New class without amateur restrictions in SEIB Search For A Star series
The popular SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) showing series has added a class for veteran horses and ponies to its series for 2022.
The new championship will be for senior animals aged 16 years and older, and it is the first SFAS class that has no amateur restrictions on the horses, ponies and riders taking part.
There will be five qualifiers throughout the showing season, from April to August, culminating in a finale at Your Horse Live in November 2022.
In the new SFAS open veteran championship, horses will be required to gallop, and make-up and show products are permitted. The class was trialled at the end of the 2021 season and owing to its popularity is all set to run in full this year.
“We have set up this exciting new Search For A Star championship to celebrate some of our very top horses who are in their later years,” said SEIB marketing manager Nicolina MacKenzie.
“It will be a real treat to see the ‘golden oldies’ perform at Your Horse Live in November. Older horses who have previously excelled in other disciplines will be very welcome to take part. This is the one Search For A Star class in which there is no requirement for amateur status.”
More details will be made available for competitors soon and anyone looking to compete is advised to check the SEIB website as well as the SEIB Search For A Star Facebook page for updates.
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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 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.