The second qualifier of the 2025 running of SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse took place at the prestigious venue of Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on the 25th May. Over 200 competitors came forward amid blustery conditions on the day.
The qualifier ran the full 19 SEIB Search for a Star classes offering qualification opportunities for both Horse of the Year Show and Your Horse Live. The Stoneleigh Park SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifying class ran as an amateur only competition. The judging team at Stoneleigh included, Richard Ramsay, Samantha DeCaprio, Nicki Taylor, Louise Gaunt, Jordan Cook and Hannah Horton.
Welsh rider, Hannah Jenkins and her own striking grey, Le Paz took the Working Horse class in style. This pair narrowly missed out on qualification last month when they took runner up spot in the qualifier at Hartpury University. Hannah explained: “Hartpury was originally the only qualifier I could do, I work as an intensive care nurse and after we came second there, I thought I’m going to have to try again now and managed to swap my shifts around so we could come here today! Balou came to me on loan from my best friend who bred him. I had twin boys and she knew I got on with Balou and wanted to help me get back in the saddle so he came to stay and has never left. I’ve now owned him since last summer. I love him to bits!”
A competitive Working Pony class, judged by Sam DeCaprio and Louise Gaunt went to Dartmoor Pony, Scotgate Spot On, owned by Sarah Stone and ridden by Emilia Stone. A delighted Emilia said: “He’s been a bit cheeky at the last few shows so we were hoping he’d be happy to be here today! I came to Search for a Star last year and got to the Your Horse Live finals in the Pony Club class so we though we’d come back this year and try a HOYS qualifying class!” Sarah said: “We’re moving to France in August for my husband’s job so we will have to make a plan now for HOYS! We won’t be able to take our ponies there and will be living in central Paris. We will ride at the Ecole Militaire – the Military College - near the Eiffel Tower!”
Taking runner-up spot in the Show Hunters to qualify, were Alica Kent riding Jo Richardson’s bay mare, Whistle. Alice said: “The standard was really high at Stoneleigh and I’m so pleased we qualified for HOYS! Whistle’s owner and breeder Jo rang me this time last year to see if I’d be keen to take her to some shows. Whistle had previously been hunting with Jo’s son up in North Yorkshire with the Middleton, the Heythrop and the Crawley and Horsham. She then came back home to Jo in Sussex and had no job to do – Jo knows I have an RoR I show as well, so off we went. We take Whistle over to Lynn Russell each week for a lesson and last year we qualified for the Royal International and London Horse Show. I’d overlooked Search for a Star a bit as I went to HOYS in 2011 in the Working Hunter Ponies when I was 19. I checked the rules though and we realised I am now eligible to compete in Search for a Star. We are trying to progress with Whistle and Search for a Star will hopefully be a great stepping stone and give us some more experience to hopefully step up to some open classes next year.”
The second qualifying place in the Hunter class went to James Johnson riding Marion Clarke’s homebred bay gelding, Angeleno. James said: “It was a lovely surprise to qualify! We decided to give showing a go last season and concentrated on some local shows before qualifying for the London Horse Show, where we were unplaced. Several people have said to me to go for the London qualifiers and then Search for a Star as the best ways to gain experience and improve in the show ring. One of the best bits of the day at Search for a Star was the feedback and tips on how to improve from Richard Ramsay and Sam DeCaprio. Search for a Star seems very open to horse people that have experience in disciplines other than showing. I mainly concentrate on showjumping and breeding. It’s nice to have horses that will do everything; Angeleno has just really started jumping and the showing has improved his flatwork. We’ll get out jumping more over the summer and also do some working hunter classes too.”
