SEIB Insurance Brokers- Press Release

17^th October 2024 

SEIB Search for a Star 2024  
 
For images please follow these links - HOYS SFAS Champ (C 1st Class Images), and HOYS SFAS CHAMP Fam (Samantha with her son Hugo and Redshaw Valentino's breeder Joanne Shaw - C Jenny Viner)

 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 11^th 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."

SEIB have been providing expert insurance services for over 60 years. Renowned for their specialist equestrian insurance, SEIB offers tailored cover for horses, horseboxes, trailers, riders, and equestrian businesses, ensuring comprehensive protection and peace of mind. For more information on their range of services and to explore their bespoke insurance solutions, please visit seib.co.uk. 

Results SEIB Search for a Star Championships at Horse of the Year Show 2024.

SEIB Search for a Star Champion 2024

Redshaw Valentino owned and ridden by Samantha Lea from Shropshire.

SEIB Search for a Star Reserve Champion 2022

Beacon St James owned and ridden by Lauren Woodward from Staffordshire

WEDNESDAY

TRADITIONAL COB CHAMPIONSHIP

1^st- Beacon St James, owned and ridden by Lauren Woodward from Staffordshire

2^nd- Splash Supreme owned and ridden by Jennifer Petza from Lancashire

3^rd- Charlie's Brown Boy owned by Caroline Harker and ridden by Charlotte Harker from Co Durham

4^th-CGW Bobby owned and ridden by Stephanie Bielby from North Yorkshire

5^th- Charmbrook Monkey Business owned by Claire Dixon and ridden by Hannah Barrett from North Yorkshire

6^th- Ernie Cool owned by Sally O'Donnell and ridden by Charlotte O'Donnell from West Yorkshire

THURSDAY

WORKING PONY

1^st- Little Miss Flintstone owned by Shelley Harvey and ridden by Lexi Eccles from Lancashire

2^nd- Menai Super Sovereign owned by Louise Kohl and ridden by Olivia Kohl from Leicestershire

3^rd- Mossgate In The Mix owned by Gemma Beck and ridden by Delilah Beck from Nottinghamshire

4^th- Greenholme Jake owned by Susan Keegan and ridden by Liam Wrobel from Cheshire

5^th- Double Trouble owned by Hannah Johnston and ridden by Ruby Johnston from Lancashire

WORKING HORSE

1^st-Thurlow (Harley) owned by Robin Vestey and ridden by Karen Tennent from Suffolk

2^nd- Millmount Maestro owned and ridden by Anna Higgins from the Isle of Man

3^rd- Willow Bawn Classic owned by Louise Hewitt and ridden by Pamela Hewitt from Cheshire

4^th- Lisboy Red Wine owned by Graham Smith and ridden by Jessica Walker from Leicestershire

5^th- Auld Flame owed and ridden by Abi Jacobs from Suffolk

RIDING HORSE HACK

1^stRIDING HORSE -Carrhouse Deal Me In owned and ridden by Kristie Short from Northamptonshire

1^stHACK - Polydamos owned and ridden by Katy Llewellyn from South Glamorgan

2^nd- Banna Belize owned and ridden by Yvette Wheeler from Cumbria

3^rd- Foxgrove Legally Blonde owned and ridden by Rebecca Parkin from North Yorkshire

4^th- Quakin Enigma owned and ridden by Zoe Falkner from Northamptonshire

5^th- Kilbrickens Princess owned and ridden by Hannah Pedley from South Yorkshire

6^th- Overwater Majestic Meg owned and ridden by Sian Chadwick from Cheshire

COB CHAMPIONSHIP

1^st- Darrowby Ajax owned and ridden by Carla Hainsworth from North Yorkshire

2^nd- Kinculla Major owned and ridden by Allana Green from West Midlands

3^rd- Top Gun owned and ridden by Rebecca Davies from Cheshire

4^th- Double Denim owned and ridden by Nicola Reeder from Northamptonshire

5^th- Soot Supreme owned and ridden by Natacha Bonner from Hampshire

6^th- Fiddlers Green Elvis owned and ridden by Esther Lloyd-Jones from Lancashire

FRIDAY

HUNTER

1^st- Redshaw Valentino owned and ridden by Samantha Lea from Shropshire

2^nd- Questiontime owned and ridden by Kaitlin Mason from North Yorkshire

3^rd- Hawksdown Hocus Pocus owned and ridden by Jessica Robb from Bedfordshire

4^th- Rodney owned by Laura Chisholm and ridden by Jessica Buxton from Suffolk

5^th- Merllyns Marconie owned by Natalie Farley and ridden by Heather Warden from Warwickshire

6^th- Danger Mousey owned by Penelope Oakley and ridden by Zoe Spokes from Oxfordshire

ENDS

For further press information please contact Jenny Viner, jenny@jennyviner.com

About SEIB Insurance Brokers LTD:

• SEIB Insurance Brokers was founded in 1963 and is proudly part of the Benefact Group. 
• SEIB Insurance Brokers is a national company, specialising in various markets such as equestrian, funeral and private hire.
• Giving is embedded in the culture of SEIB and the company has always been committed to supporting good causes.
• SEIB Insurance Brokers has granted over £300,000 to charity since 2018 through their SEIB Giving initiative
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• Owned by a registered charity, Benefact Trust, Benefact Group's family of businesses provide specialist insurance, investment management and broking and advisory services in the UK, Australia, Canada and Ireland.
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Find out more about Benefact Group here -www.benefactgroup.com