The 2025 running of the SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers got off to a flying start in the wonderful setting of Hartpury College, Gloucestershire on the 13th April. Nearly 250 competitors made the most of competing in the international indoor and outdoor arenas at this leading equine College and University.
The qualifier ran the full 19 SEIB Search for a Star classes and the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class, offering qualification opportunities for both Horse of the Year Show and Your Horse Live. The day included the first ever running of two new classes, the SEIB Search for a Star In-Hand Rare, Native and Traditional Breeds qualifier and the Search for a Star In-Hand Rescue Horse or Pony.
The judging team at Hartpury included, Richard Ramsay, Samantha DeCaprio, Nicki Taylor, Louise Gaunt, Emma Jackson, Jordan Cook and Ali Tate. New judge to the series, Amanda Gomersall was welcomed on board and judged the Mountain and Moorland and Pony Club classes.
A competitive Working Pony class, judged by Richard Ramsay and Louise Gaunt went to a pony and rider at their first ever showing show together. VWH Pony Club member, Charlotte Ramage was delighted to win with her chestnut pony, Jack in the Box II. Charlotte said: “He is 18-years-old and he loved it in the ring today. He was really enthusiastic in his show as he loves showing off! We mainly compete in Pony Club and Eventing and have been to the regional championships together. Cross Country is definitely his favourite thing. It was our vet that suggested we should give Search for a Star a go and I’m so pleased we did! I didn’t think we would get placed today and we will be doing lots of practise in the run up to HOYS!”
The Show Hunter class went to pure-bred Irish Draught mare, Silver Lily of Mourne and Sophie Williams from Devon. A delighted Sophie said: “I’ve owned Lily since she was a foal and we’ve done everything together. She’s 7 now and we mainly compete in showing and go hunting on Exmoor together. Lily is one of four Irish Draught full siblings we have, I mainly show the younger ones In-Hand. This is the first time we’ve done Search for a Star, we mainly compete in local and county shows although we qualified for the London Horse Show last year and took 7th place! I work as a nurse and swapped shifts to come to the qualifier today.”
Taking the second qualifying spot in the Hunters was Rachel Hulse and her stunning dark bay gelding, Roll the Dyce at just their second ever show. Rachel said: “He was amazing today and went so well, the ride judge loved him! I’m so lucky to have Dyce, he came over from Ireland as a four-year-old to a friend, Mark Allman, who did me a really good turn in letting me buy him! I bought him about 18 months ago but he’s been out in the field for most of that time, I’ve got a little boy, Eli who is just 12 weeks old. We will go out on lots on fun rides over the summer to get Dyce, and myself properly fit. I’m determined to lose weight and do him justice at HOYS! Huge thanks as well goes to my husband Kieren for looking after Eli so I could come today.”
In the Riding Horse Hack class the win went to former dressage horse, Landin and Amber Flynn. Owned by Jennifer Whittaker, Landin has been ridden by Amber for the last six years. Amber explained: “This is so exciting, I’ve worked as a dressage yard manager for Jennifer and have been lucky to ride Landin and take him to shows. He’s 17 now and formerly competed to Prix St Georges and Small Tour in dressage. We did a few dressage shows at novice level when I was first working in the yard and more recently have been showing. I love him to pieces and he is so comfy to ride.”
Qualifying in third place in the Riding Horse Hack class was Chantel Searle riding Michaela Searle’s, Shovern Nutella. Michaela said: “We bought Nutella as a two-year-old from his breeder, Jill Web in Crediton. We bought him as a project and Chantel showed him in-hand as a three-year-old winning the In-Hand Riding Horse class at Devon County before taking the Reserve Supreme Cuddy In-Hand title at the show. They’ve also since had success in ridden classes, he’s qualified for the amateurs at Royal International and came 9th in the Riding Horses at London last year.” Chantel said: “We do it for fun and I’ve done everything with him myself. The plan is to start jumping him soon.” Chantel works as a Health and Social Care Co-ordinator for the NHS.
