A bride-to-be, book star and cancer survivor are among the horses and riders through to the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Amateur Veteran final at Your Horse Live this Friday (12 November).
This is the first time the amateur and open veteran finals have featured in the show’s timetable, and five amateur horses will line up to be judged by Paul Cook and Sarah Chapman.
Each combination will be asked to give a set show, before each horse is stripped off and presented to the conformation judge.
Scroll down to see the finalists…
Atlantic Flight — aged 19
Owned and ridden by Debbie Fitzpatrick, this 19-year-old qualified for the Your Horse Live final at Dallas Burston.
The pair were Search for a Star Riding Horse finalists at Horse of the Year Show in 2018.
Since then, Debbie, who manages a Covid-19 testing site, has battled bladder cancer and is “delighted” to be back out competing with Atlantic Flight.
Cottrell Riverdance — aged 24
Owned by Selina Bowles and ridden by Millie Bowles, this grey Welsh section B qualified for the Your Horse Live final at Brook Farm.
Millie and ‘Ronnie’ recently stood in-hand supreme in the Veteran Horse Society’s veteran supreme overall final.
Liskeran Dun Bobby — aged 21
Sarah Hill’s Liskeran Dun Bobby earned his ticket at Richmond Equestrian Centre, ridden by Elly Hill.
The Connemara pony has been owned by the Hill family for eight years.
Mystical Clover — aged 18
Graphic designer Louise Chamberlain owns and rides this 18-year-old, who secured a place in this week’s final at Bury Farm.
The pair qualified for and competed in the Search for a Star Riding Club/Show Horse final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2016.
Louise described competing at HOYS as “the most incredible experience” and said it is one she will never forget.
Tukki Amira — 25
Owner/rider Claire Marriott was gifted this pure-bred Arab by her previous owner, Stara Holland, 10 years ago.
Tukki Amara has bred several foals and competed in Arab classes. She also featured in a book — Beautiful Horses by Liz Wright — representing the Arabian breed.
Claire also has her own claim to fame, appearing in the TV show Say Yes To The Dress alongside her bridesmaid, Jessica Bowring, ahead of her wedding which takes place shortly after Your Horse Live — on 19 November.
Six veteran horses — five of whom are ex-racehorses — will also line up for the open veteran final this week.
There’s still time to buy your tickets to Your Horse Live. Come back to yourhorse.co.uk over the weekend for the latest news and training round-ups from the line-up of top names, including Charlotte Dujardin, Oliver Townendand Sir Lee Pearson.
