SALCOMBE resident Vicki Rogers has qualified for the Horse of the Year Show 2016 on her Irish Draft mare Lottie.

Vicki, 38, qualified for the HOYS at the SEIB Insurance Broker’s Search for a Star 2016 qualifier held at Stretcholt Equestrian Centre in Bridgwater, Somerset, on June 12. Vicki rode her own Yorkies Purple Diamond, known as Lottie, to a win in the competitive Show Hunter class, guaranteeing her ticket to HOYS.

The chestnut Irish Draught mare was bred by Gina Exley and Vicki has owned the eight-year-old since she was a yearling.

‘I bought her as a broodmare, and she has had two foals’, she 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 Great Britain.

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 Hunt,’ 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 and West Show they took sixth in the Novice Hunter, fourth in the Irish Draught class, and fourth in the Amateur Hunter class. They also took Reserve Champion in the Irish Draught/Sports 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. It’s not confirmed yet, so HOYS will come just in time!’ said Vicki, a special-needs school teacher.

Vicki 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 giving them the opportunity to compete at the prestigious finals at the HOYS.

Each qualifying competition follows the same format, with classes for Working Hunters, Riding Club Show Horses, Show Hunters, Show Ponies and 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. The standard increases every year and we are delighted to give so many riders this opportunity’, said Nicolina MacKenzie, Marketing Manager at South Essex Insurance Brokers

Vicki will compete at the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Championship finals at the Horse of The Year Show, October 5-9, 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.