SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse 2026 at Traditional of the Year Show
SEIB Insurance Brokers’ Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse headed to Onley Grounds in Rugby from the 29th July to 1st August. All classes were held courtesy of the annual championships of the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association (TGCA) the Traditional of the Year Show (TOYS). With Search for a Star classes running over several days there were plenty of qualifying opportunities for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Your Horse Live SEIB Search for a Star championships this autumn.
SEIB Insurance Brokers, specialists in Horse Insurance, Horsebox Insurance and Horse Trailer Insurance, are proud to be the headline sponsors of the Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse series. Through our sponsorship, we’re delighted to support the up-and-coming talent competing across these competitions.
HOYS Qualifying Classes
The SEIB Search for a Star Ridden Show Hunter class on the Saturday of TOYS went to the striking grey gelding Westcoast owned and ridden by Helena Hogarth from Solihull. Helena said: “We’ve done several county shows together but this was our first Search for a Star class. We won the Amateur class at the New Forest show last week so we decided to go for it today! Malachy as we call Westcoast at home went really well and gave the ride judge a lovely ride. I’ve owned Malachy for two years and he came from a farm in Ireland. He’s now nine but hasn’t done a lot and last year was his first proper year in the show ring. This is the first time I’ve ever qualified for HOYS – I used to have a ladies hunter but we came second nearly every time out. It’s now back to work for me this afternoon in our family hotel business, Hogarths Hotel in Solihull.”
In the Riding Horse Hack class, the win went to Midnight Melvin and Harriet Ensor-Clinch. This pair were competing in their third Search for a Star class having taken 2nd and 3rd in classes previously. Harriet said: “He went well today although we need to work on our go round. The judge gave me some really helpful advice on his way of going ahead of HOYS. I bought Melvin as an unbroken three-year-old as we liked his stamp and he was nice to handle; he’s half thoroughbred and half Connemara. He came from a Rehabilitation and Pre-Training yard. They had bought Melvin’s mum when she was in foal with Melvin to be a companion for the racehorses. Melvin loves everyone and HOYS has always been a long-term goal after I did Search for a Star Working Pony about 10 years ago and we knew we wanted to come back and have another go!”
Small Animal Vet, Charlotte Jarrett and her gelding, Lisnagree Timmy won the Search for a Star Show Cobs at TOYS. Charlotte said: “I can’t believe it and am so chuffed! I’m a nervous rider sometimes and we bounce off each other. I’ve had Timmy since he was four, he’s now twelve and we’ve come a long way together. The last three years he’s matured and as a rider I’ve grown in confidence. This season we’ve been placed second and third in Search for a Star qualifiers and have worked our way up from local shows.
“We ended up competing in showing by default, I bought Timmy to hack, but when he was a youngster he’d run off with me out hacking. So we started showing to go out and meet lots of different things that we might encounter when hacking. I certainly didn’t think we’d end up at county shows and now HOYS!
A competitive SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier was won by American Gerry and Thea Geake, on the day it was also Thea’s mum’s Birthday and her parent’s wedding anniversary, which all made for a triple celebration! This pair have come close to qualifying several times previously. Thea said: “We owned Gerry when he was in training, he was my grandmother’s and she developed dementia and Gerry was the only thing she remembered. Gerry won three races and was placed seven times he was trained by my mum’s cousin Hughie Morrison and my boyfriend Nathan Brennan rode him in his races. Gerry’s now 10 or 11 and is the sweetest most laid-back horse.
“I live in Newmarket and work at Juddmonte, Gerry was with my dad but we were all too busy so he’s been in with Katie Jerram and Chris, they are amazing and the loveliest team. It’s so nice there and they understand how much I work and everything is taken care of. All credit to the Racehorse to Riding Horse series and the work it does in showcasing life after racing for these fabulous horses.”
In the Traditional Gypsy Cob HOYS Search for a Star qualifier at TOYS the win went to Fiona Craig and My Bonnie Lass (aka Dolly) who had travelled the 6-and-a-half-hours down from Clackmannshire in Scotland. Fiona said: “This was our first Search for a Star qualifier. We’ve been members of the TGCA for a while and when this class popped up at TOYS we decided to give it a go. With 21 horses in the class we didn’t think we stood a chance especially in the 32 degrees heat which would be very unusual in Scotland! But Dolly was great on the day!
