An amateur rider from Carnovrack, Redruth, has qualified for the prestigious Horse of the Year Show.

Georgia Rase rode her horse Welsh Surprise to second place in the riding hose hack class at the SEIB Search for a Star qualifier at Stretcholt Equestrian Centre in Somerset last week, to qualify for the prestigious Horse of the Year Show.

Georgia said: “It means everything to me to have qualified for HOYS. We work very hard and it is brilliant to be getting this opportunity.”

Welsh Surprise was literally a surprise to Georgia several years ago, she continued: “Mum went up to Wales to collect some two-year-olds and then rang on the way home saying she had bought a weanling that was on the lorry too.

SEIB Insurance Brokers set up the Search for a Star series over 20 years ago to give amateur riders and their horses the chance to compete at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). The series has led to many thrilled competitors achieving this dream.

He was very cheap to buy, but has cost me a small fortune since then – he is very accident prone!”

Georgia works as a support worker at the Brandon Trust, she continued: “I have to do a bit of juggling to fit the horses in around work and we don’t get to that many shows as I am meant to be at work at the weekends.” Georgia’s sister rode at HOYS as a very small child and Georgia competed at RIHS on her 13hh pony.

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.

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.

SEIB Marketing Manager Nicolina Mackenzie said: “We always enjoy coming to Stretcholt, everyone is very well looked after.

"We saw some lovely horses and ponies today across the classes and we are so pleased to be able to give our very well deserving qualifiers the chance to compete in the Search for a Star final which is now in its 20th year at HOYS.”

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.org.uk or www.racehorse2ridinghorse.co.uk. Find SEIB Search for a Star on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/SEIB.Search4AStar.

For insurance queries visit www.seib.co.uk or call 01708 850000.