“Riding here is a dream come true” – nurse crowned champion of popular amateur series at HOYS

Meet all the horse and rider combinations winning their classes in popular amateur series, including the champion who was purchased instead of a new kitchen…

Cardiology nurse, Alex Windross rode her own Herbie to take the coveted amateur showing title in the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Championship at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on 7 October. The combination came through to the championship after winning the riding horse final and, as the results were announced in the main HOYS International Arena, it took a few seconds for North Yorkshire-based Alex’s win to sink in before her moment in the iconic HOYS spotlight.

“I absolutely didn’t believe it when they announced the results,” said Alex. “Just to be riding here is a dream come true, let alone to have won! I’ve been coming to HOYS to watch with a friend for years, and to come and ride with the likes of the Whitakers really is a dream.”

Alex works as a cardiology nurse at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and her horses have to fit in around her shifts at the hospital. Nine-year-old Herbie’s mainly competed as a dressage horse but turned his hoof to showing at the start of this season.

“I bought my first horse, Freddie, when I was 18. He was very nervous and I found the only activity he really enjoyed was showing. Sadly, I lost him this March, just before his 28th birthday. That’s when I decided to show Herbie, as one last little dedication to Freddie,” Alex continued. “When we entered the Search for a Star qualifier at Vale View, back in April, I thought we’d see how we got on – it was Herbie’s first showing show.”

Alex is a member of Whitby Riding Club and competes as part of a British Dressage Quest team called The Mane Event. She’s owned Herbie since he was a four-year-old and admitted that the purchase was the result of a choice between a new horse or a new kitchen.

Reserve champions, Maxine Linas and An Buachaill Ban Bui

Social media marketing company owner, Maxine Linas and her own dun and white gelding, An Buachaill Ban Bui, took the Search for a Star reserve champion title after winning the working show horse final. This was the combination’s third-ever show, and they’re more commonly found eventing.

“We went to a working hunter class at Aintree and the judge said we should have a go at Search for a Star, so we did,” Maxine said. “Bandit has a varied life and I’ve owned him for two years now, we have plenty of fun together. We’ve put a lot of work into this week. Bandit has been swimming and to hydrotherapy in the run-up.”

Cob winners, Hannah Johnson and B Unique

Gloucestershire-based Hannah Johnson rode Linda Penfold’s B Unique to win the Search for a Star cob final. Hannah tried the series in 2021 and although she didn’t qualify in her first season, she was encouraged by the judges’ feedback and motivated to try it again this term.

Hannah and B Unique formed their partnership in sad circumstances. The gelding was owned by a friend of Linda’s, Sally Neenan, since he was a foal. However, a few years ago, Sally passed away due to cancer and ownership of B Unique passed to Linda. He was out on loan when Linda was alerted to the fact that he wasn’t well and that he might have to be put to sleep, so he returned home where Hannah started riding him.

“We had him for two weeks to start off with and he has stayed ever since,” Hannah said.

Hack winners, Sarah Lindsey and Just Elusive

The hack final went to warehouse worker Sarah Lindsey from Leicestershire and her five-year-old, second-generation homebred, Just Elusive.

“Eleven years ago we took Just Elusive’s dam, Just Maybe to Search for a Star and qualified and attended the HOYS finals,” said a delighted Sarah. “I’m so delighted that Just Elusive is following in her mother’s footsteps. It has taken time and we will eventually aim for open hack classes.”

Hunter winners, Sarah Moreland and Coultard Z

Hertfordshire-based Sarah Moreland won the hunter final riding her own bay gelding, Coultard Z. This was a real dream come true for Sarah who has attended the show since she was much younger, and whose late father was a steward at HOYS for many years before retiring in 2013.

‘Scottie’, as Sarah’s gelding is known, competes in many disciplines including dressage and side-saddle. He even competes in para dressage with grade 4 rider, Georgina Maton.

“He’s the most wonderful horse,” Sarah continued, adding that she made quite the journey to buy the horse, who was bred in Aberdeenshire and found by Sandra Low-Mitchell of the Balcormo Stud. “At the time it was a choice between buying a nice horse or a nice car – and he won hands down!”.

Traditional cob winners, Kirsty Sheath and Hermits Golden Safari

Kirsty Sheath won the traditional cob final on her striking palomino and white gelding, Hermits Golden Safari. Kirsty, who works as a saddler and is based in Leighton Buzzard, was “delighted” with the gelding who she’s owned for two years – during which time they’ve overcome travelling issues and severe ulcers.

Hermits Golden Safari is the first traditional cob that Kirsty and her mum Jean Sheath have owned – and has prompted the pair to buy a second young traditional. “My mum always wanted a traditional and he was our lockdown purchase – I think Mum had pretty much bought him before she’d even seen him,” Kirsty continued. “He loves life though, he hacks, jumps and has the best attitude.”

Working pony winners, Natalie Pastor and Langorra Ginger Port

The working horse and pony final is run as one class at HOYS, with one horse winner and one pony winner. The overall reserve champion was the winner of the working horse class, Maxine Linas and An Buachaill Ban Bui, while it was Warwickshire-based Natalie Pastor who won the working pony class with her homebred six-year-old New Forest gelding, Langorra Ginger Port.

“It’s amazing to have won – you just never know what is going to happen and you can’t replicate a show like this,” said Natalie of ‘Larry’, who’s a homebred out of her New Forest working hunter pony mare, Portmore Lil. He’s entirely home produced and Natalie backed him and brought him on herself.

“It’s a miracle we were even here today as he has had time off and only came back into work a month ago, he has done plenty of swimming lately which has paid off!”

To learn more about the SEIB Search for a Star series, visit seib.co.uk/competitions