Following the success of the recent trial for Train and Shine in Pony Club SEIB Search for a Star at Greenlands Equestrian Centre, the scheme is being rolled out at each of the remaining Search for a Star qualifiers this season.
Train and Shine allows competitors in each of the three Pony Club Search for a Star classes the chance to receive a ridden ‘Masterclass’ session from one of the Search for a Star team of top showing professionals at each Pony Club Search for a Star qualifier ahead of going into the ring.
The Train and Shine Masterclasses will take place on the dates and venues below. The Search for a Star Pony Club Classes at each venue will be preceded by the ridden Masterclass for each competitor.
Thursday 1st August 2024 at Arena UK, Allington Lane, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 2EF – courtesy of Equifest.
Saturday 17th August 2024 courtesy of The Pony Club Championships at Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire CV33 9AR.
Bank Holiday Monday 26th August 2024 at Hartpury College, Hartpury House, Gloucester, GL19 3BE.
The Search for a Star Pony Club Masterclass sessions this season will be carried out by top showing professionals; Mr Richard Ramsay, Hannah Horton and Dena King;
Mr Richard Ramsay is a lifelong showing professional, he has motivated and inspired thousands of competitors throughout his career with his incredible support, knowledge and wealth of experience. Richard has won many Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) titles, from competing champions in the ring himself to breeding the 2004 Supreme Champion, Soldier Brave. Richard has been an integral part of the SEIB Search for a Star series for well over 20 years now.
Hannah Horton is one of Britain’s leading young show riders, she has won many HOYS titles, including the Lead-Rein Pony of the Year title back when she was just five-years-old. Hannah, along with her parents, now runs a successful showing and eventing yard. Hannah has produced many HOYS and RIHS champions alongside competing up to advanced level eventing. One of Hannah’s particular specialities is the strong rapport she has with her younger clients, helping them and their ponies get the most out of their showring experiences. Hannah has for several years now put her energies into helping amateur riders get into showing through giving her time supporting competitors and judging at Search for a Star qualifiers.
Dena King was a Pony Club member from her lead-rein days with the Garth and South Berks through to eighteen-years-old when she was a member of the Meynell and South Staffs branch. Dressage, showjumping and Showing were Dena’s favourites and she soon moved forward helping others by teaching at junior camp, examining for D and C tests before going on to produce children's ponies for lead-rein and first ridden classes, both show ponies and mountain and moorlands. Dena has produced novice ponies from unbroken to national winners and now many years later she is the proud owner of a National winning maxi cob ridden by a current Search for a Star judge and past finals winner Jordan Cook.
Following the Train and Shine trial at Greenlands Equestrian Centre carried out by Hannah Horton, 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 we 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 and I’m looking forward to being involved in the new initiative going forward.”
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 entry page on Showing Scene.
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