In the Riding Horse Hack class, dressage rider, Benjamin St John James took first place with his homebred, Devils Advocate. Banjamin said: “I’ve never been showing before this season. This is our fourth show together and the atmosphere here is great. Dexter, as he’s known at home, was very relaxed in the ring today. He’s competed to Advanced Medium in dressage and we’re both really enjoying the opportunity to do something different. The people are lovely and helpful and there is plenty of guidance and support on offer. I specialise in young dressage horses and I’m definitely now planning to get more of my horses out showing. Dexter is learning so much and showing is helping him gain in confidence; I’m really proud of him.”
Sarah Sharp and her own, Lissyegan Trendy took second place in the Riding Horse Hack class at Stoneleigh. Sarah said: “We took fourth place at the Hartpury Search for a Star last month and have been working and training really hard since to improve! One of the judges here today was the same as at Hartpury and they remembered him and commented that he is looking so much better. I bought him last year to show, we’ve taken it slowly. I used to own a large hack and took him to Search for a Star several times but it didn’t work out and we went and did dressage instead. I missed showing and got Lissyegan Trendy to get back into it. My dad is terminally ill so I just hope he is still around to see us at HOYS.”
Samatha Bowman and five-year-old Darrowby Darius took second place in the Cobs at Stoneleigh. Samatha said: “I was hoping to qualify today and he went great! This is the first time we’ve done Search for a Star, he was broken in in January and we’ve been to a few shows so far. I bought him unseen from Ireland last October – I was looking for a Welsh Cob and saw Darius on Facebook. He ticked all the boxes so I paid the man the money and hoped for the best! I’m hoping we’ll be able to compete in Open classes in time and at the same time enjoy him. He hacks out loves poles and my 12-year-old daughter rides him too.” Samantha works at a Software Company heading up support.
The SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier at Stoneleigh was the one qualifier of the season for this series that is open solely to amateur riders. At each other qualifier amateurs and open riders compete alongside each other. This new amateur only class was introduced in 2023 to help encourage and support amateur riders and their thoroughbred ex-racehorses. The SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship has been won for the past two years by amateur ridden and produced horses.
Taking first place at Stoneleigh was Maisie Bush and her imposing bay gelding, Joe Warbrick. A delighted Maisie said: “We came here today to have a go, it’s the first HOYS qualifier we’ve been to. He’s a lovely horse and I know his breeder who also owned him throughout his racing days. He was in training with Neil Mulholland and we also have Joe’s mum in the field at home – she’s 25-years-old now. We’ll do a few more shows over the summer – he’s already qualified for Hickstead and Aintree.” Maisie works as a groom.
In the Traditional Gypsy Cob HOYS Search for a Star qualifier at Stoneleigh, the class went to Chelsey’s Opal Spirit ridden by Izzy Little and owned by Daniela Randino. Izzy said: “We gave it a go today – our best placing previously in Search for a Star was 5th! I’ve got her on loan from Daniela and have had her since last September. We’ve mainly done in-hand showing.” Daniela added: “Izzy has doendone all the work. Opal was a bit like a Ferrari to start with and Izzy has really got to grips with her over the past 7 or 8 months and now it’s all really coming together. They were 5th at Hartpury last month and they’ve really improved since.” Izzy continued: “We’re booked in to go to Thetford Forest, I expect Opal will really enjoy riding in the forest and on the beach. She always tries her hardest.”
Bethany Jones and Height End’s Quiet Man took runner-up spot in the Traditional Gypsy Cob class to secure HOYS qualification. Bethany said: “He loves showing although he will turn his hoof to anything! We did Search for a Star last year and enjoyed it but we were down the line. When we bought Blaze, we were looking for a Welsh Section C and came back with him!” Blaze must be one of the fittest equines at the show at Stoneleigh, Bethany continued: “Blaze has got a busy couple of weeks coming up. He pulls a wagon and he will drive us the 100 miles from Lancashire to Appleby Horse fair. It’ll take 5 days to get there and he’ll rest for the three days we will be at the fair and then 5 days back home again.”
