Latest from Horse & Hound in Seib

Money-saving measures launched to help horse owners

Becky Murray — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:01:09 +0000

Money-saving measures and rewards platforms have been launched to help equestrians in tough times – as owners are reminded that “prevention is better than cure”.

As the cost of living continues to be a concern for many, a number of equestrian businesses and organisations have launched initiatives to ease financial pressures.

For some time, many vet practices have offered pay-monthly equine health plans, often including annual vaccinations and dental checks, worm egg counts and discounts on routine visits or procedures.

Oxfordshire-based independent practice Hook Norton Veterinary Group (HNVG) has taken this a step further with its “groundbreaking” £30-monthly Equiplan Gold scheme. It offers free pre-booked routine examinations, annual hoof balance X-rays, a 50% discount on lameness examinations and a 10% discount on Agria insurance among its benefits – as well as vaccinations, dental treatment and a worming programme.

HNVG director Sam Cutts told H&H the scheme was launched to help owners seek preventative health care for their horses.

“We’re aware that people’s disposable income is being tightened at the moment. We launched the scheme because we’ve got clients who really want to look after their horses as best as they can, but were starting to worry about the cost of calling the vet and therefore were potentially sitting on things – and then inevitably these can become bigger problems,” she said.

“It’s about prevention rather than cure, and trying to say to people, ‘We want to work with you to keep your horses as healthy as possible’ rather than having a situation where people turn to ‘Dr Google’ or bury their heads in the sand because they’re worried about the cost.”

Ms Cutts added that the practice “heavily promotes” hoof balance X-rays and it “made sense to make these affordable”.

“We know that an enormous number of lamenesses come from potentially poor foot balance. If people can do these X-rays once a year, rather than thinking, ‘It’s several hundreds of pounds and I can’t afford it,’ then we can work with farriers with this extra information provided by X-rays,” she said.

British Horse Society (BHS) chief operating officer Sarah Phillips told H&H rising costs can create “added pressures” for owners.

“There are many effective steps owners and carers can take to minimise spending. It is essential, however, to prioritise your horse’s health and welfare, even during tough times,” she said.

“Avoid false economies, such as skipping vaccinations, dental check-ups or hoof maintenance, as these can lead to serious health issues and higher costs in the long run. It is of vital importance that your horses’ care and welfare is at the forefront of your decision-making. The BHS horse care and welfare helpline is here to provide advice and support about all aspects of a horse’s wellbeing”.

Insurance provider SEIB has launched a rewards programme for its classic horse insurance policyholders, designed to “give back”. SEIB Rewards offers discounts, giveaways and special offers from equestrian brands, including Dengie, Equine Faecal Egg Count Solutions and PolyJumps.

“We’re committed to expanding the programme to offer our classic horse insurance policyholders increasing value. We’re excited about the partnerships already established and those on the horizon,” said SEIB’s digital marketing manager Katie Oswald.

Last month British Eventing (BE) announced changes to its membership offering, including more subsidised training, allowing payment for membership and training in three interest-free instalments, and a new rewards platform giving high-street discounts and offers with BE’s equestrian partners (news, 19 December 2024).

“We know times are hard and understand how difficult balancing the books can be. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that we can offer the best value offering possible to our members, while ensuring we can cover our costs and continue to reinvest back into the sport we all love,” said BE chief executive Rosie Williams.

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‘We’ve learnt and grown together’: SEIB Search For A Star glory for 17-year-old rider and ‘legend’ of a Connie

Alex Robinson — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 17:10:28 +0000

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.”

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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.”

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Meet the winners from the SEIB Search For A Star finals at Your Horse Live

Alex Robinson — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 18:57:22 +0000

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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‘I’m glad I listened and waited’: patient rider claims SEIB Search For A Star title with ‘marvellous’ hunter

Alex Robinson — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 17:30:08 +0000

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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Home-producers shine at HOYS — Meet the 2024 SEIB Search For A Star winners

Alex Robinson — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:58:05 +0000

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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‘This was unexpected’: gelding takes SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse crown on fifth HOYS visit

Alex Robinson — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 13:10:11 +0000

The 14-year-old gelding Wonga Swinger finally achieved his Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) centre line moment as he was crowned 2024 SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse champion.

By Lucky Story, Wonga Swinger is owned and ridden by Tori Thomas. He was in training with Tori’s husband, the former gold cup-winning jockey Sam Thomas. He ran several times on the flat and over fences, winning twice.

“He didn’t really enjoy it that much, despite winning,” said Cardiff-based Tori.

Tori managed to pick up the ride when he retired from the track and since then they’ve enjoyed many victories in the show ring, including at Royal Windsor. He has been to HOYS five times, finishing reserve in last year’s SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final.

They began their partnership on the hunt field before they ventured into showing.

“My mum and aunty were into showing, though he’s my first show horse and we’ve learnt together,” Tori said.

Tori and Wonga have had minimal outings this year, owing to Tori’s pregnancy. Tori gave birth to her baby girl Lily-Rose nine weeks ago. They qualified on a last-minute outing to the Defender Burghley Horse Trials and they had one pre-HOYS outing at Addington.

“This was so unexpected, especially as I’ve literally just given birth to my daughter,” Tori said. “We went to Burghley on a whim and came second, qualifying for HOYS. I honestly couldn’t do this without my parents, my trainer Vicky Hesford and the rest of the team.

“Wonga has a great temperament, though he’s quite tricky to look after as he doesn’t like to eat,” Tori continued. “During the warm-up he was a bit on his toes, but he was foot-perfect in the ring. It means so much to finally get that moment in the spotlight.”

Hannah Chisman’s home–produced gelding First Fandango, a 15-year-old by Hernando, finished as reserve in the 2024 SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship.

This gelding won over £68,000 during his racing career with wins on the flat, over hurdles and over fences. He was trained by Tim Vaughan and last ran in May 2017. He ran four times at the Cheltenham Festival and this was his best result at HOYS.

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Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner reigns as a show horse in Burghley main arena

Alex Robinson — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 15:17:03 +0000

Tom Malone’s 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River has booked his second Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket by winning the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier at the 2024 Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

Ridden by Jazmin Hosgood, the chestnut gelding headed a 20-strong qualifying class before a large crowd in the main arena on the final day of Burghley. He adds this ticket to a SEIB Search For A Star pass achieved at Stoneleigh Park in May.

Ride judge Michaela Bowling said: “He went amazingly. He was an out-an- out show horse to ride.”

Conformation judge Stuart Campbell added: “It was the presentation, movement, balance, rhythm and self-carriage of the winner that set him apart. It is wonderful to see ex-racehorses becoming truly multi-purpose horses.”

Tom bought Native River as a four-year-old from a yard in Ireland after he had unseated his jockey in a point-to-point. During his career on the track, he won over £1m and was ridden by champion jockey Richard Johnson in many of his races. The now 14-year-old was trained by Colin Tizzard in Somerset and retired to Tom’s yard nearby.

“I’m as proud as I could be of this horse,” Tom said. “I get more pleasure than I can tell you out of this success. We set out with HOYS as our goal and he’s gone and done it.”

Jazmin said: “I used to work for Tom and have ridden Native River lots at home and out hunting. He is absolutely Tom’s baby. It was a big atmosphere today and he was just amazing. We also went Moreton show the day before and he won there, too.”

Jazmin rode at HOYS in 2012, when she won the SEIB Search For A Star riding horse and hack final.

“Native River goes out in the field every day and will do plenty of hacking before HOYS and hopefully a hunter trial,” she said. “He also won a big jockeys’ jumping competition with Harry Cobden a few weeks ago!”

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‘He’s loving life’: a racehorse who won £200,000 on the track qualifies for HOYS

Alex Robinson — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 16:34:53 +0000

The former Lincoln handicap winner Migration has qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) for the first time in his new career as a show horse, earning his ticket for the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final.

