Search for a Star - do normal people with 'everyday' horses do it!

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Gorgeous George

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Please don't laugh at me, but at the same time be honest
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I have a dream to ride at a big 'show' and whilst I am well aware that an average horse like George and a very average rider like me could never qualify for HOYS I would really like to have a go at search for a star next year.

I know it is expensive to enter etc. but the qualifier would give me the feeling of riding at a biggish show (this is me who wrote to Jim'll Fix it when I was 10
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, asking if I could ride round the HOYS arena to the HOYS music - hee hee I didn't even have a horse!
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)

So being a realist and knowing full well we are not of qualification standard, would we be laughed out of the ring for trying?

In case you don't know this is George:

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I guess if we ever plucked up the courage to try we would probably do riding club horse, workers would probably be ideal but neither of us can manage 3ft 6!!

I feel silly posting this, so please tell me the truth gently
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Definitely go for it.

A girl at our riding club initially did Search for a Star and ended up at HOYS. I'm not sure if she actually won there but anyway, it was only after that that she went up to County level and all the 'normal' HOYS qualifiers.
 
Well,he doesnt have any bits hanging off so you should have a shot
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I would say go for it,it will be fun,good experiance for you both even if you dont get to HOYS but if you do you will furfill a lifelong ambition.
Good luck
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yeah defo hun you should try and go for it...my little mare did this a couple of years ago with her loaner's...didnt get placed but still went which is great she's very pretty though IMO..biast mummy lol
 
As the comp is titled *search for a star* so they want the star to be found and if your posts and looking at George are anything to go by then why not...go for it...
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Go for it!!!

My next door neighbour did it, qualified, went to HOYS and came reserve for Search for a Star!! She started off really low key, but always spoke to the judges and asked what she could do to improve and stand out and it seemed to work!

Good luck!
 
oh definitely have a go! what i would say though is give yourself the best chance by really doing your prep and research before you go- so that you will really feel that you've done your best and made the entry fee worth while...there are often things in horsey mags with people like lyn russel telling you how to best turn out for these things....
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Definitely go for it. George is a very nicely put together lad and would be perfect in the riding club class.

A friend of mine entered his cob and not only qualified for HOYS, but went on and won his class!
 
Definately! I love hearing of people aiming high and wanting achieve what some may feel is 'impossible'!!! I always think... 'someone has to... why not me?'!!

George is scrummy!
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Maybe get some lessons from a producer of some sort to get tips on ringcraft and how to improve etc. and what is 'correct'... but with a little pointing in the right direction you have as much right to be there as anyone else...

What's the worst that could happen? You get plonked down the end of the line, and as equally as 'someone has to' be at the top of the line, the same applies to the bottom end aswell... so it's definately not a reason not to try!
 
Go for it - I know of a lady with a cob, who came reserve at SFAS - and she was only in it for the fun. She had one qualifying chance because there was only centre close to Wales (The Hand) - and she had a fantastic time.
You just might be the Star they are searching for!
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I'd love to do something like this on Moo but it's nice to know that they obviously don't approve on adults riding ponies as you have to be under 20......hummpphh
 
I did it, went too the qualifier for a practice at workers with my horse. (We had entered a big county show the next week) So went for a look at more workeing hunter fences, as he has only showjumped.
We won the qualifier!! We attended the training day in Warwick, brilliant day learnt alot.
Then went to hoys!- came 4th!! Seriously its the best experience ever, look up my post and read it if you like.

Also if you want too know anymore feel free too pm me.

Enter, and see what happens...
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YES DO IT!! i have a rescue horse & we did the SFAS comp last year & qualified for HOYS & came 5th.... it was his first year showing - starting at local level at the beginning of the season & his first year ridden as he qualified at 4 years old!!

It was the best experience of my life & this has lead to another year of sucessful showing, including Hickstead (RIHS), National Champs & wins at the Royal shows!

Do worry about getting it exactly right for the qualifier, go in what you would usually show in, the judges are brilliant & will look at your horse for what it is & what potential it has & will look over any dressing/tack mistakes!

The only thing is get loads of people to sit on your horse for 5 mins to do a quick walk trot & canter then get off (reinact what the judge does) so he gets famiiar with other peoples commands!

good luck & keep us posted!
 
Yes i did the SFAS cobs with my chap who was only 6 weeks old when i put a deposit on him. We battled grass sickness and terrible travelling problems to finally reach HOYS when he was 13 !! pictures of Nod- 2nd post on this page:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4771091/page/0/fpart/1/vc/1/nt/2

I would put George in the Riding Club Show Horse class. The judges are VERY hot on manners so he must stand still in a line up and go well for whoever rides him.
 
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