Salcombe’s Vicki Rogers Stars as ‘Lottie’ Qualifies for Horse of the Year Show
Photograph (c) SMR Photos
Vicki Rogers, 38, from Salcombe, qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at the SEIB Insurance Broker’s Search for a Star 2016 qualifier held at Stretcholt Equestrian Centre in Bridgwater, Somerset on 12th June. Vicki rode her own Yorkies Purple Diamond to a win in the competitive Show Hunter class, guaranteeing her ticket to HOYS.
The chestnut Irish Draught mare, known as Lottie, was bred by Gina Exley and Vicki has owned the 8-year-old since she was a yearling.
“I bought her as a broodmare, and she has had two foals,” Vicki explained. The mare, by Connaught Grey, and out of Dalton Gem is a Hornby Premium Class One broodmare recognised by the Irish Draught Breed Society of GB. She has been shown successfully in-hand and was National Reserve Supreme Yearling at the Irish Draught National Championships show.
“She was broken two years ago and hunted last season with the South Devon,” said Vicki. The pair did a few local ridden shows last year, but this is their first full season in hunter classes. They have already picked up a qualification for the Royal International and, at the Bath & West Show, they took 6th in the Novice Hunter; 4th in the Irish Draught class and 4th in the Amateur Hunter class. They also took Reserve Champion in the Irish Draught/Sport horse class.
“I hope that she might be in foal to Corrindon Dancer, a Premium Irish Draught stallion owned by my mother, Margaret Brooks, and Doreen Hoare,” Vicki revealed. “It’s not confirmed yet, so HOYS will come just in time!”
Vicki, a special-needs school teacher, was supported at the show by her dad, Barry Brooks, who was acting as driver and groom and also does the horses when Vicki is at work. The day was a family affair, with Vicki’s 15-month-old daughter, Libby, keen to show her appreciation of her mother’s win.
The SEIB Search for a Star series has been created by SEIB to encourage amateur riders to produce their horses to a high standard in the show ring and give them the opportunity to compete at the prestigious finals at the Horse of The Year Show (HOYS). Each qualifying competition follows the same format, with classes for Working Hunters, Riding Club Show Horses, Show Hunters, Show Ponies & Show Hunter Ponies, Riding Horse/Hacks and Cobs.
“The Search For A Star Championship series is a way to give amateur riders the chance to achieve their dream of riding at The Horse Of The Year Show,” said Nicolina MacKenzie, Marketing Manager at South Essex Insurance Brokers. “The standard increases every year and we are delighted to give so many riders this opportunity.”
Vicki will compete at the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Championship finals at the Horse of The Year Show, 5th – 9th October 2016, at the Birmingham NEC.
More information on the Search for a Star series is available at www.search4astar.org.uk, and regular updates on the series can be found on social media at www.facebook.com/SEIB.Search4AStar.
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Full Results
These are the class results on the day, but they may not all qualify for HOYS due to passport irregularities or at the judge’s discretion or where the same rider has qualified twice or where the horse or rider do not meet all eligibility requirements.
Working Hunter
1st: Geoffrey, owned by Louise Halsall and ridden by Emma Wilson
2nd: Harry Duke, owned by Caroline Elwes and ridden by Georgie Patrick
Riding Club Show Horse
1st: Alvescot Peppi, owned and ridden by Sheila Williams
2nd: Opium Europa, owned and ridden by Lucille Bryan
Riding Horse/Hack
1st: Izzat Starlight, owned by Terry Melnyk and ridden by Elishia Melnyk
2nd: Spanish Hidalgo, owned by Kim Gould and ridden by Emma Hutcheon
Ponies
1st: Louis Faithful, owned by Karen Neachell and ridden by Miss Daisy Adams
2nd: Newoak Flower Girl, owned by Margaret Kivell and ridden by Emma James
Show Hunter
1st: Yorkies Purple Diamond, owned and ridden by Vicki Rogers
2nd: Brogeen Bronco, owned and ridden by Kerry Dunkley
Cobs
1st: South Hill Farm El Torro, owned by Lyn Bugler and ridden by Sarah Nicholls
2nd: Galliano Gold Dust, owned and ridden by Lucy Hamblett
Racehorses
1st, Barbers Shop, owned by HM The Queen and ridden by Katie Jerram
2nd, Valentine Jak, owned and ridden by Donna Bamonte
3rd, Back on Trend, owned by Sophie Tranter and ridden by Jo Bates
4th, Rockley Beach, owned and ridden by Mark Young
5th, Dhaka Dazzle, owned and ridden by Abbie Dark
6th, Lord Manhatton, owned and ridden by Elizabeth Rogers
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