SEIB Search for a Star and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse 2024 travelled north on the 7th July to Greenlands Equestrian Centre in Carlisle, Cumbria. The team of Search for a Star judges, Mr Richard Ramsay, Nicki Taylor, Helen Dunwell and Hannah Horton were joined by Michaela Bowling and ex-racehorse trainer, Jonathan Geake kindly stepped in at short-notice as well.
The first winner of the day, Anna Higgins and her lovely bay gelding, Millmount Maestro made the trip over on the ferry from the Isle of Man a very worthwhile one. The pair competed in and won both the Working Horse class and then went on to take top spot in the Show Hunter class as well. Anna said: “He’s a great traveller, it takes about four hours on the ferry to get to the mainland. He just sleeps and eats his haynet as he goes. I’m so excited that now our next trip over will be for HOYS! On the Isle of Man our horses need to be good allrounders as there aren’t too many specialist shows. We both really enjoy showing and jumping. We travelled over competed at Aintree yesterday and here today, he’s qualified for the London Horse Show too in the Working Hunters so its proving to be an exciting season!” Anna works for ‘Horse & Rider’ tack and feed shop on the Isle of Man. As Search for a Star competitors are only able to compete in one of the HOYS championship classes, Anna made the decision that she and Millmount Maestro will go forward to the Working Horse Championship.
Winning the Working Pony class was Ruby Johnston with Hannah Johnstone’s, Double Trouble. Hannah said: “Its going to take a while to sink in! It was a great class and we are delighted with how the showing is going. After a trial in the Autumn, we got Double Trouble at Christmas last year for Ruby to concentrate on some showing. Before this year, Ruby had done grassroots showing at our local showing club. They have now qualified for RI in the Pretty Polly Show Pony class and now HOYS in Search for a Star!” Ruby is heading into Year 11 at school. Double Trouble came from Sharon Howarth at the Carrhouse Stud.
Qualifying in second place in the Show Hunter class was Laura Payne with Julie Cameron’s, L’Di Resta. Julie also bred this handsome gelding and they have a great partnership with L’Di Resta. Julie said: “He did lots of in-hand showing including a win as a yearling at the Highland Show. He has now progressed through to the ridden classes. L’Di Resta is an Irish Draught cross Oldenburg, he was bay when he was born and also loves his jumping.” Laura added: “I used to compete my coloured retrained racehorse, Angrove Rumbaba in the Racehorse to Riding Horse series. I also took 5th place recently at the Royal Highland Show with Li’Di Resta. We are really excited about HOYS!”. Laura has been trying to qualify for Horse of the Year Show with the SEIB competitions for over 11 years, so this achievement is even more special.
Taking the second qualifying spot in the Hunters was Connemara cross, Earl Grey and Virginia Hewitt. Earl Grey is owned by Virginia’s mother, Louise Hewitt. Virginia said: “I’m over the moon with him and so pleased to have qualified! He went superb on Sunday! In the past I’ve competed in BSPS Working Hunter classes, he’s won at Cheshire County and Denby And Flintshire. However, I’ve hurt my cruciate ligament and am waiting for an operation so I’m not allowed to jump. We saw Search for a Star and decided the Show Hunter class would be our goal for the season! We were surprised at how well it went, he’s only small but he goes so well. We bought him as a three-year-old from Ireland.” Virginia is studying Fine Art at Lancaster University.
In the Riding Horse Hack class at Greenlands Lexi Mc Sherry riding, Sylvia McSherry’s chestnut, Lindeth Quote took first place. A delighted Lexi said: “I’ve always enjoyed showing – my mum and granny introduced me to it. We got Boris, as he’s known, when he was five. He’d just been in the field and its taken lots of time, we started off in-hand and recently have been to Somerford camp and we are now getting on great.” Young Lexi and Boris have also competed in Intermediate Show Riding Type and will go to TSR at Onley. Lexi is a pupil at Cockermouth High School.