Ridden by Hannah Horton, Migration led the 20-strong qualifying class at the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials (10 August) in front of judges Lucy Killingbeck (conformation) and Louise Daly (ride).

The eight-year-old is owned by Anthony and Georgina Andrews. He was gifted to them by the Gail Brown Racing Syndicate.

Hannah said: “He’s loving life in the show ring. He finds it so easy and he is very trainable and eager to learn. He was superb here at Hartpury at just his third show and first time going indoors. I’m sure he will take HOYS in his stride! We don’t want to rush him, and we will do a few novice hack classes to give him time.”

Migration was in training with David Menuisier, in whose care he collected over £200,000 in win and place money, including being first past the post in the Lincoln handicap at Doncaster in 2023.

Hannah added: “Migration came out to run in the Lincoln again on 23 March this year and decided he didn’t want to go. David and the Gail Brown Racing Syndicate started looking for a good home for him and he has been gifted to Georgina, Anthony and myself to go showing.

“I received a lovely message from David saying it was ‘so lovely to see him back to winning’. Georgina and Anthony always said they would love a racehorse, after they sadly lost their horse Overdrive.”

New showing opportunities for riding club members and former racehorses

Alex Robinson — Mon, 13 May 2024 15:08:05 +0000

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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‘What a result for the breed’: Suffolk Punch mare lifts SEIB Search For A Star championship

Alex Robinson — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 18:16:38 +0000

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.”

Nicola Clarey and her own Dales Nipna Outrageous finish as reserve supreme. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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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(Image credit: SMR Photography)

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

(Image credit: SMR Photography)

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

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

Alex Robinson — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 18:09:42 +0000

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

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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

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

SFAS in-hand plaited pony

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Most livery yard owners would support licensing

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:54:12 +0000

More than half of livery yard owners would support licensing, a survey has found, which it is hoped would benefit standards, business value and horse welfare.

SEIB Insurance Brokers and LiveryList carried out the research on yards, which are not subject to regulations at present. The Scottish government has just concluded a consultation on similar proposals.

“More than 60% of the 420 survey respondents – all current livery yard owners – feel that the introduction of licensing would encourage more responsible yard ownership,” an SEIB spokesman said, adding that any scheme would “undoubtedly” have a strong emphasis on equine welfare.

“A majority of yard owners understand the need for licensing, and the advantages this could have. Concerns among yard owners focus on additional costs and increased paperwork for a licence application. There is a fear that with many yards already struggling to make a profit, additional costs and time spent meeting administrative demands may make their businesses unviable.

Survey respondents said they would like considerations for minimum welfare standards and insurance requirements, and health and safety “high on the agenda”, as well as potential minimum qualifications of experience.

World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers said: “We welcome the SEIB findings that many English livery yards support licensing, which we certainly support, too. For a licensing system to be proportionate and effective we first need better understanding of this important element of the equestrian sector and a clear definition of what constitutes a ‘livery yard’. The views of yards and other equestrian establishments will be vital in taking this forward.”

LiveryList founder Cheryl Johns said yard owners felt licensing would help level the playing field, as it would help horse owners find suitable establishments.

“This turn could add value to the industry by horse owners knowing they are keeping their horses at a compliant livery yard,” she said. “The consultation on licensing in Scotland is a welcome and positive development that is long overdue. Too many yard owners simply don’t meet what the industry would deem as basic ‘best practice’. Although I understand that this consultation may be a worrying development for some yard owners, I strongly believe that these proposed changes will raise standards, and hopefully the value, of the industry.”

British Horse Society chief operating officer Sarah Phillips told H&H horses’ care and wellbeing is the charity’s top priority.

“We believe these findings will be a really supportive step towards developing and nurturing the best processes required to support livery yards and, critically, better animal welfare,” she said

“It is important, however, that any proposed new licensing model is implemented consistently, and the needs of all livery yards and horse owners are taken into consideration. Only by doing this can we guarantee stability for such equestrian businesses as well as peace of mind for horse owners.”

SEIB equestrian services manager Steph Ellis said: “Livery yards offer such a key service and anything we can do to help ensure high standards and promote equine welfare is crucial.”

A Scottish government spokesman told H&H: “Our consultation on the licensing of activities involving animals – including livery yards – closed on 26 September. Analysis of all the responses received will be undertaken and a consultation summary report produced in due course.”

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Licensing livery yards could be on the cards in new Government plans

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No-firework zones around livery yards and riding schools suggested in Scotland

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

Alex Robinson — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 11:45:17 +0000

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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‘This feels like such an achievement’: second generation home-bred is 2023 Search For A Star champion

Alex Robinson — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 16:59:07 +0000

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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Home-produced gelding springs surprise SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse win on HOYS debut

Alex Robinson — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 13:05:45 +0000

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.

Equine gastric ulcers cause most insurance claims with many over £3,000

Becky Murray — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 20:03:41 +0000

Gastric ulcers remain one of the most claimed-for equine conditions, according to equestrian insurance providers.

Data released by SEIB Insurance Brokers showed that for the second year running, digestive disorders, including colic and ulcers, are the number one cause for claims. External trauma was second and degenerative disease third.

“There are so many wonderful advances in veterinary treatment and technology which help our horses live longer, happier and healthier lives. However, this has resulted in the cost of treatments going up significantly, meaning that having correct and effective insurance for our horses is more important than ever before,” said Nicolina Mackenzie, SEIB marketing manager.

“We never know what is around the corner, but insurance helps ensure the wellbeing of our horses and provides peace of mind to owners.”

Last year, The Insurance Emporium paid out £724 on average for disease claims affecting the legs, including stifles, hocks, and fetlocks – and hindlimb lameness. The other most common conditions for claims were “disease” affecting tendons and ligaments, digestive issues, bone disease, and back, spine and pelvis problems. The average paid claim for ulcers was £949, external accidents £719, and the average teeth and gum paid claim was £713.

The Insurance Emporium CEO Francis Martin told H&H that at a recent equine insurance providers’ forum, it was noted that due to inflation and the cost of living crisis, fees for providing treatment had “significantly increased”.

“This is when horse owners will truly feel the value of insurance as the cost to treat even the least severe of conditions is considerably more than it was only a few years ago,” he said.

“When considering what equine insurance is right for you, you might look at it as if the worst-case scenario were to happen, could you afford to pay for their treatment? If not, ensure your insurance does cover those types of cases.”

‘Long may they continue’: Britain’s best equestrian yards celebrated

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 16:03:20 +0000

The six top establishments in the country have been named, at the fifth SEIB Yard of the Year Awards 2023 in association with British Equestrian (BEF) and Horse & Hound.

The winners and runners-up in each of the six categories – DIY and full livery yards, small and large riding schools, competition venue and Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) centre – were announced at a celebratory lunch on 4 July.

H&H editor-in-chief Sarah Jenkins said: “H&H is happy to support these awards again, such is the support for yards nominated. It is a great opportunity to recognise excellence, and client appreciation of all the hard work and business acumen that goes in to running a truly successful yard. It is also wonderful to see what a difference each yard is making to the lives of riders. I hope all those nominated are rightly proud of the positive impact they have had – and huge congratulations to all this year’s winners.”

Arrow Riding Centre in Kent took the RDA centre of the year title, and Chard Equestrian Centre the competition venue award. Mill Farm DIY Livery Yard and Hurston Eventing and Dressage took the DIY and full livery yard awards respectively, and Hemps Green Riding Stables and Pinkmead Farm Equestrian Centre were the small and large riding schools of the year respectively.

SEIB marketing and events manager Nicolina MacKenzie said: “What a celebration of excellence in yards from Scotland through to Kent we have had. So many grateful customers, owners and riders have put time and thought into their nominations for the yards they love. To celebrate with and speak to our winners is so encouraging and long may they continue their hard work and the fabulous services they offer at this worrying time when many riding schools are facing closure.

