SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse 2026 at Equifest
The annual SEIB Insurance Brokers’ Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers at Equifest took place on the 5th August at Arena UK, Grantham. The qualifiers included all the Search for a Star Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Your Horse Live classes, with the exception of the Working Horse and Working Pony qualifiers.
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 was won by Pure Irish Draught horse, Samjen Charlie (aka Gordon) and Georgina Steele. On their qualification Georgina said: “HOYS is a dream come true, Gordon was fantastic on the day, I’m not the most confident rider in the ring so I rode a little cautiously but Gordon took the reins and gave it his all! Gordon went beautifully for the ride judge, and we also had some lovely helpful comments from the conformation judge.
“I’ve owned Gordon since he was 4, I bought him because he is an absolute gentleman. I had shown a lot as a teenager but had more recently competed in dressage, so we started with some unaffiliated dressage and then onto BD and Quest where Gordon proved to be a star. Since then, we have participated in many shows and have even been to London International Horse Show where we were placed.”
Georgina works as a Head Veterinary Nurse at a small animal practice in Hertfordshire. She continued: “The HOYS ticket really hasn’t quite sunk in yet, I’m so grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to go and try our best to do the Irish Draught breed justice and such a prestigious event!”
In the Riding Horse Hack class the win went to homebred, Lockdown Longchamp (aka Paris) and Kiana Sangha from Cheshire. Kiana said: “I’m so pleased but very surprised to have qualified! Paris and I have only ever been to two shows before and two intro dressage competitions! In the show ring is her place to be. We’ll go to a few more shows before HOYS but I don’t want to overdo it with her. We bred Paris from our thoroughbred mare and she is by a showjumping stallion. I was working with horses full-time until last year and now I’m off to study Law at University.”
Sophie Brown and her Pure Irish Draught, Red Himself (aka Fintan) won the Search for a Star Show Cobs at Equifest. Sophie said: “It means the world to have won and qualified for HOYS. The SEIB series is a wonderful opportunity for home produced amateurs to showcase our amazing horses and the hard work we put into them. Fintan felt phenomenal on the day, the second he set foot in the ring he gave me his heart and soul and all with such a smile in his face. He is the ultimate showman and loves to be in the ring.
“Showing has always been my biggest passion and we purchased Fintan to take showing although we have a lot of fun along the way as well including pole work clinics, going to the gallops and hacking, we even occasionally pop a little jump and his absolute favourite thing to do is his weekly trip to the water treadmill.”
Sophie owns a florist Shop and works there full time alongside being a mum to ‘the two most beautiful girls’, Grace aged 5 and Florence, who is just 14 weeks old. Sophie continued: “Fintan is Grace’s favourite and she loves to sit on him with me and have a canter round the arena whilst doing her best cowboy yeehaws. I haven’t got the words to describe how excited I am to be off to HOYS it’s been such a wonderful year already and having given birth in April we were unsure that we would even get out to shows this year let alone have the most incredible season and be lucky enough to get a golden ticket.”
A competitive SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier was won by Isobelle Seery and Overland Flyer. Isobelle said: “I can’t believe it! We’ve owned Overland Flyer for four or five years now. He came from a Hunt Yard with the Middleton Hunt. He wasn’t suited to hunting – or hacking. It’s now over five years since he last ran and I think he’d still love to be doing racing. He’s getting on a bit now at 13 though so couldn’t keep doing it forever. We previously qualified for HOYS in this class in 2024 but have had a bit of time out since. He’s also done well in dressage but I’m a bit shocked to have qualified for HOYS again. I didn’t think we’d manage to do it twice! The retrained racehorse girls are all so lovely. I’m a real amateur at it and work as a transporter – it’s always great that people at the shows will give me a hand as Overland Flyer can be tricky to handle sometimes.”
In the Traditional Gypsy Cob HOYS Search for a Star qualifier at Equifest, Albert, ridden by Lillie Stokes took first place. Lillie said: “I’m absolutely buzzing, this win is incredible especially as we are at just our third show. Albert was foot perfect today, the judge said he went amazingly. We’ve owned Albert since March this year, I lost my heart horse last year and wasn’t sure about replacing them. Albert came from my friend as an unbacked six, rising seven, year old and we broke him in this spring. He’s taken everything in his stride. We haven’t planned to do lots of shows and we’ll give him a nice time in the run up to HOYS with lots of beach rides and fun! I work as an Apprentice on Meon Rise Farm and love all the animals.”
Your Horse Live Qualifying Classes
In the Search for a Star Lead Rein class, Welsh Section A pony, Hengwys Ellis (aka Pinky) and six-year-old Aubrey Lane took top spot. Aubrey’s mum Steph Lane said: “We bought Pinky last September from Facebook unseen. We fell in love with him without seeing him in person and off we went to collect him. Pinky is five and in his first season showing. Aubrey and Pinky have so far done really well at local shows and Equifest is the biggest thing they’ve done. Aubrey has been watching clips from Your Horse Live on You Tube including Harlow, she’s very excited to have qualified!” Aubrey and Pinky are members of the North Staffordshire Hunt Pony Club.
