SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse headed to Pickering Grange in Leicestershire on Sunday June 15th for the first time. Entries on the day were strong, giving the team of top judges plenty to think about at this new venue.
Credit 1st Class Images
The qualifier ran the full 19 SEIB Search for a Star classes and the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class, offering qualification opportunities for both Horse of the Year Show and Your Horse Live. The judging team at Pickering Grange included, Richard Ramsay, Alan Mickleburgh, Samantha DeCaprio, Nicki Taylor, Louise Gaunt, Jordan Cook, Dena King, Amanda Gomersall and Emma Jackson.
The Show Hunter class at Pickering Grange went to Danielle Marratt and her own, grey gelding, Stormzy. Danielle said: “He is an amazing horse; we’ve had a whole lot of 3rds before this but no yellow rosette for us today! He is a real gentleman. I’ve owned Stormzy for a year, he came from my farrier, Sam Booker who owned him since he was a four-year-old as a Masters horse. He is so mannerly and easy to ride, I hunt him with the Quorn. I’ve got intentions of taking Stormzy eventing and this has really spurred me on. I’ve always wanted to go to HOYS since I was a child – back then I always came 2nd so never made it there sooner! I work full-time as an Operations Manager at a GP surgery so Stormzy and I are used to doing everything very early!”
Perseverance paid off for Anna Wills and her own, Carnsdale Royal Constance in taking runner up spot in the Show Hunter class. Anna said: “We’ve been trying so hard to qualify – our first ever show was at Search for a Star at Hartpury last August when we came 6th. We went back to Hartpury this spring and were unplaced before coming here today! Rosie (as the horse is known at home) has been with me since she was a three-year-old, she is eight now. I had another horse but his conformation was never good enough to qualify. We will do some more showing over the Summer in the run up to HOYS. Rosie really enjoys hacking so we don’t do too much schooling.” Anna is a chartered surveyor and runs her own business, Revolve Real Estate. She added: “I set up the business two years ago and simply couldn’t do everything without Sarah who is here helping me today.”
In the Riding Horse Hack class, Heather Blythe and her own gelding, Summertime Jack took top spot. This was a very welcome win for Heather and Jack who previously took runner-up spot in the Show Hunter class at Hartpury but didn’t receive their qualification owing to a passport irregularity. Now with the passport all up to date, Heather was delighted to come back and take first place! She said: “This is fabulous! Jack was the last of the homebreds bred by Lady Heseltine and this win is just fantastic. Jack has done plenty of hunting, and I bought him to have fun on in Riding Horse classes. We went to the Stoneleigh Search for a Star qualifier a few weeks ago and I felt pressurised to take him in the ring in a double bridle, he wasn’t really enjoying it though so the judge suggested we stick with the snaffle which we did today!”
Kai Wood riding Fridebi Timberland owned by Tammy Britton took second place in the Riding Horse Hack class at Pickering. A delighted Tammy said: “I’ve owned Tim since he was two, it’s taken him so long to mature mentally and physically – he’s 8 now. Every time he goes out he’s settling down more, today was his third ever time being ridden by a ride judge. He’s also qualified for the London Horse Show in the Riding Horse class. Tim’s sire is Tiger Attack, I’ve always wanted a horse by him and Tim was one of the first – I bought him unseen. I’ve now got three horses by Tiger Attack. I’m really proud of my son Kai, he has done everything with Tim himself.”
In second in the Cobs was Eleanor Eden riding her own, Antrim Ned. Eleanor said: “I’m over the moon with this result. He knows his job and is a nice ride. I’ve owned Jeffrey, as we call him, for six years, we tried to qualify for HOYS a few years ago but he had a bad injury and fractured his pedal bone. We only got back in the ring last year. It makes it extra special that we thought we were going to lose him and now we’ve got through to HOYS! I bought Jeffrey from Sophie Donald to show, he’s also qualified for the RIHS this year. I love Jeffrey to bits and he is a joy to have. I work for the NHS as a Doctors Receptionist, the horses are my hobby.”
The SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier at Stoneleigh was a very competitive affair. Eighteen thoroughbred ex-racehorses came forward for conformation judge, Alan Mickleburgh and ride judge, Samantha DeCaprio. Alan said: “I though wow, wow, wow as they came into the ring, this was the best class ever! There was so much quality in the class, any of the top 10 could have been winners on another day.”
Taking top spot was the ever successful, Mumford ridden by Collette McGoldrick. Now gifted to Collette by his previous owners, Mumford looked outstanding on the day. Collette said: “He’s been a good boy in the ring for a number of years now. We’ve definitely taken the long route but he’s worked his way back to us. Mumford is the best of mates at home with a Hunter, Be Smart. When Mumford left us for a while a few years ago, Be Smart was lonely and we went to HOYS they were stabled near each other and were delighted! It’s lovely to see they’ve come back together, it’s a bit like Black Beauty! It’s great to have him qualified now I own him, he will be let down now and go out doing plenty of hacking which he really enjoys.” Mumford has previously been placed in the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse HOYS championships three times and has been Champion at Hickstead the UK Nationals and the Hack and Cob Championships. He was also placed at HOYS in 2024 in the Open Riding Horse class.
New mum, Sarah Llewellyn and her lovely bay gelding, Deep Challenger took runner up spot. A delighted Sarah said: “It’s great to be back this year and to now have qualified. He’s a lovely horse and has taken time. We went to HOYS in 2023 and then so far this season he took the Supreme of Show title at Hereford. Having had a year out we’ve both come back refreshed - my baby girl is nine months old now. Deep Challenger came from trainer Jamie Osborne, he was a £500k yearling – his full brother was 2nd in the Derby. He did win twice on the flat when he was in training but he definitely loves his showing!”
There was a third HOYS ticket available in the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class. This went to amateur rider, Sammi-Jo Daley and Yazdi. Sammi said: “I go to HOYS every year as a spectator, it’s only ever been a dream for me and to actually ride in the big purple arena, I have no words! Seriously this horse has made my dreams come true, he picked me up when I was down, I owe him so much. I’m a beautician from Walsall, I live in a smallholding with Yazdi and his Shetland friend Coco, my salon is there too. I rode when I was young but gave up when I was 14. When lock down and covid hit we had just bought our house, my salon shut and I lost my dad. It was such a hard scary time, I got back into riding, just hacking, to keep me busy and I stumbled across Yazdi on Facebook and fell in love. I’ve owned him for 2 years now, my clients bring him and Coco apples and carrots with them to appointments, I think that’s why they come sometimes!
“Yazdi and I enjoyed being happy hackers until we went to a Katy Carter clinic. We enjoyed it so much and got into going to the clinics every time they were on nearby, then I registered Yazdi with the ROR - he absolutely smashed his first show coming 2nd at Aintree! We are well into our showing now and we seem to just keep getting better and better, I now have weekly lessons with Katy she has taught me so much and the passion she has for the industry I admire. I now do all the racehorse classes I can because I love the fact that there is more to life for these amazing horses after the track and seeing how far Yazdi has come is so nice.”
In the Traditional Gypsy Cob HOYS Search for a Star qualifier at Pickering Grange twenty-one-year-old Emma Berry and Mr Blue Sky, owned by Donna Berry, took top spot. Emma said: “It’s incredible that we qualified in our first attempt at Search for a Star. He went so well today and having been pulled in top, going first for our show was nerve-wracking. I got Billy Bob, as we call him, when I was eleven. We wanted a pony I could do some open classes on and one that would give me confidence, Billy Bob hasn’t always been easy and we do showing and dressage. We’ve also qualified for the British Dressage Area Festival this August and took 1st place in the 2024 Preliminary Bronze at the Associate TGCA Championship. We’re looking forward to competing in some county shows too over the summer.” Emma works in retail.
