Amateur riders aim for HOYS
The popular Search for a Star competition is extending its qualifiers with two new venues for amateur riders
Search for a Star is now entering its seventh year. This year, amateur riders will be given the chance to compete at the Horse of the Year Show’s new venue, the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
This competition, designed to give amateurs an opportunity to compete at the Horse of the Year Show,was devised and is sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers.
There are six categories for riders and owners to choose from:
- Working Hunter
- Riding Club Show Horse
- Show Ponies and Show Hunter Ponies
- Cobs
- Show Hunter
- Riding Horse/Hack.Selection days will be run at five venues around the country, including two new venues at Sands Farm , near Horsham in West Sussex and West Wilts Equestrian centre.Peter Jefferies, SEIB spokesman said: “We are by hoping to get a better reception from Sussex and the surrounding areas and believe that Sands Farm is an ideal location.”The first two in each category are invited to take part in the final at HOYS when judges Robert Oliver and Anne Pritchard select five champions and a supreme champion.”This has become a very important competition and the standard rises each year,” said Robert Oliver. “Last year’s winner, Classic Court, was one of the best horses we have seen since it began.”This year the venues hosting selection days are:
- NEW DATEOsbaldeston Riding Centre, Blackburn, Lancs – 29June
- West Wilts Equestrian Centre,Melksham Road, Holt – 14July
- College Equestrian Centre,Church Road, Keysoe, Bedford – 3 August
- Sands Farm Equestrian Centre, Northlands Road, Warnham, West Sussex – 10 August
- Towerlands Equestrian Centre, Panfield Road, Braintree, Essex -18 AugustEntry fee for each class is£30, with reductions for BHS members and anyone insuring with South Essex Insurance Brokers. Entry forms and more information is available by sending a self addressed envelope to The Secretary, Search for a Star, 5 Magpie Drive, Totton, Southampton, SO40 8TE.
- Click here to read about last year’s Search for a Star Supreme Champion Classic Court.
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