily Hiscox, nine, steered her mother Heather Hiscox’s 17-year-old Welsh section A Shilbrook Mr Holly to the first-ridden sash. Emily, who is a member of North Warwickshire Pony Club, is no stranger to the SFAS stage, having won the supreme title here in 2022 while on the lead-rein.

SFAS open Pony Club

Brynseion Montague and 12-year-old Emilia Stone dominated in the open Pony Club class. Emilia is a member of the East Cheshire Pony Club.

SFAS M&M ridden

Amanda Barton got a winning tune out of her nine-year-old Highland Orkneyinga Norsema to lift the ridden M&M accolade. Business support team leader Amanda has owned her gelding for a year and they also qualified for the British Dressage Area Festivals this year.

SFAS open veteran ridden

Gallifrey, owned by Carole West and ridden by Lynn Russell, topped the open veteran final, the only SEIB SFAS championship open to non-amateurs. The 18-year-old cob has been based with producer Lynn since he was a three-year-old and has done coloured classes, working hunter, side-saddle and lightweight cob classes during his career.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A show hunter lifted the 2024 SEIB Search For A Star supreme championship at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

This was Samantha Lea’s own gelding Redshaw Valentino, an Avanti Amorous Archie son out of Pebbly Diva Du.

Now seven, “Henry” was aimed at the Search For A Star final as a four-year-old, but the judges told Samantha that it wasn’t to be his year. She therefore waited until he was more mature to give the popular series another go.

“I’m so glad we listened to the judges and decided to wait until he was ready,” said Samantha, who runs her own equine rug cleaning business and runs Henry from her family’s working farm. Samantha also became a mum for the first time last year.

Samantha explained how she came to become Henry’s owner: “I bought him as a four-year-old; my friend originally got him for the workers from his breeder [Joanne Shaw] and then as soon as I saw his head over the door I knew I just had to have him. He wasn’t for sale, but I said that I’d wear her down until she’d let me have him!”

Six months later, Samantha bought Henry on the promise that she would never sell him.

“He lives amongst tractors and combines and he’s got the nicest head on his shoulders; he is marvellous,” she said.

Initially, the pair contended British Dressage before he was turned away to fully mature at his own pace.

“I had a baby, too, so it made sense to do that,” Samantha said. “We’ve brought him back into work this year, slow and steady. We tried Search For A Star when he was a four-year-old and he just wasn’t physically there, but the judges really liked him. We tried again this year and we qualified the first time out.

“Don’t tell my husband, but this is better than my wedding day; I’ve always dreamed of this,” Samantha added.

Judges, Chris Hunnable, Katie Jerram-Hunnable and JJ Kemp, who had travelled from South Africa to judge, agreed on the pair’s potential for the future.

“I’m sure we’ll see them here in years to come,” said Chris.

Reserve for the 2024 SEIB Search For A Star supreme was the winning traditional cob, Lauren Woodward’s Beacon St James (Jimmy). The five-year-old qualified for the final on only his fifth ridden show.

Lauren, who works as an admin assistant, has only had him for a year.

“I sadly lost my Welsh D suddenly, so Jimmy just came into my life at the right time,” she said. “His first show was in April this year and we entered the Search For A Star for a bit of experience, and we ended up winning.”

He was bred by Carrie Keogh by Guiness out of Beacon Winterfell.

“He’s got such a kind heart; I’m very lucky,” said Lauren.

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A batch of talented home-producers and their horses and ponies took to the ring at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in red hot 2024 SEIB Search For A Star classes. The finals, held throughout the week, offered true amateurs the chance to ride under the spotlights of HOYS, with each winner going through to the final championship in the main arena.

Find out which combinations won the 2024 SEIB Search For A Star class finals here:

SEIB SFAS traditional cob

Lauren Woodward steers her own Beacon St James to the traditional cob accolade. Lauren bought her gelding last August as a five-year-old and the pair qualified for HOYS at their fifth show together. Lauren works for a recruitment company.

SEIB SFAS working pony

Little Miss Flintstone and Lexi Eccles enjoy their victory lap after taking the working pony spoils for owner Shelley Harvey. The part-bred Exmoor is 13 and they narrowly missed out on their HOYS ticket in 2023.

SEIB SFAS riding horse

Top of the riding horse field is restaurant manager Kirstie Short and Carrhouse Deal Me In (Rio). The gelding is a part-bred Arab cross Cleveland Bay and Kirstie has owned him for seven years.

SEIB SFAS show cob

Carla Hainsworth pilots her own Darrowby Ajax to the top of the cob line-up. The pair qualified for HOYS on their first-ever attempt. Carla works as a regional manager for a care company.

SEIB SFAS hack

The hack accolade is lifted by thoroughbred gelding Polydamos, owned and ridden by Katy Llewellyn. The gelding was in training with Tony Carroll. Katy works as a pet sitter and dog walker.

SEIB SFAS working show horse

Full-time mum Karen Tennent rides Robin Vestey’s Thurlow (Harley) to the working show horse title. Robin has owned Harley for a year and he was bought to hunt.

SEIB SFAS show hunter

Samantha Lea gears up her own seven-year-old Redshaw Valentino to take the hunter crown. Samantha bought the gelding as a four-year-old and she lightly campaigned him in HOYS qualifiers before bringing him back this year and qualifying first time out.

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Native River, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner who won more than £1 million in prize money, has qualified for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on his first attempt as he takes to his new career “like second nature”.

The Brooms’ and Tom Malone’s 14-year-old superstar (known at home as Garfield or River) picked up his HOYS ticket with Emma Vine when they placed second in the SEIB Search for a Star riding horse qualifier at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on Monday (27 May). The class was won by Katy Llewellyn and Polydamos.

Emma, who competes in dressage and showjumping and is new to showing, has done all of River’s retraining since he retired from the track at the end of 2021, and said it was “beyond her wildest dreams” to qualify for HOYS.

“I cried. I can’t believe it, and especially to qualify in a riding horse class and not a racehorse class!” Emma told H&H.

“I went into that class to give him the feel of the ring before the retrained racehorse class (in which they placed 5th), and it couldn’t have gone any better. He went beautifully, the ride judge didn’t want to get off him. She said to me, ‘Whatever you’re doing, just keep doing it’ – and the conformation judge said he is just a beautiful model.”

Emma said River has “taken to his new career like second nature”. Native River was trained to victory in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup by Colin Tizzard, under jockey Richard Johnson. Following River’s retirement, he was given six months in the field and did some light hacking in 2022, and last year his workload increased and he made his showing debut. They qualified for and competed at the Jockey Club RoR national championships last August, and next month they will compete at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby having qualified for the Tattersalls RoR amateur and open classes.

“I have showjumped at Hickstead but not for many years, so to be going back there feels like a massive achievement. When we started off last year we couldn’t trot circles or canter on the correct leg, but it all just fell into place,” said Emma.

“Showing for me was a minefield to start! I’d never done it before and it was a learning curve and we were both brand new to it, but last year’s season went phenomenal. My friend Jessica Westwood has been showing me the ropes and taught me about the special plaits, quarter markings, and everything I need to know, and I’ve learned so much.”

Emma said River is “the perfect gentleman”.

“It’s an absolute privilege and I feel so lucky to have such an amazing horse to ride. He’s been so good to retrain and wherever I take him people want to meet him and take their picture with him,” she said.

“He wraps his head round you and gives you a cuddle. He stands perfectly, you can hack him in the heaviest traffic, absolutely nothing fazes him – apart from the time when I took him to the RoR parade at Cheltenham and he thought he was there to win the Gold Cup again!

“He really is a super special horse and there’s not going to be many more like him.”

Emma, who has recently started introducing River to jumping over coloured poles, hopes to qualify him for the SEIB racehorse to riding horse class at HOYS, and also has her eyes on qualification for the Rising Stars racehorse to riding horse final at the London International Horse Show.

“Thoroughbreds really are incredible, and still overlooked by some people – they are so versatile and can do so many jobs,” said Emma.

“The good thing about having a horse like River is that hopefully he will bring to the forefront for other people to think, ‘Maybe I have overlooked thoroughbreds’.”

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The organisers of the SEIB Search for a Star (SFAS) and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse (R2R) series have released their list of 2024 Search For A Star qualifiers and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers as well as new opportunities for riding club members and the owners and riders of former racehorses.

A new final for British Riding Club (BRC) members has been added to the schedule of SFAS championships held at Your Horse Live in November, while a Horse of the Year Show R2R qualifier will be held at the Sports Horse Breeding of Great Britain National Hunter Supreme championship show in August.

Nicolina MacKenzie who has steered the SFAS competitions for decades has been licensed by SEIB, through her company The Absolutely Genuine Company Ltd, to run the SFAS and R2R competitions.

Nicolina said: “The aims and format of the competitions will not change. The series will continue to champion amateurs, racehorses out of training and veteran show horses as well as working with the Pony Club and BRC to bring unique opportunities for future show horses and riders.”

SEIB’s chief executive officer, Suzy Middleton said: “SFAS has long been a key part of SEIB’s success as a business. As the series has grown, we are pleased to announce these behind-the-scenes changes to the running of our competitions. At SEIB, we are committed to giving back to our customers and supporting equestrianism and equine welfare, all of which we are able to do through our two invaluable series.”

Following the confirmation of the new BRC class with its final to take place at Your Horse Live, head of BRC Rachael Hollely-Thompson said: “BRC is delighted to be working alongside SEIB in this new opportunity for BRC members. BRC horses and ponies are genuine all-rounders and it is wonderful to see a showing class at a great venue that showcases the true riding club equine. We are looking forward to celebrating with competitors at the final.”

The BRC class welcomes competitors to ride either side-saddle or astride.

The dates and locations of all SEIB qualifiers were also announced:

List of 2024 Search For A Star qualifiers and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers:

27 May — The Showing Register championship, Stoneleigh Park (SFAS qualifiers and amateur only R2R qualifier)

9 June — Vale View Equestrian Centre

7 July — Greenlands Equestrian Centre

1 August — Equifest, Arena UK

10 August — NAF Five Star International horse trials, Hartpury College (R2R only)

17 August — The Pony Club championships, Offchurch Bury (Pony Club classes only)

20 August — National Hunter Supreme championship show, Addington Equestrian Centre (R2R only)

26 August – Hartpury College

8 September — The Defender Burghley Horse Trials, Burghley House (R2R only)

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Discussions have taken place around para showing – and whether more opportunities could be offered to give riders a platform to progress.

Although there are showing opportunities through the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), and some grassroots shows, and people with disabilities can compete in able-bodied classes, riders have told H&H they would like to see more para-specific opportunities at county level and upwards.

Vicky Howarth, who is registered blind, told H&H she feels that “disabled riders don’t get a platform in showing”. She hopes to qualify for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) via the SEIB Search for a Star Series in able-bodied classes, but said that if HOYS offered para-specific finals, she would aim for these instead.

“It feels like if you have a disability, you get pigeonholed into doing para dressage, but that’s not what I want to do,” she said.

“My dreams are the same as everyone else; I want to ride through the purple curtains at HOYS. The first thing you hear when you have a disability is you can go to RDA, and RDA provides brilliant opportunities, but there are lots of riders who want to do more in terms of county shows and qualifiers. There’s a bigger picture here and we have an opportunity to make a change.”

Michelle Hennessy, who has decreased mobility and fibromyalgia, agreed that she would like to see para-specific opportunities.“I wouldn’t go to a county show at the moment because I know that I wouldn’t get anywhere competing against able-bodied riders because of the weakness in my legs,” she told H&H.

“You always want to aim for more. It’s not so much that I’ve dreamt of getting to HOYS, but it would be lovely if I could.”

An RDA spokesman told H&H that the association provides a “wide range of opportunities for riders to compete, including showing”. This year the RDA national championships held three showing classes, which had more entries than ever before.

“Our classes are open to competitors with all disabilities, from RDA groups or as independent RDA riders, and they are direct entry with no qualification required,” said the spokesman.

“We put a greater emphasis on the horse/rider partnership, and how they perform together, over traditional showing and the conformation of the horse. We know that many RDA riders go on to compete at a very high level and it’s important that onward pathways continue to be developed across the sector and across all disciplines.”

Showing rider Heather Howe told H&H that in the past her mother Lesley Marshall had been prevented from doing some agricultural shows, as she is physically unable to run with her ponies in in-hand classes, and the shows did not allow a change of handler during the class to run her ponies for her. Heather said when they challenged this at the time, they were told “no”.

“In showing, there isn’t much opportunity for people with disabilities,” said Heather. “It would be nice to have a level platform for those with additional needs because within showing there’s still very much a traditional approach, and I think there’s room for thought.”

H&H found that some showing societies and organisations have disability policies and accept dispensation cards that allow assistance or a change of rider/handler under certain circumstances, including the British Show Pony Society, the National Pony Society, and The Showing Register. Competitors are encouraged to check with the relevant society before entering.

SEIB ran a RDA Search for a Star class until 2023, which offered qualification for the British Show Horse Association championships.“Although the SEIB Search for a Star series does not have a specific RDA class at this time, RDA riders are welcome to come to the qualifiers for HOYS and Your Horse Live, as long as they are able to compete on a level playing field with able-bodied riders and that includes working in,” SEIB marketing manager Nicolina MacKenzie told H&H.

“If a competitor is unable to trot a horse up, after explanation to the judge we are happy for a groom to undertake this part of the show. What will not be compromised is the safety of all competitors at the event. We have had disabled riders take part over the years and they have been welcomed into the Search for a Star family with open arms.”