“We were delighted to welcome the support of British Equestrian this year and to have Horse & Hound on board for the second time. The awards are growing and this extra support from leading industry names reflects this.”

BEF head of communications Winnie Murphy said it was a privilege to be involved.

“Learning more about the fantastic work going on across our industry, the dedication involved and the communities the yards create is truly inspiring,” she said.

Celebrating excellence: shortlist announced for yard of the year awards

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 16:09:06 +0000

The finalists have been announced in the 2023 SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, in association with H&H and British Equestrian.

A panel of judges has decided on two finalists in each of the six categories; small and large riding schools, DIY and full livery yards, Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) centre and competition venue. The winners will be announced at an awards lunch in July.

The awards were set up by SEIB to celebrate excellence in teaching, training and horse care in yards across Britain. Horse & Hound came on board to support them in 2022 and this year British Equestrian has added its support by “rewarding and recognising the vital services provided to the equestrian industry by livery yards, riding schools, RDA centres and competition venues”.

The winners will be announced at a lunch at Dorney Lake, Berkshire, next month, to which the owners of the finalist yards have been invited.

SEIB marketing manager Nicolina Mackenzie said: “Our judges have done a brilliant job in going through all the many wonderful yards people have put forward. At SEIB, we know there are many livery yards, riding schools, RDA centres and competition venues that provide outstanding service and through these awards we are determined to put something back by recognising and highlighting their professionalism, skill and commitment to the industry.”

Yards were nominated by clients and the public and judged by a panel including H&H editor-in-chief Sarah Jenkins, Winnie Murphy of the BEF and Cheryl Johns, founder of Livery List. Shortlisted yards sent videos detailing their highlights and what they offer, after which the finalists were decided upon.

Sarah Jenkins said: “It was a pleasure to be invited to judge these awards again. I’m always blown away by the depth of support for all those yards nominated and the clear excellence shown in terms of both best practice and building wonderful communities that offer tremendous support to participants.

“The impact a great yard can have on riders’ lives is significant – and in many instances quite moving, too. I particularly enjoyed seeing those yards that give strong consideration to providing for and supporting all children and adults while recognising we are a neurodiverse society, as well as those yards adapting to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious – taking positive actions that put them a step ahead.”

Finalist yards – by category in alphabetical order

Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Centre

Arrow Riding Centre – Kent

Gordon Group RDA – Aberdeenshire

DIY Livery Yard

Mill Farm DIY Livery Yard – Somerset

Swarthdale Stables – Lancashire

Small Riding School

Hemps Green Riding Stables – Essex

Sweetlands Farm – West Sussex

Large Riding School

Pinkmead Farm Equestrian Centre – Hampshire

Rein and Shine Equestrian – Wiltshire

Full Livery Yard

Hurston Dressage and Eventing – Oxfordshire

Nodwood House Equine – Surrey

Competition Venue

Beechwood Equestrian Centre – Essex

Chard Equestrian Centre – Somerset

‘He touched so many people’: farewell to former games pony turned showing star

Alex Robinson — Wed, 17 May 2023 12:59:53 +0000

The Bowles family’s prolific Welsh section B Cottrell Riverdance (Ronnie) has put down aged 26 after a bout of colic.

Cottrell Riverdance, who was known as Ronnie at home, was best known for his results as a veteran contender achieved with his rider and handler, Millie Bowles.

Ronnie was home-produced for the duration of his career by Millie and her mother, Selina Bowles.

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the showing community,” said Selina. “It’s been so comforting and it’s lovely to know that he touched so many people.”

Ronnie was a member of the Bowles family for nine years. Prior to his showing career, Ronnie was a successful mounted games pony, but he also evented and competed in British Dressage.

“We got him when he was 18 from a close family friend,” said Selina. “He came to us for a quieter life, but he ended up starting a career in the show ring and doing more than he’d ever done in his life.”

Millie, who was 11 when she first sat on Ronnie, had never shown at affiliated level before she met the characterful grey gelding.

“We took Ronnie to a showing clinic with Sarah Chapman who suggested that we try him in some veteran classes as she thought he could be exceptional,” said Selina. “We thought she was maybe just being kind, but he ended up qualifying for the veteran finals at Olympia on his first attempt.”

Ronnie attended the London Senior Showing And Dressage Ltd (SSADL) finals three times, finished reserve in the ridden SSADL finals at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) and was a two-time Veteran Horse Society (VHS) veteran of the year.

“He was the first pony to win the VHS supreme twice,” said Selina, adding that Ronnie also won at Royal Windsor three times on the trot, and won the SEIB veterans’ supreme final twice in a row.

“Ronnie was the ultimate showman,” she said. “He was a joy to watch and his partnership with Millie was something else. You couldn’t help but smile when you watched him at a show, and I think that’s what made him do so well; the joy just shone out of him. Many people have commented over the years at what a pleasure he was to watch and that’s what showing is about. Sometimes he could be over-excited but he’d make you smile and laugh, even when he was a terror.

“Everyone who met Ronnie loved him and he has brought so many friends into our lives.”

Which of The King’s show horses are to compete at the 2023 Royal Windsor Horse Show?

Alex Robinson — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 11:15:53 +0000

The producers of The King’s show horses and native ponies have revealed which animals they will be competing at the 2023 Royal Windsor Horse Show (11 – 14 May)

The King took ownership of The late Queen’s home-bred show horses and ponies after her death last September.

Show horse producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable has four of The King’s horses heading to Windsor this year, including last year’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse champion, First Receiver. The six-year-old was the first of The Queen’s home-breds to take a championship title at HOYS. He will be competing in the thoroughbred ridden show series qualifier on Thursday.

Katie will also ride seven-year-old Fools Paradise in the small riding horse class on Saturday, while last year’s reserve in-hand coloured champion Sunbeam will contest the ridden coloured classes on the first day of the show.

Daydream, already a three-time Royal Windsor victor, as a ridden sport horse and an intermediate show riding type, will return to the show as a large hack on Friday.

“This year will be so different, and there will be an air of sadness without The Queen’s presence, but I am proud to present this lovely team of horses while supporting the royal family,” said Katie. “I’m hopeful for a very exciting year with The King’s horses. I owe a lot of my career to The Queen, and to her former stud groom Terry Pendry, without whom I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

The Queen’s native pony producer Lizzie Finlayson-Briant, M&M supreme in-hand champion last year with Highland pony mare Balmoral Leia, is debuting The King’s two-year-old Fell pony colt Balmoral Firework in the in-hand breed classes.

“I also have Carltonlima Emma’s granddaughter on the team. She won’t be going to Windsor, but she’s waiting in the wings at home,” Lizzie told H&H. “She’s only four and we’re not going to rush her.”

Kinvara Garner, two-time Royal Windsor part-bred champion with The Queen’s Whalton Highwayman in previous years, will also be appearing at the show riding novice hack contender Debonair II.

Heavy horses’ time to shine and new £500 prize announced

Becky Murray — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 14:29:22 +0000

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.”

Owners put their horses first as economic situation bites

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 20:51:11 +0000

Equine and human wellbeing is being put under pressure by the financial situation – but owners are putting their horses first.

These are findings from nationwide surveys conducted by SEIB Insurance Brokers to determine how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting livery yard owners and clients. More than 1,400 people responded to the questionnaires, which asked how costs are increasing and the impact this is having.

“The surveys found the significant increase in costs is biting but at present people are ultimately putting their horses first while making personal sacrifices,” an SEIB spokesman said. “Many yard owners are anxious about having to increase their livery fees on the back of surging fuel, maintenance and staffing costs as they know their already cash-stretched clients cannot afford to pay more.”

The survey found that so far, just under 40% of respondents’ livery fees had increased recently, although charges had risen by £5 to £30 per month for 20%, and over £30 for the rest. Of the respondents, 44% said they have taken measures such as turning heating down at home and cutting back on socialising to pay the bills.

