Search For A Star and Racehorse To Riding Horse hopefuls have no excuse not to put themselves forward for this season’s series. South Essex Insurance Brokers (SEIB) has launched two dedicated websites to make sure competitors have all the relevant information.
The Search For A Star series is designed to encourage amateur riders to introduce their horses to the show ring, giving them the opportunity to compete at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Over the past decade, many top show horses have started their careers in Search For A Star classes including last year’s HOYS Supreme Hack Champion, Almost Illegal.
There are categories for all kinds of show horses, including working hunters and hacks. The SEIB Search For A Star website – www.search4astar.org.uk – gives comprehensive information on the competition rules and a downloadable schedule and entry form. In addition, the site has all the latest news, details of previous winners, guidelines on what to wear, and a great forum where you can share your views on Search For A Star.
“I am always so happy for the owners and riders who dream of getting to HOYS and are able to fulfil that ambition through this final”, said Nicolina MacKenzie, SEIB Marketing Manager.
The SEIB Racehorse To Riding Horse Show Championship supports and encourages the re-education of thoroughbreds taken out of racing. To be eligible for this class, horses must have been in training with a licensed trainer, although it need not have raced. The classes are judged as for riding horses but the best of type, whether hack, riding horse or hunter, is deemed the winner. Five qualifying classes are planned and the first two in each class will be invited to enter the finals, held at HOYS in October.
Ex-racehorses in other disciplines are also recognised in the SEIB Racehorses to Riding Horses Performance Horse Championship. This competition will be run throughout the 2007 season and the results will be calculated on a points system. There are categories for affiliated dressage, show jumping, eventing, showing, endurance and unaffiliated competition. Trophies will be presented to the winners of each category at the Supporters of British Breeding Awards in 2008.
“It can be very worthwhile and rewarding to take on and retrain an ex-racehorse and I hope the series encourages more people to have a go”, said Nicolina MacKenzie.
The new SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse website www.racehorse2ridinghorse.co.uk features downloadable schedules and entry forms as well as all the latest news and details.
Dates for Search For A Star qualifiers and Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championship Qualifiers:
20 May – Osbaldeston Equestrian Centre, Blackburn, Lancs
10 June – Arena UK, Allington, Grantham, Lincs
17 June – Unex Towerlands, Braintree, Essex
7 July – Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon, North Somerset
15 July – Addington Manor Equestrian Centre, Bucks
The Racehorse to Riding Horse class will be held after the Search For a Star classes at the same venues