A Grandstand spokesman told H&H that HOYS welcomes riders with disabilities at its qualifiers and at the show itself.

“We work with the relevant showing societies accordingly to allow riders to apply for a dispensation card if they are unable to complete all phases,” said the spokesman.

A spokesman for HPower, organisers of Royal Windsor Horse Show and London International, told H&H they are “very supportive of para showing”.

“The timetables for both events are extremely busy, and at present they are unable to accommodate any more classes over and above those they already have,” said the spokesman.

“They are however always open to discussion for new ideas and would be pleased to consider para opportunities in future.”

Dee Castellano is the organiser of grassroots show Supreme Showdown, which has always included classes for disabled riders and handlers, but she told H&H she can see challenges for show organisers running “traditional” showing classes split by horse type for para riders, as she believes classes would not get enough entries.

“We would love to put on separate disability classes for mountain and moorlands, cobs, hunters, but you just don’t get the numbers. But if some of the county shows decided to hold a championship for disabled riders, we would be happy to hold qualifiers for them. Showing should be for everybody,” she said.

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A Suffolk Punch mare came to the fore to take the 2023 Search For A Star supreme championship at Your Horse Live (11 November).

Andrea Hoskin’s delightful four-year-old Holbeache Scarlet reigned supreme after lifting the inaugural SFAS heavy horse in-hand accolade the previous day, handled throughout by Brad Auker.

Scarlet was bought by Andrea as a weaned foal from her breeder, Mike Clarke, and she is now one of five broodmares owned by breed enthusiast Andrea. Brad works as head horseman at Andrea’s stud.

Andrea first forayed into Suffolk Punches 12 years ago, though Brad is new to the heavy horse scene, having previously worked with thoroughbreds.

“Winning was such a shock; the championship was a fantastic display of lovely in-hand and ridden ponies and horses,” Andrea said. “Scarlet looked magnificent in the ring, and she’s impressive due to her size, but I never expected her to take the championship. The result made me cry happy tears. I am truly honoured.

“This is such an accolade for the profile of the breed, too,” Andrea continued. “It’s an exciting time for the Suffolk Punch, and a big thank you to SEIB for including the heavies in their schedule.”

Scarlett is in foal for 2024 to NewPole Maurice. She qualified for Your Horse Live at Arena UK.

In 2022 she stood supreme champion at Suffolk show and she is also a former Rutland County champion and Royal Norfolk winner.

“Scarlet is a very easy, sweet mare,” said Andrea. “She always has her ears on and she thinks forward.”

Also achieving for the rare breeds was the Dales gelding Nipna Outrageous, who finished reserve in the 2023 Search For A Star supreme championship, owned and ridden by Nicola Clarey.

Nicola bought “Ray” from his breeder Julie Pennell when he was weanling.

By Castlehill Black Jack, Ray is a six-year-old out of the Pennell’s prolific ridden mare Nipna Damask Rose.

“This is his first season and he was only backed last year,” said Nicola.

Meet the other 2023 SEIB SFAS winners

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Home-produced heroes: who took home the 2023 SEIB Search For A Star titles at HOYS?

Home-produced heroes: 11 winners from the 2023 SEIB Search For A Star finals at Your Horse Live

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Home-producers and their horse and ponies battled it out for the 2023 SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) titles at Your Horse Live (10 November).

Competitors were required to qualify at select shows throughout the season, and only a handful managed to land their coveted tickets. Of the 11 winners, only one can be crowned overall SEIB SFAS supreme champion, and winning combinations will return to the ring tomorrow to vie for the title.

Meet those who won the 2023 SEIB Search For A Star accolades at Your Horse Live:

2023 SEIB Search For A Star winners

SFAS in-hand veteran

Romany (Play Time), a home-bred mare owned and handled by Heidi Bull, lands the in-hand veteran title. The 18-year-old competed up to elementary in dressage and last term she competed at London International in the senior final.

SFAS in-hand plaited horse/show cob

Mali Jones’ ex-racehorse Betheholyman, 15, secures the in-hand horse honours.

SFAS in-hand plaited pony

Phoebe Crutchlow leads her mother Sam’s Rhos Elodie to top honours in the plaited pony final. The pair also finished second in the Pony Club first ridden final later in the day.

SFAS in-hand M&M

The Highland pony Kirtonian Loch Birnie, handled by Liz Twite, leads the M&M in-hand field. The gelding combines showing with side-saddle work and dressage, and they were also finalists in the SEIB SFAS M&M ridden final.

SFAS in-hand native and traditional

Gypsy cob Foxwell Butterscotch, owned by Louise Pepperdine and handled by David Pepperdine, scores the native/traditional crown. The silver dapple gelding came from an allotment on the side of a mountain in Wales when he was 10 months old.

SFAS in-hand heavy horse

The four-year-old Suffolk Punch mare Holbeache Scarlet, owned by Andrea Hoskins and handled by Brad Auker, tops the heavy horses. Scarlet is in foal and her show ring tally is already extensive, including a victory at Royal Norfolk and a supreme title at Suffolk County.

SFAS Pony Club lead rein

The Pony Club lead rein spoils are presented to Thistledown Edison and Ross-Shire Pony Club member Ianna Grant, led by mother Mary-Jo Grant.

SFAS Pony Club first ridden

The first ridden honours go to Rufford Pony Club member Millie Croft piloting Desarbre Sparrow Hawk, a 13-year-old Welsh Section B gelding.

SFAS open Pony Club

Tregaire Tiger Lily, owned by Eloise Chugg-Martin and ridden by Rose Chugg-Martin, is the best of the open Pony Club pony line-up.

SFAS M&M ridden

Top honours in a competitive M&M ridden championship go to the Dales pony Nipna Outrageous, owned and ridden by Nicola Clarey, who bought him as a foal.

SFAS open veteran ridden

Sarah Grindle’s 20-year-old Saffron XII, a former eventer who has competed in the Badminton Grassroots championships twice, is crowned open ridden veteran champion. The horse has also competed up to advanced medium in dressage.

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Home-producers and their horses and ponies took to the stage at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) to contend the 2023 SEIB Search For A Star classes. But which combinations impressed the judges and got to enjoy their bucket list lap of honour under the spotlights?

Meet the 2023 SEIB Search For A Star class winners here:

SEIB SFAS working pony

Lochân Beag Rôgaire (Finnbar) is a Connemara who has evented up to BE novice level with his owner/rider Rebecca Giles, who works full-time as a livestock transporter.

Finnbar came from Ireland as a three-year-old for Rebecca to sell on, but he is still with her eight years later. 

SEIB SFAS riding horse

Symphony Of Kings (Sid), ridden by his owner Holly Gray, is an ex-racehorse. Holly, who works as a cleaner, was gifted Sid five years ago.

A few years ago, Sid had an accident and fell over injuring his hock. At one point the vet advised for him to be put down, but with box rest and patience he made a full recovery.

SEIB SFAS traditional cob

Billy Wilson (Winky) is owned by his rider, Kelly Driver. Kelly entered him in some SFAS qualifiers this season after getting the showing bug while showing her ex-racehorse last season in SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers. 

The traditional gelding was bred by Kelly’s late uncle, Billy Wilson, and he even went to his funeral. 

Kelly juggles horses around running her business, Event and Park Services Ltd, which runs reindeer displays and donkey rides. 

SEIB SFAS show cob

Dog groomer Lisa Hardy bought Cortina as a two-year-old with the dream of getting him to HOYS one day. The gelding is now five, and he is only contesting his first full season in the show ring.

SEIB SFAS hack

Bassingfield Dark Secret (Zeus) owned by Helen Church and ridden by Jennifer Church, is a second generation home-bred.

This has been the pair’s first season showing and Jennifer, an equine vet, has also started riding Zeus side-saddle.

The pair stepped up in the main arena championship to win the overall SEIB Search For A Star title. 

SEIB SFAS working show horse 

Mein Rebel and Harriet Johnson, who works as an importer of fruit and vegetables, first competed in the SFAS series back in 2019. They finished third in the hunter classes.

Harriet bought her gelding from the Goresbridge sales in Ireland as a four-year-old and the pair also go hunting and jumping. 

SEIB SFAS show hunter

Killycloghan Masterson, shown by his owner Hayley Came-Boyce, won the show hunter class en route to finishing reserve in the championship.

The Kings Master six-year-old has only been lightly shown and he qualified for HOYS on his first attempt.

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A second generation home-bred hack shone the brightest under the spotlights in the 2023 SEIB Search For A Star championship on day three of the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Nottinghamshire-based Helen Church and her daughter Jennifer Church’s Bassingfield Dark Secret (Zeus) is by Dark De Niro and out of former HOYS show hunter pony finalist Bassingfield Cassandra, also a home-bred. He lifted yesterday’s SEIB SFAS hack class with Jennifer en route to lifting the top title. 

Despite his professional performance in the main arena, the 10-year-old is only in his first season of showing. He qualified for the SFAS finals on his second attempt.

Jennifer, who works as an equine vet, said: “I’ve just had a baby and I’ve been really busy, so in all honestly Zeus hasn’t done much at all! But he’s a lovely chap and he’s very sensible.

“We always knew he was a nice looking horse, but it’s just been a case of getting round to it. Hopefully we can push on and do more now. This feels like such an achievement doing this on a horse we have bred”

Zeus’ 2023 CV includes the British Elite supreme and the Equifest hack championship.

Reserve in the 2023 SEIB Search For A Star championship was Hayley Came-Boyce and her winning show hunter Killycloghan Masterson, a six-year-old by Kings Master.

The pair qualified for the SFAS finals on their first attempt, and they juggle showing alongside working hunters, eventing and some show jumping.

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The 2023 SEIB Racehorse 2 Riding Horse final at the 2023 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) was landed by an amateur and her home-produced horse who was competing at the prestigious show for the first time in his career.

Laura Tylor and 12-year-old Reality Bites, who is by Mahler, were crowned champions by judges Sara Leatherbarrow (ride) and Terry Pendry (conformation).

Reality Bites, who is known as Reg at home, won a point-to-point in his native Ireland. He then came over to the UK where he ran once over hurdles before continuing as a pointer. His best result was finishing third at Mollington.

His former owner, Cynnie Clifford, bought him as a pointer from Claire Hart’s yard.

“He didn’t run quite as well as I’d anticipated, but then during Covid he broke his jaw,” said Cynnie. “We don’t know how he did it, but it meant that after his recovery it was time to seek a new job for him. Then Laura came along, and she was looking for an ex-racehorse who looked like a show horse. At the time, he hadn’t quite recovered so we said that he wasn’t going anywhere until he fully healed. I knew Laura would give him the best home.”

Reg joined Laura two years ago. This is the gelding’s first open season in the show ring and he also competes in dressage.

“He’s still technically a novice,” said Laura, who will also contend the SEIB Search For A Star riding horse and hack championship with Reg later this week. “He’s home-produced from our farm in Oxfordshire.

“Reg is the biggest baby ever. He’s the yard pet and he loves a fuss, a kiss and a scratch. When I saw him in the field I was instantly drawn to him as he’s just the nicest person.”

In second place was Tori Thomas riding her own Wonga Swinger, a 13-year-old who was in training with Tori’s husband, former gold cup winning jockey, Sam Thomas where he won and was placed over fences.

Hannah Horton finished third riding the five-year-old Mahomes, who is owned by his breeders Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber.

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A new heavy horse class – and a new £500 prize – have been announced for the 2023 SEIB Search for a Star (SFAS) series.

The series was founded more than 20 years ago, to offer a “unique competition opportunity” for amateur riders.

It hosts qualifiers shows around the country, offering tickets for the SFAS finals in classes hacks, hunters, working pony, working horses, riding horses, traditional gypsy cobs, show cobs, and the racehorse to riding horse final, at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). The ridden open veterans, Pony Club horses and ponies, in-hand mountain and moorlands, heavy horse, plaited horse, plaited pony and mountain and moorland veteran finals, take place at Your Horse Live.

An SEIB spokesman said following a “bumper” season in 2022, the series is “well set for the year ahead” – and 2023 will include a new in-hand heavy horse class. Also new for this year is a £500 prize for the open veteran championship, following the success of this final last year. In the racehorse to riding horse series a new amateur-only competition, run by The Showing Register, will take place on 15 July at Stoneleigh Park, with two HOYS tickets up for grabs.

“Last year a Shire qualified for the Your Horse Live Search for a Star championships and to celebrate this success we have created a class for heavy horse breeds. We are looking forward to seeing more Shires plus Suffolks, Clydesdales and maybe a continental heavy draft horse or two competing,” the spokesman said, adding that the new £500 first prize in the open veteran finals this year will add an “extra dimension” to this class.

“We are delighted to have secured the opportunity to take two more horses forward to the racehorse to riding horse HOYS championship. We have long listened to our competitors in the class and these two extra places will be only open to strictly amateur riders and their thoroughbreds.”

The first SFAS and racehorse to riding horse qualifier takes place on 23 April at Vale View Equestrian, Leicestershire.

“The SEIB Search for a Star judges and stewards will be on hand to help and mentor all competitors at qualifying shows,” said the spokesman.

“In addition to this, Search for a Star has two ‘weekender’ events planned for 2023. These will include a day of training followed by a full qualifying show for HOYS and Your Horse Live, with one in Scotland and one in England.”

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A small-scale, family-run equestrian store has proved that mighty oaks from little acorns grow by winning the equine retailer of the year competition at the 2022 equestrian business awards.