“We bought Dolly as a four-year-old from a friend, Zoe Keenan who had owned her since she was a foal. Zoe came to TOYS with us and will now also head to HOYS to support too. It’s great that though she’s sold Dolly she is still very involved! I have a part-time job doing admin in the local high school – it’s great having the summer holidays off to get to shows like TOYS. We don’t have an arena at home so we’ll be mainly hacking and riding in the fields along with a few local shows in the run up to HOYS.”
Your Horse Live Qualifying Classes
In the Search for a Star Lead Rein class, Welsh Section A pony, Wensley Alchemy and his rider, seven-year-old Sophia Taylor took top spot. Sophia’s mum, Grace explained: “We bought Wizzy as a three-year-old and have had him for a couple of years. This was their first time having a go at Search for a Star – it’s great to have the opportunity to give it a go especially as we could do it on the lead rein. Sophia will aim at competing off the lead rein on Wizzy next year. We’re enjoying a busy summer with Equifest and Pony Club Camp too! Sophia is very excited about Your Horse Live for both the showing and the shopping!”
The First Ridden SEIB Search for a Star Your Horse Live qualifier at TOYS was won by Shanaya Peterson riding Traditional Cob pony, TJ. Shanaya’s mum, Carrie Peteron explained: “TJ was gifted to us as his previous owner is 77-years-old and had major heart surgery so could no longer care for him but still loves to come and watch him at shows. Shanaya is 10 and she’s been riding for about 5 years but this is her and TJs first year together. We’ve mainly been out to local shows with Blackpool and Fylde Riding Club.
Shanaya and TJ have just started doing a bit of working hunter which he loves. They also love to hack and go for a canter on the beach he really is the best boy. Shanaya lost her first pony early this year and TJ has filled that empty space in all our hearts.”
Annabel Wilkes and her pony, Bitzy Mishika won the Open Pony Club Search for a Star Your Horse Live qualifier. 11-year-old Annabel said: “I did not expect to win Search for a Star I was super pleased as we had been practising the set show at home. Bitzy was calm on the day and listened to me so I was pleased with how she went. I’m super excited for Your Horse Live and can’t wait to take Bitsy there, it’s a lovely dream. Bitzy is the best genuine pony and is kind to other ponies. We have a great bond and she’s a super star!”
Bitzy is a Welsh Part Bred and has been owned by the Wilkes family for 4 years. Annabel’s mum, Charlotte Wilkes explained: “When my father died 4 years ago, I bought Bitzy as a gift from him to his grand-daughter. We chose Mishika on the end of her name as it means gift of love. Bitzy loves working Hunter and does all Pony Club rallies. They are with the South Hereford and Ross Harriers Pony Club. Bitzy and Annabel did a 4-day camp the week before TOYS.”
Nineteen-year-old, Pendancer Bilbo Baggins and his rider, Hayley Dolby had a day to celebrate at TOYS. This pair won the only SEIB Search for a Star class open to any rider, including professionals, the Still a Star Open Veteran class and the Riding Club Show Horse class on the day. Hayley said: “I’m delighted with this, we qualified for the Search for a Star YHL finals in the Riding Club class in 2024 but then I had to have a rotator cuff operation last year so we only started back showing this year. I’ve owned Bilbo Baggins since he was six months old.
“Over the years we have done everything and taught each other a lot. Bilbo Baggins is a Welsh Section D cross Thoroughbred. At the time when I got him, I had a mare that was getting on a bit and I knew I couldn’t afford to buy a ready-made horse so decided to get a young one. My daughter Lola also rides Bilbo Baggins, they sometimes have lessons with Annette Lewis and also go out with the Cambridge University Drag Hunt. He has a nice variety in his life and is still in full work, I’ll be 60 in the Autumn and I’m delighted especially to have qualified for the veteran class it’ll be exciting to be up against HOYS and professionally produced horses.”
