Latest news with #SearchforaStar
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Clarkston teenager secures place at prestigious horse show
Annie Duffy, from Clarkston, has qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), which will take place in Birmingham this October. Riding Neuklear Master Blaster, a skewbald pony owned by Nakita O'Hare-Wilson, Annie earned her place at the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star qualifier held on July 6 at Greenlands Arena in Carlisle. The pair won the Working Pony class, judged by Michaela Bowling and Hannah Atkinson, securing their entry to HOYS. Read more: Man who was spotted walking sheep at train station speaks out Annie, a student at Hutchesons' Grammar School, said: "I'm so happy, Neuk is such a good boy and I've always wanted to go to HOYS – we've been to watch before. "This was our closest qualifier, so we said we can't not come and give it a go. "My old pony went on loan, and Nakita has now let me ride Neuk for a year now. "Nakita didn't plan to buy Neuk – she bought a mare without knowing she was pregnant. "When Neuk was born, Nakita kept him as company for a Friesian youngster she had. "Neuk and I also compete in jumping and dressage, along with some junior coloured showing classes." Read more: 'People want to leave': Residents claim rats are 'taking over' tenement block Launched in 1996, the SEIB Search for a Star series has given thousands of amateur riders the chance to compete at HOYS. The programme offers opportunities for a variety of show horses to qualify for the championships at both HOYS and Your Horse Live. SEIB Insurance Brokers, the sponsor of the series, has provided equestrian insurance services for more than 60 years. The company offers specialist cover for horses, horseboxes, trailers, riders, and equestrian businesses. Nicolina MacKenzie, organiser of the SEIB Search for a Star, said: "Search for a Star is all about the journey and learning and improving over time. "Our team of judges and stewards is all invested in providing support and encouragement to help competitors and their horses and ponies perform to the best level they can." More information about the Search for a Star competition and entry details is available on the SEIB website.
Western Telegraph
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Fishguard rider qualifies for Horse of the Year Show
Amateur rider Hannah Jenkins and her horse Le Paz, known as Balou at home, have qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in Birmingham this October. The pair competed in the SEIB Search for a Star qualifier on May 25 at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. They won the Working Horse class under judges Nicola Taylor and Richard Ramsay, earning their HOYS qualification. Ms Jenkins and Le Paz had narrowly missed out on qualifying last month when they took the runner-up spot in the Search for a Star qualifier at Hartpury University in Gloucestershire. Ms Jenkins said: "Hartpury was originally the only qualifier I could do, I work as an intensive care nurse and after we came second there, I thought I'm going to have to try again now and managed to swap my shifts around so we could come here. "Balou came to me on loan from my best friend who bred him. "I had twin boys and she knew I got on with Balou and wanted to help me get back in the saddle so he came to stay and has never left. "I've now owned him since last summer. "I love him to bits." The SEIB Search for a Star competition first took place in 1996 and has since provided thousands of opportunities for amateur riders to compete at HOYS. 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. SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: "Search for a Star is all about the journey and learning and improving over time. "Our team of judges and stewards are all invested in providing support and encouragement to help competitors and their horses and ponies perform to the best level they can."