Michaela Pollitt’s Equisign Tack and Feed pipped 312 nominated businesses to clinch the prize, which was announced at an awards ceremony held at the Village Hotel and Spa in Nottingham.

Michaela and her husband, Tony, have shown horses at top level for over a decade. Their charges include the maxi cob Polestar who has been placed at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) in both open and amateur ranks.

Michaela, who also runs showing clinics, judges at local and agricultural shows and is a talent spotter for The Showing Register’s training pathway series, runs Equisign with one part-time staff member in North Lincolnshire.

“The shop is my baby,” said Michaela, who sold stable signs and cross-country colours at Equisign and branched out into tack and feed supplies in 2016. “I wish I could say that we had some amazing, well thought-out business plan, but one night over a few glasses of wine we made the decision to transform our garage into a tack shop and supply equestrian products to the local community. We live in a very equestrian area and there was a definite gap in the market for a shop with traditional values that would benefit the whole equestrian community and act as a hub for advice.”

The idea was initially intended to supplement Michaela’s teaching:

“We are still a small shop in terms of size and we’re still based in humble premises, but our reach has been brilliant,” she said. “Our unique selling point is our service knowledge, our passion and our commitment to the local community; we want to be a source of support, whether that be to someone looking for feed advice to aid a specific condition, or someone looking to pick up tips on showing turnout.”

Equisign made it into the top three finalists in the retailer of the year award, alongside Equidry and North Wales and Conwy Valley tack shop.

“It’s great that the awards have recognised that we’re worth a lot more than our size,” said Michaela, who, alongside feed, bedding and tack supplies, offers other services such as rug cleaning, saddlery repairs, clipper sharpening and zip replacement and more specialist services such riding instruction arena hire and plaiting and turnout. Product demonstration videos also feature on Equisign’s social media.

“We aim to be a hub at the heart of the local equestrian community and provide customers with an introduction to local services, too. Today, you can buy anything you want or need online, but the local tack shop still provides that extra service where people can go to seek advice and help. We collaborate with other industry professionals and regularly signpost our customers to their services, and we’ve recently finished a viewing area for our school; as well as providing a vantage point to watch lessons we are hoping the area will serve as a venue to host clinics, coffee mornings, talks and demos. I also have my own herbal range that I am keen to bring to the market.

“My passion for the people we serve and their horses makes this the best job in the world. I can’t tell you the buzz I get from hearing that a product we have recommended has made a massive difference to a customer’s equestrian life or helped their horse. Supply issues and the current issues with pricing across all sectors has been challenging but we do follow trends and have so far weathered the storm thanks to the loyalty of our customers.

“We are often described as an Aladdin’s cave of desirable equestrian products but it’s our personal and warm service that we are best known and appreciated for.”

Michaela started showing in 2010 with her lightweight show cob Harvey Nichols who qualified for the SEIB Search For A Star finals in 2012. Tony started riding later in life but he has enjoyed plenty of success in the show ring in recent years.

“When I started out I used to be at the bottom of the line but I had a thirst for learning,” Michaela said. “My husband, Tony, now does the majority of the showing and he’s been placed at the RIHS with our maxi cob. More recently, we’ve bought an ex-racehorse, Chorus Of Lies, who was second at Aintree in-hand earlier this year. We hope to bring him out under saddle very soon.”

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The inaugural SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) Your Horse Live supreme championship was won by lead rein pony Thistledown Elpaso and his seven-year-old rider.

Thistledown Elpaso, who is known as Elvis at home, is owned by Heather Hiscox and ridden by her daughter, Emily, who is a member of North Warwickshire Pony Club.

Just 24 hours earlier they’d made SFAS history by winning the very first SEIB SFAS Pony Club lead rein final.

“We’re on cloud nine,” said Heather, who led the pair to win the ridden championship en route to the overall supreme. “All the finalists are so beautiful so we said we’d just go and enjoy the supreme today. I can’t believe this. Elvis is Emily’s little unicorn.”

During their supreme show, Heather said Emily, who rode a round the world during her show in yesterday’s class, wanted to push the boat out even further to secure the top title:

“We got home yesterday and Emily said ‘Mummy, I think I should stand up in the saddle; I’ve done it loads of times at home’. And that’s what she did; thankfully, I have full trust in Elvis and even when the crowd clapped he didn’t flinch. We kept our show pretty simple with a figure of eight, incorporating a rein back, too.”

Elvis was bought by the Hiscox family three years ago from Sarah Anderson. Heather saw him advertised on social media and as he was located in Aberdeen, she bought him unseen.

“I fell in love with him from the photos so bought him over the phone,” she explained. “He’s been the best pony we could have ever wished for; he’s taken Emily through her lead rein years and she has done everything she could possibly want to do with him. He goes on farm rides, on picnic hacks, to Pony Club camp and he jumps. Emily loves him so much and the bond they have is lovely.”

The trio qualified for Your Horse Live at Bury Farm.

“Even though Elvis is smart and he can do the showing classes, he’s a true Pony Club pony and he thrives on variety,” said Heather, who runs Elvis from the family farm. “At home we only have fields to ride in, hence why we need a super-safe pony.”

This year, Elvis added another string to his bow when he competed in the Pony Club’s virtual musical ride competition.

“Our team ended up as national reserve champions,” said Heather. “We put in a lot of training over the summer and all the children had such fun with their ponies.”

Judge Katie Jerram-Hunnable said: “It was a unanimous decision from the judges, myself, Chris Hunnable and Matthew Lawrence. The winning pony’s show was exceptional.”

The SEIB SFAS in-hand championship went to 15-year-old Finn Williamson handling Kirsty Spencer’s 13-year-old mare Port Lou Lou (Roxy).

“I have been so nervous this week,” said Finn. “But it was amazing to win yesterday, and we cracked on today and it all went brilliantly. I’ve got my GCSE’s coming up next year but I hope to fit some intermediate classes in with Roxy.”

Finn and Roxy were SFAS finalists in the riding horse/hack championship at Horse of the Year (HOYS) show last month and they won at STARS championships last year.

Conformation judge Matthew Lawrence said: “As soon as this mare entered the ring I thought she was a great type. She has a lovely way of going with fabulous cadence and has been beautifully produced by her enthusiastic handler.”

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Thousands entered and only a select few qualified, but there could only one winner in each of the 2022 SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) showing finals held at Your Horse Live (11 November).

Dedicated home-producers and their horses and ponies put in hours of work to contend for the prestigious championship titles.

The first SFAS championship to be held at Your Horse Live was the mountain and moorland (M&M) ridden final which took place for the first time in 2018. Since then, the SFAS presence at the venue has grown to now offer 11 different championship finals for veterans, Pony Club ponies, natives and traditionals, both in-hand and ridden.

For the first time history, there will be a supreme SFAS championship held at Your Horse Live, which will take place tomorrow and will see the winners of the amateur classes go head to head.

Meet those who took home the overall 2022 SEIB Search For A Star accolades:

SFAS in-hand veteran

The 24-year-old gelding Randall IV, an ex-international show jumper who was in-hand veteran champion at Royal Windsor earlier this year, and his owner Lucy Ashworth top the in-hand veterans.

SFAS in-hand native and traditional

The mare Millnerfield Lady Isabelle is the first pure-bred Shire to qualify for the SFAS finals. She took the in-hand native and traditional tri-colour with her owner Lucy Parr. The eight-year-old is also broken to ride and competes under-saddle.

SFAS in-hand M&M

Lachlann Of Croila Croft, a five-year-old Highland, and gun dog trainer Judith Hogg win the M&M in-hand championship. Judith, who broke her back out hunting seven years ago, has owned Lachlann since he was a two-year-old.

SFAS in-hand plaited pony

Lisa Hayyez’ Ryehall Petit Ami takes the plaited pony crown. The Welsh part-bred will be aimed at lead rein and first ridden classes in the future.

SFAS in-hand plaited horse

Kirsty Wilson’s Port Lou Lou, handled by 15-year-old Finn Williamson, takes the in-hand plaited horse title. Finn rode Lou Lou to be sixth in the SEIB SFAS hack and riding horse final at HOYS in October.

SFAS Pony Club lead rein pony

Heather Hiscox’s Thistledown Elpaso and her daughter Emily Hiscox, who are part of the North Warwickshire branch of the Pony Club, take the Pony Club lead rein spoils. The pair have done farm rides, tetrathlon, showing and Pony Club camp together.

SFAS Pony Club first ridden pony

Welsh section B Larchgrove Isabella and Emily Elliott, who are in the Rufford branch of the Pony Club, score the Pony Club first ridden title. The duo compete in all activities, from dressage to hunter trials, as a partnership.

SFAS open Pony Club pony

Leading the open Pony Club field is Naomi Kitchener’s Cavan Mick and Helena Kitchener, who are members of the Mid Surrey branch of the Pony Club. Helena and Mickey have also had great success in tetrathlon for the southern England team at the Pony Club international regional Pony Club tetrathlon competition.

SFAS part-bred traditional ridden

The part-bred Welsh cross traditional Furlong Socks gallops to the part-bred traditional accolade for apprentice hairdresser Maia Ellis. The 12-year-old has enjoyed several wins in the show ring this year, including at Traditional of the Year Show (TOYS).

SFAS M&M ridden

After winning the SEIB SFAS working pony title at HOYS last month, Langorra Ginger Port and Natalie Pastor, who works in pharmaceuticals, head a competitive M&M ridden class. The six-year-old New Forest is a home-bred by Woodrow Portman who competed at HOYS both on the flat and as a worker.

SFAS open veteran

The 25-year-old Welsh section B Cottrell Riverdance, a former games pony, and Millie Bowles return to the Your Horse Live stage to claim the open ridden veteran championship. In 2021, the pair won the amateur veteran and the in-hand veteran finals at the SFAS Your Horse Live finals.

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Meet the winners of the 2022 SEIB Search For A Star classes

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Despite being in their first season of county level showing, Helen Jackson and her nine-year-old coloured pony Addien Toy Soldier are heading to Your Horse Live after qualifying for the 2022 SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) finals on their first attempt.

Addien Toy Soldier, who is known as Billy at home, and mounted police officer Helen landed their ticket at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre.

West Yorkshire-based Helen has known Billy since he was a six month old foal.

“He was owned by my instructor and I helped back him,” says Helen, who now keeps Billy on DIY livery. “When he came up for sale six years ago I scrimped and saved to buy him.”

Billy is a true all-rounder, competing in the show ring as well as in working hunter classes and hunter trials. This season, Helen has stepped him up to the county show circuit.

“He’s been a slow burner and he’s taught me a lot about perseverance,” Helen continues. “But we’ve had a great season, placing in some Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers, and we’ve qualified for the STARS championships, too.”

However, at the beginning of the season disaster struck when Billy suddenly fell ill with pneumonia and Helen nearly lost him.

“We’d been out competing and on leaving the yard in the evening I got a call from someone saying that Billy didn’t look well. I rushed back and he was really lethargic and was shivering and coughing. We rushed him to the vets and tests revealed he had pneumonia.

“The vets believed it could have been from something as simple as him choking on some hay or feed. We had to act fast; if we hadn’t of taken him to the vets so quickly, he wouldn’t be here today.”

Billy was given antibiotics and spent a week in the equine hospital before he returned home to begin his recovery.

“I’m now a clean freak when it comes to his care,” says Helen. “We brought him back into work very slowly and he’s now fully recovered. Our first show back was the SFAS qualifier, which we won!”

Your Horse Live preparation for the pair has involved hacking, and on their last outing ahead of the final they took the overall supreme title at the North West Open Championships.

“My job fits in well with showing; I tend to have most Sundays and Mondays off work which is handy for weekend competitions.

“This will be my first time riding in the SFAS finals, so the nerves are building now,” Helen adds. “I’ve got a lot of support, including from my incredible groom, Ava Greenwood, who comes everywhere with us and is totally dedicated.”

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The anticipated 2022 SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) classes welcomed a new batch of hard working home-producers and their horses and ponies to the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Find out which star combinations impressed the judges and took home the 2022 SEIB Search For A Star class titles:

SEIB SFAS traditional cob

This title went to Kirsty Sheath and her own eight-year-old Hermits Golden Safari. Kirsty has owned the gelding for two years and they’ve faced their share of problems during their time together.

“He has had severe ulcers and has also had issues with travelling in the past,” said Kirsty, who qualified for the SFAS finals on their second attempt. “But he now loves life; he hacks and jumps and has the best attitude.”

SEIB SFAS show cob

Linda Penfold’s 10-year-old B Unique and showing newbie Hannah Johnson took the cob crown. The pair contested some qualifiers during 2021 and after spending the winter training, they qualified for this year’s championship at Vale View EC. B Unique was owned by Linda’s late best friend Sally Neenan since he was a foal. Sally very sadly got cancer and died a few years ago bequeathing the horse to Linda.

SEIB SFAS hack

Sarah Lindsey, who works in the Land Rover warehouse, and her own Just Elusive took the hack tri-colour. Sarah qualified the mare’s dam, Just Maybe, for the HOYS SEIB SFAS finals 11 years ago.

“I’m delighted she’s following in her dam’s footsteps,” said Sarah, of the first-season mare.

SEIB SFAS riding horse

Herbie, ridden by cardiology nurse Alex Windross, took the riding horse crown. Alex’s decision to show the grey gelding came when she lost her old horse, Freddie, earlier this year.

