A new look for SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse

SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers have a new set-up in what will be the series ‘ twenty-eighth running with a Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) final.

Traditionally, the majority of SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers have been run as stand-alone shows; for the first time in 2026, all qualifying classes are being run in conjunction with another show. The qualifying list of venues includes several prestigious county shows, the Pony Club Championships and the Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

Series organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie of the Absolutely Genuine Company said: “We’re really excited about the changes in place for the 2026 running of SEIB Search for a Star. We’re working with several fantastic teams who are looking forward to welcoming Search for a Star competitors at their shows. Another change to Search for a Star this year is that just one combination will qualify for the chance to compete in either the HOYS or Your Horse Live (YHL) Search for a Star championships in each qualifying class. This means we are able to offer more qualifying shows across a wider selection of venues. The Search for a Star HOYS and YHL championships will remain the same as in previous years.”

One further significant change to SEIB Search for a Star this year relates to the amateur rider ruling, which has now been updated so that riders cannot have competed at HOYS in the previous five seasons before they are eligible for Search for a Star again. Riders who have not competed at HOYS since, and including 2021, will be eligible to compete in Search for a Star in 2026 provided they meet the Search for a Star amateur rules.

SEIB Search for a Star kicked off proceedings for the season at BSPS Area 7 and the Wiltshire Horse Show. Entries are now already open for upcoming qualifiers at the British Show Horse Association Spring Show, Rutland County Show and Royal Three Counties. As entries open for qualifying shows later in the season, this will be posted to the SEIB competitions website and Search for a Star social media channels.

There will again be a total of nineteen SEIB Search for a Star classes in 2026, including Racehorse to Riding Horse. Classes with finals at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) include; hacks, hunters, working pony, working horse, riding horse, traditional gypsy cobs – of any colour, show cobs, and the longstanding SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship.

Championship finals at Your Horse Live in Search for a Star include ridden classes for; Still a Star open veterans, lead-rein, first ridden and open ponies and mountain and moorlands. In-hand classes include; plaited horse including show cobs, plaited pony, pure and part-bred traditional cobs, mountain and moorland and veteran.

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.

Further SEIB Search for a Star and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers 2026:
Wiltshire Spring Show, Friday 27th March, West Wilts EC, BA14 6QT. Entries close 25th March. Classes: All HOYS and YHL SFAS and R2R classes.

BSHA Spring Show, Sunday 3rd May, Addington EC, MK18 2JR. Classes: HOYS – all except Working Horse and Working Pony. No YHL classes.

Rutland Show, Sunday 31st May, Rutland Showground, LE15 7TW. Classes: All HOYS and YHL SFAS and R2R classes.

Royal Three Counties Show, Friday 12th to Sunday 14th June, Three Counties Showground, WR13 6NW. Classes: All HOYS and YHL SFAS and R2R classes. Entries Close 8th May.

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.

Images: 1st Class Images