Lily Fleming and her own, Tommy Gun took runner-up spot in the Traditional Gypsy Cob class to secure HOYS qualification. Lily said: “He felt really good today, I felt sick before the class! We came 3rd in Search for a Star last year in the In-Hand class, we came to the qualifier at Hartpury in April but he was too fresh that day!” Lily’s mum, Christine added: “Lily got Tom for her 11th Birthday, five years ago now and he was four and green as they come. They were both real novices.” Lily explained: “I was scared of him back then he’d drop his shoulder and I’d come off.” Christine said: “Since then they’ve developed a real bond together and Lily has worked so hard to get here. It feels like they’ve peaked! We had planned to go to all five Search for a Star qualifiers this year, but now he's qualified he’ll have a rest. Lily and Tom love going to Formby and Southport beach and going proper swimming together!”
Your Horse Live qualifying classes
Taking runner up spot in the Mountain and Moorland class at Pickering Grange were Lindsey Holmes and her Welsh Section D, Tirygelli Tomos. Lindsey said: “I’m delighted with this result, we’ve been really trying for it. Tomos is 13 years old now and he’s finally grown up. I bought him in Pontypridd when he was a yearling – I went on a 6 hour round trip to find a Welsh pony and Tomos was the one! I work with children with special needs creating sensory rooms and immersive areas – I also make sure I spend lots of time with the horses.”
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 coloured mare, Paris Party Girl and Lisa Counsell. Now 20 years old, Paris looked a picture in the ring. Lisa said: “It’s the best she’s ever been! Paris loves life and goes out doing a different job every week. I’ve owned her for 8 years and we have competed in everything from dressage to showing to one-day-events! We took 3rd place in the Still a Star championship at Your Horse Live in 2024 and were 5th in 2023. This summer we also plan to compete in Colour Performance Classes and the VHS Championships.
The runners-up in the Open-Veteran class were Fell pony, Murthwaite Looks Promising, known as Cappy, and his owner and rider, Jane Rawden. This eighteen-year-old pony was bred by prolific Fell pony breeder, Tom Capstick. Jane said: “I got Cappy when he was a baby and we’ve had plenty of fun over the years including competing at British Dressage – the highlight of which was getting placed at Hartpury University. Cappy was also chosen as a demonstration pony at the British Dressage Judges Conference where he had to perform so the judges could assess a Fell pony doing dressage. He’s even been to Your Horse Live before to the Horse Village one year when visitors could take a ‘fellfie’ of themselves with Cappy! It’s amazing he’s back out competing, two-years-ago he put his foot down a hole while we were out hacking. I didn’t think he would make it. I’m so delighted we’ve been given this chance to get out again and to qualify for something so exciting!” Jane works in HR and is self-employed.
The three SEIB Search for a Star Pony Club qualifying classes at Pickering Grange were well supported. The Search for a Star judges have noticed a significant increase in both the number and quality of ponies coming forward for these classes this year.
First up were the Pony Club Lead Rein ponies, judged by Nicola Taylor and Dena King. Shetland pony, Melland Summer Primrose and her very enthusiastic rider, Chloe Wilson took first place. Primrose as this pony is known is owned by Fiona Wilson. Chloe said: “Everything was my favourite part of today!” Fiona added: “We’ve owned Primrose for three years, she is a purebred Shetland pony – we bought her with showing in mind. Chloe has just joined the Quorn Branch of the Pony Club and they are looking forward to heading off to camp this summer!”
The First Ridden class went to ten-year-old Bethany Cresswell and Littlemoorend Rosetta. This Welsh Section A pony is owned by Gaenor Cresswell. Bethany said: “This is the first time we’ve done a big showing class, we’ve done some local showing before and equitation classes, handy pony and dressage.” Gaenor added: “We’ve owned Rosie for two-years, she was just broken in when we got her and she and Bethany have learned everything together. They are in the South Trent Pony Club which has been amazing!”
In the Pony Club Open Your Horse Live qualifying class at Pickering Grange, the win went to Emma Simpson and her pony, Wayfaring Airs and Graces. This pair are in the Chipping Branch of the Pony Club and Emma’s mum, Claire Simpson owns Quince, as the pony is known at home. Emma said: “This our first proper season showing. Quince has spent a lot of time recovering from an injury and we’ve spent all winter walking him in-hand.” Claire added: “Emma’s patience has paid off now! We bought him for the showring and its great to see them out. Emma puts so much work into the ponies and is best friends with Lexi Eccles who did so well and won Search for a Star last year.”