Welsh Section C pony Cathedine Welsh Lion and Cherly Giles won the Ridden Your Horse Live qualifying Mountain and Moorland class at TOYS. Cheryl explained: “We’ve only done a handful of shows this year and a bit of dressage. He’s 14 now and was a stallion until we bought him when he was 10, he’s got lots of babies around! We love going out hacking, he’s super brave and he also loves a horsey holiday. I work full time on the Sales Team for Jewson Builders and sort the horses out before and after work.”
The In-Hand Part-Bred TGCA Your Horse Live qualifying class at TOYS went to former Search for a Star Part-Bred finalists, Maia Ellis and Furlong Socks. Maia, who lives in St Helens has owned 16-year-old ‘Sox’ since she was four, and the pair also compete in cross-country, dressage and fun rides. Sox is part-bred Welsh cross traditional cob black mare; she and Maia won the ridden part-bred traditional Search for a Star Your Horse Live championship back in 2022.
Winning the In-Hand Traditional Gypsy Cob Pure-Bred section was Charlene Hanson and Captain Maverick. Charlene has owned Captain Maverick since he was six-months-old. Charlene said: “He was living on the moors when I got him and pretty much unhandled so we’ve done everything from scratch. Maverick is now 4 and has been a dream, we’ve been to TOYS for the three days and been placed in every class we’ve competed in. He is broken in but isn’t yet ready to be ridden in competitions. The horses are my hobby and I work in a Land Rover dealership. We’re really excited for Your Horse Live!”
The In-Hand Plaited Horse and the In-Hand Veteran Your Horse Live qualifying classes went to Bria Corr and her coloured gelding, Kilcogy Moon (aka Villiny). Bria said of her 17-year-old gelding: “We bought him when he was five and he taught me to fall off well! It turned out that Villiny has an extra-wide spine which our brilliant saddler spotted. He’s been great since then with his comfy made to measure saddle that is wide and so doesn’t touch his spine. I wanted to event originally but we enjoyed in-hand showing and have never stopped! I qualified my mum’s horse for Your Horse Live last year and can’t wait to go back. I work full-time as a PA in Surrey.”
The In-Hand Plaited Pony SEIB Search for a Star class at TOYS went to Charlotte Caple and her six-year-old homebred pony, Rockwood Classic Beau. Charlotte said: “Beau is out of my mare and by my stallion. He’s the first and only offspring from my mare who is an Irish Sports Horse and competed in showing, showjumping and eventing before she retired. Beau competes in dressage with my older sister Jess Caple up to BD Novice level. I grew up showing and breeding Wels Part-Breds, Beau’s dad is a Welsh Section B. Beau has also done some Part-Bred In-Hand classes and he was the British Breeding Futurity Champion Yearling Pony in 2021.”
The In-Hand Mountain and Moorland Your Horse Live Search for a Star class at TOYS went to 11-year-old Georgia Reynolds and her Highland pony, Lochlands Man on the Moon. Georgia said “I’m so excited to have qualified in this. We’ve had Lochie since last November and we also do dressage, ridden showing and fun rides along with some jumping. I’ve also qualified in the Pony Club class on my chestnut pony, Moelgarnedd Arthur. I went to Your Horse Live last year with Arti in the Open Veteran final as well.”
SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “It was fabulous for Search for a Star to run at TOYS. The show highlighted a problem with the registering of horses imported into the UK. As TOYS is run by the TGCA which is a Passport Issuing Office (PIO) when our stringent Search for a Star passport checks were made, Andrea Betteridge of TGCA discovered that whilst owners have done the right thing and changed the ownership of their horses, the Central Equine Database is not automatically updated. Meaning that several horses entered at SFAS at TOYS that have come from Ireland were not on the CED. This has numerous welfare and biosecurity implications.”
Leading equine Insurance brokers, 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.
Please see www.seib.co.uk/competitions or the SEIB Search for a Star facebook page for updates. To enter please use 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 have been providing expert insurance services for over 60 years. Renowned for their specialist equestrian insurance, SEIB offers tailored cover for horses, horseboxes, trailers, riders, and equestrian businesses, ensuring comprehensive protection and peace of mind. For more information on their range of services and to explore their bespoke insurance solutions, please visit seib.co.uk.
