Welsh wonder-pony takes the title at the SEIB Search for a star final!

Emily Hiscox and her adorable pony, Thistledown Elpaso, became the 2022 SEIB Search for a Star ridden champions

Sixteen ponies from across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales battled it out in the first-ever finals of the SEIB Search for a Star Pony Club classes – including lead rein, first ridden and open championships.

Seven-year-old Emily Hiscox, a member of the North Warwickshire Pony Club, and her Welsh Section A Thistledown Elpaso, known as Elvis at home, not only claimed the victory of the Pony Club lead rein final, they were also crowned overall ridden champions out of all the ridden classes – beating off competition from the adults in the open ridden classes, too!

Elvis is 12 years old and has been part of the Hiscox family for three years. He loves hacking and jumping, but on the big day Emily and her mum, Heather, produced a foot-perfect performance with Elvis and they finished it off by displaying her amazing balance by standing on his back for a few seconds.

Pony Club first ridden winner, Emily Elliott and Larchgrove Isabella

Rufford Pony Club member, Emily Elliott and her roan pony, Larchgrove Isabella, took the title in the first ridden Pony Club championship. Emily’s Welsh section B, known as Issy at home, is the perfect family pony – they’ve been galloping on a racecourse at camp, competed in veteran championships and working hunter pony classes. Next year, Emily hopes to try side-saddle with Issy!

Pony Club open winner, Helena Kitchener and Cavan Mick

Helena Kitchener, a member of the Mid Surrey Pony Club, and her grey Connemara Cavan Mick, topped the leader board in the open Pony Club Search for a Star championship. Helena had a few showing lessons to help get Mick moving forwards and aims to spend the winter arena eventing with him, before having another go at Search for a Star next year! Helena and Mick also compete in tetrathlon events and the pair finished in the top 20% at this year’s Pony Club championships!

Well done to everyone who competed in the SEIB Search for a Star finals!

Top results from the Pony Club classes were as follows…

LEAD REIN CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Thistledown Elpaso, owned by Heather Hiscox and ridden by Emily Hiscox
2. Blackhill Osprey, owned by Lisa Croft and ridden by Millie Croft
3. Clearfell Bumblebee owned by Sophie Milczarek and ridden by Florence Milczarek

FIRST RIDDEN CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Larchgrove Isabella, owned by Connie Elliott and ridden by Emily Elliott
2. Desabre Sparrow Hawk, owned by Victoria Cable and ridden by Lucia Cable
3. Nerwyn Leonardo owned by Sarah Fraser and ridden by Annabel Fraser

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Cavan Mick, owned by Naomi Kitchener and ridden by Helena Kitchener
2. Battlestown Jenny, owned by Fiona Radford-Jones and ridden by Isobel Radford-Jones
3. Phantoms Masquerade owned by Sarah Adams and ridden by Grace Adams