SEIB were once again enthusiastic title sponsors of the SEIB Insurance Brokers Showing World Awards held on the 3rd December at Stoneleigh Park. These awards have been running since 2009 and throughout that time have grown into the most prestigious and glamorous annual awards celebrating showing success in the UK.
Over 450 guests were welcomed to the SEIB Showing World awards by the presenter for the evening, Showing World Magazine’s editor, Beth Simons. Across the fourteen categories, 3000 initial nominations were received, but the finalist votes absolutely took off – with each winner receiving between 800 and 1500 votes.
The evening also featured classical opera singers, Jessica Robinson and Emyr Wyn. Guests were encouraged to wave their red napkins as the pair sang Brindisi, or rather ‘the drinking song’ from La Traviata. They also adapted the words to most wonderful time of the year as curtains were opened to reveal the room after the drinks reception. Jessica and Emyr assisted Beth with the award presentations.
Highlights of the evening included standing ovations for Lizzie Briant and Louenna Hood. Lizzie collected the Show Personality of the year award from Mr Sandy Anderson, chairman of the Grandstand Group on behalf of Carltonlima Emma. This Fell pony was bred by the Carltonlima stud, and later purchased by Lizzie Briant on behalf of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The winner of the 2021 SEIB Outstanding Achievement Award was given a lovely moment in the spotlight. Producer and mentor Marjorie Ramsay, having been unable attend in person to collect her award last year, was this year invited up on stage to receive a bouquet of flowers and to present this year’s SEIB Outstanding Achievement Award alongside Nicolina MacKenzie of Horse Insurance specialists SEIB.
Louenna Hood received the SEIB Outstanding Achievement award for herself and Philip Judge for their incredible humanitarian efforts arranging and shipping much needed essential items to Ukranian families following the Russian invasion earlier this year. Not only this, but Louenna then turned her attentions to fundraising and has raised an incredible £190,000 for children’s charities, hospitals and orphanages as well as housing families and supporting the Ukrainian Embassy.
These are truly exceptional moments for equines and equestrian personalities and guests were very vocal in their appreciation of Carltonlima Emma, Lizzie Briant and Louella Hood and Philip Judge on the evening!
The first award presented was the First Class Images Junior of the Year award which went to Annabel Drake. Successes in 2022 for Annabel included a win at Royal Windsor, taking the supreme show pony at the BSPS Summer championships, and then riding 148cm Stanley Grange Gilt Edge to win not only the show pony class, but also the part-breds. Next up saw Craig Elenor take the Handler of the Year Award. Highlights for Craig in 2022 included taking runner up spot at HOYS and reserve at RIHS.
BSPS Area 2B won the hotly contested Area of the Year award, this award goes some way to recognizing the efforts of area and show committees. Area 2B is led by secretary Christine Pearsall, chair Sue Hughes and vice Janet Hoyle. The Smart Grooming, Groom of the Year Award went to Ellie Greenhalgh. Ellie has worked her way up from a junior groom and her charges include some of the top horses in the country including those owned by the late Her Majesty and now His Majesty King Charles.
Veteran of the Year went to Tia Hulse’s thirty-year-old Silver Henrietta who only began her showing career at the age of 25! The Show Breeder of the Year title was won by Glebedale Stud’s Jill Williams and Kitty Bodily. Pardus Wealth sponsored the Pony of the Year award which went to Annandale Phoenix who this year retired on a high at HOYS having won the 122cm show hunter pony class and stood reserve champion, ridden by Maisie Peters. Native Pony of the Year was won by Vanessa Clark’s inimitable Skaergaardens Delicious Love.
Team Holder, led by Gayle and Emma Holder took the competitive Show Team of the Year title. The CHAPS Coloured Horse or Pony of the Year went to Lindsay McCulloughs reigning HOYS coloured horse or pony of the year, Wot Perfection.
Will Moreton won the 2022 The Showing Register Show Rider of the Year title. Will is a young producer who first rode at Horse of Year the HOYS in 2013 in the SEIB Search for a Star finals. The Cuddfan at Coxlake Show Horse of the Year went to the two-time HOYS supreme horse, Jill Day’s View Point.
The evening also provided a great opportunity for an end of season get together and celebration for many members of the SEIB Search for a Star team.
