Charming Section A takes the SEIB Search for a Star Supreme Championship at Your Horse Live
The winner of the inaugural Pony Club SEIB Search for a Star Your Horse Live lead rein final, Thistledown Elpaso and his seven-year-old rider Emily Hiscox took the top title at the SEIB Search for a Star Championship in the main SEIB arena at Your Horse Live. Finn Williamson and Kirsty Wilson’s dark bay mare Port Lou Lou took the in-hand championship title.
Champions of all shapes and sizes were crowned across eleven finals at the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Your Horse Live Championship at Your Horse Live at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on Friday 11th November. The winners of ten of the championship classes went forward for the first ever Search for a Star Your Horse Live championship on Saturday the 12th November.
North Warwickshire Pony Club member, Emily Hiscox and her mother, Heather Hiscox’s, Welsh section A pony, Thistledown Elpaso won the Search for a Star Pony Club lead rein championship at Your Horse Live on the Friday before returning for Saturday’s overall championship. Their Saturday performance was foot perfect and Emily finished by showing her fabulous balance and her pony’s steadfastness by standing up on his back for a few seconds. Judge Katie Jerram-Hunnable said: “It was a unanimous decision from the judges, myself, Chris Hunnable and Matthew Lawrence. The grey pony’s show was exceptional.” Heather said: “We didn’t think for a moment we’d be in with a chance of winning the Pony Club final. Today I was shaking in the ring! Emily has been up since 5.30 this morning and Elvis is meant to be going to a Pony Club rally tomorrow, although I think we might give him a day off!” Emily added: “I wanted to stand up on his back today and mummy said I could. I would like to do some vaulting on Elvis next!” Heather continued: “We have owned Elvis for three years and he has plenty of variety in his life from pony club camp, to hacking to jumping. He is Emily’s little unicorn and will be going back out in the field tonight – with no hood!” Seven-year-old Emily is Emily is a pupil at Leamington Hastings Church of England Academy in Rugby.
Pony Club Chief Executive Officer, Marcus Capel said: “We are absolutely delighted that the inaugural Pony Club Search for a Star has been such a success. It was wonderful to see all the members and parents here enjoying this fabulous show and for a Pony Club member to go on and win the supreme is just the icing on the cake, thank you to SEIB for giving our members this opportunity and I look forward to next year.”
Another young rider took the in-hand SEIB Search for a Star championship at Your Horse Live. Finn is fifteen-years-old. He said: “I have been so nervous this week. It was amazing to win yesterday and then she was brilliant today. We cracked on and it all went brilliantly. Search for a Star has been such a good experience for us and she loves showing! I’ve got my GCSE’s coming up next year and we hope to do some intermediate classes. After the great time we’ve had this season we think showing is her thing!” Finn and Port Lou Lou were Search for a Star HOYS finalists in the riding horse hack championship at Horse of the Year show last month. Finn is a student at Fallibroome Academy in Macclesfield. Conformation judge Matthew Lawrence said of Port Lou Lou: “As soon as this mare entered the ring I thought she was a great type. She has a lovely way of going with fabulous cadence and has been beautifully produced by her enthusiastic handler.”
Your Horse Live Director Emma Bedford said: “We have been so excited to welcome Pony Club Search for a Star this year to Your Horse Live. It is great to see so many young aspiring riders giving showing a go and enjoying the experience. We are delighted to see Search for a Star at Your Horse Live growing and becoming an integral part of our Friday programme.”
Founder of Search for a Star, SEIB’s Marketing Manager, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “You simply couldn’t beat the atmosphere at the Search for a Star Your Horse Live championship this year. Our competitors were so enthusiastic and grateful and both our team and the Your Horse Live team ensured everything ran seamlessly. This year we have more than doubled from five to eleven championship classes and it has been a delight to see. We are thrilled to welcome The Pony Club to Search for a Star and the inaugural championship really has been a true success.”
Main image: Thistledown Elpaso lead rein winner with Marcus Capel Pony Club CEO and Nicolina MacKenzie
Photos courtesy of SMR Photography