Your Horse Live qualifying classes
Fell pony, Brackenbank Flicka and her owner and rider, Jessica Everill had a day to remember at Stoneleigh. The pair got off to a flying start winning the ridden Mountain and Moorland Your Horse Live qualifier before coming back in to the ring for the In-Hand Mountain and Moorland and In-Hand Rare, Native and Traditional breeds and winning both of those too! Jessica said: “Three classes and three wins today! I’m so delighted with her and amazed at how well we’ve done. Flicka is 11-years-old now, we did well in Search for a Star back in 2021 when we took 3rd place in the Your Horse Live Mountain and Moorland championship. I bought her to do everything with, when I went to see her she came back with me the same day. We’ve twice ridden in front of the Queen in the parade of Fells at Windsor and this year at the Royal Windsor Show we took 6th place in the Fells, Dales and Highlands. I run a therapy ponies business, we have miniature Shetland ponies and go to hospices, care homes and rehabilitation clinics with them. One day in the future, Flicka might do therapy for adults.”
Four-year-old Highland gelding, Valerock Maverick and Olivia Kohl took the runner-up spot in the ridden Mountain and Moorland class. Owned by Olivia’s mother, Louise Kohl, Big Mav as this stunning Highland is known was backed last Autumn before heading out to the showring this season. Olivia said: “We’ve been taking it a bit more seriously with him the last few moths after we lightly backed him last September. His temperament is beyond great and he is fabulous. We’ve had him since he was a yearling.” Louise added: “This is the fourth time someone in our family has qualified for Your Horse Live! We love the Search for a Star atmosphere and the feedback from the judges is so useful. I’m really proud of Olivia especially as she is still only 17!”
The one SEIB Search for a Star class open to all riders and not restricted to amateurs, the Still a Star Open Ridden Veteran class was won by the stunning Gallifrey, ridden by Lynn Russell and owned by Carole West. Lynn said: “He’s 19 now, he’s been there and done it and has nothing left to prove. We don’t do too much with him now as I’d hate to see him not enjoying it. He’s been with us since he was three and has always lived out. It gets harder when they get older and we need to really watch his weight and keep it off. I’m having a great time at the moment with my Showtime Group training amateur riders. They have been out being very successful recently which is great to see.” Lynn and Gallifrey were the 2024 SEIB Search for a Star Still a Star champions at Your Horse Live.
The runners-up in the Open-Veteran class 16-year-old, Coral Colour and Francesca Dance were at their first ever show. Francesca explained: “I want to do riding for my PE GCSE but I’m not that keen on jumping so we decided to come along today and give showing a go to see if it would be a fit – and it is! Everybody at Search for a Star has been helpful and friendly. When we were in the ring it all felt right and we had a good horse and rider dynamic. I’ve really enjoyed it today.” Francesca and Coral Colour also took second place in the Pony Club Open Search for a Star class on the day.
The three SEIB Search for a Star Pony Club qualifying classes at Stoneleigh had some great entries forward. The order of the classes was changed from other qualifying shows to avoid a clash with the Open Pony Club class and the Still a Star Open Veteran class.
First up were the Pony Club Open ponies, nine entries came forward for judges Sam DeCaprio and Hannah Horton. The class was won by Alice Taylor of the South Oxfordshire Hunt Central branch of the Pony Club and the lovely coblet, Rising Phoenix. 10-year-old Alice said: “The gallop today was my favourite bit! We also do lots of showjumping and team events at Pony Club.” Arti, as Rising Phoenix is known at home, had a fan club out in force to watch on the day at Stoneleigh. His previous owner Lara Cigsar had come along to watch, Lara explained: “We got Arti when he was three and he went to Alice three years ago. I haven’t been able to see him since then. Its brilliant to see him looking so happy and well.”
The First Ridden class went to Georgie Birch from the West Lancashire Pony Club and her pony, Kinoulton General. Georgie and Major, as the pony is known, compete in lots of Pony Club activities including hacking and jumping. They have also done some Working Hunter Pony classes. Georgie said: “Major did great cantering today and the judge was super friendly!” Georgie is a pupil at Ashbridge Independent School.