“Having established that many people are facing increased costs, are these sustainable long-term?” asked SEIB’s Georgina Dewar. “What impact will this have on mental health?”

Many respondents said they are competing less but some are decreasing the frequency of physio, saddle-fitting and farrier appointments.

British Equestrian CEO Jim Eyre said: “There’s little doubt all of us are feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis as we search for ways to save money. For horse owners, this comes with added concerns around equine welfare as owners have to make difficult decisions, often without all the detail to make informed decisions. We would encourage every owner to carefully consider the lasting impact of any decisions and to research fully ahead of making any changes.”

Of the 280 yard owners who responded to their survey, a fifth had not yet increased livery prices, although many planned to.

“The market won’t accept the type of price increases yards need to stay profitable,” one said.

“It’s such a worry for the whole industry as those on low to medium income will be priced out of the industry and it will become elitist.”

Many owners did not feel clients are aware of running costs, and the effects of wasting bedding or leaving lights on, and believe working together could help keep livery prices down.

“Inflation and the cost-of living crises are taking their toll on the work-life balance and the mental health of yard owners,” the SEIB spokesman said. “The survey found that half of yard owners have reduced their staff hours and taken on more tasks themselves to cope.”

Riders Minds mental health expert Sylvia Bruce said poor work-life balance can affect mental health, adding: “The cumulative effect of overworking, business stress and lack or loss of disposable income spirals and has a detrimental effect on lifestyle, life enjoyment and ability to socialise, leaving livery yard owners vulnerable to deteriorating mental health.”

SEIB CEO Suzy Middleton said having found out what the issues are, the company is keen to raise awareness and start the debate.

“Livery yards are such a big part of the equine industry, they make horse ownership accessible to so many people who otherwise wouldn’t be in a position to have a horse of their own,” she said. “At SEIB, we are determined to do our best to support increasing accessibility to equestrianism.

“Our team has close relationships with other equestrian businesses and we are working with them to see if we can offer our customers ways to benefit from savings on feed, bedding and supplements in the always costly winter.”

‘He’s her little unicorn’: true child’s pony wins SEIB Search For A Star supreme title at Your Horse Live

Alex Robinson — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 18:00:39 +0000

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.”

Finn Williamson and Port Lou Lou, 2022 SEIB SFAS in-hand champions (Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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.”

Dreams are made: 11 champions crowned in SEIB Search For A Star finals at Your Horse Live

Alex Robinson — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 18:30:21 +0000

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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.

‘We had to act fast’: coloured pony who nearly died from pneumonia heads to showing finals

Alex Robinson — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 08:32:21 +0000

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.”

Horse insurance policy offering lifelong cover among new innovations

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 13:30:13 +0000

Lifetime policies, investing in the sport’s social licence and an overhaul of the industry are initiatives being introduced or proposed for equine insurance.

This type of cover has always had its issues, including the high percentage of claims compared to other insurance, and exclusions after certain claims, but changes are being made and planned.

Agria has become the first insurer to offer lifetime policies for horses, which it already had for domestic pets, and which offers up to £10,000 for vets’ fees every year, and no exclusions for injuries or conditions, as long as they did not exist when the policy was taken out.

Agria Equine CEO Vicki Wentworth told H&H: “It’s about the long-term health and welfare of the horse. Rather than insuring the owner, the policy can move with the horse. You can insure a foal from 30 days old for the whole of its life.”

Ms Wentworth added that she is a rider and horse owner, and has been “on the wrong side of insurance policies”.

“It’s awful really when you pay so much, but when you really need it, no one’s willing to fork out,” she said. “Especially with competition horses; they do get ulcers and go lame, and if you’ve claimed for ulcers when a horse was seven, you can’t claim if it needs treatment again when it’s eight. Then it might need surgery when it’s 12. We’re trying to keep horses healthy in the long-term, and this policy is utterly amazing.”

Ms Wentworth said premiums vary as with all policies, so a two-star eventer’s cover will cost more than that of a pleasure horse, for example. The policy will be renewed every year, at which point the owner can adjust the horse’s value if necessary, and payment can be made annually or monthly.

“The whole point is that if you insure your horse from 30 days old, everything you ever need is paid for. As an equestrian, this was something I felt strongly about, and I’m so chuffed we can offer it.”

South Essex Insurance Brokers (SEIB) has been supporting the equestrian industry’s social licence to operate – essentially public approval of involving horses in sport, which is vital for the industry’s future. The broker won the marketing and consumer engagement category at the UK Broker Awards last month, in recognition of this work.

“In achieving this national win, SEIB has highlighted its commitment and ability to support the industries in which the company operates,” a spokesman for the broker said. “As key players in the equestrian insurance market, the team at SEIB go out of their way to highlight and address issues affecting their industry.”

“At SEIB, we have subsequently been working to provide support to [The Showing Council chair and webinar host] Jane Nixon and industry leaders, including World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers, on this most pressing of issues. We are delighted at SEIB to be rewarded with this national award as recognition.”

Ms MacKenzie told H&H: “We are delighted to be in a position to support open dialogue about an issue that is just so crucial to the future of our industry. At SEIB we take pride in supporting and giving something back to the causes and issues that are important to our customers.”

Laura Upton, principal of Brookhurst Risk Solutions, told H&H the broker has seen an increase of clients taking catastrophe cover to protect their horses but at a lower price.

“Horse insurance is a tricky subject, I think horse insurance needs a major overhaul in the UK,” she said. “It’s different to what’s offered in other countries; the biggest problem is that it’s hard for insurers to make a profit, so there are only a handful of insurers willing to underwrite the leisure horse and this has meant prices increase.

“I’d like to see a system that rewards people for not claiming, but doesn’t necessarily mean exclusions. It has to be in a way that protects insurers too, so they can keep offering the cover, but horse insurance is a difficult line, because we all know horses!”

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

Alex Robinson — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 11:10:29 +0000

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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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Don’t miss a second of the action from HOYS on HorseandHound.co.uk with no limit on how much you can read from as little as £1 per week with a Horse & Hound unlimited websitesubscription. Join now. Plus enjoy our full 22-page HOYS magazine report, including in-depth analysis of all the showing and showjumping, plus exclusive comments, on sale Thursday 13 October.

‘Showing has been an ode to my late horse’: nurse takes 2022 SEIB Search For A Star title

Alex Robinson — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 17:00:21 +0000

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.”

“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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Don’t miss a second of the action from HOYS on HorseandHound.co.uk with no limit on how much you can read from as little as £1 per week with a Horse & Hound unlimited websitesubscription. Join now. Plus enjoy our full 22-page HOYS magazine report, including in-depth analysis of all the showing and showjumping, plus exclusive comments, on sale Thursday 13 October

‘The Queen wanted a home-bred to win at HOYS… and I’ve done it’: SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse champion crowned

Alex Robinson — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 17:04:04 +0000

Katie Jerram-Hunnable could not hold back the tears as she was called forward to take the 2022 SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship on the first day of the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), riding The King’s five-year-old First Receiver.

Previously owned by his breeder, The Queen, First Receiver qualified for HOYS at Burghley Horse Trials and was Her Majesty’s final show ring winner before she died.

“When I first rode for Her Majesty 20 years ago she said she wanted to win HOYS with a home-bred, and I’ve finally done it for her,” said an emotional Katie, who has finished runner-up at HOYS for The Queen on four different occasions. “I, like the rest of the world, was so upset when Her Majesty passed away. She had so much passion for horses, and the one thing she wanted to do was to win here with a horse she bred. I was so nervous before the class due to the anticipation; I just wanted to do the job properly for her.”

The New Approach bay gelding has been out of racing training for 18 months. He was trained by Sir Michael Stoute and has won five out of seven outings this season in the show ring.