Yvette Wheeler and her own chestnut mare, Banna Belize took 2nd place in the Riding Horse Hacks at Greenlands. Homebred Banna Belize is just five-years-old and was at her first ever show at Greenlands. A delighted Yvette said: “Bella competed in her first ever showing class today, and my first one for at least five years, and now we are off to HOYS! She has been to a couple of dressage and jumping shows, I’m not really a showing person but I did Search for a Star a few years ago and was placed which made me think to come today. The ride judge today loved her! Bella is very special to me, she is out of a Dutch Warmblood mare and by Up With The Lark and has lived in the same yard all her life.”
In the Show and Maxi Cob class, striking grey gelding, Darrowby Ajax took first place with his owner and rider, Carla Hainsworth. Darrowby Ajax is known as Murphy at home. Carla said: “Its been such a journey and this is just our first Search for a Star qualifier! I sent him off to be backed by a professional and they sent him back saying he is going to be difficult . Its taken a long time to get there, but he is a real people person and loves it now. We decided to try Search for a Star, but as its our first season showing thought we wouldn’t get there this year! I had a show cob 13 years ago and after he was sadly put down I then decided to get a young cob to bring on and he’s turned out to be the best ever!” Carla works as a regional manager for a care company.
Holly Charnock and Pat Armfield’s, Biddulph Buckston Bay took 2nd place in the Cobs at Greenlands. Holly said: “Pat saw him on Facebook and he was fat and scruffy but she wanted a cob so she got him! Buck is super cool and Pat is great for letting me show him. We’ve been to seven shows together and he has done plenty of hacking before this. Me and my mum have shown all our lives, mainly in mountain and moorland classes – we once did Search for a Star with my old horse, many years ago. Buck lives at Bowlers Riding School – he isn’t a school horse! I’ve just rung Mary Bowler, who is 92 now, and she is delighted we’ve qualified for HOYS! I work as a school chef and was lucky enough to take the title of School Chef of the Year in 2020. Now, I’m a judge for the series!”
Morean Hamilton’s beautiful, Rich Man Poor Man won a large and very competitive SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier with Kirstine Douglas. Rich Man Poor Man was formerly in training with top Northern trainer, Philip Kirby. Kirstine said: “He’s still maturing and gets better every year! He’s won the Great Yorkshire twice, was overall Supreme Hunter at the Royal Highland Show and has also been the Scottish Tattersalls Champion twice. This year so far he was Champion Hunter at the North East Counties Show and Champion Racehorse at the Dumfries and Galloway Show. All the racehorses are so different, they like – and cope with – different things and each one has to be treated like an individual.”
An amateur rider took runner-up spot in the Racehorse class at Greenlands; Rebecca Seery was delighted with her horse, Overland Flyer on qualifying. She said: “We’ve had him for three years and never thought he’d turn out to be this good! I got him from the Middleton Hunt and we’ve taken it slowly and he’s done plenty of hunting and dressage. It was definitely worth the waiting, he is an absolute gentleman. Previously we have done local showing and this is our first qualifier. I’ve done a bit of showing with a cob and a riding horse but this will the first time for either of us at HOYS!
In the Traditional Cob HOYS Search for a Star qualifier at Greenlands, Charlotte Harker riding Caroline Harker’s, Charlies Brown Boy took first place. Charlotte said: “My mum bought him to be her hack! She’s owned him for four years and its taken plenty of time for him to get going. We’ve only started showing this year and this was our fifth show. We will go to TOYS and then have a chilled time for the rest of the summer. I’ve competed in eventing and dressage before and we decided it would be good fun to have a go at something else.” Caroline added: “I lost my old horse and wanted a dun, when I found out his name was Charlie – the same as my old horse, I knew he was the one!” Charlotte works as a tipper truck driver.
Grace Adams riding her mother, Sarah Adams’, Phantoms Masquerade took runner-up spot. Grace at just 12-years-old is one of the youngest riders to qualify for the Traditional Cob Search for a Star finals. Sarah said: “Grace has waited until she was 12 to be able to give this class a go! Merlin sadly went on the wrong leg at the last qualifier, but they went great today! We thought we would lose Merlin a few years ago, he got peritonitis and it took two months before he responded to the medication. Grace was top overall Junior Rider at TOYS and Junior Int Best Rider at CHAPS.
