The team behind the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers have announced the list of qualifying shows for 2026 and revealed a few notable changes to the competition.
In the past, the majority of SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers took place at stand-alone shows but in 2026, all qualifying classes are being run in conjunction with another show. The qualifying list of venues includes several prestigious county shows, the Pony Club Championships and the Defender Burghley Horse Trials. The Search for a Star Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Your Horse Live (YHL) Championships will remain the same as in previous years.
Another significant change to qualifying events means only one combination will qualify for the chance to compete in either the HOYS or YHL Search for a Star championships in each qualifying class. This means the series is able to offer more qualifying shows across a wider selection of venues.
Amateur rule updated
The amateur rider ruling has been updated so that riders are not eligible for Search for a Star if they have competed at HOYS in the previous five seasons.
Riders that have not competed at HOYS since, and including 2021, will be eligible to compete in Search for a Star in 2026 provided they meet the Search for a Star amateur rules.
“We’re really excited about the changes in place for the 2026 running of SEIB Search for a Star,” said Nicolina MacKenzie of the Absolutely Genuine Company.
“We’re working with several fantastic teams who are looking forward to welcoming Search for a Star competitors at their shows.”
Nineteen classes
There will be a total of 19 SEIB Search for a Star classes in 2026, including Racehorse to Riding Horse. Classes with finals at HOYS include hacks, hunters, working pony, working horse, riding horse, traditional gypsy cobs – of any colour, show cobs, and the longstanding SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship.
Championship finals at YHL in Search for a Star include ridden classes for Still a Star open veterans, lead-rein, first ridden and open ponies and mountain and moorlands. In-hand classes include plaited horse including show cobs, plaited pony, pure and part-bred traditional cobs, Mountain and Moorland and veteran.
The full list of qualifying shows is below:
Wiltshire Spring Show, Friday 27th March, West Wilts EC, BA14 6QT. Entries close 25th March. Classes: All HOYS and YHL SFAS and R2R classes.
BSHA Spring Show, Sunday 3rd May, Addington EC, MK18 2JR. Classes: HOYS – all except Working Horse and Working Pony. No YHL classes.
Rutland Show, Sunday 31st May, Rutland Showground, LE15 7TW. Classes: All HOYS and YHL SFAS and R2R classes.
Royal Three Counties Show, Friday 12th – Sunday 14th June, Three Counties Showground, WR13 6NW. Classes: All HOYS and YHL SFAS and R2R classes. Entries Close 8th May.
North of England Summer Show, Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th June, Warren Farm EC, L37 0AP. Classes: HOYS – all except Working Horse and Working Pony. YHL – Still a Star, ridden M and M and Lead Rein and First Ridden Only.
Royal Lancashire Show, Friday 3rd July – Sunday 5th July, Salesbury Hall, PR3 3XR. Classes: All HOYS except Working Horse and Working Pony. YHL only Still a Star and Ridden M and M.
TOYS, Thursday 30th July – Sunday 1st August, Onley Grounds EC, CV23 8AJ. Classes: All HOYS except Working Horse and Working Pony. All YHL.
Equifest, Tuesday 4th August – Sunday 9th August, Arena UK, NG32 2EF. Classes: All HOYS except Working Horse and Working Pony. All YHL.
National Hunter Supreme Championship, Tuesday 11th – Wednesday 12th August, Addington EC, MK18 2JR. R2R ONLY.
Pony Club Championships, Sunday 22nd August, Offchurch Bury, CV33 9AW. Classes: Pony Club members only.
Greenlands Arena, Sunday 30th August, Carlisle, CA4 0RR. Classes: All HOYS and YHL SFAS and R2R classes.
The Showing Register, Saturday 5th September, NAEC Stoneleigh, CV8 2LA. Classes: All HOYS SFAS and R2R classes only. No YHL classes.
Defender Burghley Horse Trials, Sunday 6th September, Stamford, PE9 3JY. Classes: R2R only.
BSHA National Championship, Thursday 10th – Saturday 12th September, Addington EC, MK18 2JR. Classes: R2R only.
LIHS BSHA Rising Stars Show, Sunday 13th September, Addington EC, MK18 2JR. Classes: YHL Still a Star and Ridden M and M only.
HOYS SEIB Search for a Star Championship, Wednesday 7th – Sunday 11th October, Birmingham NEC.
YHL SEIB Search for a Star Championship, Friday 6th – Saturday 7th November, NAEC Stoneleigh.
Main image of 2025 SEIB Search for a Star HOYS Champion Jane Hemmings and The Boss 2 © 1st Class Images.