Charlotte Butler and Cobpuccino took runner-up spot in the Cobs at Hartpury. Charlotte said: “He gave me a cracking ride today at just our second show together! I’ve owned him since September – last weekend we qualified in the amateurs for Royal International and now HOYS! We’ve completed our season’s goals already! Cobpuccino came from a friend of a friend, I saw him at Equifest last year and fell in love with him, he is so laid back!” Charlotte works as a vet and Cobpuccino is home produced and is on DIY livery.
With 27 thoroughbreds forward for judging, the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier at Hartpury was very competitive. Judges, Ali Tate (conformation) and Jordan Cook (ride) had a busy afternoon.
First place went to Migration, gifted to Anthony and Georgina Andrews and Hannah Horton by the Gail Brown Racing Syndicate and ridden by Hannah Horton. It is just over a year since Nine-year-old Migration las ran. This stunning bay gelding was in training with David Menuisier for whom he won over £200,000 in win and place money, including winning the Lincoln Handicap in 2023.
This pair qualified for the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse HOYS final in 2024. Hannah explained: “Migration is such an amazing character, to have already been to HOYS and now to have qualified again first time out when he only finished racing a year ago shows how special he is. He is so laid back and really enjoys the show ring. We will also compete in some novice hack classes this season. I’m delighted Georgina and Anthony have another really good horse.”
Amateur rider, Rebecca Court took 2nd place in the Racehorse to Riding Horse class at Hartpury with Diana Taylor’s, Festive Fare. Rebecca and Fletcher as the horse is known are in their second season together in the show ring. The pair took 7th place in the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse HOYS finals in 2024 and will be looking to improve on that this time. Rebecca said: “He is brilliant! We will now be off to the Hickstead Derby meeting and we’ll look to qualify for HOYS in the lightweight hunter final having also qualified as a lightweight in 2024. Fletcher was in training with Charlie Appleby for Godolphin and came to Diana through the Godolphin Lifetime Care scheme. He ran nine times from Charlie’s yard and was placed in the Group 3 Winter Derby Trial. Fletcher is by Teofilio and his dam was a half-sister to Group 1 winner Dishaan. He earned a total of £63,000 in win and place money and won his first three starts as a two-year-old. He’s thirteen now.”
In the Traditional Gypsy Cob HOYS Search for a Star qualifier at Hartpury the class went to Tulyrogg Black Opal ridden by Sophie Spencer and owned by Vikki Eastwood. Poppy as this mare is known at home, is six-years-old. Sophie said: “Poppy went great today, I’m lost for words to have qualified! She took to the ring so well, we absolutely winged it and I didn’t expect to win. We came down from Lym (in Cheshire) today with an in-hand pony to show and thought as it’s a long way we’d bring Poppy too to have a go. Poppy is by her owner, Vikki’s stallion, San Clear Cardinal, out of her friend, Lynn Hughes traditional mare. Vikki liked Poppy and bought her as a foal. I used to showjump but broke my back twice and now I’m really enjoying doing this.” Sophie works as a dog groomer.
Libby Biggar riding Rachael Biggar’s cob, Preto took runner-up spot in the Traditional Gypsy Cob class to secure HOYS qualification. Libby said: “She went very well today, we’ve taken first in a few local shows so decided to give Search for a Star a go. We’ve owned her for three years – she arrived for Christmas.” Mum Rachael explained: “It was tricky to keep her a secret Christmas present! I’ve got four children and I bought her as she had a quiet, kind eye.” Libby added: “I didn’t expect to win so soon as getting everything to come together was our main aim today.” Libby is a pupil at Worden High School in Leyland.
Your Horse Live qualifying classes
Welsh Section C pony, Rhydypandy Modonna and his rider, Chelsey Furze took top spot in the Your Horse Live qualifying Mountain and Moorland class at Hartpury. Owned by Pat Kaye this lovely chestnut pony has been on full loan to Chelsey since he was a yearling. Chelsey said: “He went amazingly today, it’s a super result for us! I’ve done everything myself with him and we also compete in dressage together. I’m really excited about going to Your Horse Live, I went there when I was a student and it will be great to go back!”