The First Ridden SEIB Search for a Star Your Horse Live qualifier at Equifest went to another Welsh Section A pony, Trindod Destiny’s Child. Known as Daisy at home, this grey pony was ridden to success by Pennie Woods. Daisy is owned by Pennie’s mum, Heidi Heppenstall who explained: “We bought Daisy as an unbroken three-year-old, shortly after the pony Pennie was riding had to retire. So we had an unbroken pony and a child desperate to ride her! The pair of them are now inseparable! We go to Your Horse Live every year and when Pennie and after watching the Search for a Star finals last year she was determined to get there to compete this year. Pennie is now eight-years-old and she and Daisy enjoy going to shows, hacking and cross country. They also won the junior ridden concours at Equifest, both these wins have been a great confidence boost for Pennie!”
Whittern Donatella Versace, known at home as Tiger, and Colchester Sixth Form student, Tilly Pavitt won the Open Pony Club Search for a Star Your Horse Live qualifier. 17-year-old Tilly said: “It feels incredible and very exciting to have won and qualified for Your Horse Live on my pony Tiger! It was Tiger’s first time competing at Equifest and she exceeded all expectations. She behaved perfectly all day in the busy environment. Every pony in the class was lovely so it was a brilliant surprise to be pulled in first!
“We have been lucky enough to loan Tiger from her owner and breeder Julia Hillyard for two years now. We initially got her as a five-year-old, now at seven she has progressed and matured so much. I feel incredibly lucky that I am trusted with such a special pony. Together we enjoy plenty of showing, mainly competing in working hunter classes. Less than a week before Equifest, Tiger and I were at camp with Essex Union Hunt Pony Club. Ponies are definitely my main hobby. I have been riding since I was four years old. Outside of horses I can usually be found at a concert or watching movies!
Eighteen-year-old Fell pony, Lunesdale War Dance (aka Bert) and Ellie Just won the Still a Star Open Veteran Your Horse Live qualifier at Equifest. Ellie said: “Bert was full of beans and loved being in a big class! We’ve had Bert for six years and we bought him to have fun with. I hadn’t done much flat showing before we got Bert and had mainly competed in working hunter ponies. Bert and I have got to Royal International a few times and we’ve had plenty of fun together. We don’t do as much jumping now owing to his age. Search for a Star seemed a great thing to give a go and I’d have been pleased with a place at Equifest – it was a surprise to win and qualify! I work full time in accounts for a Fish Wholesaler and look after Bert before and after work, he lives at my mum’s house.”
One of the youngest riders in the class, 10-year-old Finley Laycock won Ridden Your Horse Live qualifying Mountain and Moorland class at Equifest. Finley rode his grandmother, Sonia Laycock’s Welsh Section B pony, Annadale Swish to take the win in a large and competitive class. Finley’s mum, Emma explained: “It was a surprise to win the class, Finley and Rosie have had some mixed results this season and to win when he was up against grown-ups was a nice surprise! We’ve had Rosie for a year-and-a-half, my mum – Finley’s granny – bought her as a Christmas present for him. Finley’s only been riding for about three-years, he’s done one year on the lead rein and is now in his second season off it. They do jumping classes and working hunter ponies as well. Finley did really well in lead rein WHP previously. He also enjoys playing football and going to cubs and marshall arts. Finley is very excited to be going to Your Horse Live!”
The In-Hand Part-Bred TGCA Your Horse Live qualifying class at Equifest went to Willowsway R Kizzy owned by Elaine Hardington and handled by Samantha Ramsden.
Winning the In-Hand Traditional Gypsy Cob Pure-Bred section were SD Jersey Girl and Jenna Pickles.
The In-Hand Plaited Horse class at Equifest went to AGS Aristocrat and Leanne Oliver. Five-year-old AGS Aristocrat is known at home as Alistair. He’s been owned by Leanne since he was 6 months old. Leanne said: “When I saw Alistair’s advert as a foal I just fell in love with him. I absolutely love in-hand showing and decided I wanted to get a youngster and try do it all myself with him.
This was Alistair’s first time at Equifest and he took everything in his stride and really showed off. When I was stood in the line up waiting, I was hoping to just get placed and then when they pulled me forward as the winner I was gob smacked. It was so lovely as I had my mum and friends at the side of the ring cheering me on, all of which have been a huge support for me over the past few years.
I’m hoping to get Alistair in the show ring ridden soon but I’m not in a rush as I want to give him the best experience possible. I spend most of my time at the horses when I’m not working. We have a lovely yard, everyone is so supportive and friendly so it’s easy to spend a lot of time there, even if it’s just chatting and catching up with each other. I work full time as a veterinary nurse, having finished my qualification at the beginning of the year after doing 3 years studying in and amongst work and horses.”
