The NEC in Birmingham awaits for one amateur horse rider from Wyboston after she qualified for the prestigious Horse of the Year finals at a special qualifying event at the end of May.
Sarah Sharp and her bay horse, Lissyegan Trendy qualified for the finals courtesy of a runner-up spot in the Riding Horse Hack class at the SEIB Search for a Star qualifier at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
Marketed as “The biggest week of the year for equestrian entertainment”, the Horse of the Year finals run every October and incorporate a number of equestrian events including show jumping, dressage and a range of displays.
The SEIB Search for a Star event first took place back in 1996 and over the years has provided thousands of opportunities for amateur riders to compete at the Horse of the Year show, with Sarah the latest to achieve a spot at one of equestrian’s highlights of the year.
“I hope Dad is still around to see us”
This is the latest attempt from Sarah to reach the Horse of the Year show, turning to dressage in order to do so.
“We took fourth place at the Hartpury Search for a Star last month and have been working and training really hard since to improve”, said Sarah.
“One of the judges here today was the same as at Hartpury and they remembered him and commented that he is looking so much better. I bought him last year to show, we’ve taken it slowly.
“I used to own a large hack and took him to Search for a Star several times but it didn’t work out and we went and did dressage instead. I missed showing and got Lissyegan Trendy to get back into it.
“My dad is terminally ill so I just hope he is still around to see us at the Horse of the Year show”, added Sarah.
SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie added, “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.”
The Horse of the Year show takes place at the NEC Birmingham, formerly known as the National Exhibition Centre, between 8 and 12 October 2025.
More information on the Horse of the Year can be found here.