Your Horse Live qualifying classes
A dun Highland Pony won the Your Horse Live qualifying Search for a Star class at Greenlands, he was Orkneyinga Norseman owned and ridden by Amanda Barton. Orkneyinga Norseman is known as Norrie at home. Amanda said: “We thought we’d give Search for a Star a go as we’ve done a bit of showing alongside some dressage – he’s qualified for the BD Area Festival. I’ve owned Norrie for a year and have had Highlands for a while. He came from Scotland and we also do plenty of hacking.” Amanda works as a Business Support Team Leader.
Welsh Section D, Peehall Prince of Bronydd, known as Odin, and Helen Jackson took the runner-up spot in the Mountain and Moorlands at Greenlands. Helen has owned Odin for just six-weeks, she said: “I set out to buy a Riding Horse but everything about Odin made me smile! I had a native cob before that I absolutely loved but he had become less keen on the show ring, he’s gone to a little girl and made her dreams come true! His name is Addien Toy Soldier and we did Search for a Star together a few years ago and also qualified for Your Horse Live. I’d like to go on and do some working hunter classes with Odin too.”
The one SEIB Search for a Star class open to all riders and not restricted to amateurs, the Open Ridden Veteran class was won by former Search for a Star Show Hunter Finalist, Silver Dream Spirit and ridden by Alanah Finlay. Silver Dream Spirit is known at home as Sylvester and is owned by John Wilson. He took 6th place at HOYS in the Search for a Star finals back in 2017, he is now eighteen-years-old. The excitement on the day for Alanah and Sylvester did not end here though; the pair also took the In-Hand Veteran class. Alanah was delighted, she said: “Sylvester was great today, I’m thrilled to be riding him! He does in-hand classes, ridden ones, and loves going on common rides.” Alanah spent three years studying Horse Care at Borders College before joining Diana Taylor’s yard. Diana continued: “We’ve had Sylvester since he was a five-year-old, Alanah helps in the yard and is a star. I also own Festive Fare who qualified in the Racehorse to Riding Horse class at the last qualifying show. He and Sylvester have been buddies for a long time!”
Taking the runner-up spot in the Open Veterans was chestnut mare Silver Mines Irish Ruby owned and ridden by Paige Tompson. Paige has owned 17-year-old Ruby since she was just four-years-old they have been away to college and university together and to different jobs around the country, from Scotland down to the Midlands. Paige said: “She went great today, we’ve competed in flat showing and workers – we started out in 15hh working hunter ponies. She loves a day out and we also do horse-trials, arena eventing and jumping.”
The SEIB Search for a Star Pony Club qualifying classes were a highlight of the day. A trial for a new training angle for the Pony Club classes at Greenlands was successfully run. Top show producer and Search for a Star judge on the day, Hannah Horton took plenty of time to offer each Pony Club rider the opportunity to have a run through of their individual show followed by feedback and tips from Hannah. After this, each combination completed their show again with Hannah judging to decide the final placings. The Lead Rein and First Ridden competitors were especially pleased with the extra help. Ali Oliver, the parent of the First Ridden winner said: “The training made the day for us, Hannah’s tips were amazing, she is a great ambassador for the series. My daughter was so chuffed to receive praise from the judge, it really encouraged her.”
Hannah Horton said: “I really enjoy helping the children, after I left school it was a choice between riding and training to be a Norland Nanny! Now, with this, I get a bit of both. We have several ponies that I produce from my yard and I am delighted to be a part of this new training side to Search for a Star, its wonderful to see the children doing so well.” Hannah herself was a HOYS Lead-Rein Champion before going on to take RIHS and HOYS championships as an adult alongside eventing to the top level.
In the Lead Rein class at Greenlands, six-year-old Dottie Tucker and her pony Thistledown Pop Idol, known as Ollie took first place. Dottie said: I really enjoyed the experience today and I’m in Cumberland Farmers North Pony Club.”