“It was losing Freddie that made me decide to show Herbie; it was one last little dedication to him,” said Alex.

SEIB SFAS working pony

Home-bred New Forest Langorra Ginger Port took the working pony accolade for Natalie Pastor. The six-year-old gelding is out of Natalie’s working hunter Portmore Lil. Natalie, who works in pharmaceuticals, backed and has produced “Larry” herself.

SEIB SFAS working show horse

Topping the working show horse line-up was An Buachaill Ban Bui, owned and ridden by Maxine Linas. As well as show, the pair also event at BE90 level and have qualified for the regional finals. Maxine runs a social media marketing company, Maximise Social.

SEIB SFAS show hunter

Coultard Z and Sarah Moreland landed the final class of the 2022 SFAS series. The gelding does dressage, shows side-saddle and competes in grade 4 para dressage with a different rider.

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It took a moment for cardiology nurse Alex Windross to realise that she’d been called out as champion of the 2022 SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) championship with her nine-year-old riding horse Herbie at the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). But when the penny dropped, a childhood dream had been realised.

“I didn’t believe I would win; there were some fabulous horses in that championship,” said Alex. “I’ve been coming here as a spectator for years and years. There used to be a stall at HOYS where you could buy a rosette and get your horse’s name stamped on it, but never did I believe that I’d win my own one day. To ride at HOYS, alongside some of the names I’ve idolised for years, doesn’t feel real.”

Alex’s decision to show Herbie came earlier this year when her first horse, Freddie, suddenly died from colic.

“I’d had him for a long time and Herbie was bought to take his place when he retired, but he died suddenly,” said Alex. “Freddie had always liked to show and I showed him locally. Showing has been an ode to him. I decided to do one show with Herbie and I chose the SFAS series, and to my amazement we qualified first time. At that point, I thought I had better pull my socks up and get to work over the summer, which has paid off.”

Alex fits horses around shift work:

“It’s very hard to fit it all in,” she explained. “I go without much sleep; after night shifts I go to ride before going to bed, then I’ll be back at the yard to muck out before going to work again. They’re long days. I’m not back on shift until Monday night so I’m going to enjoy the weekend celebrating.”

Herbie was only bought by Alex as the sale of her intended purchase fell through:

“The owner rang me and said she had another horse if I was interested,” Alex explained. “I went to view him and it was a scrawny, steel grey. I was deliberating whether to buy this new pony or get a new kitchen, and I came to the conclusion that microwaves aren’t that expensive.

“He’s taken a lot of maturing, but we’ve done a lot together, including dressage and combined championships.

“I have Freddie’s old bridle on Herbie as well as a noseband I’ve borrowed from a friend.

“This is my childhood dream. I never thought I’d be riding in that main arena.”

Maxine Linas and her working show horse winner An Buachaill Ban Bui took reserve in the 2022 SEIB Search For A Star championship. Maxine runs her own social media marketing company and her gelding, who is known as Bandit, usually events but also show jumps, hunts and does riding club activities.

“I’ve had him two years and he has evented round BE90,” said Maxine. “I’ve always wanted to come to HOYS and I knew he would be the right horse for the job. I work from home which makes fitting in horses easier.

“HOYS is only Bandit’s second show; our first was the SEIB SFAS qualifier. He’s taken everything in his stride. This is a full dream come true; I’ve been to HOYS to spectate many times and have watched friends ride here, too.”

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Amateur rider Debbie Fitzpatrick and her home-produced riding horse Atlantic Flight have booked their place at the Royal International (RIHS).

Atlantic Flight — who is known as Indie at home — and Debbie are gearing up for their first appearance at Hickstead, after qualifying at Staffordshire County.

Indie, a 20-year-old home-bred by Concorde, was bred to show jump, but after discovering he wasn’t keen on the discipline, Debbie switched him to the dressage arena.

“We only started showing in 2018,” says Debbie. “He was late to mature and was tricky up until he was a seven-year-old, but he soon settled, and we decided to try showing on advice from a friend.”

Debbie and Indie’s rise to the top in the show ring has been swift; they qualified for the SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) finals at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2018 and have also appeared as SFAS representatives at Your Horse Live in 2021.

“I was competing him as a veteran but a judge told me he’d do well as an open riding horse, so I decided to give it a go,” explains Debbie.

Throughout Indie’s showing career, Debbie has been undergoing treatment for bladder cancer. In 2018, she had an operation for a low grade tumour and reacted badly to the chemotherapy.

“I was really ill and couldn’t walk for a while, but Indie looked after me and took me to HOYS without much work,” she says. “I cried my eyes out the whole way around the ring. He’s such a lovely boy and he knows when I’m not well.”

Debbie has recently undergone another operation, so her RIHS preparation has been similarly curtailed.

“When I qualified I was thrilled, but I’ve been in and out of hospital so he hasn’t been ridden as much as I would have hoped. But I trust him and I know he’ll be as good as gold. I know my wonder horse will look after me once again.”

“I’m excited, yet a little nervous; I will be on board my 20-year-old home-bred against some of the best in the business who I idolise. It’s been a difficult time, but I have an unbreakable bond with Indie.

“I am aiming to have been back on him at least twice before we head to Hickstead and he has been keeping active by cantering around the field. I have great family and friends who support me, too.”

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The first Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Search for a Star (SFAS) showing competition since 2019 was held at the RDA national championships (15-16 July) at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.

RDA centres from across the country were represented in the SFAS competition with competitors traveling from as far as Devon (Erme Valley RDA), Middlesborough (Tyne and Wear RDA) and Cambridgeshire (Cambridgeshire College RDA).

Richard Ramsay judged alongside Katie Jerram-Hunnable, and Chris Jerram-Hunnable stewarded the horses and riders to and from the arena and clearly explained the procedure while in the ring.

“In this class, we look for a very mannerly horse or pony that is straightforward for the rider. The horse or pony must enjoy the job and while conformation comes into it, manners and suitability are crucial,” said Katie.

Four champions were presented with sashes, plaques, rosettes and advice from the judges.

The overall championship title went to Tara Redfern and My Last Bob, owned by Dawn Whitmore from the Wenlo RDA group. Kirsty Mabin’s skewbald, Doylan Bodacious Gift from Erme Valley RDA, was judged the best pony and they won the class.

Chris Bradley and his own MBF Harley Rebel took the best rider title for Cambridgeshire College RDA, and Catriona McCartney and Axholme Thor took the championship for best combination for the Avon RDA Group.

“I’ve only been riding Bob for five or six weeks,” said Tara, who has been a carriage driving volunteer at Wenlo RDA and Carriage Driving Group. “I’ve never been to the RDA championships before and it’s been a great experience. It’s very kind of Dawn, Bob’s owner, to say we should have a go.”

Kirsty Mabin, best horse or pony champion with Erme Valley RDA’s Doylan Bodacious Gift, has competed in RDA SFAS before with placings in 2018 and in virtual SFAS during lockdown. Kirsty, who is 16 and a pupil at Coombe Pafford school in Torquay said: “My pony is just great. I really enjoyed the class.”

In 2019 Kirsty was diagnosed with scoliosis and had to spend two years without riding. This was her first competition back. Kirsty’s father said: “Kirsty has been back riding for the last six months. The team at Erme Valley are just great. Peggy Douglas who is in charge at the yard has organised for six horses and ponies to come to the championship with a total of 14 riders.”

Chris Bradley, who has also evented, competed in dressage and ridden at previous SFAS competitions, won the best rider title.

“I just knew that Harley was the horse for me when I first sat on him,” said Chris. “I’m so pleased with him. He jumps, too, and we are planning to start practising for the special Olympics.”

Chris has had a tough time, as his mother explained: “Chris’s former horse Quintus very sadly got a tumour and died. Chris thought he might not get another horse at one point. We started looking and sat on loads of horses before finding Harley. We’ve only had him since the end of April.”

The best combination winner, Catriona McCartney Kitson, was delighted with her five-year-old Axholme Thor, a throroughbred/Oldenburg gelding:

“He was backed when I bought him 18 months ago and I have brought him on. We have competed in dressage and jumping, but this was our first showing class together,” she said.

Catriona competes as an independent participant for the Avon RDA group. She continued: “I am hoping that we can go and do some eventing. It will be a big leap for us. I had a head injury in a riding accident which left me with a disability. I never thought I would be able to think about jumping again.”

Marketing manager at SEIB, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “We have run SFAS RDA for many years now and every time we are so impressed with the lovely horses and riders that come forward. Our judges are pleased to be able to offer help and encouragement all of which is appreciated – we are all very grateful for our busy judges and steward making the time to come along. Thank you to the RDA championships team for making us feel so welcome.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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Showing series SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse headed to Scotland for the first time in over 20 years, as competitors flocked to Netherton Equestrian in Perthshire (11 — 12 June) to vie for coveted tickets to both Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Your Horse Live.

The last time qualifiers for the SEIB SFAS championships were held in Scotland was during the mid-1990s. SFAS organisers SEIB acted on the comments from many competitors asking for the series to hold a Scottish qualifier this season. The last SFAS held north of the border was at Gleneagles when the format was a photo competition; the competitors with the best pictures as decided by the late Robert Oliver were invited to come along in person with their horses.

“We regularly hold northern qualifiers for SFAS and have often debated coming to Scotland,” said SEIB marketing manager Nicolina MacKenzie. “We feel it is only fair for SFAS to be inclusive and to give as many competitors as possible the opportunity to compete for the chance to qualify for HOYS and Your Horse Live. Plenty of people said they wanted a qualifier in Scotland and many of these entered, came along and have supported our decision. The times we live in were also a motivating factor in helping competitors. Diesel prices and inflation are hitting everyone and if there is a way we can try to help people, we will.”

Emily Mcquillian from Aberdeen won the working show horse qualifier riding her bay gelding, Graffite V.

“I’ve always wanted to go to HOYS and as soon as we saw that SFAS was coming to Scotland we decided to give it a go,” she said. “We went to the Saturday workshop which was invaluable. I’ve never done quartermarks before and the plaiting session was very useful too. In the ridden section of the workshop the judge ran through the show and that definitely helped polish our performance.”

Winner of the ridden part-bred traditional Your Horse Live qualifying class, Amy McIntyre, said: “I would have loved to have taken part in this class last year, but couldn’t as I was pregnant. It looked as though the part-bred traditionals might not run this year and I messaged SFAS over the winter asking for the class to keep going; it turned out to be a double bonus as not only did it run, but the qualifier was in Scotland too!”

Senior SFAS judge, Richard Ramsay said: “The atmosphere at Netherton was simply fantastic. We had many competitors that are new to the series and they were genuinely grateful for the opportunity. The competitors that came to the workshop on the preceding day, listened, took note and we saw many improvements on the Sunday.”

You might also be interested in:

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The keeper of a rescue cob who has qualified for the Search For a Star (SFAS) showing championship says she would not part with him for a million pounds.

Grace Willis and World Horse Welfare Paolo won the SFAS in-hand qualifier at Bury Farm on 22 May to take their ticket for the final at Your Horse Live in November.

Grace told H&H the nine-year-old gelding, who has been with her since he was five, has only been showing for about a year but has taken to it like a duck to water.

“I threw him in the deep end really to start as a friend of mine was going to a [Coloured Horse and Pony Society] CHAPS qualifier and I took him too, and he did so well,” she said.

“We qualified for the Sunshine Tour at Hickstead last year and he won the rescue in-hand class and was reserve champion. He went to Royal Windsor last month and was really good, in a huge class, then he won at Bury Farm.”

Grace met Paolo, whose mother had been rescued while she was pregnant, when she was studying at Writtle University College, where the pony was living as a yearling. World Horse Welfare and the college work together with some youngsters.

“I fell in love with him,” she said. “I said I’d love to take him home but the tutor said I’d have to be quick because he was going to go back to World Horse Welfare. I went home and asked my parents if I could have him and they said no, it would be too expensive [to keep him], but I saved all summer and managed to take him home.”

Grace also competed in the ridden SFAS qualifier at Bury Farm, the final of which is at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), and now intends to try for HOYS again in future.

“That would be amazing,” she said. “He’s had cancerous tumours on his sheath and has had two surgeries, so it’s lovely to get him back out doing what we want to do.”

She added that Paolo, who can be cheeky but is a yard favourite, shows the potential rescue ponies and horses can have.

“A lot of people think ‘It’s just a rescue pony’, or ‘just a coloured cob, what are you going to do with that?’, but they’ve got so much potential and it’s so much rewarding,” she said. “He may not be a fancy dressage horse but I’d rather have him; I wouldn’t part with him even if I was offered a million pounds.”

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SEIB has added a new class for Pony Club members to its Search For A Star (SFAS) series.

The SEIB SFAS Pony Club championships will be held at Your Horse Live in November and are designed to be “an introduction to showing for members of all ages”.

The championship will offer a lead-rein and first-ridden championship for children under 10 years old. There will also be an open class for older members and any type of horse or pony that is both athletic and correct enough to be a show horse. The animal will be judged on suitability for all-round Pony Club activities, conformation, way of going and temperament.

The new SFAS classes will be open to any horse or pony ridden by a member of the Pony Club. The horse or pony will not be ridden by the judge but the competitor will be asked to give a show and in each class a best rider award will be presented.

Each of the five SFAS qualifying shows in England and the one in Scotland will include the Pony Club class.

“This is a great opportunity for our members to learn more about the world of showing, with a fabulous final in front of a great crowd,” said Pony Club CEO Marcus Capel. “I am very excited to enable our members to enjoy different experiences with their horses and ponies and the SFAS series provides a fun, supportive structure to help them achieve.”

