Entries are now open for qualifying competitions for the brand new SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star In-Hand Rescue Horse and Pony Class. The Search for a Star team are delighted to be working with the Rescue Equine Showing Society (RESS) in running this new class with its exciting championship final at Your Horse Live this November.
In-Hand Search for a Star Rescue Horse and Pony consists of six nationwide qualifiers with one combination qualifying at each venue. The class is open to amateur handlers with their rescued horses or ponies aged three-years-old and above. Horses or ponies entered must be shown in a bridle with a bit, a coupling is recommended but not obligatory. The history of the rescue horse or pony is required on entering and criteria will be checked by the Rescue Equine Showing Society.
The Founder and Chair of RESS, former RSPCA Chief Inspector, Cathy Hyde said: “We are excited that RESS will be a part of Search for a Star. We really want RESS to give rescue horses and ponies the opportunity to shine and to demonstrate how successful they can be. We also want to highlight the work of the rescuers and those that take on the task of rehabilitating the equines that have been subjected to cruelty and neglect. Ideally it will also encourage people to consider adopting from the equine charities.”
SEIB Search for a Star organiser Nicolina MacKenzie said: “We are delighted to be working with RESS and in a position to provide opportunities to the many horses and ponies across the UK that after going through difficult times are now able to enjoy getting out into the showring. Hopefully Search for a Star will also help provide recognition for the hard work that goes into rehabilitating these very special horses and ponies.”
Now licensed from SEIB by the Absolutely Genuine company, 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 2025 SEIB Search for a Star In-Hand Rescue Horse and Pony qualifying shows will take place at:
Sunday 13th April 2025 at Hartpury College, Hartpury House, Gloucester, GL19 3BE.
Sunday 25th May 2025 at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ – courtesy of The Showing Register (TSR) Championship.
Sunday 15th June 2025 at Pickering Grange Equestrian, Grange Farm, Pickering, Ellistown Terrace Rd, Ellistown, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 1EZ.
Sunday 6th July 2025 at Greenlands Equestrian Centre, Wreay, Carlisle, CA4 0RR.
Wednesday 6th August 2025 at Arena UK, Allington Lane, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 2EF – courtesy of Equifest.
The 2025 SEIB Search for a Star Rescue Horse and Pony Championships:
Friday 7th to Sunday 9th November 2024 at Your Horse Live, Stoneleigh Park, SEIB Search for a Star and SEIB Still a Star Championships.
The SEIB Search for a Star judges and stewards will be on hand to help and mentor all competitors at qualifying shows.
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.
ENDS
Photo: World Horse Welfare Paolo and his handler Grace Willis win an In-Hand SEIB Search for a Star qualifier and take their Your Horse Live ticket back in 2022. Credit SMR Photography.