The First Ridden class went to eight-year-old, Lucy Oliver and Telaid Peter Pan, owned by Ali Oliver. They are members of the Morpeth Hunt Pony Club. Ali said: “We have done a little bit of showing before, he is the perfect pony for the first year off the lead rein and Lucy also enjoys hunting and cross country with him.”
Emilia Stone and Brynseion Montague took top place in the Open Pony Club class. Monty as this chestnut Welsh section B pony is called has been owned by Emilia’s mother Sarah Stone for two-years. Emilia said: “We are members of the East Cheshire Pony Club and I go to Lymm High School near Warrington.”
The Search for a Star In-Hand Plaited Horse and Hogged Show Cob went to Tracy Breeden and her grey Irish Draught mare, Rosehill Noirin, known as Willow. Tracy said: “My daughter Josie and I share Willow, she is only just 7, but as good as gold. We do local shows and she has won a few Irish Draught classes. Josie does working hunter, showjumping and hacking with her. A few friends said we should give Search for a Star a go and the qualifier was local so here we are! Josie did the Show Hunter class this morning on her and the judge gave her some lovely feedback!”
In the In-Hand Plaited Pony Class, grandfather, Geoff Storey took the win with his riding pony, Barkway Sansara. This nine-year-old bay mare has been competing in lead rein classes with Geoff’s granddaughter. He said: “When my first grandchild was born, I bought two pony foals. I’ve always been keen on showing. However, my granddaughter has become a bit less keen and so I’m doing some in-hand classes now. We’ve already qualified for STARS in-hand and I’m now looking forward to these finals.”
Megan Wright and her own Traditional Cob gelding, Jock Ellis won the In-Hand Native and Traditional class at Greenlands. Megan said: “We’ve been showing for two-years now. I fell in love with him when we got him as a two-year-old, Jock Ellis has so much character about him. We drive and go showing in-hand – we’ve also qualified for STARS. I’m studying for A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths and I hope to be a vet.”
The In-Hand Mountain and Moorland class went to Saffron Loasby and her Welsh Section D mare, Coldwell Victora. Saffron said: “This is our third attempt at Search for a Star, I’m delighted we’ve qualified! We came second at the last qualifier at Vale View, so I’m very pleased we came back again. She can be a bit quirky and is lightly backed and doing some hacking so this series is perfect for us now.” Saffron works as a veterinary receptionist.
The British Riding Clubs (BRC) Search for a Star class also took place at Greenlands. This class is open to members of BRC Affiliated Riding Clubs that are also amateur showing riders. The class was won by Hayley Fell and her own Appaloosa mare, Hendrefawr Razamatazz.
Hayley and India, as the mare is known, are members of the Cumbria Riding Club and have done bits and pieces of showing. Hayley said: “I really liked the look of Search for a Star as there aren't very many showing opportunities for Appaloosas. India also loves jumping and mountain rides. I’ve owned 14-year-old India for two years. Her old owner Jade Oxley came to support us at Greenlands on the day. Jade owned India for 10 years before me, between us she has her own support club. We have become friends through India! I have wanted to do Search for a Star for ages and then when we saw there was a Riding Clubs class this year - and a qualifier relatively nearby we had to come and give it a go!". Hayley works in the education department in a prison.
SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “We haven’t been to Greenlands for a few years now and what a truly wonderful day we had in Cumbria. The unique spirit of SEIB Search for a Star and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse was in full flow. Thank you to all our fabulous competitors who joined in, supported and celebrated the winners and each other. The working in was orderly and polite and our team and those at Greenlands pulled together. Thanks to Jonathan Geake for stepping in to help judge and we wish Jerome Harforth a speedy recovery.”
SEIB Search for a Star first took place back in 1996 and over the years has provided thousands of opportunities for amateur riders to compete at HOYS and hundreds to Your Horse Live with many going on to compete with success in open classes, the Dales, Champions at YHL in 2023 qualified for HOYS just last week.
