Successful ex-racehorse Grandeur claims the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse of the Year Championship

SEIB Racehorse It’s always exciting to see a line-up of top-quality ex-racehorses who have swapped the track for the arena at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Today it was an ex-racer with 10 race victories and just under £600,000 of winnings, who showed that a successful change of career is entirely achievable.

Yvonne Jacque’s 10-year-old grey gelding Grandeur came to showing producer Jo Bates just six months after finishing his racing career as a six-year-old. It’s third time lucky for the pair after they claimed the title, having been placed twice before in this class at HOYS.

Yvonne has owned ‘Grandy’ since a two-year-old, and he was race trained by Jeremy Noseda. He is now thriving in his showing career with Jo, having been placed third in the Hack of the Year last year, which he’ll contest again tomorrow (Thursday) at HOYS.

“What a star!” exclaimed Jo as she exited the Andrews Bowen International Arena. “He was totally with me today and relished the big occasion.”

Jo says it is Grandeur’s intelligence which has made him so successful in the show ring. She says they have “travelled a long, hard road together” but he is “a very special horse.”

Lizzie Harris rode her own Lough Inch into second place.

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 many grassroots equestrian events and activities.

For full details, rules and entry forms visit www.search4astar.org.uk and click through to the RDA section. 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 850 000.

For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2019, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk