A Suffolk Punch Horse, owned by Stamford based, Andrea Hoskins took the Supreme Champion title in the Supreme SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Your Horse Live Championship on the 11th of November in the main SEIB Arena at Your Horse Live at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
Andrea, of The George at Stamford, is an enthusiastic supporter of Suffolk Punch horses and rare breed heavy horses. Her four-year-old, Suffolk Punch mare, Holbeache Scarlet (feature image, credit SMR Photography) won the first ever in-hand Search for a Star Heavy Horse final on the Friday at Your Horse Live and then took the overall in-hand title before heading off the ridden champions and taking the overall Supreme Champion on the Saturday.
Holbeache Scarlet was ably handled at this national amateur championship by Andrea’s Stud Manager, Brak Auker. Holbeache Scarlet was bred by Alison Clarke and Mike Clarke. This is the first year the in-hand heavy horse Search for a Star championship has run.
Brad Auker said:
“It means an awful lot to me to win here today. It’s the first job I’ve had where I’m completely in charge and I am delighted we have managed to do this for Andrea. This is all new to me, I’ve been working as stud manager for Andrea for a year now. The Search for a Star workshop in September was great and taught me how to plait which has been great for today.”
The Suffolk Punch breed is registered on the Priority list of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, making them critically endangered. There are only 80 Suffolk Punch breeding mares in the UK and there were just 23 foals on the ground in 2023.
Longstanding Search for a Star judges and top show producers, Katie Jerram Hunnable and Chris Hunnable said:
“Our rare breed champion stood out today. The Suffolk Punch was lovely and so well behaved. She is in foal – due at the end of May which will be a fantastic addition to the collection of these rare breeds. I really liked her foreleg with her short pastern and cannon bone. It was a lovely win. We love supporting Search for a Star, Nicolina and her team work so hard and its great to see the series getting bigger and better each year.”
The new In-Hand Search for a Star Heavy Horse Championship on Friday was judged by Steve Ledsham and included a shoeing competition judged by Farriers Registration Council member, Robin May. Katie Jerram-Hunnable, Chris Hunnable, Matthew Lawrence and Beth Simons judged the Sunday finale.
Heavy horse finals judge on the Friday, Steve Ledsham said:
“They were all winners on the day in this final as they have all qualified at the different shows. It is the breed standard that we are looking to find in a mixed class. The Suffolk Punch, Holbeache Scarlet met the breed standard to perfection.”
The Search for a Star In-Hand heavy horse championship class also featured the best shod competition, and a prize awarded to the highest placed horse owned and exhibited by a British Horse Society member. Holbeache Scarlet won both of these prizes as well and was presented with her prizes on the Friday by British Horse Society Chief Executive Officer, James Hick.
Suffolk Punch mare, Holbeache Scarlet won the first ever in-hand Search for a Star Heavy Horse final on the Friday at Your Horse Live.
Image credit SMR Photography.
Holbeache Scarlet is one of a band of broodmares owned by Andrea Hoskins, Brad continued:
“We are aiming to preserve the breed, Scarlet is in foal, she is well put together and has also won best shod prizes several times. Showing is definitely her thing! I was always interested in heavy and working horses but then was sidetracked into thoroughbreds for several years before now working as the stud manager for Andrea. Holbeache Scarlet has also won at the Royal Norfolk show and was supreme champion at Suffolk.”
Founder of Search for a Star, SEIB’s Marketing Manager, Nicolina MacKenzie said:
“You simply couldn’t beat the atmosphere at the Search for a Star Your Horse Live championship this year. We are thrilled with how the new Search for a Star in-hand heavy horse championship has gone and delighted that we had two British native rare-breeds taking the supreme and reserve titles.”
Competitors at the Search for a Star Your Horse Live championships are lucky to go under top producers, Katie Jerram-Hunnable and Chris Hunnable and Matthew Lawrence for their final. As each class is underway, the judges voice their thoughts over a microphone. This has proved very popular with the audience.
Your Horse Live Event Director, Emma Bedford said:
“We were thrilled to welcome the Search for a Star in-hand heavy horses to Your Horse Live this year. The standard of horses and ponies was so high and its always a pleasure to have the championships here.”
Leading equine Insurance brokers, SEIB Insurance Brokers set up Search for a Star nearly 30 years ago so they could offer a unique competition opportunity to many of their amateur rider customers. SEIB has a long association with the showing world and is renowned for ‘putting something back’ by supporting many equestrian events and activities in addition to Search for a Star.
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 insurance queries visit seib or call 01708 850000.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.