New veteran and cob classes have been added to the SEIB Search for a Star line-up for 2021.

Search for a Star ridden and virtual veterans and Search for a Star part-bred traditional ridden cobs are the latest additions to the popular amateur series.

The champions in these new classes – provided the covid restrictions allow – will be crowned at finals to be held at Your Horse Live in November.

Virtual classes will be held in April and it is hoped that the ridden qualifiers will take place later in the year.

“We are delighted to be able to offer a brilliant opportunity on the big stage at Your Horse Live for older horses and their amateur riders,” said SEIB Marketing Manager, Nicolina MacKenzie.

“Following the success of the virtual Search for a Star part-bred traditional cob class last autumn, we have been able to also add this as a ridden class for 2021.”

Search for a Star first took place back in 1996 and over the years has provided thousands of opportunities for non-professional riders to compete at championship shows.

Traditionally the highlight of Search for a Star is the opportunity to qualify and compete at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

In recent years, in addition to the HOYS finals, Search for a Star now has championship classes in the main arena at Your Horse Live as well.

For 2021, it is intended that all classes for the SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse series will get underway with qualifiers beginning early in the summer months.

The SEIB team organising Search for a Star are working closely with HOYS and Your Horse Live.

They will add details of qualifiers and venues to www.seib.co.uk/competitions as they become available.

Time to shine

Search for a Star classes with finals at HOYS include; hacks, hunters, working pony, working horses, riding horses, traditional gypsy cobs – of any colour, show cobs, and the longstanding SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final.

Search for a Star qualifiers in the mountain and moorland classes, veteran horse or pony and part-bred traditional cob will head to Your Horse Live for their championships.

“Will we run this year, won’t we, who knows!?” added Nicola. “But we seriously hope to. The plan is there, we are just willing that circumstances allow it to happen.

“Our main concern is that everyone stays safe. We are after-all an insurance company and not ever in the business of taking any chances!”

In the meantime, the second round of Virtual Search for a Star is set to take place on 10-11 April at Your Horse Virtually Live.

Photo entries for these classes will be judged by members of the team of Search for a Star judges, with detailed feedback for the winning horses and ponies.

Virtual Search for a Star will include classes for mountain and moorlands, show hunters, riding horses, hacks, show cobs, diamond pony, traditional cobs, part-bred traditional cobs, RDA horse or pony, racehorses with amateur owner/riders and new for 2021, veterans.

Entries are open from 5 February to 8 March.