A day of success at the Search for a Star Riding for the Disabled Association championship

Competitors travelled far and wide to take part in the first Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Search for a Star competition since 2019

On Friday 15 July, Hartpury College in Gloucestershire played host for the long-awaited championship event. Centres from all over the country were represented with four champions being presented with sashes, a plaque, a rosette and advice from the judges on how to take their showing to the next level.

The overall champion title went to Tara Redfern and My Last Bob, who’s owned by the Wenlo RDA group. Kirsty Mabin’s gorgeous skewbald, Doylan Bodacious Gift, from Erme Valley RDA was awarded best pony. Chris Bradley and MBF Harley Rebel took the best rider title for Cambridgeshire College RDA. Finally, Catriona McCartney and Axholme Thor took the championship prize for best combination for Avon RDA.

Tara was delighted with how the afternoon went and said: “I’ve only been riding Bob for five or six weeks and I’ve never been to the RDA Championships before. It’s great to get this experience and it’s very kind of Dawn, Bob’s owner, to say we should have a go.” Tara has been a carriage driving volunteer at Wenlo RDA and Carriage Driving Group, she continued: “I enjoy going every Tuesday to do jobs around the yard and to help with the driving. I’m hopefully going to go to some driving competitions with the group in the future, too.”

RDA Search for a Star is always undertaken in a low-key manner to ensure that all competitors can enjoy competing and have a positive experience showing. The go-round is performed in walk and riders are encouraged to show off their horse’s attributes in a way that suits them. Search for a Star judge, Katie Jerram-Hunnable, has judged the competition for many years and said: “In this class, we look for a very mannerly horse or pony that’s straightforward for the rider. The horse or pony must enjoy the job, conformation of course comes into it, but the manners and suitability are crucial.”

The Search for a Star showing series was set up by SEIB insurance more than 20 years ago to offer competition experience to equestrians wanting to try showing. Nicolina McKenzie, marketing manager at SEIB, said: “Every time we run Search for a Star RDA we’re so impressed with the lovely horses and riders that come forward. Our judges are pleased to be able to offer much appreciated help and encouragement and we’re grateful for our busy judges and stewards for making the time to come along. Thank you to the RDA championships team for making us feel so welcome, we look forward to coming back next year.”

For more information about Search for Star, including details of competitions and how to enter, please visit www.seib.co.uk/competitions