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

Alex Robinson Alex Robinson

    • 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.

    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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    Alex Robinson
    Alex Robinson

    H&H showing editor
    Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 since when she has cemented its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK.
    Alex Robinson

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