The Search for a Star In-Hand Plaited Horse and Hogged Show Cob went to Charlotte Mills and her horse, Singing Habari. Charlotte said: “We qualified for Your Horse Live last year in Search for a Star but before the finals Singing Habari went down with colic. She was given a 5% chance of survival and during surgery they had to take out a metre and a half of her small intestine. She then developed an infection and this put her back too. She fought it all though and the team at Pool House Vets were amazing. This is her first show since the operation and I haven’t started riding her again yet. Before she was ill we did both in-hand and ridden showing. She is such a fighter and is looking strong.” Charlotte works as a Care Home Manager.
There were two Your Horse Live qualifying spaces on offer at this qualifier in the In-Hand Plaited Pony class. The win went to Emily Masters and Broadtown Make a Wish owned by Kathryn Masters. Emily said: “She is perfect! I’ve just started showing her in hand and she is a dream horse, we are so lucky to have her.” Broadtown Make a Wish has just turned five and the Masters family bought her to be the next size up pony for Emily who added: “We went to Cornwall to see family and we saw her and fell in love – we got her on Valentine’s Day last year! Our friend Charlotte Langridge took her in this class last year and they qualified but didn’t go to the final. We’re really looking forward to it this year!”
Taking runner up spot in the In-Hand Plaited Pony class – and also a win in the Amateur In-Hand Veteran class – were Maisie Filler and her 20-year-old liver chestnut gelding, Charlwood Not The Norm – known as Norman. A delighted Maisie said: “I’ve owned Norman for seven years, we used to do jumping and cross country but now we mainly do dressage. We came here to do some showing for fun today! We live in Hertfordshire and I’m going to Surrey University in the Autumn to study Business Management. I chose Surrey as it’s not too far from Norman – I’m going to come home every weekend to visit him!”
Another In-Hand competitor at Pickering won two classes on the day, this was Marsha Holtham and Fell pony, Rackwood Sophie, owned by Raychel Liddell. This pair won the In-Hand Mountain and Moorland class and then followed on to win the In-Hand Native Traditional and Rare Breeds class. Marsha said: “This is fantastic – we went to the last qualifier and came second in both these classes and now we’ve come first in them both! I got Sophie last November. I’d sadly lost my pony and Raychel got in touch to see if I’d like to come and meet Sophie. I’d always had Highland ponies before but my friends all have Fells so I came to see Sophie and collected her a few days later. We’ve been having so much fun together ever since! She is an absolute sweetheart and we’ve also just started competing in intro dressage. We’ll head off to a few more shows over the summer including the Great Yorkshire.” Marsha works as a Practice Administrator at Vets for Pets and as a Riding for the Disabled coach.
Hillrow Harvest and Alice Griffiths won the Rescue Equine Showing Society, Search for a Star In-Hand Rescue Horse and Pony Your Horse Live qualifier at Pickering Grange. Alice has owned Harvey, as he is known, for five years now. She said: “Harvey has been great today, this win followed up a third place earlier today in the Traditional Gypsy Cob ridden class. Before he came to me, Harvey had been abandoned in the Fen about six miles down the road and I decided to get him. He had to be herded to my stables at home as we couldn’t catch him and after lots of talks with the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare we decided to geld him, both groups contributed to the cost of this. He was very nervous, the gelding definitely helped but he still has his moments!
“It has taken a lot of patience and time to get him to the way he is now. He is super friendly and now doesn’t like to leave me alone! In his youngstock years he was Champion at the Suffolk show a few years ago, won at Royal Windsor and has multiple other championships at local shows as well. We have a very fun life, his quirky personality makes him incredibly special to me and he now has a home for life.”
SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “We had a super day at Pickering Grange, a real highlight was the Racehorse to Riding Horse class with an exceptional group of horses coming forward for judging. Huge thanks to all our team of dedicated and talented judges and stewards who are, as always, so generous with their time and experience.”
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
Images – please credit 1st Class Images
Results SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse Pickering Grange 2025.