The In-Hand Veteran Your Horse Live class at Equifest was won by nineteen-year-old Blackhall Diamond (aka Arnie) and Robyn Pethick. This pair also took runner-up spot in the Still a Star Open Ridden Veteran Search for a Star class at Equifest. Robyn said: “Arnie was so good at Equifest. I’ve had him for five-years now. He hunted in Ireland until he was 12 then he came to the UK. My mum runs a military riding school and Arnie was bought for that. I did a bit with him too and liked him and have now bought him. We’ve done a few veteran showing things together and this was our first Search for a Star. We started off low key and are now doing more and more. I work full-time as an accountant and the horses are a very nice hobby to have.”
The In-Hand Plaited Pony SEIB Search for a Star class at Equifest went to Tandridge Advocat and his 13-year-old handler, Isabella McCallum. Known at home as Angus, this British Riding Pony is seven-years-old. Isabella’s mum, Emma McCallum said: “We got Angus in March 2024 and started showing last year. Isabella and Angus have competed in local shows through to the ridden Pretty Polly final at Royal International. They started out in in-hand classes and really enjoyed them. Isabella also competes in athletics and is a 200-meter sprinter for her school team but riding is definitely her main thing! She’s always wanted to go to Your Horse Live!”
The In-Hand Mountain and Moorland Your Horse Live Search for a Star class at Equifest was won by Highland Pony, Ruwenzori Alfred and Sarah Stanfield.
The Riding Club Show Horse class at Equifest was won by Kay Gillam and Victor 1. This pair are having an exceptionally successful season in SEIB Search for a Star having already qualified for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the Show Cob class. A delighted Kay said: “I was so surprised, someone said we could do both HOYS and YHL classes. We went in the ring and he was such a good boy, I was delighted to win and qualify for Your Horse Live too!”
Kay also contested SEIB Search for a Star back in the 1990’s with her horse, Mutley MG and then went on to compete in the Open HOYS Maxi Cob championship in 2015 with Hortons McLaren before waiting 11 years to have another go at Search for a Star! Kay works as a lorry driver and she and Victor hunt with the Narr Valley Bloodhounds. She said: “I combine this with carrying out admin for my husband’s business. I also breed and show Giant Schnausers. We have won at Crufts previously and are already qualified for 2027!”
SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “Our thanks goes to the Equifest team for allowing us once again to hold Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers at this fantastic show. It’s wonderful to see competitors coming along for the four days of competition and improving and setting themselves up for future success.”
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 insurance for horses for over 60 years. Renowned for their specialist equestrian insurance, SEIB offers tailored cover for horses, horseboxes, trailers, 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 Equifest August 2026
HOYS Qualifying classes:
Show Hunter – Samjen Charlie owned and ridden by Georgina Steele from Hertfordshire
Riding Horse Hack – Lockdown Longchamp owned and ridden by Kiana Singha from Cheshire
Show Cob – Red Himself owned and ridden by Sophie Brown from Middlesex
Racehorse to Riding Horse – Overland Flyer owned and ridden by Isobelle Seery from Lancashire
Traditional Gypsy Cob – Albert owned and ridden by Lillie Stokes from Hampshire
Your Horse Live Qualifying Classes:
Mountain and Moorland Ridden – Annadale Swish owned by Sonia Laycock and ridden by Finley Laycock from West Yorkshire
Mountain and Moorland In-Hand – Ruwenzori Alfred owned and handled by Sarah Stanfield from Lincolnshire
Open Ridden Veteran Horse and Pony – Lunesdale War Dance owned and ridden by Ellie Just from Hertfordshire
Lead Rein Pony – Hengwys Ellis owned by Stephanie Lane and ridden by Aubrey Lane from Staffordshire
First Ridden Type – Trindod Destiny’s Child owned by Heidi Heppenstall and ridden by Pennie Woods from West Yorkshire
Pony Club Pony under 148cm – Whittern Donatella Versace owned and ridden by Tilly Pavitt from Essex
Amateur In-Hand Plaited Pony – Tandridge Aristocrat owned and handled by Isabella McCallum from Cheshire
Amateur In-Hand Plaited Horse including Hogged Show Cob – AGS Aristocrat owned and handled by Leanne Oliver from West Yorkshire
Amateur In-Hand Part-Bred Traditional – Willowsway R Kizzy owned by Elaine Hardington and handled by Samantha Ramsden
Amateur In-Hand Pure-Bred Traditional – SD Jersey Girl owned and handled by Jenna Pickles from West Yorkshire
Amateur In-Hand Veteran – Blackhall Diamond owned and handled by Robyn Pethick from Devon
Riding Club Show Horse or Pony – Victor 1 owned and ridden by Kay Gillam from Norfolk
Further SEIB Search for a Star and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers 2026:
Pony Club Championships, Saturday 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.
