Westonzoyland rider qualifies for prestigious horse show final

Kirstie rode her Dales pony, Lowhouses Chesney to a win in the Mountain and Moorland class at the SEIB Search for a Star qualifier at Stretcholt Equestrian Centre on Sunday, May 20 to qualify for this exciting new championship.

Her victory means she will qualify for the SEIB Search for a Star final at Your Horse Live in Warwickshire.

The SEIB Search for a Star Mountain and Moorland championship is new this year and is open to pure-bred Mountain and Moorland ponies ridden by amateur riders.

Kirstie said: “I was so nervous before the class.

"I have wanted to do Search for a Star for so long and it is great that there is now this new M&M class that Boris and I can have a go in.”

All of Kirstie’s family attended Stretcholt to lend their support, she grew up doing M&M classes and then showed a hunter for a few years.

Kirstie continued: “Boris was meant to be my mum’s pony, we saw him and fell straight in love with him and he has now become mine.”

Family friend, Beth Reid – who also won the grooms prize at Stretcholt - will ride Boris at the Bath and West Show – it will be her first go in the junior M&M class.

Kirstie added: “Boris lives to go to shows, he has no interest in hacking out, although we did go the beach a few weeks ago and he loved that.”

Kirstie works in the office at Super Pro rally car parts.

SEIB Marketing Manager Nicolina Mackenzie said: “We are truly delighted to be able to give amateur Mountain and Moorland enthusiasts the opportunity to compete for a national showing title.

"SEIB are committed to putting on professionally run competitions for amateur riders. Search for a Star is now in its 22nd year and we are continually looking at ways to include more riders in the series and help them achieve their dreams”.

With capacity for 3,000 spectators in the atmospheric main arena at Stoneleigh, the SEIB Search for a Star Mountain and Moorland finalists will get a real feel for the big occasion.