SEIB head of marketing Nicolina MacKenzie added: “We are delighted to be offering this opportunity for Pony Club members. We have been keen for some time to provide classes for younger people and offer education, training and support. Older Pony Club riders are also very welcome to come along to our qualifiers and in addition they can enter the other SFAS classes, or even take part in the racehorse to riding horse series. Showing teaches so much that is relevant to other disciplines, including turnout, way of going and of course showing the horse or pony off for a judge when it is not feeling at its most cooperative, a very useful skill when producing a dressage test!”

In addition, SFAS has two “weekender” events planned for 2022. These will include a day of training followed by a full qualifying show for both Horse of the Year Show and Your Horse Live, one in Scotland and one in England.

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The popular SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) showing series has added a class for veteran horses and ponies to its series for 2022.

The new championship will be for senior animals aged 16 years and older, and it is the first SFAS class that has no amateur restrictions on the horses, ponies and riders taking part.

There will be five qualifiers throughout the showing season, from April to August, culminating in a finale at Your Horse Live in November 2022.

In the new SFAS open veteran championship, horses will be required to gallop, and make-up and show products are permitted. The class was trialled at the end of the 2021 season and owing to its popularity is all set to run in full this year.

“We have set up this exciting new Search For A Star championship to celebrate some of our very top horses who are in their later years,” said SEIB marketing manager Nicolina MacKenzie.

“It will be a real treat to see the ‘golden oldies’ perform at Your Horse Live in November. Older horses who have previously excelled in other disciplines will be very welcome to take part. This is the one Search For A Star class in which there is no requirement for amateur status.”

More details will be made available for competitors soon and anyone looking to compete is advised to check the SEIB website as well as the SEIB Search For A Star Facebook page for updates.

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With the 2022 show season just around the corner, check out these amateur riders and their home-produced horses and ponies who are looking to achieve in the ring:

Nympsfield Miss Indi Pendant

Michelle Thomas enjoyed a fun filled 2021 season with her four-year-old coloured mare, who is a half-sister to the former Royal International (RIHS) supreme Brickell Mr Pickwick.

Their tally included winning the novice final at the Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS) championships.

“Our aim this year is to qualify for the SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) finals and also try some open coloured qualifiers, too,” says Michelle.

Tynbryn Siriol

Despite being 20 years old, the Welsh cob mare is set to make her debut in veteran and Welsh in-hand and ridden classes with Annabel Leather.

“I bought her at the start of the first lockdown for £450 as a broodmare,” said Annabel. “She’s bred six foals, but I knew she had potential as a ridden as her mileage was so low. She is exactly what I look for in a welsh cob.

Littlebitofmagic

The six-year-old 153cm thoroughbred gelding will be juggling Retraining of Racehorse (RoR) and hack classes. His owner Sophie Wilson became pregnant half way through last season so the pair are gearing up for a busier 2022.

“Our baby is due in February so I’m hoping to be back on board not too long after,” says Sophie. “Our aim for this season is the SFAS classes and as it’s my last year in intermediates I’d also love to see how we do in the Pretty Polly classes.”

Carnakilly Golddust

NHS worker Nicola Tarnawski will be juggling her work commitments with home-producing her rising four-year-old Connemara, who she bought as a two-year-old in June 2020. “Conor” is the first horse that Nicola has backed herself.

“Conor is a kind boy and has been a dream to handle and back,” says Nicola. “He’s just been brought back into work after four months of rest and has come back with a great attitude.”

Cwmafon David’s Last

The Welsh section D gelding — known as Floppers — was bought by Zoe Ainsworth, a full-time ward sister in Cornwall’s only acute hospital, from Wyn Morris in April 2021.

“Floppers had a very lazy summer of hacking and I aim to get him out and about on the novice show circuit this year,” says Zoe, who formerly rode a heavyweight hunter and narrowly missed out on a HOYS ticket. “It’s been a hectic year juggling work, buying my first big horse lorry and also having open abdomen surgery. Fingers crossed 2022 can be a fun filled season of good results, but also a fab time with good friends.”

Just Lillibet

Katie Gibbins’ home-bred, home-produced four-year-old will be commencing her ridden showing career this year. Ridden by Katie and bred by her parents Susan and Simon Gibbins, the mare by Cos Me Is Black out of Vale View Golden Girl will be aimed at novice intermediate and small hunter classes.

“She has a fantastic character and has proven to be very trainable,” says Katie. “She is certainly a family horse with her loveable attitude.”

Hillgarth I’m Your Huckleberry

Erin McCartan bought her six-year-old Welsh section C gelding “Finn” in 2019 as a lightly backed project, and after enjoying beach rides, hacking, cross-country, showjumping and some showing, she’s aiming to get him qualified for the SFAS finals as well as the young rider and amateur series at the RIHS.

“My non-horsey partner has also taken him out showing in hand, where they’ve won breed classes and championships,” says Erin.

The Spartan King

The five-year-old coloured gelding, who is registered with the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association (TGCA), will be aimed at the SFAS series by his amateur owner Diane Lodowski. The 14hh gelding has been backed for just over six months and is already scoring over 70% in dressage.

“He’s a real head turner thanks to his unusual colour,” says Diane.

Penlanganol Mr Tom

Kerry Finch’s eight-year-old coloured part-bred “Tom” was purchased from a dealer 12 months ago as a project and has since excelled in various disciplines including showjumping, eventing, arena eventing and British Dressage Quest competitions.

“He looked a little unkempt when I first saw him but I could tell he was a diamond in the rough,” says Kerry. “‘Showing is not something I ever thought I would want to do, but we’re looking forward to giving it a go. My aim is to qualify for the STARS championship and to give working hunter classes a go.”

Southway Vision In Gold

Lucy Sentance’s six-year-old Welsh section D mare will be making her debut under saddle. “Patience” was bought as a two-year-old in 2018 straight from the field.

“Due to Covid, a house move and Patience contracting strangles in 2020, we’ve had some setbacks,” says Lucy. “We were off the lunge in January 2021 and we managed to get to some in-hand shows, too. We are currently out competing in prelim dressage and showing wise, we’re aiming for West Wilts in March, Bath and West in June and Dorset County in September.

“I have backed and trained her myself, and I am lucky enough to have amazing yard owners and instructors helping us on our journey.”

Lord Adam

Seven-year-old Clydesdale/Selle Francais “Adam” will commence his first affiliated show season with his new owner Summer Williams, after a successful introduction to the show ring by Matt Cadman. The pair will be aiming for amateur classes as well as making use of Adam’s big jump in working show horse classes.

Trenavey Dazzler

After winning the SEIB SFAS riding horse final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2021, Jordan Meakins will be bringing her gelding forward as an amateur and open riding horse.

“He’s evented up to novice level and is now stepping up to be a successful show horse,” says Jordan. “He was only shown three times before he qualified for HOYS. I’m very excited about him and we’re currently gearing up for our first RIHS qualifier in March.”

Glorious Boru

“Brian”, as he’s known at home, came to Emily Cook from Shovelstrode Racing Stables during the summer and the duo have spent the winter training in both dressage and jumping. Emily will be aiming at both the ROR and SFAS series.

“Brian has excelled and shown he can turn his hoof to anything,” says Emily.

Hwylog Fire Light

Karen Badrick will be aiming her six-year-old Welsh section D gelding by Hwylog Amarni at the novice ridden circuit as well as the SFAS qualifiers.

“I bought him as an unhandled six-month-old foal,” says Karen. “He has won many championships in-hand at local level, also qualifying for STARS in 2018.”

Voodoo Blue Barritz

Home-producer Bethany Hitchings and her 13-year-old 16.2hh sports horse will be aiming for show hunter classes during 2022, after taking on their first ever showing classes at the end of last season.

“We even managed to come away with a win and a second,” says Bethany.

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A batch of talented home-produced riders got the opportunity to ride at Your Horse Live during the second round of the 2021 SEIB Search For A Star finals. 

Five championships took place, for amateur and open veteran horses and ponies, mountain and moorlands (M&M), part-bred traditionals and in-hand exhibits.

Find out which combinations reigned in these ultra competitive showing championships:

SFAS veteran horse and pony of the year

Full-time marketing lead Abi Sole and her own ex-racehorse Hero Worship were crowned open veteran champions. The gelding, now 18, was second in the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse finals at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in October.

Hero Worship had three starts on the Flat for trainer Michael Jarvis, winning twice. He earned just under £20,000 during a short but successful racing career.

“This was a great class and we have really enjoyed taking part,” said Abi. “It was nice to have the live score element during the class. Hero was really relaxed going in the ring and the win tops off a great season for the both of us. I couldn’t ask for more from him.”

SFAS mountain and moorland pony of the year

Welsh section D gelding Wishaw Red Admiral captured the M&M tri-colour for his owner Simone Harrison, who works as a talent acquisition lead for fashion brand Missguided.

Simone bought Red as a two-year-old and rode him to sixth at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) this year as well as placings in HOYS qualifiers.

“The atmosphere in the ring was amazing,” Simone said. “Red has been fully home-produced since I bought him and he has always enjoyed turning his hoof to showing. Next year we plan to campaign more of the opens with a view to secure a HOYS ticket.”

SFAS amateur veteran horse and pony of the year

Louise Chamberlain rode her own 18-year-old mare Mystical Clover to the top of the amateur veteran line-up. The pair qualified for the 2021 SEIB Search For A Star finals at Bury Farm and were presented for the SEIB SFAS riding club show horse finals in 2016.

Louise works full-time as a graphic designer and has evented to novice level.

“I bought Clover as an eventer and took her through Pony Club and the 100s, before she fell out of love with it,” said Louise. “In 2016, we decided to try showing and haven’t looked back. I am so proud of her.”

SFAS in-hand horse and pony of the year

The 24-year-old Welsh section B Cottrell Riverdance (Ronnie), owned by Selina Bowles and handled by Millie Bowles, was crowned winner of the in-hand championship.

Millie and Ronnie recently won the Veteran Horse Society veteran supreme overall final for the second time.

“I have owned Ronnie since he was 18; he came to us for a quieter life but it just hasn’t turned out that way as he loves his job too much,” said Millie. “He was a games pony when he was younger and he still loves to have that buzz and excitement around him. He loves being in the ring, and has really enjoyed being here.”

SFAS part-bred traditional of the year

Heading the part-bred traditional championship was Rosie Wrest aboard her 15-year-old bay gelding Branston Pickle.

“I feel very emotional; Branston is an amazing horse,” said Rosie. “I’ve been riding him for nearly six years; we started doing dressage and then decided to try showing. We set out with the aim of getting just one rosette and so to have won a championship is just amazing.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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Until recently the Connemara gelding Carrowkeel Storm was a proven all-rounder who was more commonly found on the endurance circuit. But when his owner, Hannah Sedgwick, took him to a showing competition to keep another horse company on the lorry, she realised that her pony of a lifetime could have the right features to make it in the show ring.

After only contending a handful of shows together, the pair are set to make their debut in the SEIB Search For A Star mountain and moorland (M&M) final at Your Horse Live, after qualifying on their first attempt at West Wilts Equestrian Centre.

Hannah was first acquainted with Storm, now 11, when he was an unbroken five-year-old.

“He was living in a field next to where we kept our old horse and my mum, Clare, had helped his owner move him into a new field,” explains Hannah, who works as a pub supervisor. “She said to Mum that if we needed something to do, we were more than welcome to do some work with Storm. When I came back from my ski season I instantly fell in love with him and after having him on loan he was then kindly gifted to us by his owner.”

Hannah’s sister, Jess, had been competing in endurance with her horse so Hannah took Storm out to further his education.

“He was a slow learner so we decided endurance would be a good way for him to see the world and learn the ropes without any pressure,” she says. “We both loved it. We did some local competitions and in 2016 we were selected for the home international team as a novice combination. We went to Ireland for a few days and managed to win our class there.”

Storm has now competed up to 64km level.

“He manages these well considering he’s a stockier type, though he’s usually competing against Arabs. We mainly did it for fun, aiming to beat our last time.”

Storm’s show ring debut happened by chance.

“Jess had a youngster and wanted to take him out in-hand for some experience,” says Hannah. “We decided to take Storm to keep him company and while we were there I thought I might as well enter a class. We competed in the working hunter and came second. We then tried some flat classes and on our first attempt we came away with overall M&M champion; it was then that I realised he could be quite good at this job.”

Hannah went to Your Horse Live in 2019 and watched the SEIB SFAS final.

“I was really inspired and decided to set my stall out and try to qualify,” she says. “In 2020 I had my daughter so I was lucky to have Mum and Jess to keep Storm ticking over.

“On the way to our qualifier at West Wilts we got stuck in traffic and had to ride in a torrential downpour. I’d only done a few showing classes so I was still slightly unsure about what to do, so I couldn’t believe it when we got our ticket.

“Our preparation for the final has been quite relaxed, with some hacking, dressage and a few lessons with my instructor. Storm is very laid back and can be stubborn so he always performs better when he’s fresh and the event ahead of him is exciting.”

Road to the SFAS finals: ‘He’s a sensitive soul’ – quirky Welsh cob defies the odds to become show ring champion

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After an incredible first open season under saddle, the home-produced Welsh section D gelding Wishaw Red Admiral (Red) and his owner Simone Harrison are heading to Your Horse Live to compete in the SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) finals. The duo picked up their ticket at Stoneleigh Park.