HOYS Qualifying classes:
Class 1 Working Pony – Rhydypandy Tom Jones owned by Rebecca Carter and ridden by Jessica Carter from South Yorkshire
Class 2 Working Horse – The Granite Way owned by Heather Gibbon and ridden by Grace Gibbon from Pembrokeshire
Class 3 Show Hunter – 1st Stormzy owned and ridden by Danielle Marratt from Leicestershire
Class 3 Show Hunter – 2nd Carnsdale Royal Constance owned and ridden by Anna Wills from Cheshire
Class 4 Riding Horse Hack – 1st Summertime Jack owned and ridden by Heather Blythe from Shropshire
Class 4 Riding Horse Hack – 2nd Fridebi Timberland owned by Tammy Britton and ridden by Kai Wood from Co Durham
Class 5 Show and Maxi Cob – 1st The Boss 2 owned and ridden by Jane Hemmings from Derbyshire
Class 5 Show and Maxi Cob – 2nd Antrim Ned owned and ridden by Eleanore Eden from Suffolk
Class 6 Racehorse to Riding Horse – 1st Mumford owned and ridden by Collette McGoldrick from Derbyshire
Class 6 Racehorse to Riding Horse – 2nd Deep Challenger owned and ridden by Sarah Llewellyn from Wiltshire
Class 6 Racehorse to Riding Horse – 3rd Yazdi owned and ridden by Sammie-Jo Daley from West Midlands
Class 7 Traditional Gypsy Cob all colours - 1st Mr Blue Sky owned by Donna Berry and ridden by Emma Berry from West Midlands
Class 7 Traditional Gypsy Cob all colours – 2nd Tommy Gun owned and ridden by Lily Flemming from Manchester
Your Horse Live qualifying classes:
Class 8 Mountain and Moorland – 1st Rhydypandy Tom Jones owned by Rebecca Carter and ridden by Jessica Carter from South Yorkshire
Class 8 Mountain and Moorland – 2nd Tirygelli Tomos owned and ridden by Lindsey Holmes from Derbyshire
Class 9 Open Ridden Veteran Horse and Pony – 1st Paris Party Girl owned and ridden by Lisa Counsell from Somerset
Class 9 Open Ridden Veteran Horse and Pony – 2nd Murthwaite Looks Promising owned and ridden by Jane Rawden from Nottinghamshire
Class 10 Pony Club Lead Rein Pony – 1st Melland Summer Primrose owned by Fiona Wilson and ridden by Chloe Wilson from Leicestershire
Class 11 Pony Club First Ridden Type – 1st Littlemoorend Rosetta owned by Gaenor Cresswell and ridden by Bethany Cresswell from Derbyshire
Class 12 Pony Club Open – 1st Wayfaring Airs and Graces owned by Claire Simpson and ridden by Emma Simpson from Lancashire
Class 13 Amateur In-Hand Plaited Horse including Hogged Show Cob – 1st Singing Habari owned and handled by Charlotte Mills from Warwickshire
Class 14 Amateur In-Hand Plaited Pony – 1st Broadtown Make A Wish owned by Kathryn Masters and handled by Emily Masters from Lincolnshire
Class 14 Amateur In-Hand Plaited Pony – 2nd Charlwood Not The Norm owned by Liz Filler and handled by Maisie Filler from Hertfordshire
Class 15 Amateur In-Hand Rare Breeds, Traditional and Native Type – 1st Rackwood Sophie owned by Raychel Liddle and handled by Marsha Holtham from Derbyshire
Class 16 Amateur In-Hand Veteran – 1st Charlwood Not The Norm owned by Liz Filler and handled by Maisie Filler from Hertfordshire
Class 17 Amateur In-Hand Mountain and Moorland – 1st Rackwood Sophie owned by Raychel Liddle and handled by Marsha Holtham from Derbyshire
Class 18 British Riding Clubs – 1st Rhydypandy Tom Jones owned by Rebecca Carter and ridden by Jessica Carter from South Yorkshire
Class 20 In-Hand Rescue Horse & Pony – 1st Hillrow Harvest owned and handled by Alice Griffiths from Suffolk