AN AMATEUR rider from Radstock, Maisie Bush and her horse Joe Warbrick, have qualified for the prestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in Birmingham this October.

Charlotte and Joe Warbrick made the trip to Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire for the SEIB Search for a Star qualifier at the end of last month. They will now go on to compete under the bright lights of the HOYS Arena at the NEC in Birmingham in early October.

The pair competed in and won the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class under top judges Richard Ramsay and Nicola Taylor to earn their HOYS qualification.

Maisie said: “We came to Stoneleigh to have a go. It’s the first HOYS qualifier we’ve been to. Joe’s a lovely horse and I know his breeder who also owned him throughout his racing days. He was in training with Neil Mulholland and we also have Joe’s mum in the field at home – she’s 25-years-old now. We’ll do a few more shows over the summer – he’s already qualified for Hickstead and Aintree.” Maisie works as a groom.

SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “Search for a Star is all about the journey and learning and improving over time. Our team of judges and stewards are all invested in providing support and encouragement to help competitors and their horses and ponies perform to the best level they can.”

SEIB Search for a Star first took place back in 1996 and over the years has provided thousands of opportunities for amateur riders to compete at HOYS.

Each of the SEIB Search for a Star qualifying shows offers opportunities for a full range of show horses to earn a place at the series championships at Horse of the Year Show and Your Horse Live.