In the Lead Rein Pony Club Search for a Star class at Stoneleigh, Sonnett Jenkins and her Shetland pony, Blackertor Denman took first place. Denman is owned by Stephanie Chaplin who said: “I bought him when I was six-months pregnant with Sonnett and we went showing in hand. Denman is now 7 and Sonnett is 6. They are starting to practise going off the lead rein, they trot everywhere together and are the best of friends! To qualify is a wish come true!” Sonnett is a member of the Hambledon Hunt North Pony Club.
The Search for a Star In-Hand Plaited Horse and Hogged Show Cob went to Jessica Davenport and her grey mare, Ballyroan Cloudy Sky. Gloria as this mare is known is owned by Ann Cullwick. Jessica said: “This was our first ever In-Hand showing class, we’ve done ridden Working Hunter and did the Working Horse class this morning. We decided we’d give the In-Hand a go too as we were here already. I’ve had Gloria for the last three-years and over that time we’ve won at Equifest in Working Cob and we were 2nd at Three Counties. Gloria also loves unaffiliated One-Day-Events and she is now 7-years-old. I work at Corner House Equine Vets.”
In the In-Hand amateur Veteran class, the win went to Bria Corr and Woodcroft Skyfall from Surrey. Bria said: “Sky is really my mum’s horse but she’s had a bad back and hasn’t been able to ride him so she has let me steal him so he isn’t wasted. He is a really anxious horse and its taken a long time to gain his trust. We’ve had him since he was four and he is now 17! We qualified for Olympia in the Rising Stars Riding Horse class last year and hopefully we will make it to another Search for a Star qualifier in the ridden veterans this season.”
The British Riding Clubs (BRC) Search for a Star class is open to members of BRC Affiliated Riding Clubs that are also amateur showing riders. The class at Stoneleigh was won by Hannah White and her lovely gelding, Delamere Kaleidoscope. This pair are members of the South Shropshire Riding Club and Denman Kaleidoscope, known as Doris, is owned by Helen White. Hannah said: “Doris is 15 now and we’ve owned her for 12 years. She really is a good girl but was on her toes and really went for it today! Over the years we’ve done showing, dressage and side-saddle. I moved house about 18 months ago and joined the Riding Club to get to know other horse people in the area. We also did the Search for a Star qualifier at Hartpury but were unplaced, today went much better!” Hannah works in Insurance on projects and programmes.
RSPCA Jerry and Paul Charnley won the Rescue Equine Showing Society, Search for a Star In-Hand Rescue Horse and Pony Your Horse Live qualifier at Stoneleigh. Four-year-old RSPCA Jerry is showing in hand with his handler Paul to get out and about.
Paul explained: “Jerry came to the RSPCA as part of a dog-rescue that was carried out in lockdown. The RSPCA were investigating two containers; when they opened up one there were 20 dogs inside, and in the other they found two ponies, Tom and Jerry. Sadly, Tom didn’t make it and had to be put down but the RSPCA did a fantastic job with Jerry and we have now owned him for one year. Prior to rehoming Jerry, we got RSPCA George back in 2020. My son Theo and George have had brilliant success together in the dressage arena. They have won 26 different dressage championships together. What I love the most about the story is that the money Theo and George won at the British Dressage Winter Championships paid for Jerry’s RSPCA adoption fee.”
“We’d never done showing before and its proving brilliant for getting Jerry out to see the world In-Hand. We’re currently breaking him in and he is loving being ridden too. The plan is for Theo to start doing some dressage on him when he is ready.”
George is just 12hh and Theo has now outgrown him and so the pair are embarking on a driving career together, ensuring he stays with the Charnley family. Paul continued: “The driving means that even though Theo is too big for George there is still something great they can do together – they went to Windsor Show driving just a few weeks ago. In time it is what we plan to do with Jerry as well.”
SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “It’s been fabulous to see so many horses and ponies that did well at our qualifier at Hartpury last month come back again today and do even better – some of them even gaining Horse of the Year Show qualifications. Search for a Star is all about the journey and learning and improving over time. Our team of judges and stewards are all invested in providing support and encouragement to help competitors and their horses and ponies perform to the best level they can.”
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
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Results SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse Stoneleigh Park 2025.
HOYS Qualifying classes:
Class 1 Working Pony – Scotgate Spot On owned by Sarah Stone and ridden by Emilia Stone from Cheshire
Class 2 Working Horse – LePaz owned and ridden by Hannah Jenkins from Pembrokeshire
Class 3 Show Hunter – 2nd Whistle owned by Jo Richardson and ridden by Alice Kent from West Sussex
Class 3 Show Hunter – 3rd Angeleno owned by Marion Clarke and ridden by James Johnson from Devon
Class 4 Riding Horse Hack – 1st Devils Advocate owned and ridden by Benjamin St John James from Hampshire
Class 4 Riding Horse Hack – 2nd Lissyegan Trendy owned and ridden by Sarah Sharp from Bedfordshire
Class 5 Show and Maxi Cob – 1st Clononey Ruby owned and ridden by Charlotte Walker from Surrey
Class 5 Show and Maxi Cob – 2nd Darrowby Darius owned and ridden by Samantha Bowman from Leicestershire
Class 6 Racehorse to Riding Horse – 1st Joe Warbrick owned and ridden by Maisie Bush from Somerset
Class 7 Traditional Gypsy Cob all colours - 1st Chelsey’s Opal Spirit owned by Daniela Randino and ridden by Izzy Little from Warwickshire
Class 7 Traditional Gypsy Cob all colours – 2nd Height End’s Quiet Man owned and ridden by Bethany Jones from Lancashire
Your Horse Live qualifying classes:
Class 8 Mountain and Moorland – 1st Brackenbank Flicka owned and ridden by Jessica Everill from Worcestershire
Class 8 Mountain and Moorland – 2nd Valerock Maverick owned by Louise Kohl and ridden by Olivia Kohl from Leicestershire
Class 9 Open Ridden Veteran Horse and Pony – 1st Gallifrey owned by Carole West and ridden by Lynn Russell from Surrey
Class 9 Open Ridden Veteran Horse and Pony – 2nd Coral Colour owned by Sarah Dance and ridden by Francesca Dance from Hampshire
Class 10 Pony Club Lead Rein Pony – 1st Blackertor Denman owned by Stephanie Chaplin and ridden by Sonnett Jenkins from Hampshire
Class 11 Pony Club First Ridden Type – 1st Kinoulton General owned by Rachel Birch and ridden by Georgie Birch from Lancashire
Class 12 Pony Club Open – 1st Rising Phoenix owned by Mrs K Taylor and ridden by Alice Taylor from Oxfordshire
Class 13 Amateur In-Hand Plaited Horse including Hogged Show Cob – 1st Ballyroad Cloudy Sky owned by Ann Cullwick and handled by Jessica Davenport from Worcestershire
Class 15 Amateur In-Hand Rare Breeds, Traditional and Native Type – 1st Brackenbank Flicka owned and handled by Jessica Everill from Worcestershire
Class 16 Amateur In-Hand Veteran – 1st Woodcroft Skyfall owned by Amanda Corr and handled by Bria Corr from Surrey
Class 17 Amateur In-Hand Mountain and Moorland – 1st Brackenbank Flicka owned and handled by Jessica Everill from Worcestershire
Class 18 British Riding Clubs – 1st Delamere Kaleidoscope owned by Helen White and ridden by Hannah White from Worcestershire
Class 20 In-Hand Rescue Horse & Pony – 1st RSPCA Jerry owned and handled by Paul Charnley from Staffordshire