Warwickshire duo claim titles at Horse of the Year show

TWO riders from Warwickshire are celebrating after winning titles in the 2016 SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Championships at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham.

Emma Wilson, from Shipston-on-Stour, took the coveted SEIB Search for a Star Working Hunter of the Year title, riding Louise Halsall’s Geoffrey.

The five-year-old rose grey gelding who is by the ID stallion, Cranag Hero, came over from Ireland last December and hunted with the Warwickshire last season.

Wilson said: “He was very green when we got him but he knows how to jump and likes to get in the air.

“He didn’t look at any of the fences in there. He is awesome to jump out hunting and just takes everything on.

Andrew Johnson, from Pillerton Hersey, won the SEIB Search for a Star Cob of the Year title riding his own Quintons Ernest.

The full Irish Draft chestnut gelding was bred by a friend and Johnson bought him as a three-year-old as a winter project.

“My other horse was injured and so I planned to work on this while he was recovering,” Johnson said.

“He didn’t come sound, so Ernie stayed. He was very timid to begin with and hid at the back of the stable.

“He has gained so much confidence in the last 12 months. It has definitely been worth the wait. He rides so big, the feeling is phenomenal,” said a delighted Andrew.

“He felt a little tense when we went in, but once we got trotting he settled. He really rises to the big occasion.”