“We were looking for well-mannered rides, which were light in the hand and the champion delivered,” said ride judge Magnus Nicholson. “To get these horses to perform here is an amazing achievement, especially considering the pressure of the atmosphere and given the size of the arena. It’s asking a lot of them.”

Second place in the 2022 SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final was another five-year-old, Tracey Bailey riding her own and Chris Graham’s Debt Of Honour, who was also in training with Sir Michael Stoute. By Kyllachy, the bay gelding qualified for HOYS at Onley Equestrian Centre.

Sarah Gwilliam and Sar Cassidy-Hill’s Imperial Ruby posted third.

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Don’t miss a second of the action from HOYS on HorseandHound.co.uk with no limit on how much you can read from as little as £1 per week with a Horse & Hound unlimited website subscription. Join now. Plus enjoy our full 22-page HOYS magazine report, including in-depth analysis of all the showing and showjumping, plus exclusive comments, on sale Thursday 13 October.

Road to RIHS: Rider won’t let cancer stop her from riding her ‘wonder horse’ at Hickstead

Alex Robinson — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 15:32:54 +0000

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.”

What a celebration of excellence’: top yards of 2022 honoured

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 14:17:19 +0000

FROM more than 650 nominations, and after an intensive judging process, the winners of the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, in association with H&H, have been confirmed.

Titles were handed out for the best Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) centre, the best small and large riding schools and the top DIY and full livery yards, at a ceremony at Eton College on 6 July.

This is the first year the awards were run with the support of H&H. Editor-in-chief Sarah Jenkins said: “Over the past few years we have reported the challenges facing riding schools, competition centres and livery yards – exacerbated by the pandemic. Those who run and work at these centres put blood, sweat and tears into doing so, but never more so than since 2020. For those reasons I was happy to be involved in this year’s awards, to help celebrate and recognise those who have gone above and beyond, in particularly difficult times, to do the best for those riders who benefit from their expertise.

“The number and calibre of entries was high, and it was heart-warming to see the appreciation and support behind every nomination, to read some incredible stories of triumph against the odds, and to learn just how much of a difference all of those yards shortlisted are making. Their teams should be hugely proud of the job they are doing and the service they are providing – their clients and participants clearly think a great deal of them.”

The RDA centre of the year was Erme Valley, with Penniwells RDA highly commended.

“It is fantastic, much appreciated support,” said Erme Valley founder Peggy Douglas. “Everyone on our team knows they are part of the award – staff, volunteers and participants. It is because of them we have received this award.”

Mill Farm won the DIY livery yard, with Whincover Farm Livery Stables highly commended. Julia Banwell, who owns the yard with her husband Robert, said: “Our lovely liveries nominated us and they all wanted to be in our video submission for the awards. They put forward what the yard means to them. It is really nice to be recognised for the effort we all put in.”

Country Treks Equestrian Centre won the small riding school title, with Stonelea Riding School highly commended. Country Treks owner Stephanie Eddies-Davies said: “This is just magic! We have been running for 34 years and to get this recognition is such a boost for us and our staff and customers. It feels like we are finally reaping the benefits of the blood, sweat and tears we have put in over the years.”

Mount Mascal Stables won the large riding school title, with Summerfield Stables, Horses in the Community, highly commended.

Mount Mascal owner Alison Window said: “The Mount Mascal Stables team – human and horse — are our true heros and make it all possible. Thanks also to our lovely clients for their nominations and to SEIB for the award.”

The full livery yard award went to Mark Walters and Nicholas Lawson of Corvedale Equestrian (pictured), with OSH Dressage highly commended. Mr Walters said: “It was a genuine surprise to have been nominated by our wonderful liveries, they kept it very quiet! Our focus is on providing a non-judgmental, supportive environment where we coach, guide and help our clients.”

The new competition venue of the year title went to Colraine Equestrian Centre, with Chard and Netherton equestrian centres highly commended. Colraine general manager Helena Ellery said: “This means everything to us. Both Becky [King, of Colraine] and I have young children and we give up our family time each weekend to be there so to achieve this recognition is amazing. This award shows that we are going in the right direction.”

SEIB marketing manager Nicolina MacKenzie said: “What a celebration of excellence we have had. So many grateful customers, owners and riders have put time and thought into their nominations for the yards they love. To celebrate with and speak to our winners is so encouraging and long may they continue their hard work and the fabulous services they offer.”

Celebrating excellence: shortlist of Britain’s top yards announced

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 08:57:56 +0000

The finalists in the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards 2022, in association with Horse & Hound, have been announced.

Following nominations and voting, the judges have decided on a shortlist in each of the six categories, covering livery yards, riding schools, competition venues and Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) centres.

The awards were set up to celebrate excellence in British yards, and support those that deserve recognition for their vital services to the industry. H&H is supporting the initiative, and the many yards that deserve recognition for the vital services they provide to the equestrian industry.

The winners will be announced at the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards lunch at Dorney Lake, Berkshire, on 6 July, to which the owners of the yards concerned have been invited.

Finalist yards – by category in alphabetical order:

Riding for the Disabled centre

Erme Valley RDA, Plymouth
Penniwells RDA Centre, Elstree, Herts

DIY Livery Yard

Mill Farm, Wedmore, Somerset
Whincover Farm Livery Stables, Rotherham

Small Riding School

Country Treks Equestrian, Kidderminster
Stonelea Riding Centre, Gloucester

Large Riding School

Mount Mascal Equestrian Centre, Bexley
Summerfield Stables, Birmingham

Full Livery Yard

Corvedale Equestrian, Bridgnorth, Shropshire
OSH Dressage, Colchester, Essex

Competition Venue

Chard Equestrian Centre, Somerset
Colraine Equestrian Centre, Truro
Netherton Equestrian Centre, Perth, Scotland

Yards were nominated by clients and the public, then judged by a panel. Each shortlisted yard was asked to submit a video of its highlights and what it offers to clients.

SEIB marketing manager Nicolina Mackenzie said: “Our judges have done a brilliant job in going through all the many wonderful yards that people have put forward and evaluating the video content they have submitted. At SEIB, we know that there are many livery yards and riding schools that provide an outstanding service and through these awards we are determined to put something back by recognising and highlighting their professionalism, skill and commitment to the equestrian industry.”

H&H editor-in-chief Sarah Jenkins said it was “extremely difficult” to decide on the shortlist.

“It was heartwarming to be involved in judging these awards, to see so many people holding their nominated centres in such high regard and to see the spread of excellence across the country,” she said.

“It was particularly wonderful to see the excellent work being done by riding schools and RDA centres to give more riders who might not otherwise have the opportunity to get involved with horses that chance, and to see all riders benefit to such a degree. For that alone it was wonderful to be invited to help judge these awards. Similarly, following such a difficult time during Covid for all equestrian centres, it has been incredible to see the phenomenal hard work and goodwill that has gone into making those centres shortlisted thrive today against the odds.”

The judges are Richard Ramsay (Team Ramsay Horton), Sarah Jenkins (Horse & Hound), Emma Bedford (Your Horse Live), Petra Ingram (Horseworld), Katie Oswald (SEIB) and Georgina Dewar (SEIB).

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Search For A Star returns to Scotland for the first time in 20 years

Alex Robinson — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 16:55:23 +0000

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.”

‘Think the unthinkable’: concerns raised over uninsured coaches

Becky Murray — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 08:03:29 +0000

The topic of coach insurance has come under discussion, and how this can affect venues and riders where a coach is operating without it.

Solicitor Hannah Bradley of the Equine Law Firm told H&H that although it is not a legal requirement for a coach to have insurance, many choose to do so, and she recommends riders check with a coach whether they are insured. Public liability insurance provides cover for a coach in the event of a claim where their actions have caused injury to a third party or damage to their property .

Ms Bradley added that it is also important to check that the policy is held with a reputable insurer, the sum insured is “sufficient” and the coach is operating within the terms of the policy.