Results SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse TOYS July 2026
HOYS Qualifying classes:
Show Hunter – Westcoast owned and ridden by Helena Hogarth from West Midlands
Riding Horse Hack – Midnight Melvin owned and ridden by Harriet Ensor-Clinch from Bedfordshire
Show Cob – Lisnagree Castiel owned and ridden by Charlotte Jarrett from Glamorgan
Racehorse to Riding Horse – American Gerry owned by Jonathan Geake and ridden by Thea Geake from Suffolk
Traditional Gypsy Cob – My Bonnie Lass owned and ridden by Fiona Craig from Glasgow
Your Horse Live Qualifying Classes:
Mountain and Moorland Ridden – Cathedine Welsh Lion owned and ridden by Cheryl Giles from Warwickshire
Mountain and Moorland In-Hand – Lochlands Man on the Moon owned and handled by Georgia Reynolds from
Open Ridden Veteran Horse and Pony – Pendancer Bilbo Baggins owned and ridden by Hayley Dolby from Hertfordshire
Lead Rein Pony – Wensley Alchemy owned by Grace Taylor and ridden by Sophia Taylor
First Ridden Type – TJ owned by Carrie Peterson and ridden by Shanaya Peterson
Pony Club Pony under 148cm – Bitzy Mishika owned by Charlotet Wilkes and ridden by Annabel Wilkes from Oxfordshire
Amateur In-Hand Plaited Pony – Rockwood Classic Beau owned and handled by Charlotte Caple
Amateur In-Hand Plaited Horse including Hogged Show Cob – Kilcogy Moon owned and handled by Bria Corr from Surrey
Amateur In-Hand Part-Bred Traditional – Furlong Socks owned and handled by Maia Ellis
Amateur In-Hand Pure-Bred Traditional – Captain Maverick owned and handled by Charlene Hanson from Lancashire
Amateur In-Hand Veteran – Kilcogy Moon owned and handled by Bria Corr from Surrey
Riding Club Show Horse or Pony – Pendancer Bilbo Baggins owned and ridden by Hayley Dolby from Hertfordshire
Further SEIB Search for a Star and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers 2026:
North of England Summer Show, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June, Warren Farm EC, L37 0AP. Classes: HOYS – all except Working Horse and Working Pony. YHL – Still a Star, ridden M and M and Lead Rein and First Ridden Only.
Royal Lancashire Show, Friday 3rd July to Sunday 5th July, Salesbury Hall, PR3 3XR. Classes: All HOYS except Working Horse and Working Pony. YHL only Still a Star and Ridden M and M.
TOYS, Thursday 30th July to Sunday 1st August, Onley Grounds EC, CV23 8AJ. Classes: All HOYS except Working Horse and Working Pony. All YHL.
Equifest, Tuesday 4th August to Sunday 9th August, Arena UK, NG32 2EF. Classes: All HOYS except Working Horse and Working Pony. All YHL.
National Hunter Supreme Championship, Tuesday 11th to Wednesday 12th August, Addington EC, MK18 2JR. R2R ONLY.
Pony Club Championships, Sunday 22nd August, Offchurch Bury, CV33 9AW. Classes: Pony Club Members Only.
Greenlands Arena, Sunday 30th August, Carlisle, CA4 0RR. Classes: All HOYS and YHL SFAS and R2R classes.
The Showing Register, Saturday 5th September, NAEC Stoneleigh, CV8 2LA. Classes: All HOYS SFAS and R2R classes only. No YHL classes.
Defender Burghley, Sunday 6th September, Stamford, PE9 3JY. Classes: R2R Only.
BSHA National Championship, Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th September, Addington EC, MK18 2JR. Classes: R2R Only.
LIHS BSHA Rising Stars Show, Sunday 13th September, Addington EC, MK18 2JR. Classes: YHL Still a Star and Ridden M and M Only.
HOYS SEIB Search for a Star Championship, Wednesday 7th to Sunday 11th October, Birmingham NEC.
YHL SEIB Search for a Star Championship, Friday 6th to Saturday 7th November, NAEC Stoneleigh.