Wishaw Ellie May and Sarah Hobbs took runner-up spot in the Mountain and Moorland ridden class. This Welsh Section D mare and Sarah qualified for the Your Horse Live final in this class last year. Sarah explained: “The Search for a Star judges offer really constructive feedback. When we went to Your Horse Live last year it didn’t go to plan and Mathew Lawrence and Katie Jerram-Hunnable gave me some great pointers which helped my confidence. We really enjoyed the class today and she wasn’t phased at all – it was definitely worth the early start. I’ve owned Ellie May since she was a yearling and she’s entirely home produced. I work for the NHS as a Theatre Team Leader which involves long days and night shifts and I have to manage my time carefully to fit in Ellie May and my family too!”
The one SEIB Search for a Star class open to all riders and not restricted to amateurs, the Open Ridden Veteran class had a total of 19 veteran horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes forward. The class was judged by Richard Ramsay and Jordan Cook. The win went to Jill Wormall’s Tri-Coloured gelding, Colour Coded. Jill said: “He’s like a bottle of wine – he just gets better as he gets older! He was just foot-perfect in there! He still thinks he’s a five-year-old and just doesn’t change!” Colour Coded is seventeen-years-old now, Jill added: “He has won the coloured class at most of the county shows across the country! Including, the Great Yorkshire, and Royal International!”
The runner-up in the Open-Veteran class was nine-year-old Georgia Reynolds with her 17-year-old Welsh Section B gelding, Moelgarnedd Arthur. Georgia said: “Our hopes were high for today! We’ve had Artie since January and we do showing and dressage together, we said we’d try Search for a Star and I’m so pleased we did!” Georgia and Artie are members of the Monmouthshire Pony Club.
The SEIB Search for a Star Pony Club qualifying classes followed a popular Search for a Star Train and Shine Pony Club Masterclass carried out by top producer and Search for a Star judge, Emma Jackson. The Masterclass gave the opportunity for the children entered in Pony Club Search for a Star at Hartpury to come forward before their classes and have a run through of the go-round and then carry out a trial show with instruction and pointers from Emma before going into their class proper.
In the Lead Rein Pony Club Search for a Star class at Hartpury, four-year-old rider, Mollie Warner and her Section A pony, Waitwith Windfall won and took the Your Horse Live qualifying ticket. Waitwith Windfall is known as Woody at home, he is 17-years-old and owned by Amanda Nevin. Mollie said: “The trotting was my favourite part today, and our sash!” Mollie’s mum added: “We’ve had Woody for a couple of months and we couldn’t have found a better first pony.” Mollie and Woody are members of the Ledbury Hunt Pony Club.
The First Ridden class went to Welsh Section C, Gurnos Welsh Curious George and 11-year-old Molly Thould for the Crickhowell and District Pony Club. Molly said: “We’ve had George for a year and a half, we do everything together including showjumping, arena eventing, dressage, fun rides and camp.” This pair have competed in showing locally and took 2nd place in this qualifier at Hartpury last year. Molly is a pupil at Ranby House School in Nottingham.
Jessica Carter and Rhydypandy Tom Jones form the Grove Pony Club took top spot in the Open Pony Club class at Hartpury. Jessica said: “We’ve owned Tom Jones for two years, we’ve been to pony club camp and rallies. We also qualified for the Royal International Horse Show last year in the 133cm working hunter pony class.” Jessica competed and qualified for the Search for a Star Your Horse Live championship last year as well with her Appaloosa pony, Henry.
The Search for a Star In-Hand Plaited Horse and Hogged Show Cob went to Lilian Vaughan Thomas from Haverfordwest and her own 11-year-old chestnut gelding, Moyglen Gold, known at home as, Parker. Lilian said: “I’m gobsmacked to have won this! I show my young horses in-hand but this is something different. I’ve owned Parker since he was five-years-old.”