“A professional may hold insurance up to a cap of £1m – that may seem like a lot of money, but if a rider suffers from catastrophic or life-changing injuries, and they will require care and support on a long-term basis, that may not be sufficient,” she said.

“If a coach has insurance to teach only certain types of riding, and they breach that term, their insurance will be invalid. IIt is also important to note an insurance policy will only provide coverage if the trainer, and their actions have caused the loss.”

Ms Bradley said in “most circumstances” there is no obligation for a venue to check a visiting coach’s insurance, but added that they may do this as good practice, or their insurance policy may require them to do so. And in the event of an accident, liability depends on a number of circumstances, including what caused it and who the rider has a relationship with. If a rider has booked a clinic directly with a venue they will have a “contractual relationship” with the venue instead of the coach, and it may be possible for them to bring a claim against a venue for any financial loss, if the venue has failed to supply their services with reasonable care and skill. What constitutes reasonable care and skill depends on individual circumstances.

An SEIB Insurance Brokers spokesman told H&H SEIB “strongly recommends” yard owners request proof of public liability insurance from any coach teaching at their venue. This can be a coach providing their insurance certificate, which should be readily available from insurers and outlines the coach’s cover, and SEIB recommends checking the limit of indemnity and business description.

“If the coach booked the venue, we would expect the yard owner to request proof of insurance as a key part of the booking process,” said the spokesman.

“It is possible that if the rider booked the venue, they may assume that the visiting coach will be covered by the yard’s insurance. This further underlines why yard owners need to maintain tight control of all those coming and going at their business premises.”

BHSI performance coach Jen Morris told H&H she believes all coaches should hold insurance, and riders and venues should feel comfortable asking the coach if they are insured.

“Insurance provides security for the coach, and for the client. We are all trying to enhance best practice, and injuries can happen. As a coach, being asked to see insurance details should be normal, but it isn’t,” she said.

British Horse Society (BHS) director of education Tracy Casstles said the society “strongly advises” coaches have appropriate insurance – and that riders use insured coaches.

“Your personal assets could be at risk if you are legally liable for an accident to a third party, as compensation claims and associated legal costs can sometimes run into millions. No one wants to think about the unthinkable, but you need a plan – and cover – in place,” she said.

“When learning to ride or looking to improve your riding skills, choosing a BHS-accredited professional coach who has recognised qualifications, is first-aid trained, meets safeguarding requirements and is fully insured will give peace of mind you are in the safest of hands.”

Trailer theft increase thought linked to towing law change

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 19:01:47 +0000

CHANGES to towing rules are thought to be behind an increase in trailer thefts, as police and insurers urge owners to take precautions.

The car and trailer towing test was scrapped last year as part of Government plans to tackle the HGV driver shortage crisis, so since December, most drivers have been legally able to tow a horse trailer without taking an extra test.

Leicestershire Police and SEIB Insurance Brokers are two organisations that have told H&H of increased numbers of trailer thefts since the law came into force.

A police spokesman told H&H the issue is not just a local one, and that many trailers are being stolen overnight from isolated, rural locations. Owners are also reminded that any delay in reporting a theft to police can cause issues.

Lucie Pritchard’s Ifor Williams 506 was stolen from a livery yard in Nottinghamshire last month. Lucie believes the increase in thefts is linked to the law change.

“It’s too much of a coincidence otherwise; there’s much more demand now and prices have shot up,” she told H&H. “I’ve since upgraded my trailer, and I got £1,000 more than I’d paid for it 11 months before.”

Lucie has urged others to check their insurance policies to ensure their trailer locks meet the appropriate specification, and to consider a tracker — hers meant her trailer was recovered within 24 hours.

“It changes your mentality from ‘My trailer’s been stolen and there’s nothing I can do’ to ‘My trailer’s been stolen, let’s go and find it’,” she said. “The tracker made life a lot easier, and meant the police were more likely to make an effort as there was more chance of recovery.”

“Also to consider is that I had everything on it; hitch lock, wheel lock, postcode on the roof, but the insurers said they may not have paid out as they weren’t approved brands,” Lucie added. “I’ve bought others now, for £600. I’d also only insured it for £4,000 but its value had gone up, and if they had paid out, it might not have been its full worth, so it’s worth getting a valuation.”

Treve Jenkyn, data protection officer at trailer and plant checking company The Equipment Register, said people often park trailers at livery yards, and do not always notice straight away if they are stolen.

“A horse trailer that has been gone for several days could have been sold on, sometimes even twice, before it is reported as stolen,” he said.

SEIB deputy chairman Barry Fehler said: “If a trailer is purchased that is later identified as stolen, the purchaser is liable to return the trailer to its rightful owner. We work closely with police and theft tracking companies and the information they hold on stolen trailers. By reporting the theft of a trailer quickly, it dramatically increases the chance of it being successfully returned to its rightful owner. Having the correct insurance provides peace of mind for our customers.”

Leicestershire Police advised owners to hide trailers from view, block them in if possible, use appropriate locks, and consider postcode-marking panels. Owners should also note the model and serial numbers, keep photos of the trailer, and pass all the above details to police if reporting a theft.

Horse & Houndteams up withSEIB to recognise the best yards, riding schools and competition centres

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 14:24:12 +0000

Horse & Hound and SEIB have joined forces to recognise the country’s top yards in the SEIB Insurance Brokers Yard of the Year Awards.

The awards feature categories for small (20 horses or fewer) and large (more than 20 horses) riding schools, full and DIY livery yards and Riding for the Disabled Association centres plus, for the first time this year, competition centres. Nominations are open to the public and the winners will be revealed in July.

SEIB marketing manager Nicolina Mackenzie said: “SEIB has insured livery yards and riding schools for decades and are proud to support the industry with these awards. We are excited to have Horse & Hound on board this year and look forward to their input on the judging panel.

“The inclusion of the competition venue of the year award in 2022 is something we are looking forward to. At SEIB we know that there are many yards, venues, centres and riding schools that provide an outstanding service and we want to recognise and highlight their professionalism, skill and commitment.”

H&H editor-in chief Sarah Jenkins said the H&H team knows well from running the H&H Awards, in partnership with NAF, how much it means to members of the equestrian community to be nominated for industry awards such as these, let alone being shortlisted and winning.

“So many professionals and volunteers in the horse world work tirelessly in their areas and could not be more deserving of wider recognition,” she said. “SEIB has long supported excellence in yards with their awards, in categories that we also feel strongly at Horse & Hound need positive recognition and support.”

The public are encouraged to nominate their favourite yards in the six categories. Nominations are open online until 5pm on 14 April, after which judges will compile shortlists. Each shortlisted yard will be asked to submit video and more information, and will be invited to the awards ceremony in July, at which the winners will be revealed.

Make your nominations here

The judging will take in competition, training, horse care, marketing and business acumen. Atmosphere in the yard and help and support for clients will also be “vital for the judging panel when it comes to choosing their winners”.

Sarah added: “Riding schools are the lifeblood of our industry, without which we would not have a viable sport with enough new riders coming through developing a love of horses and going on to buy animals for leisure or competition. And of course riding schools in the UK have faced serious challenges, particularly over the past few years where Covid restrictions meant they were unable to operate for months on end while still needing to pay for animals’ care.

“Similarly, Riding for the Disabled centres do incredible work to give life-changing experiences to those who come to them, and again these organisations struggled to operate for much of the past two years, while simultaneously losing numbers of their volunteers without whom they cannot provide their vital service. Livery yards and competition centres, too, face challenges with rates and the cost of horses’ keep, and it is often the hard work of those behind the scenes that goes so far to improve the experience of horses, owners and competitors. For all these reasons and many more, this year more than ever, we are delighted to be associated with these awards, and encourage everyone who is eligible to nominate the centres they feel most deserving of these accolades and prizes from SEIB.”