Each of the SEIB Search for a Star qualifying shows offers opportunities for a full range of show horses to earn a place at the series championships at Horse of the Year Show and Your Horse Live.
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.
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ENDS
Results SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse Greenlands Equestrian Centre July 7th 2024
HOYS Qualifying classes:
Class 1 Working Pony – Double Trouble owned by Hannah Johnston and ridden by Ruby Johnston from Lancashire
Class 2 Working Horse – Millmount Maestro owned and ridden by Anna Higgins from The Isle of Man
Class 3 Show Hunter – 1st Millmount Maestro owned and ridden by Anna Higgins from The Isle of Man
Class 3 Show Hunter – 2nd L’Di Resta owned by Julie Cameron and ridden by Laura Payne from Tyne and Wear
Class 3 Show Hunter – 3rd Earl Grey owned by Louise Hewitt and ridden by Virginia Hewitt from Cheshire - qualified
Class 4 Riding Horse Hack – 1st Lindeth Quote owned by Sylvia McSherry and ridden by Lexi McSherry from Conwy
Class 4 Riding Horse Hack – 2nd Banna Belize owned and ridden by Yvette Wheeler from Cumbria
Class 5 Show and Maxi Cob – 1st Darrowby Ajax owned and ridden by Carla Hainsworth from North Yorkshire
Class 5 Show and Maxi Cob – 2nd Biddulph Buckston Bay owned by Pat Armfield and ridden by Holly Charnock from Merseyside
Class 6 Racehorse to Riding Horse – 1st Rich Man Poor Man owned by Morean Hamilton and ridden by Kirstine Douglas from Dumfries and Galloway
Class 6 Racehorse to Riding Horse – 2nd Overland Flyer owned and ridden by Isobelle Seery from Lancashire
Class 7 Traditional Gypsy Cob all colours - 1st Charlie’s Brown Boy owned by Caroline Harker and ridden by Charlotte Harker from North Yorkshire
Class 7 Traditional Gypsy Cob all colours – 2nd Phantom’s Masquerade owned by Sarah Adams and ridden by Grace Adams from West Yorkshire
Your Horse Live qualifying classes:
Class 8 Mountain and Moorland – 1st Orkneyinga Norseman owned and ridden by Amanda Barton from Co Durham
Class 8 Mountain and Moorland – 2nd Peehall Prince of Bronydd owned and ridden by Helen Jackson from West Yorkshire
Class 9 Open Ridden Veteran Horse and Pony – 1st Silver Dream Spirit owned by John Wilson and ridden by Alanah Finlay from Roxburgshire
Class 9 Open Ridden Veteran Horse and Pony – 2nd Silver Mines Irish Ruby owned and ridden by Paige Thompson from North Yorkshire
Class 10 Pony Club Lead Rein Pony – 1st Thistledown Pop Idol owned by Jane Tucker and ridden by Dotty Tucker from Cumbria
Class 11 Pony Club First Ridden Type – 1st Telaid Peter Pan owned by Ali Oliver and ridden by Lucy Oliver from Northumberland
Class 12 Pony Club Open – 1st Brynseion Montague owned by Sarah Stone and ridden by Emilia Stone from Cheshire
Class 13 Amateur In-Hand Plaited Horse including Hogged Show Cob – 1st Rosehill Noirin owned and handled by Tracy Breeden from Cumbria
Class 14 Amateur In-Hand Plaited Pony – 1st Parkway Sansara owned and handled by Geoff Storey from Cumbria
Class 15 Amateur In-Hand Traditional and Native Type – 1st Jock Ellis owned and handled by Megan Wright from Tyne and Wear
Class 16 Amateur In-Hand Veteran – 1st Silver Dream Spirit owned by John Wilson and handled by Alanah Finlay from Roxburgshire
Class 17 Amateur In-Hand Mountain and Moorland – 1st Coldwell Victoria owned and handled by Saffron Loasby from South Yorkshire
Class 18 British Riding Clubs – 1st Hendrefawr Razamatazz owned and ridden by Hayley Fell from Cumbria