Prior to purchasing Red, Simone — who works as a talent acquisition lead for the fashion brand Missguided — had lost a youngster bought from the Welsh pony and cob sales to wobblers syndrome.

“I was gutted and got in touch with my friend, Ashley Peers, who is well connected in the Welsh pony world to see if she knew of anything for sale,” explains Simone. “Red wasn’t on the market but as Ashley knew what I’d been through, she said she would consider letting him come to me.

“She sent me some pictures and I fell in love. He’d been turned away and was a complete blank canvas. He’s always been a sensitive soul and was scared of his own shadow. I broke him in and have done all the work with him myself, with help from my mum and some instruction along the way.”

During his novice season in 2018, Red completely surprised Simone with his talent.

“He blew me away; there weren’t many shows we came away from without a win or a championship and he also won a bronze medal,” she said. “Unfortunately, our second season was cut short as Red had to undergo a double stifle operation after the vet found he had a form of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). When we found out we prepared for the worst, but thankfully after some time out he made a full recovery.”

2021 has been Red’s first full season in the show ring. His impressive tally includes a sixth at the Royal International (RIHS) in the amateur M&M final, placings in Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers and a second in the Welsh section D BSPS M&M supreme ridden qualifier at the BSPS Heritage championships.

“While he’s quirky, he always tries his best for me and he’s a pleasure to do,” Simone said. “He’s a funny character; while you could ride him down the M6 motorway and he wouldn’t bat an eyelid, he will freak out if you wear a new pair of gloves or a bobble hat. He’s always been brilliant to ride but he can be a Welsh dragon on the ground. This year has been all about gaining mileage and letting him experience some new venues; he’s exceeded all my expectations. Hopefully we’ll achieve our dream of riding at HOYS one day.

“When we qualified for the SFAS finals we nearly missed our class and didn’t have time to warm-up. Hopefully we’ll be more prepared for the final!

“Red is my only horse so I can really concentrate on him in between work. My mum regularly hacks him out at home, while I do the schooling and competitions.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

When she was called forward as the winner of the most recent SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) championship at the 2021 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), home-producer Lucy Hopkins achieved the centre line dream that so many riders aspire to during their careers in the show ring.

Wheatland Hunt stud groom Lucy was on board her seven-year-old lightweight hunter Chilly Breeze — who is known as Matty at home — and the pair had clinched the SFAS show hunter class just a couple of hours before their foray into the International Arena championship.

“I’ve always loved the hunter side of showing and I always dreamed that I’d have a horse that I could one day show at a nice level,” said Lucy, when she chatted to H&H’s showing editor Alex Robinson on episode 73 of the Horse & Hound podcast. “Though I didn’t expect that Matty would be the one to take me there; we bought him as a hunt horse and had no idea that he would turn out like he has.”

Lucy became acquainted with Matty though some family friends, who had brought him over from Ireland.

“He was a four-year-old at the time and they bought him to sell on,” said Lucy. “They’d had him for about six months and a few friends had seen him and told me to go and have a look, though I didn’t want something so young. I gave into the peer pressure and went for a look and I loved the ride he gave me. At the time, he wasn’t too grey either, so he didn’t look like he’d be too tricky to keep clean.

“We hunted him lightly and then gave him a break. Through lockdown we completely roughed him off and he just didn’t stop growing; he was about 16hh when we bought him and he’s now just a shade under 17hh. He had time to mature and a few people said we should try some showing with him.”

Lucy and Matty qualified for the HOYS SEIB SFAS finals at Onley Equestrian Centre and picked up their ticket in second place. Throughout the season, they developed as a partnership and put in the work to ensure they were HOYS ready.

“I’ve learned to take on every bit of advice that you can,” added Lucy. “Watch, listen and learn, especially from the professionals. Go to clinics and workshops with trainers and riders; you really never stop learning. You’ve got to take it all on board and keep trying. Don’t give up; one day you’ll have a bad show and the next you’ll have a good one. Don’t ever get disheartened, you’ll get there.”

Listen to more from Lucy on episode 73 of the Horse & Hound podcast.

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The Horse & Hound Podcast 73: SEIB Search for a Star winner | Maryland review | Managing competition nerves | News update

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In our 73rd weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, H&H showing editor Alex Robinson talks to a recent winner form the Horse of the Year Show, Lucy Hopkins, who was victorious in the SEIB Search for a Star competition. H&H editor Pippa Roome is then joined by the H&H news team to discuss the action at Maryland 5 Star, vets suffering injuries while treating horses, how to betting public react to female jockeys and factors that increase risk in eventing. Finally, equestrian psychology coach Charlie Unwin, talks about how to manage competition nerves. Let us know what you think

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In our 73rd weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, H&H showing editor Alex Robinson talks to a recent winner form the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), Lucy Hopkins, who was victorious in the SEIB Search for a Star competition.

H&H editor Pippa Roome then discusses her reaction to the new Maryland 5 Star event.

The H&H news team then discuss vets suffering injuries while treating horses, how to betting public react to female jockeys and factors that increase risk in eventing.

Finally, equestrian psychology coach coach Charlie Unwin, talks about how to manage competition nerves.

• We would love to hear your feedback on all our podcasts, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com

H&H Plus podcast: episode 73

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For the first time in two years, home-produced horses and their dedicated owners and riders took to the stage at the world famous Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) to compete in the highly anticipated SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) finals.

Find out who won each of the classes during the week at HOYS:

SFAS Traditional Cob

Eye Candy II (Diesel) and Harriet Conlon headed the first class of the show. Harriet, a patient flow coordinator based in Stoke-on-Trent, has been working throughout the pandemic and while the pair have enjoyed much success in open coloured ranks, they decided to try the SFAS series and achieve their dreams of riding at HOYS. They qualified at the Stoneleigh SFAS qualifier.

“Diesel is my best friend,” said Harriet. “I wanted to do SFAS because we’d tried a couple of open classes a few years ago and I felt that I needed something to help me progress in the ring. The past months have been hard; I’ve been working as part of the COVID-19 response at Royal Stoke Hospital. Winning here at HOYS has really given me a boost. I’m looking forward to telling everyone about this at work tomorrow!”

SFAS Show Cob

The show cob class was led by Athlone Lad and self-employed dog groomer and dog day care provider Sarah Adams. At the start of the season, Sarah nearly decided to sell her gelding though decided against it and was thrilled to qualify for HOYS on their fourth attempt this year at Bury Farm. Athlone Lad has previously suffered from EMS and Sarah has worked hard to get him on the road and maintain his show condition. 

“I am ecstatic, especially as our journey has been a challenging one,” said Sarah. “Jordan Cook (judge) said to keep going which encouraged me, and Richard Ramsay (judge) suggested we went out cubbing. I got my brave pants on and took him out and he absolutely loved it.”

SFAS Hack

Molecule One (Pearl) and Bethany Phoenix clinched the hack accolade. Pearl was only contending her sixth show:

“She’s my horse of a lifetime,” said Bethany. “Anything you ask of her she does and she hits everything in her stride. It has always been my dream to ride here and riding in the TopSpec arena was the best feeling in the world. I can’t wait to try open classes next year.”

SFAS Riding Horse

Trenavey Dazzler and Jordan Meakins won a competitive riding horse class. The gelding by Catherston Dazzler has evented up to novice level, but following a bad fall Jordan decided to give showing a go. This pair qualified for the HOYS Search for a Star finals at West Wilts Equestrian Centre.

SFAS Working Show Horse

True all-rounder Latice (Louis) captured his class for his delighted owner Polly Baker, who lives in Norfolk and works in Newmarket as a secretary at the Newmarket Equine. 

“I was meant to be going home today and I’ve now got to celebrate and think about logistics as the championship is tomorrow,” said Polly. “Maybe I will have to hitch a lift back.”

At home, 11-year-old Louis regularly hacks on the beach and goes out hunting. Preparation this week has been unusual for Polly: “I’ve had 10 days of poulticing and then a broken saddle, so not ideal. I’m glad I’ve taken part as I’ve had friends do SFAS and I wanted to as it’s always looked fun,” she added.

SFAS Working Show Pony

Welsh part-bred Senny Cymro — known as Charlie Pony at home — made his owner/rider Julie Carter’s dreams come true by winning their SFAS final.

“I bought him to help me get my confidence back, and it’s taken a huge amount of confidence to try SFAS,” said Julie, who works for Renishaw Engineering in Gloucestershire. “I’d always shown as a child and always wanted a black and white pony. I then decided to try SFAS. To now win, I feel like both of my dreams have come true.”

SFAS Show Hunter

Lucy Hopkins scored the final class of the competition on her own lightweight Chilly Breeze, a seven-year-old she bought two years ago.

“I sourced him from some very good friends of mine who had brought him over from Ireland as five-year-old,” explained Lucy, who hunts with the Wheatland and works as a stud groom for the Shropshire-based hunt. 

“They kept insisting I went to see him, even though I didn’t think I wanted something so young.” Lucy initially bought Matty to hunt:

“I did some local showing and some people made some lovely comments about him,” added Lucy, who also juggles horses around being a mum to her three-year-old daughter. “People seemed to like him and he laps up the atmosphere. He’s actually a lot more cheerful when he’s away; at home he’s a very grumpy chap.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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The winning show hunter of the year impressed the judges during the championship to be crowned overall SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) champions at the 2021 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The winning combination was Lucy Hopkins riding her own seven-year-old lightweight hunter Chilly Breeze (Matty). The stunning steel grey made light of the International Arena to reign over the traditional show cob of the year, Eye Candy II, ridden by Harriet Conlon.

Lucy bought Matty two years ago:

“I sourced him from some very good friends of mine who had brought him over from Ireland as five-year-old,” explained Lucy, who hunts with the Wheatland and works as a stud groom for the Shropshire-based hunt.

“They kept insisting I went to see him, even though I didn’t think I wanted something so young.”

Lucy’s husband is the Wheatland’s huntsman so hunting is very much a family affair.

Lucy initially bought Matty to hunt and never dared to dream that he would be gracing the main ring at HOYS:

“I did some local showing and some people made some lovely comments about him,” added Lucy, who also juggles horses around being a mum to her three-year-old daughter. “People seemed to like him and he laps up the atmosphere. He’s actually a lot more cheerful when he’s away; at home he’s a very grumpy chap.”

After HOYS, Matty will have a well-earned holiday.

“Then, we’ll hopefully try some open lightweight classes next year,” concluded Lucy. “I got a sneaky day off today, though I’ve got to get home and get horses ready for the hunt tomorrow, or I’ll get the sack.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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The dates and venues of qualifying shows for SEIB’s 2021 Search For A Star (SFAS) and Racehorse To Riding Horse finals are now available.

Each venue is set to hold a qualifying class for each of the nine SFAS and Racehorse to Riding Horse classes, including two new classes, the SFAS veteran horse or pony and the SFAS part-bred traditional cob.

The Racehorse to Riding Horse finals are held at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in October, while some of the SFAS classes take place at Your Horse Live, the others at the NEC.

The following venues will host qualifiers:

• Richmond Equestrian Centre (12 July)
• Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex (28 July)
• Stoneleigh Park (29 July)
• West Wilts Equestrian Centre (9 August)
• Bury Farm Equestrian Club (23 August)

SEIB marketing manager Nicolina MacKenzie said: “It is a first for Search For A Star to have back-to-back qualifiers, and we have worked with the Traditional of the Year Show (TOYS) and the Trailblazers Championship organising teams to hold our SFAS qualifiers the day before TOYS at Onley and during the Trailblazers Championship at Stoneleigh. This will help ensure that competitors can have as many competition opportunities as possible with a minimal amount of travelling.”

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SEIB said that as there are two SFAS competitions on consecutive days, and competitors are required to enter in advance, any competitor that has entered at both Onley Grounds and Stoneleigh and qualifies for either Your Horse Live or HOYS at Onley Grounds will be eligible for a refund of their entry fee for classes at Stoneleigh.

To enable SFAS competitors to make the most of the opportunity offered by the new part-bred traditional cob class, any amateur owned and ridden, traditional part-bred type is encouraged to come forward for this class without having to register with any other organisation.

• Do you think the new veteran and part-bred traditional cob classes are good additions to the Search For a Star series? Share your thoughts by writing to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name and nearest town, for the chance to feature on the letters page in a future issue of H&H magazine

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

To qualify and compete under the bright lights of the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is a dream for any showing rider. And one amateur competitor went one step further when she was crowned champion on her debut back in 2019.

“I decided to go and just enjoy it; there was no pressure but it was pretty daunting to say the least,” reflects actuarial technician and mother of two Lisa Sergeant when she chats to H&H’s showing editor Alex Robinson on episode 36 of the Horse & Hound podcast.

Lisa was riding her own home-produced Connemara gelding Linsfort Ear To The Ground (Leo) when she took the overall SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) accolade after winning the working pony class.

Lisa, who has a background in dressage, bought a four-year-old Leo — who was nine when he won HOYS — a few years ago with the intention of jumping him.

“I was put off jumping when I was younger so I went down the dressage route,” says Lisa, who worked with international dressage judge Peter Storr and won the BD talent spotting finals when she was 19. “I had dabbled in showing a little bit but when I lost my big dressage horse in 2016 I’d lost my spark for competing. I had a friend’s pony on loan and had started jumping, so decided to look for a Connemara to have a bit of fun with. I knew as soon as I sat on Leo that he was the one for me.”

Lisa decided to give the SEIB SFAS series a go after some encouragement from her mother-in-law.