The new Search for a Star Rare, Traditional and Native Breeds In-Hand class proved to be a fabulous showcase for these horses and ponies. Among the 13 entries forward in the class there were Traditional Gypsy Cobs, a British Percheron, a Cleveland Bay and a Fell pony. The class was won by three-year-old Cleveland Bay, Bahain Terminator and his owner and handler, Emily Fisher. Arnie as this stunning gelding is known, was bought by Emily from a photo when he was just nine-months-old. Emily said: “I love the Cleveland Bay breed, they are so versatile and if they trust you they’ll give you all they’ve got. I do a lot to promote the Cleveland Bay breed and saw this new Search for a Star class so thought why not come along! Arnie has absorbed he atmosphere here today, we will break him in next year. Cleveland Bay’s take a long time to mature and its lovely to have the chance to come out to show people the breed. Cleveland Bay’s are on the Rare Breeds Critical list, if we don’t support the breeders, the Cleveland Bay breed will die out.”
In the In-Hand amateur Veteran class, the win went to Emma Knight and 20-year-old, Newoak Allspice. Emma said: “We’ve owned Spice since she was a five-year-old, over the years we’ve shown her as a Part-bred Arab. She’s won at Devon County and been champion at Honiton Show and the North Devon Show. Spice was bred by Joyce Newberry at the New Oak Stud. Now her main job is to be a leader for our Point to Pointers at home. She helped a lot with a horse called Road to Success several years ago – he went on to win.”
The In-Hand Mountain and Moorland class went to Alexandra Whitell and her Fell pony, Kalmara Felicity. Alexandra said: “I had no expectations today but I’m delighted! I bought her a year ago as a companion having never had hairy ponies before. We went to a few shows last year and came 3rd at Devon County, 2nd at Royal Cornwall and 1st at the Kingsbridge Show. She’s ridden at home and ideally one day we will show her under saddle. Felicity loves going to the beach!” Alexandra works as an estate agent.
The British Riding Clubs (BRC) Search for a Star class also took place at Hartpury. This class is open to members of BRC Affiliated Riding Clubs that are also amateur showing riders. The class was won by Stacey Mitchell and her Fell pony, Ancaladh Wilf. Stacey said: “He went really well today and did everything asked of him. We mainly compete in working hunter classes although we qualified for the Search for a Star Mountain and Moorland championship at Your Horse Live a few years ago and we’ve also competed at the London International Horse Show. Wilf has a varied life and enjoys arena eventing as well. I’ve owned him for four years.” Stacey is a member of the Lakes Riding Club in Cumbria.
Eight rescue horses and ponies came forward for the inaugural Search for a Star In-Hand Rescue Horse or Pony class. Run in association with the Rescue Equine Showing Society, this class is an exciting addition to he Search for a Star series. Dartmoor pony, Storm Cloud was the winner of the class. He was exhibited by fourteen-year-old Lucia Carruthers from Truro. Storm Cloud is owned by Lucia’s mum, Kerry Carruthers. Lucia said: “I’m so proud of him today and really proud of the progress he has made.” Kerry continued: “Storm Cloud came in on the drift from Dartmoor when he was six months old and on realising his poor condition, the Mare and Foal Sanctuary took him into their care. The sanctuary were so honest about him when we went to see him which was great as it meant we knew what we were taking on. We have to really respect his space. Both Storm Cloud and Lucia have helped each other out. Lucia has autism and a visual impairment – they’ve both needed each other over the last few years.” Lucia added: “He will stay with us forever, I’m too tall to ride him now but we will continue showing in-hand.”
SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “What a start to the season for Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse. There was such a positive atmosphere at Hartpury and the standard of horses and ponies coming forward was fabulous to see. The new Search for a Star In-Hand Rescue Horse and Pony class got off to a tremendous start, we are delighted to be working with Cathy Hyde at the Rescue Equine Showing Society. We were also delighted to see a Cleveland Bay winning the new Rare, Native and Traditional Breeds class. Anything we can do to showcase these breeds and help protect their future is great for everyone concerned.”
