Celebrate your horse's talent and you could end up riding at HOYS

By Katy Islip

General news

02 February 2012 11:56

If you’re the proud owner of an ex-racer or believe your horse has talent worth showing off, why not try your luck in two competitions which celebrate equine achievements.

South Essex Insurance Brokers’ (SEIB) ‘Search For A Star’ and the SEIB and Retraining of Racehorses’ (ROR)‘Racehorse to Riding Horse’ show championships aim to encourage amateur riders to produce their horses to a high standard, with the finals held at the Horse of the Year show (HOYS).

The 2012 series will begin in May with five qualifiers throughout the country, with the Search for a Star competition offering classes for working hunters, riding club show horses, show hunters, show ponies and show hunter ponies, riding horse/hacks and cobs.

Nicolina MacKenzie, marketing manager at SEIB, said: “The Search For A Star Championship series is a way to give amateur riders the chance to achieve their dream of riding at The Horse Of The Year Show. The standard increases every year and we are delighted to give so many riders this opportunity.”

In the Racehorse to Riding Horse championship, created to support and encourage the re-education of former racing thoroughbreds, classes are just as for riding horses, with judges looking for the best of type, whether hack, riding horse or hunter.

Qualifiers for both championships will be held on the following dates:

• 26th May: Osbaldeston Equestrian Centre, Blackburn, BB2 7LZ. Tel:  01254 813159

• 17th June: Bury Farm Equestrian Centre, New Bury Farm, Mill Road, Slapton, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9BT. Tel: 01525 222 114

• 1st July: Badgworth Riding Centre, Beech Tree Farm, Badgworth, Somerset, BS26 2QU. Tel:  01934 732543

• 15th July: Wellington Equestrian Centre, Heckfield, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 0LJ. Tel:  0118 932 6308

• 28th July: Vale View Equestrian, Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3LX. Tel:  01644 823739

Further information, full rules, schedules and entry forms are available at www.search4astar.org.uk and www.racehorse2ridinghorse.co.uk respectively.

At the latter site, ex-racehorse owners can also find out more about the ROR/SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Elite Performance Awards – a points scheme open to all ex-racehorses competing in affiliated dressage, show jumping, eventing, endurance and showing. 

Further information on all competitions sponsored by SEIB is available at www.facebook.com/SEIB.Competitions1