Two future stars were talent-spotted by judges at the Horse of the Year Show this afternoon. Chivers, a chestnut hunter became champion of the SEIB Search for a Star Final, proving that top quality hunters are still being produced, despite the ban.
“I’m going to teach him how to jump and then he’s going to go hunting,” said Jooli Thornton who rides and owns Chivers. “He just takes everything in his stride.” For Chivers this is the third show he has ever been to, and yesterday was his first time indoors. “He qualified at his first show,” Thornton explained.
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Photo by Anthony Reynolds
Reserve champion prize went to Rollswood Nureyev, a palomino “dream pony” ridden by Sienna Barbour, who the judge described as “floating on air”. “He’s an all round pony,” said Sienna, who had taken a second day off school to attend the final. “We’re teaching him how to jump and he likes dressage and hacking out.”
Rollswood Nureyev’s grand dam was the first palomino to win at Wembley. “We only got him at the beginning of the year – he’s remarkably calm,” commented Sienna’s mother Deana Barbour.
The SEIB Search for a Star competition, now in its 11th year, is reserved for horses, ponies and riders who have never qualified for the Horse of the Year Show or the Royal International Horse Show. Qualifying rounds take place throughout the summer, and over the last three days a star has been selected from each category of show horse and pony to compete in the prestigious championship, held this afternoon.
Coloured Horse of the Year
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Earlier this afternoon Brynteg Llywnay Daffodil, ridden by Jessica Pritchard became the HOYS Coloured Horse of the Year. The pair were presented with a trophy by the Coloured Horse and Pony Society, who sponsors the class. Pussy Galore, ridden by Lucy Cameron, was chosen as reserve champion.
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