News
Posted on June 28th, 2018
Technical Issues
Due to a technical problem, our Competitions page is currently unable to take entries…
This is a temporary issue and we’re working hard to resume normal service!
Apologies for the delay, and please call back again shortly….
Posted on June 26th, 2018
Alnwick Equestrian Centre to host SEIB Search for a Star qualifier
The fourth qualifier in the 2018 SEIB Search for a Star series will be held at Alnwick Ford Equestrian Centre in Northumberland on the 8th July. This is a brand-new venue for Search for a Star owing to popular demand to have a northern qualifier.
SEIB Search for a Star was set up to give amateur riders and their horses the chance to compete at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and has led to many thrilled competitors achieving this dream.
Each SEIB Search for a Star qualifier holds classes for Working ponies and horses, Riding Horse Hacks, Show Hunters and Cobs. Competitors have the chance to qualify for HOYS in each of these classes. SEIB Search for a Star is professionally run with strict entry criteria.
For the 2018 running of the series there is a new SEIB Search for a Star Mountain and Moorland Championship with its very own final at Your Horse Live 2018. This class will be held at each SEIB for a Star qualifier and is open to pure-bred Mountain and Moorland ponies ridden by amateur riders that fulfil the full Search for a Star rules and conditions of entry.
At each of the SEIB Search for a Star qualifiers there will also be a HOYS qualifier for the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championships. SEIB set up this Championship to support and encourage the re-education and training of ex-racehorses and help them on their way to a new career in the show ring.
Many former SEIB Search for a Star horses have gone on to great success in open classes and there are several open HOYS champions amongst those that have previously won at Search for a Star. SEIB Marketing Manager Nicolina Mackenzie said: “We are thrilled to have created these new opportunities for more amateur riders and we are very excited about this new Search for a Star venue. It has been a good few years since we had a qualifier so far north”.
Expert advice and support from the very experienced judges is on hand for all competitors at each of the five qualifiers. During the Championship build up there is the renowned Search for a Star workshop for all qualified combinations.
Entries will close on the 26th June. Late entries may be accepted with the addition of a late entry fee. Please see the Search for a Star rules for full details.
The remaining qualifiers for the 2018 SEIB Search for a Star and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse series will be held at:
Vale View Equestrian Centre, Leicestershire – 5th August
The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Lincolnshire – 2nd September (SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse only)
Leading equine Insurance brokers, SEIB Insurance Brokers provide cover for horses, horse boxes, yards and much more. The company has a long association with the showing world and is renowned for ‘putting something back’ by supporting equestrian events and activities.
For full details, rules and entry forms visit www.search4astar.co.uk or www.racehorse2ridinghorse.co.uk. Find us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/SEIB.Search4AStar.
Photo: SMR photos
Posted on June 26th, 2018
Staying Ahead of Strangles
Simple and effective ways to protect horses and yards from the highly infectious disease strangles is the theme of Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s latest free evening of expert talks.
Did you know, as reported in Redwings’ 2016 Strangles Survey, despite 80% of owners being willing to pay for their horse to be tested for strangles, only 13% of yards have any form of strangles screening for new arrivals in place?
With outbreaks of the highly contagious respiratory disease strangles continuing to occur across the country, awareness and implementation of effective biosecurity measures has never been more important. And we can significantly reduce the risk of strangles simply by taking a few positive and proactive steps in how we care for our horses.
Redwings’ “Strangles: Staying a step ahead” seminar is taking place at the charity’s Aylsham Visitor Centre, north of Norwich, on Wednesday 25th July from 6.30pm and will be of particular interest to livery yard managers and their clients.
Attendees will be treated to a presentation by Redwings’ Head of Welfare and Behaviour Nic de Brauwere who will be sharing valuable prevention and management advice. The evening will also offer practical solutions for balancing biosecurity while also being part of an active equestrian community.
Nic will also be on hand to answer any questions attendees may have, and everyone will go home with a goody bag of free resources and information.
Andie Vilela, Education and Campaigns Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be offering another free seminar, especially one that is so important in our campaign to ‘Stamp Out Strangles’. Myth-busting, practical advice and effective solutions based on real-life scenarios are the key topic of this evening event, so it’s one definitely not to be missed. And we think livery yard managers in particular will find this seminar particularly useful!”
To book your free place on the evening seminar, call 01508 481032 or email education@redwings.co.uk
Posted on June 25th, 2018
British Showjumping’s Team NAF Children European Championship Squad
Representing Great Britain under the title sponsor banner of Team NAF in the Children & Junior European Championships in Fontainebleau, France, the competition takes place between the 8th – 15th July at the Stade Equestre du Grand Parquet.
Atiya Bussey, aged 13, from Norwich, Norfolk will ride Chesterfield Z, a 12-year-old grey gelding owned by Louise Bussey.
The Children Team medals will be decided on Wednesday 11th July whilst the Junior Team medals will be decided on Friday 13th July. The Children will then compete for their Individual medals on Saturday 14th July whilst the Juniors will jump for their respective Individual medals on Sunday 15th July. The Chef d’Equipe’s accompanying the teams will be Tony Newbery and Clare Whitaker.
Image Credit – British Showjumping
Posted on June 18th, 2018
Olympian Red Gorilla Rider Sharon Hunt to Star at Hickstead Meeting
The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting 21st – 24th June 2018, one of the most popular events in the equestrian calendar, sees Sharon Hunt, bronze medallist champion at the 2012 British Olympics competing as the Red Gorilla sponsored rider.
Sharon has been a Red Gorilla ambassador for over a year and has been using the total stable management package. Her decision to compete was a last minute entry and will bring some great excitement to the meeting as one of her horses Loughnatousa Venture was in winning form in the foxhunter at the Suffolk Show. Sharon hopes he will be winning form again in the classes she will be competing in.
Around 45,000 spectators are expected to flock to the West Sussex showground in June, with visitor numbers peaking during the famous Al Shira’aa Derby on the Sunday afternoon. The Derby course is fearsomely tricky, with iconic obstacles such as the Derby Bank, the Devil’s Dyke and the double of water ditches guaranteeing plenty of thrills and spills for spectators.
To celebrate this great event, Red Gorilla in conjunction with Sharon Hunt Eventing will be offering a lucky person who attends the show a chance to win a coaching session with Sharon at her stables. In addition Weatherbeeta, the leading supplier of horse rugs will be giving the lucky winner one of their WB CFT Classic Lightweight turnout rugs as an additional prize. The one lucky winner will also be the face of Red Gorilla in the equine promotional and publicity material for the season. To enter simply visit the Red Gorilla stand 30 at the shopping village for an entry form.
Posted on June 12th, 2018
Suffolk’s Sam Ward wins the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet HOYS Grade C Qualifier at the South of England Show
The South of England Show in Haywards Heath, West Sussex played host to a British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet HOYS Grade C Qualifier and with a huge seventy starters, there was plenty of action for the spectators. Keeping his cool, Sam Ward rode a convincing double clear to take top spot.
With three qualification places available for the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet HOYS Grade C Championship Final at Horse of the Year Show, each combination came forward with the aim of securing a place at the top of the leader board with a double clear.
As twenty-four riders jumped clear in round one, it was left up to the all-important clock to decide the winner as they headed into the final jump off.
Travelling from Stowmarket in Suffolk, Sam Ward showed a great partnership with Troy III, a 9-year-old bay gelding owned by Michael Bates to secure first place. Posting a clear in the first round, this combination stormed the jump off with a lighting fast round to cross the finish line in 39.93 seconds with a double clear.
Image Credit – Spidge Event Photography
Posted on June 12th, 2018
Celebrate Cookie’s 21st Birthday
Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s latest “Adoption Star” pony Cookie will be celebrating his 21st birthday with a special party this June – and everyone is invited!
Stunning appaloosa pony Cookie – famous for his adorable dotty appearance – was chosen to join the charity’s popular Adoption Scheme earlier this year to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his rescue from horrific conditions at Spindle Farm, near Amersham in Buckinghamshire, in January 2008.
Poor Cookie and 100 other horses, ponies and donkeys were discovered living without food, water or basic care. Sadly, more than 30 of their friends who had already sadly succumbed to injury and illness laid around them.
Cookie was one of 60 survivors who came to Redwings to begin a new life at Sanctuary, as well as six foals born to mares following the rescue. Thanks to the hard work of Redwings’ vet and equine care teams, today an incredible 58 horses and donkeys are still being cared for by the charity or in loving Guardian homes as part of Redwings’ rehoming programme.
This month, handsome Cookie will not just be celebrating his landmark age of 21, but also his first birthday as a Redwings Adoption Star, with a party on Sunday 24th June, from 11.30am, at Redwings Aylsham, north of Norwich – and entry is free!
All are invited to attend the special day where visitors will have the chance to meet Cookie during a parade, watch the birthday boy tuck into his very own cake and join in with a quiz trail and party games.
As part of the Adoption Scheme, supporters can sponsor Cookie for £15 per year and all funds go towards his daily care and that of his four-legged friends at the Sanctuary.
Alison Lanchester, Redwings’ Head of Fundraising, said: “With his friendly nature and striking looks, everyone has taken Cookie to their hearts! His story of survival has really touched our visitors and we’re delighted that so many of them have supported this charming chap by sponsoring him since his launch as an Adoption Star earlier this year.
“His triumph over such a traumatic start in life, however, is symbolic of the struggles all of our inspirational Amersham survivors have overcome and by adopting Cookie our supporters are also helping to ensure we can continue to give all of these beautiful horses and donkeys a safe and loving home for the next 10 years.”
Redwings Aylsham, in Spa Lane, Aylsham, NR11 6UE, is open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) 10am to 4pm, and entry is free.
To sponsor Cookie or to read more about Redwings’ Adoption Scheme, visit www.redwings.org.uk/adopting
