2015 is set to be another busy year for the SEIB Insurance Brokers’ Search for a Star series which gets underway on the 12th April 2015 at Osbaldeston Riding Centre, Blackburn. Search for a Star was created in the 1990’s by leading insurance company, SEIB Insurance Brokers and provides the opportunity for amateur riders to qualify for the Search for a Star finals at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) each year.
Over this time, Search for a Star has become the pinnacle of ambition for many amateur riders and provided numerous success stories. Several horses and riders that have been successful in Search for a Star have gone on to compete in open classes with great success.
The SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star series takes place at five qualifying shows over the spring and summer throughout the country for the all-important HOYS final. There are five classes at each qualifying show including, Working Hunter, Riding Club Show Horse, Show Hunter, Show and Show Hunter Ponies, Riding Horse and Hacks and Cob classes.
Search for a Star judges include the very experienced Richard Ramsay and David Bartram who will be joined by some new faces for the 2015 season. The Search for a Star judges are frequently on hand to answer any questions after each qualifying class. Competitors often find that, having listened to the advice given after the class and worked hard before their next show, they come back to a subsequent qualifier and their performance is much improved.
No joining or registration fees are required to compete in SEIB Search for a Star, but all entrants must adhere to the eligibility rules which are strictly enforced.
Running alongside SEIB Search for a Star is the popular SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championship series, also with a prestigious final at Horse of the Year Show. This class was started over 10 years ago by SEIB to give support and recognition to those retraining racehorses and is now a very popular and competitive HOYS Final. Such is the draw of this class that from 2013 the winner of the HOYS SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championship now goes forward for the judging of the HOYS Supreme Horse of the Year. The first qualifier for the 2015 series of SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse also takes place at Osbaldeston on the 12th April.
Leading equine insurers, SEIB Insurance Brokers provide cover for horses, horse boxes, yards and much more. “The Search for a Star Championship series is a way to give amateur riders the chance to achieve their dream of riding at The Horse of the Year Show. The standard increases every year and we are delighted to give so many riders this opportunity”, said Nicolina MacKenzie, Marketing Manager at SEIB Insurance Brokers.
The 2015 Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers will be held at:
12th April 2015
Osbaldeston Riding Centre, Blackburn, Lancs, BB2 7LZ
Tel & Fax: 01254 813159
10th May 2015
Houghton Hall Equestrian & Alpaca Centre, Houghton, Cambs, PE28 2DY
Tel: 01480 700236 (during office hours only)
21st June 2015
Stretcholt Equestrian Centre, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4SR
Tel: 01278 683312
5th July 2015
Bury Farm Equestrian Centre, Slapton, Bucks, LU7 9BT
Tel: 01525 222114
8th August (Saturday) 2015
Vale View Equestrian Centre, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3LX
Tel: 01664 823739
6th September 2015 (Racehorse to Riding Horse Qualifier Only)
Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2LH
Finals, Horse Of The Year Show 7th – 11th October 2015
Birmingham NEC
The Search for a Star competition rules, comprehensive information, a downloadable schedule and entry form will be available from www.search4astar.org.uk, by the end of February 2015 as well as the latest news, details of previous winners, what to wear and a great forum for riders to share their views.
More information on the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championship is available from www.racehorse2ridinghorse.co.uk where you can download a schedule and entry form from the end of February 2015 as well as the latest news, details of previous winners and take part in a forum for sharing your views.
Further information is available from www.facebook.com/SEIB.LTD, www.facebook.com/SEIB.Search4AStar and www.facebook.com/SEIB.R2R