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 with many going on to compete with success in open classes.
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 Hartpury 13th April 2025.
HOYS Qualifying classes:
Class 1 Working Pony – Jack in the Box II owned by Jo Ramage and ridden by Charlotte Ramage from Wiltshire
Class 2 Working Horse – Ceide Finn owned and ridden by Danielle McDowell from Wiltshire
Class 3 Show Hunter – 1st Silver Lily of Mourne owned by Maria Williams and ridden by Sophie Williams from Devon
Class 3 Show Hunter – 2nd Roll the Dyce owned and ridden by Rachel Hulse from Staffordshire
Class 4 Riding Horse Hack – 1st Landin owned by Jennifer Whittaker and ridden by Amber Flynn from Lancashire
Class 4 Riding Horse Hack – 3rd Shovern Nutella owned by Michaela Searle and ridden by Chantel Searle from Devon
Class 5 Show and Maxi Cob – 1st Lady Woods Cracker owned and ridden by Lisa Marshall from East Yorkshire
Class 5 Show and Maxi Cob – 2nd Cobpuccino owned and ridden by Charlotte Butler from Staffordshire
Class 6 Racehorse to Riding Horse – 1st Migration owned by the Gail Brown Racing Syndicate and gifted to Anthony and Georgina Andrews and Hannah Horton and ridden by Hannah Horton from Hampshire
Class 6 Racehorse to Riding Horse – 2nd Festive Fare owned by Diana Taylor and ridden by Rebecca Court from London
Class 7 Traditional Gypsy Cob all colours - 1st Tulyrogg Black Opal owned by Vikki Eastwood and ridden by Sophie Spencer from Cheshire
Class 7 Traditional Gypsy Cob all colours – 2nd Preto owned by Rachael Biggar and ridden by Libby Biggar from Lancashire
Your Horse Live qualifying classes:
Class 8 Mountain and Moorland – 1st Rhydypandy Modonna owned by Pat Kaye and ridden by Chelsey Furze from West Sussex
Class 8 Mountain and Moorland – 2nd Wishaw Ellie May owned and ridden by Sarah Hobbs from Staffordshire
Class 9 Open Ridden Veteran Horse and Pony – 1st Colour Coded owned and ridden by Jill Wormall from Leicestershire
Class 9 Open Ridden Veteran Horse and Pony – 2nd Moelgarnedd Arthur owned and ridden by Georgia Reynolds from Monmouthshire
Class 10 Pony Club Lead Rein Pony – 1st Waitwith Windfall owned by Amanda Nevin and ridden by Mollie Warner from Herefordshire
Class 11 Pony Club First Ridden Type – 1st Gurnos Welsh Curious George owned by Lauren Thould and ridden by Molly Thould from Monmouthshire
Class 12 Pony Club Open – 1st Rhydypandy Tom Jones owned by Rebecca Carter and ridden by Jessica Carter from South Yorkshire
Class 13 Amateur In-Hand Plaited Horse including Hogged Show Cob – 1st Moyglen Gold owned and handled by Lilian Vaughan-Thomas from Pembrokeshire
Class 15 Amateur In-Hand Rare Breeds, Traditional and Native Type – 1st Bahain Terminator owned and handled by Emily Fisher from Devon
Class 16 Amateur In-Hand Veteran – 1st Newoak Allspice owned by Sarah Trott and handled by Emma Knight from Devon
Class 17 Amateur In-Hand Mountain and Moorland – 1st Kalmara Felicity owned by Alexandra and Karen Whitell and handled by Alexandra Whitell from Devon
Class 18 British Riding Clubs – 1st Ancaladh Wilf owned and ridden by Stacey Mitchell from Cumbria
Class 20 In-Hand Rescue Horse & Pony – 1st Storm Cloud owned by Kerry Carruthers and handled by Lucia Carruthers from Cornwall