Whitchurch mum wins Horse of the Year Show Championship

A farmer and amateur rider from Whitchurch has won the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Championship at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Irish Sport Horse, Redshaw Valentino (Henry) was ridden to perfection by Samantha Lea on the 11th October under the bright lights of the HOYS main arena to take the Search for a Star title.

Samantha said: "I'm so overwhelmed to win, it was totally unexpected! Henry always tries his hardest and he is usually so laid back, its really helped him shine in the HOYS atmosphere." Samatha's nearly-one-year-old son, Hugo was at the ringside supporting his mum. Samantha continued: "Henry and I competed in Search for a Star in 2022 and the judge said he needed a bit of time to mature. We had the 2023 season off and we brought him back into work slow and steady, we qualified first time out and now we've won this!"

To take the overall SEIB Search for a Star title Samantha and Henry won their qualifier back in June 2024. They then won the Show Hunter final at HOYS before progressing through to the SEIB Search for a Star Championship in the main HOYS International Arena with the six other Search for a Star section winners.

Each championship combination performed a show of their choice for judges Katie Jerram-Hunnable, Chris Hunnable and international judge, JJ Kemp, from South Africa, in a taut atmosphere under the bright HOYS main arena lights.

Redshaw Valentino has the perfect bloodlines for show-ring success. He was bred by Joanne Shaw who said: "Henry is out of my show mare, Pebbly Diva Du, she won the Supreme at the Royal International Horse Show and has bred 10 foals since. Henry's full-brother has also been to HOYS in the small hacks. Henry was just perfect as a foal and a young horse; I'm made up by this win!"

Samantha runs an equine rug cleaning business from the family farm, where Henry also lives. She has owned Henry for nearly three-years now. She added: "My friend bought Henry from his breeder to do Working Hunter classes with. I saw him over the stable door and fell in love with him!"

Seasoned SEIB Search for a Star judge, Katie Jerram-Hunnable said: "As ever, I enjoyed every minute of Search for a Star. I loved having our international judge JJ Kemp with us. I met JJ before when I judged him fifteen-years-ago and spent some time running showing workshops in South Africa. JJ rode the horses here really well and it is so refreshing to have him here."

Traditional cob, Beacon St James (Jimmy) and his rider, Lauren Woodward took the Reserve Champion SEIB Search for a Star title.

Nearly a thousand competitors have entered SEIB Search for a Star qualifiers this season to chase a total of 50 much-coveted HOYS tickets in the series. SEIB Insurance Brokers set up the Search for a Star series in the mid-1990's; it has been a popular fixture at HOYS ever since and grows in size each year. For the first time, in 2024 the Absolutely Genuine Company has leased the running of Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse.

Judges, Katie, Chris and JJ spoke over the microphone during the classes which provided some very educational and entertaining insights. Many previous Search for a Star competitors and finalists have made the most of the expert support offered by the team of top judges and gone on to success in open classes.

Series organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: "We are thrilled to be providing these opportunities for amateur riders. The HOYS Search for a Star championships are the culmination of months, and in some cases years, of preparation and training for the riders and their horses and ponies."