Twenty thoroughbreds came forward for the hotly-contested SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier at the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Three-Day Event earlier this month (10 August). There was just one Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket on offer, resulting in strong competition between the combinations going before judges Lucy Killingbeck (conformation) and Louise Daly (ride).
However, it was Lincoln-winning Migration, ridden by Hannah Horton, who secured the coveted place. The gelding has been gifted to Anthony and Georgina Andrews and Hannah Horton by the Gail Brown Racing Syndicate.
“Migration is loving life in the show ring,” said Hannah. “He finds it so easy and is very trainable and eager to learn. He was superb at Hartpury at what was just his third show and first time going indoors. I’m sure he will take HOYS in his stride! We don’t want to rush him and will do a few novice hack classes to give him time.”
Eight-year-old Migration was in training with David Menuisier for whom he secured over £200,000 in win and place money, including winning the Lincoln in 2023.
“Migration came out to run in the Lincoln again on the 23 March this year and decided he didn’t want to go,” said Hannah. “David and the Gail Brown Racing Syndicate straightaway started looking for a good home for him and he has been gifted to Georgina, Anthony and myself to go showing. I received a lovely message from David saying it was ‘so lovely to see him back to winning’.
“Georgina and Anthony always said they would love a racehorse, after they sadly lost their horse Overdrive and Migration is a very good horse.”
SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse organiser, Nicolina Mackenzie said it was an honour to continue to support former racehorses in their second careers.
“It’s fabulous to see a horse as special as this out truly enjoying himself,” she said. “The standard of care, turnout and training that goes into these horses is simply second to none, some ex-racehorses take to showing and some
just don’t, I am delighted that Migration is one of the special ones and he appears to love it.”
SEIB Insurance Brokers set up Racehorse to Riding Horse nearly 20 years ago to celebrate ex-racehorses and give them a chance of success in a second career. SEIB’s Search for a Star series includes qualifiers for HOYS and Your Horse Live.
Lead image: Migration and Hannah Horton with judges, Lucy Killingbeck and Louise Daly. Credit: Jasmine Punter