‘Showing teaches so much’: SEIB Search For A Star series introduces showing championship for Pony Club members

Alex Robinson — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 17:50:34 +0000

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.

New class without amateur restrictions in SEIB Search For A Star series

Alex Robinson — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 15:54:58 +0000

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.

New champions crowned at the 2021 SEIB Search For A Star finals

Alex Robinson — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 20:02:27 +0000

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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

(Image credit: SUE ROBB)

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.”

‘I bought him as a hunt horse’: Home-produced show rider on how she found her 2021 Search For A Star champion

Alex Robinson — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 12:02:01 +0000

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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HOYS 2021: Which home-produced combinations reigned in the SEIB Search For A Star finals?

Alex Robinson — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 18:45:39 +0000

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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

(Image credit: Emily Arundale)

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

(Image credit: H.KINCHIN)

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

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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.”

‘I have to go home and get horses ready for tomorrow’s hunt’: Stud groom secures SEIB Search For A Star title on superb lightweight

Alex Robinson — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 15:58:32 +0000

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:

“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:

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.”

‘This has been on the bucket list for a long time’: First season combination steps up to clinch SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse title

Alex Robinson — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 20:25:17 +0000

The nine-year-old gelding Minella Rebellion belied his lack of ring experience to give his owner/rider her first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) victory in the SEIB Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse (R2R) championship.

Katie Dashwood was on board HOYS debutante “Reg” who will be back in the International Arena in the riding horse final later in the week. Katie and Reg are only contending their first season together.

By Kings Theatre out of Afdala, Reg was in training with Nicky Henderson during his career. He ran five times in total and was placed twice, before retiring from the track in 2017. The duo qualified for the R2R finals at the Onley Grounds qualifier.

“This has been on the bucket list for a very long time,” said Katie. “When I was around six years old I went to HOYS when it was at Wembley for the first time, and from that moment on I always wanted to compete here.”

Reg is produced by Jo Bates, whose team won the R2R title at HOYS in 2019 with Grandeur. At the Jockey Club Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) National Championships, Reg was crowned novice champion before bagging the coveted Jockey Club supreme title. This was the first time in the show’s history that the novice champion has been pulled to take the supreme.

Reg is a full brother to Cheltenham Festival winner and Grand National runner-up Balthazar King and was purchased for £90,000 at a Tattersalls Ireland sale at Cheltenham in May 2016. He was first acquainted with Katie, rider of the successful ex-racehorse Barlow, in lockdown last year following a recommendation from her friend Henrietta Knight.

“Henrietta told me to come and have a look at a potential show horse she thought would fit the bill,” said Katie. “Reg is a true showman; he loves it. It was a real thrill to qualify Reg for HOYS and he really enjoyed being in the ring here.”

Taking second was marketing lead Abi Sole on board her own Hero Worship, who was advancing on his previous best placing of third achieved in 2018. The Kalanisi 18-year-old had three starts on the flat for trainer Michael Jarvis, winning twice and earning just under £20,000.

Collette McGoldrick and her Edward Young-produced nine-year-old Mumford took third.

Yards, charities and inspiration honoured at annual awards

Becky Murray — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 19:03:36 +0000

Equestrian establishments, charities and inspirations were among those to be celebrated at the fourth annual SEIB Insurance Brokers Awards.

The ceremony took place at the Dallas Burston Polo Club, Warwickshire, on 8 September, and featured four categories; livery yard, riding school and Riding for the Disabled Centre (RDA) of the year awards, charity awards, an SEIB and Horseworld inspirational award, and an SEIB and National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) lifetime achievement award.

Barrow Farm RDA was named RDA centre of the year, Contessa Riding and Training Centre took the small riding school title, and Triley Fields Equestrian Centre was named large riding school of the year. Berries Farm Liveries won DIY livery yard of the year, and Folly Fields Farm Livery the full livery award.

“The quality of care, teaching and horse management we have seen in this year’s livery yard, riding school and RDA awards has been magnificent. For these top yards nothing is overlooked and standards across the board are exceptional,” said panel judge Richard Ramsay.

The Horse Trust won the charity award, as voted for by the public, and received £10,000 and a commemorative plaque. Nine other charities received £33,000 between them; Bransby Horses, World Horse Welfare, and Proteus Reptile Trust received £2,000, SiMBA £2,500, Me & Dee £3,000, Brent Lodge £3,500, Missing People £4,000, Children’s Heart Unit Fund £6,000 and Epsom RDA £8,000.

“We’re immensely grateful to SEIB for making this hugely generous award available, particularly after such a terribly tough time, and to all the people who voted for the Horse Trust to receive these funds,” said Horse Trust director of research and policy Jan Rogers.

Sophie Gifford, who founded the Great Horses for Health Relay ride which aims to promote mental health and raise money for equine charities, received the SEIB and HorseWorld inspirational award. The relay, which received more than 10,000 entries, started on 2 May in Yorkshire and concludes in the south-west in October.

“I am so grateful and proud to have been awarded the inspirational award. So many people have worked very hard to pull together events across the UK so this award is a testimony to their enthusiasm and commitment,” said Sophie.

The SEIB and NAFD lifetime achievement award went to Nigel Lymn Rose, chair of A W Lymn – The Family Funeral Service.

‘I just did this pathetic wave’ — 2019 SEIB Search For A Star champion on her HOYS centre line moment

Alex Robinson — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 12:24:10 +0000

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.”

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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.

Yards still feeling effects of first lockdown — but some positive news H&H Plus

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 11:03:36 +0000

Insurance broker SEIB surveyed its commercial clients on the effects of the first lockdown. H&H goes through the results and speaks to equestrian centres to see how business was looking as the second lockdown came in

NEARLY 70% of equestrian centres surveyed on the effects of the coronavirus were still operating with limited or adapted services before the second lockdown – but there have also been positive effects.

Of 75 respondents, including riding schools and livery yards, over 95% said turnover was down on pre-lockdown levels, while some raised fears over the effect the return of business rates will have on yards already hit hard.

SEIB insurance brokers conducted the research to find out how customers’ business was, and what support it could offer them.

Respondents were asked if they had taken any measures to reduce costs; 48% turned the horses out for the duration of the first lockdown, while 16% sold horses. One respondent “got rid of all staff”, others “reduced my wages and “tightened my belt”.

SEIB digital marketing manager Katie Oswald said: “Many of our commercial customers are concerned for the future of their businesses. Plenty of yards have accessed support from the Government and charities, including the British Horse Society (BHS). But we have found plenty are unsure where to turn for help, whether that be financial support or advice.”

Just over 13% of respondents applied for the Government’s job retention scheme, the same number that had applied for charitable grants such as from the BHS hardship fund.

Almost half applied for business grants and 24% for government-backed loans or finance agreements. Over 33% had not applied for any of the above. And although only 12% had to make staff redundant, nearly 15% fear they will have to cut jobs in the next six months.

Asked what other government support could help, some praised the help they had already had, while others said there should be more funding, better clarification on restrictions and removal of restrictions altogether.

On a more positive note, 29% of respondents said interest in their services had increased since the first lockdown, while 36% said it had stayed the same.

One respondent wrote: “We think parents are trying to get their children into the countryside more; we have lots of new riders.”

Others reported positive effects of the first lockdown, including “better work-life balance”, more awareness of health and safety and better related measures, and “clients working better together”.

Coming together

Lucy Thomson, of Lavant House Stables in Chichester, told H&H that while she knows this has not been the case for all, she was not hit too hard by lockdown.

“We run a club, where clients pay a monthly sub,” she said. “Initially, a lot of them paid 25%, which I’d refund after lockdown, so I had something coming in.

“All my owners, livery clients, and staff have been fantastic, they really came together, and the Government was so generous. We got lots of help, like the rates relief and grant, and furlough; staffing is our biggest cost and that way, we didn’t feel we let them down.

