The 2024 season for SEIB Search for a Star and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse kicks off at Stoneleigh Park on the 27th May. Following many successful years of these ever-popular showing competitions, this season there are several exciting changes behind the scenes. A class for British Riding Club (BRC) members is a brand-new addition to SEIB Search for a Star in 2024, as is a new Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier at the National Hunter Supreme Championship Show in August.
Nicolina MacKenzie who has steered the Search for a Star competitions for decades has been licensed by SEIB, through her company The Absolutely Genuine Company Ltd to run the Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse competitions. Nicolina said: “The aims and format of the competitions will not change. The series will continue to champion amateurs, racehorses out of training and veteran show horses as well as working with The Pony Club and British Riding Clubs to bring unique opportunities for future show horses and riders.”
SEIB’s Chief Executive Officer, Suzy Middleton said: “Search for a Star has long been a key part of SEIB’s success as a business. As the series has grown, we are pleased to announce these behind the scenes changes to the running of our competitions. At SEIB, we are committed to giving back to our customers and supporting equestrianism and equine welfare, all of which we are able to do through our invaluable Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse series.”
Following the confirmation of the new SEIB Search for a Star British Riding Clubs class with its final to take place at Your Horse Live in November, Head of British Riding Clubs & Editor of Rider Magazine, Rachael Hollely-Thompson said: “BRC is delighted to be working alongside SEIB in this new opportunity for BRC members. BRC horses and ponies are genuine all-rounders and it is wonderful to see a showing class at a great venue that showcases the true riding club equine. We are looking forward to celebrating with competitors at the final.” This class welcomes competitors to ride either side-saddle or astride.
Sports Horse Breeding GB (SHBGB) Chair, Emma Gibson said: “We are delighted to be holding a Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier for Horse of the Year Show at this year's National Hunter Supreme Championship Show on the 20th August at Addington Equestrian. The Society was founded for the promotion of thoroughbred stallions and breeding and now has expanded to include most breed types. It is a pleasure to highlight the thoroughbred horse at our show.”
SEIB Search for a Star qualifying shows offer opportunities for the full range of show horses to earn a place at the series championships at Horse of the Year Show and Your Horse Live.
The 2024 SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifying shows will take place at:
Bank Holiday Monday 27th May 2024 at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ – courtesy of The Showing Register (TSR) Championship. (AMATEUR ONLY SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse HOYS qualifier at this venue)
Sunday 9th June 2024 at Vale View Equestrian Centre, Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 3LX
Sunday 7th July 2024 at Greenlands Equestrian Centre, Wreay, Carlisle CA4 0RR
Thursday 1st August 2024 at Arena UK, Allington Lane, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 2EF – courtesy of Equifest.
Saturday 10th August 2024 at Hartpury College, Hartpury House, Gloucester, GL19 3BE. During NAF Five Star International Horse Trials. SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class ONLY.
Saturday 17th August 2024 at The Pony Club Championships at Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire CV33 9AR. Pony Club classes ONLY.
Tuesday 20th August at theNational Hunter Supreme Championship Show, Addington Equestrian Centre, Buckingham MK18 2JR. (SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse ONLY)
Bank Holiday Monday 26th August 2024 at Hartpury College, Hartpury House, Gloucester, GL19 3BE.
Sunday 8th September 2024 at The Defender Burghley Horse Trials, Burghley House, Burghley Park,
Stamford PE9 3JY. (SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse ONLY)
The SEIB Search for a Star judges and stewards will be on hand to help and mentor all competitors at qualifying shows.
Search for a Star classes with finals at Horse of the Year Show (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 Your Horse Live in Search for a Star include ridden classes for; BRC members, open veterans, Pony Club members’ horses and ponies and mountain and moorlands. In-hand classes include; plaited horse including show cobs, plaited pony, native and traditional, mountain and moorland and veteran.
Please see www.seib.co.uk/competitions or the SEIB Search for a Star facebook page for updates. To enter please visit www.seib.co.uk/competitions/schedule which will link directly to the Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse entry page on Showing Scene.
Leading equine Insurance brokers, SEIB Insurance Brokers set up Search for a Star over 25 years ago so they could offer a unique competition to many amateur riders. SEIB has a long association with the showing world and is renowned for ‘putting something back’ by supporting many equestrian events and activities in addition to Search for a Star.
If you want to insure your horse, horsebox, trailer, yard or business - SEIB are here to help so please give us a call on 01708 850000 or visit www.seib.co.uk.