“There was a qualifier not far from us and I thought it would be great to get Leo in front of some top judges to see what they thought,” continues Lisa, who won the qualifier held at Osbaldeston Equestrian Centre. “Leo lives out most of the time so we dragged him in from the field at 5am. He went super, but there we some lovely ponies forward. We were sat in the line up and it was unbelievable when we were called out top.”

After attending some SEIB SFAS workshops and lots of practice events, Lisa and Leo were HOYS ready.

“It was a long time to wait until October,” she says. “Leo can be quite claustrophobic and he doesn’t enjoy being indoors. With it being at the NEC — it’s like a postage stamp — I didn’t think it would be up his street at all.

“I watched the SFAS cob class the day before and my chin was on the floor; the lights, the noise and the amount of people watching.

“When we went into warm-up the night before everyone just set off, so we just went with it. I rode him really forward and didn’t give him time to look at anything. On the morning of our class we worked in in the main arena, which was incredible.”

Article continues below…

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Little did she know, Lisa would be back in the legendary international arena for the SFAS championship the next day.

“It was a really nice atmosphere in the class, but when they called us forward to win it was just WOW; though I had to stay another night in the trailer as the championship was the following day.

“The championship was incredible; I was blown away. Leo thought it was great and he floated across the arena. The last time I was at the NEC I was watching Disney On Ice so to be in the centre of the arena was strange. It was lovely to have the whole family watching; it really was a dream come true.

“I do wish I could do my centre line moment again though; I was told to wave coming up the centre line and I just did this pathetic little wave. If I could do it again, I would give it my all!”

If you’d like to hear more from Lisa, including her top tips for success as an amateur show rider, and much more listen here to episode 36 of the Horse & Hound podcast or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app.

We are continuing to produce Horse & Hound as a weekly magazine during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as to keep our website at horseandhound.co.uk up to date with breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

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A clutch of home-produced riders took to the stage at the world famous Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) to compete in the highly anticipated SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) finals.

Seven class winners, including the victors of the brand new traditional cob section, then went head to head in the International Arena to contend for the overall championship sash.

Landing the 2019 title spots were the winners of the working classes, with the top working pony Linsford Ear To The Ground (Leo) and Lisa Sergeant standing above the leading working horse Rambo ridden by Pippa Tucker.

Lisa and Leo qualified for HOYS at the SEIB SFAS Osbaldeston qualifier and also compete in dressage and jumping.

Meet the other winners who also had their HOYS centre line moments…

SEIB SFAS hunter

Beautician Isabel Southworth and her five-year-old Bloomfield Imperial (Kayne) took the hunter accolade. Isabel has owned Kanye since January this year and aims to compete him in open hunters and workers in the future.

SEIB SFAS traditional cob

Nofold-based Kirsty Warnes clinched the brand new traditional cob class on her mother-in-law Angela Warnes’ Daffodil. The mare was bought locally from a gypsy cob dealer and on getting her home Kirsty discovered that she was in foal. The duo qualified at Bury Farm.

SEIB SFAS working horse

Pippa Tucker and her home bred gelding Rambo were victorious in the working horse class. The duo only started showing this year after previously competing in British Eventing, appearing in the Mitsubishi Motors Cup final at Badminton Horse Trials in 2017.

SEIB SFAS riding horse

Top of the riding horse final was Melin Moldavite (Harvey) and Maddie Bennett. Owned by Maddie’s mother, Emma Peel, Harvey has been with the family since he was a three-year-old.

SEIB SFAS hack

NHS worker Sarah Walker trotted to victory in the hack ranks with her own Dr Cookie Monster, who is by dressage stallion Dimaggio. The pair earned their HOYS qualification at Stretcholt EC in Somerset.

SEIB SFAS cob

Wuffstan Evensong and Emily Chambers were crowned cob champions, despite having only competed in a handful of shows before starting their SEIB SFAS journey earlier this year.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday. The full 2019 Horse of the Year Show report with all the action from the showing, showjumping and dressage classes will be in the 10 October issue. Catch up at horseandhound.co.uk during the week.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A former trainer and amateur jockey has hung up her racing saddle and picked up a pair of double reins as she has embarked on a showing career riding a horse she previous rode to success in point-to-points.

While ex-racehorses retired from the track usually find new riders when they start their careers in the show ring, Jessica Westwood has kept the ride on her 16-year-old steeplechaser Monkerty Tunkerty (Monkey).

The pair are heading to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) after qualifying for the SEIB Search for a Star riding horse and hack final.

Monkey was a winner both under Rules and in point-to-points, while Jessica has made the switch to showing after recovering from a serious head injury suffered in a point-to-point fall.

“Monkey ran 33 times as a racehorse, winning nine races,” says Jessica. “Five of those times I was riding him.”

Monkey was retired from racing after the Somerset National in 2016. In 2018, he was crowned Retraining of Racehorses Horse of the Year.

In the three years since Monkey his last race he has been busy showing and showjumping.

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He and Jessica won the former racehorse class at Devon County show just the day before qualifying for the SEIB Search for a Star final at Stretcholt Equestrian Centre back in May.

“This is the first time we have done Search For A Star and it’s so exciting to have qualified for HOYS,” adds Jessica.

The 2019 SEIB Search For A Star finals will take place at the Horse of the Year Show in the TopSpec Arena between Wednesday 2 and Friday 4 October 2019.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday. Check out the full report from HOYS in the 10 October issue and stay up to date at horseandhound.co.uk throughout the week

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Three days of top class home-produced competition came to a head in the 2018 SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) championship, held in the Andrew Bowens International Arena at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

It was a double success for the combinations who had been victorious over sticks, with Hannah Moore and her working show horse victor Follow Her Home getting the nod over the working show pony winners, Hunky Dory and Theodora Hopkins.

Hannah, who lives in Staffordshire and works in Wiltshire as a forensic science lecturer, qualified for the finals at the Osbaldeston SFAS qualifier.

Hannah has had the six-year-old Irish Sport Horse, who is owned by Michelle Moore, for 10 months, but the judges were quick to praise her on what a great job she had done with the mare’s training.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Hannah. “I know her temperament is very good but I never expected her to cope so well in the arena; she wasn’t phased by anything.

“It’s all so surreal and has been a bit of a blur since we arrived on Wednesday, but I can finally take it all in now.”

The reserve, Claire Robinson’s Hunky Dory, is a Riding for the Disabled (RDA) and riding school pony who Theodora has ridden him since they broke him in together. It was also Claire who taught Theodore to ride.

“He does anything you want, he’ll be anyone’s friend and is just happy go lucky,” said Theodora.

Take a look at the winners who have landed the individual class titles this week:

1. Ballygar Joker (cob)

Gillian Purgac netted the first SEIB SFAS title on Wednesday with this lovely black gelding. The pair won a HOYS ticket at Osbaldeston and were only contending their third ever show when they qualified.

2. Follow Her Home (working show horse)

The grey mare and Dr Hannah Moore jumped a cracking round on route to the class win. Hannah also qualified at Osbaldeston and is based in Staffordshire.

3. Hunky Dory (working show pony)

From Great Ayton near Middlesbrough, social worker Theodora Hopkins took the working show pony class on Claire Robinson’s native coloured gelding.

4. Castors Son (riding horse)

Castor is owned by Charlotte Dilworth and has been ridden by Megan Barlow for the past year. The pair qualified for the SFAS finals at the Vale View qualifier in August.

5. Carrhouse Dark Silk (hack)

Senior research fellow and Clinical trials manager Dr Charlotte Hall and her hack qualified at Osbaldeston. Charlotte has owned the mare since she was a two-year-old and shares the ride with her sister, Sophie.

6. Urswick Rock Solid (hunter)

Postman Caroline Airey rode her homebred gelding to take the hunter spoils. Urswick Rock Solid is in the third generation of horses Caroline has bred.

All pictures courtesy of Real Time Images

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

While a laminitis diagnosis often signals the end of the road for a show horse, one Welsh section D has well and truly come back from the brink, putting the condition behind him to qualify for the SEIB Search for a Star amateur ridden finals.

Taking top spot in the Mountain and Moorland class at Bury Farm’s 2018 SEIB Search for a Star qualifier (10 June) was Hanna Garner with Margaret Burrows’ Welsh cob Winwood Tigers Eye (Tigger).

The pair will compete in the first ever final, which is to be held at Your Horse Live in November.

Despite this victory, in 2015, the 11-year-old gelding was struck down with a bout of severe laminitis.

Hanna, who works for Margaret at Sandridge Bury riding school and livery yard, was thrilled with the victory.

“It means so much to us all,” said Hanna of the bay. “He was nearly put down in early 2015 as his laminitis was so severe. The vet said to feed him 15kg of hay a day, I misunderstood and soaked the hay before weighing it so Tigger was being fed really very little — the vet then said it was this that saved his life.”

Tigger is now going from strength to strength but is maintained on a strict daily routine. He lives in at night, also being exercised in the morning. He then goes out for three hours in the afternoon with a muzzle on.

Hanna added: “Our feed manufacturers have been brilliant when it comes to Tigger’s feed — any problems and we ring them straight away.

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In this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, out on 28 June, is a full report from the Hickstead Derby meeting, a six-page report from Royal Ascot, a feature on the much-discussed whip rules and, in this week’s ‘vet clinic’, find out how to spot the signs of sand colic.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A seven-year-old part-Warmblood, part-Dartmoor pony who was conceived by accident in the field is heading for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) after winning his first even SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) working show horse qualifier at Stretcholt.

Melissa Northwood and her partner bought the 15hh gelding Mendip Voyage (Barney) from his breeder Sandra Partridge when he was a four-year-old.

“I was looking for a bigger horse to event and actually had one I was going to buy, but was let down at the last minute,” said Melissa. “I saw him on the internet and thought he’d make a good project so went to see him — he was only 14.2hh.”

It was not until after she’d bought him that Melissa, who works as a saddle fitter and also teaches dressage and eventing students, found out how he came about.

“He was a complete accident. His mother is a 16.1hh eventer by the stallion Tallents Asa and his sire is a naughty Dartmoor pony who escaped into her field,” she said. “No one knew she was in foal.

“He has a big jump but is also very nimble and quick, which is where the pony is evident.”

After a a couple of seasons eventing, Melissa made the decision to hit the show ring and in four shows, the pair have had four victories. “He was looking so well and had matured so much, mentally and physically, that I thought we’d give working hunter a go.”

Although she has successfully competed in British Show Pony Society classes and rode for the Hunnables as a young girl, Melissa will be making her Birmingham debut.

“HOYS is the one thing that has always eluded me,” she said. “So I’m excited to get the chance to compete there after a lot of near misses when I was younger.”

Even though the duo beat 20 other competitors to win their SFAS qualifier, Barney and Melissa’s pre-Stretcholt training did not quite go as planned, as the gelding suffered an injury over winter.

“We’d only jumped twice before going to the show,” she added. “But on the day he jumped a beautiful round. One of the judges said he was a lovely chap.”

Continues below…

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Barney will be aimed at competing at Bath and West show and Melissa also has hopes of trying some elementary dressage with him this summer.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Amateur mountain and moorland riders (M&M) can now take part in the popular SEIB Search for a Star (SFAS) series, in a new class that has been introduced this year for native breeds.

While qualifying rounds will take place at the five usual SFAS shows held during the season, three ponies from each class will go through to the final, instead of the usual two. The final will be held at Your Horse Live on 9 November.

Nicolina MacKenzie, marketing manager at SEIB Insurance Brokers explained the M&M final is something the series has wanted to launch for a while, but that they were waiting for the right opportunity to come up.

She said: “While natives are always encouraged to try out in the SFAS working hunter classes, it is great that we can now provide amateur M&M owners with their very own class.

“We were seeking a venue with a competitive audience and great main ring atmosphere, and we thought Your Horse Live would be a good fit.”

Fifteen ponies will compete in the final, which is to be judged by M&M panel affiliates. Similarly to the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse classes, selected judges will also be drafted in to judge the first round of qualifiers.

The new final will follow the same format adhered to at HOYS.

“The new class might present the SEIB SFAS series with other opportunities moving forward,” added Nicolina. “It is an exciting time for amateur riders.”

You can find a full list of rules at search4astar.org.uk

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

One of the most eagerly-anticipated finals at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is the SEIB Insurance Brokers’ enduringly popular Search For A Star competition for strictly amateur combinations.

Many previous winners have gone on to star in the open spotlight, but in order to get to HOYS, they first have to impress the judges at one of the five qualifiers staged around the country from April onwards.

Ride, type, conformation and turnout are all assessed by a panel of judges, who are happy to offer advice and tips along the way. In addition, there is a special “workshop” for qualified finalists, where the finishing touches are added to each combination prior to their big day at HOYS.

Standards are expected to be higher than ever next season, so who are the judges and what are they looking for?

David Bartram-Lawton

Ride judge David Bartram-Lawton, who has officiated in the SFAS series for 16 years and will do so again in 2018, brings a wide range of experience with him. David was a three-day eventer, competing at Badminton and Burghley as well as representing Great Britain at Breda and Boekelo. He was a highly successful producer, trainer and showman, winning the HOYS working hunter final twice with different horses, in addition to hunting for more than 30 seasons. He has been a judge on a number of panels for many years and has officiated at HOYS and Royal International on several occasions.

What he looks for

“As a ride judge, I’m looking for a light, uphill, mannerly and balanced ride that is accepting of the bit and leg — sadly, we see a lot of SFAS horses that are over-bitted.

