SEIB Search for a Star takes off at the JCB Pony Club Championships

The JCB Pony Club Championships hosted Pony Club SEIB Search for a Star qualifiers

Taking place at Offchurch Bury in Warwickshire back in August, these direct entry classes at the Championships are qualifiers for the Search for a Star Pony Club Championship in November.

The three SEIB Pony Club Search for a Star qualifying classes at the JCB Pony Club Championships were preceded by a ‘Train and Shine’ showing masterclass for all competitors entered. Both the masterclass and qualifiers proved to be a huge success and resulted in Pony Club members from across the country – including Northern Ireland – coming forward to try their hand in the show ring.

Marcus Capel, Pony Club Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am delighted that the Pony Club SEIB Search for a Star qualifiers have again been a great success. Our lucky members thoroughly enjoyed the educational masterclass, and the qualifiers are very excited about their opportunity to compete at Your Horse Live. Huge thanks to organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie and her team.”

Search for a Star series judge and seasoned top show producer, Mr Richard Ramsay, held the ‘Train and Shine’ Pony Club masterclass on the day. Competitors were unanimous in their praise for the help offered by Richard following the session which saw riders run through their show before receiving advice and support from Richard on how to improve performances. Richard said: “We had a great atmosphere in the Search for a Star Pony Club classes at the Championships, all the competitors and their connections were pleasant, and the overall standard was much improved on last year.” 

The lead rein class was won by six-year-old, Beatrice Whale riding Sharon Barnes Welsh Section A pony, Blaenau Daffyd. A beaming Beatrice said: “My pony is called Daffy and my favourite thing today is that we won!” Beatrice’s mum, Lucy Mills said: “This is the first Search for a Star qualifier we’ve done, we came along to watch some friends at the Championships as well and now they’re supporting us too! We’ve owned Daffy for six years and he came along at the same time as Beatrice.” Daffy isn’t just out competing at shows, Beatrice’s grandmother Sharon added: “We run a pony therapy and pony party business, Ollie and Friends. Daffy is regularly out visiting terminally ill children, and we also do regular hospice visits including Helen and Douglas House Hospice in Oxford. Daffy is a key member of the team providing therapy and support.” Beatrice and Daffy are members of the Bicester Pony Club.

The first ridden class went to Phoebe Crutchlow and her mum, Sam Crutchlow’s pony, Rhos Elodie. Ten-year-old Phoebe said: “I really enjoyed being in the ring today, she was just great. I’m so pleased to have qualified. We’ve had a busy week and it’s our second trip to the Championships this week as we were also competing in the Novice dressage to music on Wednesday – we used all my favourite Disney music! We were lucky enough to go to Your Horse Live last year with Elodie. She did so well and won the in-hand plaited pony class with my mum before coming second in this class.” Sam Crutchlow added: “The masterclass today was so nice to have, it was a great warm-up before the class and ensured the children were familiar with the ring and the positioning of the set show. It made all the difference!” Phoebe and Elodie are members of the Atherstone Hunt Branch of the Pony Club.  

The open went to Cotswold Vale Pony Club member, Rose Chugg-Martin and her pony Penhwnllys Karachi, known as Archie at home. Rose said: “Archie absolutely loves showing and I’m delighted with this result. The masterclass before the competition was fab, Richard Ramsay gave me advice on really using the ring and making sure we went deep into the corners which really helped Archie in the class. We’ve owned Archie for just over a year and we’ve had a busy week at the Pony Club Championships taking fourth in the Novice dressage and we also competed in the 90cm jumping championship and got a double clear. We are now about to head off to compete in our first one-day event at 90cm!” Rose had great success in this class at Your Horse Live in 2023 and took first place with her old pony, Tregaire Tiger Lily.

SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “I was delighted with how well the classes went today. The competitors were very appreciative of the training and support offered in the masterclass and made the most of Richard’s wonderful advice before going back in with some much-improved performances. Pony Club Search for a Star is beginning to really gain a following and we are looking forward to seeing all our qualifying riders and their ponies at Your Horse Live in November. Many thanks go to the Pony Club for their support and allowing us to hold at qualifier at their wonderful JCB Championships.”

For more information, visit seib.co.uk/competitions