BSPS Area 7 results – SEIB Search for a Star and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse
The twenty-eighth running of SEIB Search for a Star got underway at Aston-le-Walls Eventing Centre Northamptonshire on the 22nd March.
Just two qualifying classes for this popular series took place at this early-season show: the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse, Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifier and the SEIB Still a Star, Your Horse Live (YHL) qualifier.
The BSPS Area 7 show was run by longstanding SEIB Star for a Star supporter, Louise Gaunt who was delighted to host these classes. Louise said: “My time with Search for a Star started in 2003 when I had my own lightweight cob, Stan the Man. He was placed 3rd in the finals, with the winner being Barney Rubble, whose owner is now one of my closest friends. Stan went on to win Lightweight Cob of the Year the following year.
“Nicolina MacKenzie (Search for a Star organiser) very kindly asked me to support her in a judging capacity 5 years ago, and I have been delighted to help at the shows and the clinics, and to support at the finals at HOYS and YHL. When Nicolina decided to run the classes in a different format, I couldn’t WAIT to help and host a prestigious Racehorse to Riding Class HOYS qualifier – hopefully the first of many.”
There was just the one Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket on offer in the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class at BSPS Area 7, which was judged by Jackie Beatham (conformation) and Sam DeCaprio (ride). The win went to the stunning dark bay Migration, gifted to Anthony and Georgina Andrews and Hannah Horton by the Gail Brown Racing Syndicate and ridden by Hannah Horton.
Hannah Horton rides Migration to win the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class at BSPS Area 7. See image below, accredited to Jordan Brooking.
It is just over two years since ten-year-old Migration last ran. He 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 year will mark Migration and Hannah’s third appearance in the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final following a fourth place in the 2025 championship.
Hannah said: “Migration is stronger and more mature now. He’s spent the winter having a rest and then doing plenty of hacking, now he is more established, he’s been doing less schooling. I’m delighted he’s qualified first time out as it takes the pressure off and we can enjoy the season.”
The SEIB Search for a Star, Still a Star Your Horse Live Open Veteran class is the one Search for a Star class where the Search for a Star strict amateur rules do not apply to competitors. The only requirement is that horses or ponies entered are 16-years-old and over. The winner of this qualifier at BSPS Area 7 was Katie Guy from Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire with her 24-year-old bay mare, Acordes, known at home as Izzy. Katie said: “This is unexpected and the biggest thing Izzy and I have qualified for! Still a Star has provided a great opportunity for older horses, we weren’t expecting to qualify at our first try. I had assumed we would be going to several qualifiers! I’ve owned Izzy for 19 years now, I first got her when I was at Sixth Form and she’s been there through school university and jobs and now my two-year-old son Fletcher also has a sit on her at home in his inky-dinky saddle.” This pair have competed mainly in showing and dressage over the years with plenty of fun rides along the way too. Katie works as a civil engineer.
Katie Guy takes the SEIB Search for a Star, Still a Star Your Horse Live Open Veteran class with her own 24-year-old bay mare, Acordes. See image below, accredited to Jordan Brooking.
SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse organsier, Nicolina Mackenzie of the Absolutely Genuine Company said: “It was lovely to get the season underway at a show hosted by Louise Gaunt who has contributed so much to Search for a Star over the years. Louise’s Stan the Man was a great example of how Search for a Star can help provide a spring board for success in open classes – and her more recent support with judging and attending the finals to help competitors with any last-minute nerves has been so appreciated.”
Please see the competitions hub or the SEIB Search for a Star facebook page for updates. To enter please links from the SEIB Search for a Star Facebook page. Each qualifying show has a specific Search for a Star Facebook Event set up to include all information for that event.
SEIB Insurance Brokers set up Search for a Star nearly 30 years ago, and the company is renowned for ‘putting something back’ by supporting many equestrian events and activities in addition to Search for a Star. SEIB Search for a Star and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse 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.