“After lockdown, we were swamped; so much interest, we had to close our books.”

Wellington Riding, which operates a riding school as well as a competition centre and livery yard, agreed interest had rocketed since the first lockdown.

Manager David Sheerin told H&H Wellington had to furlough staff and make changes. Group lessons had to decrease from eight combinations to five, to fit with the “rule of six”, and the centre put prices up to compensate.

“It was a bit of a risk but clients have been loving the move to five people, and they get about 37% more of the instructor’s time so it was better value for money,” he said. “That was still a loss but we haven’t lost any clients.”

Wellington has also made plans to cover itself if, as feared, its popular junior residential camps cannot run next year, as it went into “survival mode”.

But Mr Sheerin agreed on the increased interest.

“We’ve got 496 people registered on our system waiting for assessment lessons,” he said. “I’m an optimist but the opportunity for the industry is massive.”

Godsend for charities as brokers award grants

Becky Murray — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 10:03:41 +0000

Charities facing tough times have received a share of more than £50,000 – describing the money as a “godsend”.

The SEIB Giving virtual awards, for small and medium charities, had been due to be announced in London on 20 March but owing to the coronavirus pandemic were held online in daily videos from 30 March to 3 April. Following nominations by the public, 10 charities – of which six were equine charities – made it to the final stage of voting decided by SEIB customers. Each charity received a share of the £50,500 pot towards their projects – and, for this year, towards running costs, in light of the financial impact of COVID-19.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary and Bransby Horses each received £15,000 after the voting resulted in a tie for top spot. Gaddesden Place Riding for the Disabled received £5,000, the Horse Trust £4,000, Hope Pastures £1,000 and the Flicka Foundation £1,000. Doris Banham Dog Rescue was awarded £7,000 and children’s charity Once Upon a Smile £2,000. Canine charity Hope Rescue, and the South Essex Wildlife Hospital each received £250.

Redwings chief executive Lynn Cutress said the charity was “delighted”.

“As we are a charity 100% funded by donations from the public, this generous grant will go a long way towards caring for our 1,500 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules,” she said.

Sally Crawford of Bransby, whose site near Lincoln was affected by flooding in November last year, said the award was incredible.

“Working since the floods has been tougher than usual, and although the waters have finally subsided, the fallout from the devastation continues,” she said.

“The money we’ve been awarded will go towards purchasing a Kubota vehicle which we can use at our Barlings site, where more than 50 horses and ponies have been moved as a result of our land being ravaged by floods,” she said.

Doris Banham Dog Rescue founder Trudie James described the money as a “godsend”.

“I would have loved to buy some kennels but I will have to use it for running costs to keep our dogs safe during this [lockdown] period,” she said.

SEIB marketing manager Nicolina MacKenzie said charities are facing “tough times”.

“We have been determined make sure our finalists receive their grants, but also have the opportunity for publicity through our virtual awards,” she commented.

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(Image credit: SEIB)

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“I am very grateful for the magnificent support we have received with staging these awards. In particular to Burghley Horse Trials and the Horse of the Year Show for the efforts they have made to promote the SEIB Giving virtual awards.”

SEIB chief executive Barry Fehler added he was “immensely proud” of SEIB and the team for ensuring the charities had their moment in the spotlight.

“Helping others is what SEIB is all about and I am delighted that we have been able to grant this money to such wonderful causes at this moment in time when it is so desperately needed,” he said.

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HOYS 2019: Which home-produced heroes reigned in the SEIB Search For A Star finals?

Alex Robinson — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 10:00:50 +0000

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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.

Winners of £100,000 grants revealed

Becky Murray — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:22:43 +0000

SEIB Insurance Brokers’ customers have decided who would be the worthy winners of the company’s annual £100,000 charity awards.

World Horse Welfare was given the top grant of £50,000, while nine other charities that reached the final voting stage received £50,000 between them.

SEIB chief executive Barry Fehler presented World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers with the cheque and commemorative plaque at a ceremony at the Grange City Hotel in London on 22 March.

The charity plans to use the cash for “vital” new equipment including a new tractor, trailer, and a drone with high-resolution camera for helping locate horses in need hard-to-reach locations.

Barry Fehler said: “I have been at the helm of SEIB for over 50 years and it is with great pride that we are able to make these grants totalling £100,000 to projects voted for by our clients.

“I am delighted that since last year, with the support of our owners Ecclesiastical, we have been able to double the sum granted by SEIB to charity”.

More than 1,000 small to medium-sized charities were nominated by the public. From these, shortlisted finalists were invited to submit detailed plans for the grant, before SEIB customers voted on the winner.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary received the runner-up grant of £15,000 which it will use for a “horse hospital treatment room” project and the Welsh Pony Rescue and Rehoming Charitable Trust received £10,000 to be used for their Every Life is Precious project. The Animal Health Trust received £5,000 for its digital X–ray appeal which it is believed could help diagnose orthopaedic conditions.

Bransby Horses and Rescue Welfare, Lindsey Lodge Hospice, James Hopkins Trust, Wildlife Aid Foundation and South Essex Wildlife Hospital received £2,000 each.

New showing class for gypsy cobs at HOYS

Five qualifiers will be held giving the opportunity for 10 traditional cobs to compete at HOYS

(Image credit: SEIB)

HOYS SEIB Search For A Star final: meet the 2018 winners

Some real motivation from these home-produced pairs

(Image credit: SEIB)

“We are delighted that our customers have decided which of these very worthy causes should receive the grant,” said Mr Fehler. “SEIB is so successful because we are totally customer-focused and this is another way our clients can have their say.

“Each of the charities that reached the final judging had important projects that would really make a difference to the areas within which they operate and that was our aim when we set up this initiative.”

An SEIB spokesman added: “Giving is embedded in the culture of SEIB. From supporting grass roots competition that gives opportunities to amateur riders that they could only otherwise dream about, right through to the company’s unwavering loyalty to promoting nationwide equine.”

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

HOYS SEIB Search For A Star final: meet the 2018 winners

Alex Robinson — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 13:57:12 +0000

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)

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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)

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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)

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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)

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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)

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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)

(Image credit: Steve Dawe)

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.

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Hannah added: “Migration came out to run in the Lincoln again on 23 March this year and decided he didn’t want to go. David and the Gail Brown Racing Syndicate started looking for a good home for him and he has been gifted to Georgina, Anthony and myself to go showing.

“I received a lovely message from David saying it was ‘so lovely to see him back to winning’. Georgina and Anthony always said they would love a racehorse, after they sadly lost their horse Overdrive.”

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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.

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Most livery yard owners would support licensing

“More than 60% of the 420 survey respondents – all current livery yard owners – feel that the introduction of licensing would encourage more responsible yard ownership,” an SEIB spokesman said, adding that any scheme would “undoubtedly” have a strong emphasis on equine welfare.

Survey respondents said they would like considerations for minimum welfare standards and insurance requirements, and health and safety “high on the agenda”, as well as potential minimum qualifications of experience.

LiveryList founder Cheryl Johns said yard owners felt licensing would help level the playing field, as it would help horse owners find suitable establishments.

“We believe these findings will be a really supportive step towards developing and nurturing the best processes required to support livery yards and, critically, better animal welfare,” she said

“It is important, however, that any proposed new licensing model is implemented consistently, and the needs of all livery yards and horse owners are taken into consideration. Only by doing this can we guarantee stability for such equestrian businesses as well as peace of mind for horse owners.”

SEIB equestrian services manager Steph Ellis said: “Livery yards offer such a key service and anything we can do to help ensure high standards and promote equine welfare is crucial.”

A Scottish government spokesman told H&H: “Our consultation on the licensing of activities involving animals – including livery yards – closed on 26 September. Analysis of all the responses received will be undertaken and a consultation summary report produced in due course.”

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

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