“It’s also very important for competitors to get different people to sit on their horses beforehand as it prepares them to carry a ride judge.

“All too often, people tend to over-ride and do not keep their horse between hand and leg and in rhythm — hence the pace is too fast and their gait runs out of the front door.

“A green horse in the show ring can be forgiven, but an unmannerly horse should not be — their time in the class is very short and if they cannot behave, they need more education and schooling. Riders do not realise the amount of work that professionals put in on a daily basis.”

Next, the conformation judges reveal their hates and must-haves, and offer advice on how to succeed at the qualifiers. We speak to two who officiate on the ground, assessing conformation and type as well as offering help and advice.

Richard Ramsay

Richard is a qualified British Horse Society Instructor (BHSI) and with his wife Marjorie, has been breeding, producing and training show horses and ponies for over 30 years. Team Ramsay has won at the very highest level with a wide variety of animals they have owned, trained or bred. They are also acclaimed judges, as much in demand overseas as they are in the UK, and Marjorie judged conformation at the SFAS final until recently.

What he’s looking for

“First and foremost, the horse or pony must be correct in its conformation and fit the criteria for type,” he says. “Many that come forward simply aren’t potential show horses.

“We would probably forgive greenness and lack of ringcraft, because those riders who qualify really go to town to improve themselves, as can be seen at HOYS.

“We don’t forgive downright bad manners, but many of the horses are not used to going in company and get rather competitive. However, the keen owners will take them away and really do their homework to correct this.

“If we see a horse on the day that has potential but goes badly, we tell the rider to get help and come again to another venue, as that horse could be a future star — given the right direction. The 2017 champion [Lynsey Lawrence’s Mister Fezziwig] was a case in point as this was their second year of trying to qualify.

“In all cases we want a straight-moving, well put-together horse or pony that fits the category of the class.

“We have often told competitors they are in the wrong class — for example they may think they have a riding horse but it’s actually a lightweight hunter, or vice versa — and it’s great when they then reappear and qualify.”

Chris Bartram-Lawton

Chris judges from time to time but also stewards, commentates and gives advice on turnout at the venues and at the pre-HOYS workshop. He hunted, produced and rode show and competition horses for many years and is a popular judge both in the UK and abroad.

What he looks for

“The horses must be shod regularly and turnout makes a huge difference too,” he says. “Tails should be pulled and not shaved.

“The horse should have a good topline and not be too fat.

“On the go-round, competitors must ensure that they take notice of their fellow riders and, more importantly, the ring stewards who are there to inform and keep everyone safe in the ring.

“When presenting your horse for conformation, you need to walk out with purpose, stand the horse up well without pushing and pulling, and pretend you are trying to sell it to the judge.”

Continued below…

SEIB SFAS qualifier dates/venues for 2018:

15 April, Osbaldeston, Lancs

20 May, Stretcholt, Somerset

10 June, Bury Farm, Bucks

8 July, Alnwick Ford Equestrian Centre, Northumberland

5 August, Vale View, Leics

For all the latest news and reports, don’t miss H&H magazine, out every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

An accountant celebrates winning the overall title, and there's a nail technician and a social care student in the ribbons too. Here are the amateur riders crowned SEIB Search for a Star winners at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

SEIB Search for a Star: Show Hunter and Overall Champion

A delighted Lynsey Lawrence piloted Mista Fezziwig to take the show hunter title before standing overall SEIB Search for a Star champion. Lynsey, 39, is a mother of two and works as an accountant. She bought seven-year-old ‘Ralph’, a warmblood/thoroughbred cross, when he was a yearling.

“We tried to qualify for SFAS last year, but while he went well on the go-round, he didn’t settle with the ride judge and so has been to clinics to get used to different riders,” said Lynsey, who lives in Bramcote, Nottinghamshire.

SEIB Search for a Star: Riding Horse

A long journey to Birmingham from Bodmin in Cornwall resulted in victory for nail technician Ellie Simmonds, who claimed the riding horse title aboard her six-year-old mare Hevans Forever In My Life and later stood reserve champion.

“My sister Georgie bought ‘Aurora’ as a four-year-old, but as soon as she arrived on the yard I fell in love with her and bought her from Georgie,” said Ellie. “Aurora is a princess; totally spoilt, very beautiful — and she knows it.”

SEIB Search for a Star: Working Show Pony

Emma Grimes’ Ebony And Lace won the working show pony section with 45-year-old Karen Oliver, a freelance trainer, in the saddle.

The mare, who is described as “sensitive”, used to suffer from stage fright, but she was ever the professional under the Birmingham spotlights.

Tamzin Emmett piloted her own Ruemwood Royal Nico into the runner-up spot.

SEIB Search For A Star: Cob

Charlotte Bunyard, 18, piloted her own Take A Chance On Mr Grey to win the cob class.

The gap year student from Wantage, Oxfordshire, bought the six-year-old gelding one year ago and normally campaigns him in maxi cob ranks.

Colourful Life, owned and ridden by Emma Croft, finished second.

SEIB Search for a Star: Working Show Horse

Marlon Brando collected the working show horse title with Maisie Swain in the saddle. Maisie is a health and social care student at Dunstable College and an active Shillington Riding Club member.

“We bought Marlon just over a year ago when he was just backed and very green,” said Maisie’s mother Danielle, who owns Marlon. She added that the horse is so good-natured she can lead him while pushing a pram, and her young children groom him while standing on top of buckets.

In second place was Polden Partytime, ridden by his owner Sally Ellis Gray.

SEIB Search for a Star: Hack

Natasha Anglin’s Pendley Countryman (‘Peanut’) was crowned top hack.

The 12-year-old was partnered by 16-year-old Danni Waterman, from Middlesex, who only started riding two years ago and met Natasha at her local riding school.

Come back to horseandhound.co.uk tomorrow to find out who else has won a Search for a Star title. Don’t miss the full HOYS report in next week’s issue of H&H, on sale Thursday 12 October.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A rescue horse who almost died from starvation three years ago has qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in October.

At the SEIB Search for a Star qualifier at Bury Farm earlier this month (14 July), Cheryl Moore’s Connemara/thoroughbred George Gently secured a HOYS qualifying ticket in the hack/riding horse division under his rider Anthony Nicholas.

When Cheryl rescued seven-year-old ‘George’ in September 2014, he was severely malnourished.

“Her vet said that if he had been left in that condition for a further two weeks he would have died,” said Anthony. “It breaks my heart to even think about that because he is so loving and appreciative of everything you do for him.

“Although George was four years old, Cheryl’s farrier said he still had ‘foal feet’ because of his condition. He reckoned she would be very lucky if she ever got to ride him, but this didn’t stop George. He has a heart of gold and wasn’t going to let his past affect his future.

“His little foal feet turned into solid hooves, giving him the opportunity to turn his hoof to anything.”

Cheshire-based Anthony took on the ride on George two years ago.

“I met Cheryl through a mutual friend in 2015, and she suggested I might like to take George for a hack. She then asked if I would help her out with schooling him occasionally,” he said.

“I saw he had huge potential to be a lovely show horse, and as Cheryl and I became good friends, the partnership between me and George just went from strength to strength.

“It’s been a dream of mine to ride at HOYS since I first went when I was nine to watch, but I never thought it would happen. This is a wonderful series – we were delighted to be third at the qualifier at Osbaldeston in April and the knowledge, support and confidence that the judges gave me on that day made me realise I was on a horse that could maybe get the golden ticket with a bit more work.

“In addition to his excellent showing potential, we also discovered he has a fantastic jump and therefore Cheryl began showjumping him. He is now registered with British Showjumping and competes locally in British novice and discovery, qualifying for the Scope Festival this year.”

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George also has a cheeky side, according to Anthony.

“Not a day goes by when he doesn’t have me and Cheryl in stitches,” he added. “He does so many funny things – for example when you give him his bucket of food, he throws it across the stable then spends hours hoovering each little bit up off the floor.

“He’s also constantly trying to eat the plants from the hanging baskets outside the stables, and he likes to open car doors with his mouth and then look at you as if to say, ‘It wasn’t me’.

“He loves sticking his head out of the window on the way home from a show and mess with his muzzle as the wind blows in his face!”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A showing rider almost ignored a phone call confirming she had qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) as she thought it was a PPI sales call.

Holly Rowbotham finished just outside the qualifying places in an SEIB Search for a Star class (SFAS) at Osbaldeston in April with her riding horse Bazaars Highwayman (“Monty”).

But after an “irregularity” was found concerning one of those placed above her, Cheshire-based housing association officer Holly made it through.

“I was putting Monty in the field when I got the call — at first I nearly didn’t answer because I thought it might be a PPI sales call,” confessed Holly. “I got the shock of my life when SEIB offered me the chance to go to HOYS.”

Holly has owned the nine-year-old gelding for almost two years.

“My keen showjumper had to be retired to a quieter broodmare life and I tried a dozen horses in an attempt to replace her,” she said. “No horse even came close — then a couple of months on, my friend Ally Cooper suggested a young bay gelding by Bazaars Chief, a stallion renowned for his trainable, sane youngstock.

“We travelled to Stafford one night after work, battling the M6, to meet Monty. He was sweet, safe and sane and after I had tried him – and got no further than 500 yards down the road – I turned round and made his owners an offer.”

Holly bought Monty to event. The combination has competed at British Eventing BE90, as well as British Showjumping and Team Quest British Dressage competitions.

“I decided to enter SFAS after watching Ally at last year’s final, where the atmosphere and opportunities for amateurs inspired me,” Holly said. “I only entered two showing shows beforehand, so I’m overwhelmed we’ve qualified.

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“He’s just so loving – all horses have their good and bad days but no matter what, Monty always likes a fuss and after I’ve had a long day at work, he’s always pleased to see me.”

“It was very unfortunate that the original person had to be disqualified, but the rules are very important to us,” said SEIB marketing manager Nicolina MacKenzie. “We will always do our best to ensure that only eligible competitors go to HOYS — the phone call to Holly was one I was very pleased to make!”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

It is the pinnacle for amateur riders, and eight champions have been crowned at Horse of the Year Show (5-9 October) in SEIB Search for a Star classes, judged by Katie Jerram and Robert Oliver.

SEIB Search for a Star supreme champion and show hunter of the year

“It’s been quite a week and I was ill twice this morning — but sleep is for wimps!” beamed Vicki Rogers after her eight-year-old Yorkies Purple Diamond (“Lottie”, above) was crowned the supreme champion and show hunter winner.

“She is a perfect example of an Irish Draught,” said Vicki, 38, who lives in Salcombe Regis in Devon and has owned her chestnut mare, who was bred by Gina Exley, since she was a yearling.

“I bought her as a brood mare and she has had two foals,” said Vicki, who backed the mare, by Connaught Grey out of Dalton Gem, as a seven-year-old and started showing her last year.

The pair hunt with the Dartmoor and South Devon, and they are aiming at working hunter classes next year.

“Lottie has the nicest nature and loves atmosphere — she hasn’t flinched all day,” added Vicki.

SEIB Search for a Star reserve supreme and show hunter pony of the year

Joanne Jesson’s Greensyke Sonny Boy (above) was crowned the show hunter pony winner and stood reserve supreme on Sunday morning, ridden by Joanne’s daughter Amelia Jesson.

“Winning this sash makes all the training at home — and all the ups and downs — worth it,” said Amelia.

SEIB Search for a Star working hunter of the year

Louise Halsall’s Geoffrey (above) caught the judges’ eyes to stand working hunter of the year with Emma Wilson in the saddle.

SEIB Search for a Star riding club show horse of the year

Jenny Eyton-Jones got married three weeks ago, but put her honeymoon on hold until after HOYS. Her decision paid off as she piloted seven-year-old Kerannen Brynn (above) to victory in the riding club show horse championship.

“We are limited to what shows we can do as we have to borrow a wagon to get there,” said Lancashire-based Jenny, 25.

“Brynn’s show name is derived from the names of his breeders, Anne Miller and Keren Field.”

SEIB Search for a Star hack of the year

Terri Melnyk’s part-bred Arab Izzat Starlight (above) topped the hack line up with Elishia Melnyk in the saddle.

“It all went so fast — I was just thinking how amazing it was to be in the arena at HOYS,” smiled Elishia, who was due back at work on Friday morning. “I’ll be wearing my sash.”

The Manchester-based rider will return to Birmingham for Sunday’s supreme championship.

“I’m so excited for Sunday,” she added.

SEIB Search for a Star riding horse of the year

Chloe Hiscock claimed the riding horse title aboard five-year-old Aramis (above).

“He can be sharp, but he knows when he needs to show off and he loved it in [the HOYS arena],” said Chloe of the dun gelding she bought unbroken two years ago.

SEIB Search for a Star cob of the year

Quintons Ernest (above) stood cob of the year, piloted by his owner Andrew Johnson, who is a farrier.

SEIB Search for a Star show pony of the year

Newoak Flower Girl clinched this title for owner Margaret Kivell, ridden by Emma James.

What is Search for a Star?

Search For A Star is a showing championship for amateur riders, sponsored by equine insurance specialists SEIB, with the final taking place at HOYS in Birmingham’s NEC arena.

In order to reach HOYS, horse and rider combinations must qualify at one of the qualifying shows held around the UK.

Run to the same standards as professional classes, competition is always fierce and many Search For A Star champions have gone on to compete successfully in open classes, including the 2007 supreme winner Jordan Cook.

Don’t miss the full HOYS report in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, on sale Thursday 13 October.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now