Latest news with #HorseoftheYearShow
South Wales Guardian
4 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Amman Valley sports volunteers recognised for service
As part of this year's Volunteering Week, Carmarthenshire County Council is recognising the efforts of those who give their free time to support and develop sport across the county. Among those being celebrated is Dave Pallot of Ammanford Cricket Club, who has led the club's junior programme for more than seven years. Mr Pallot oversees 11 boys' teams, two girls' teams, and the All Stars programme for children aged four to eight. His work involves coordinating coaches and team managers, organising training sessions and fixtures throughout the year, and ensuring all logistical needs are met. He also serves as the junior section's representative at club meetings and the South Wales Junior Cricket League AGM. Under his guidance, the club's junior section has grown to include more than 140 young players who take part in 135 games and 360 hours of training annually. Ann Ivey of Amman Valley Pony Club is also being recognised. She has volunteered with the club for more than 20 years and currently serves as district commissioner, organising weekly activities for over 50 young riders. Ms Ivey is known for her inclusive approach and commitment to ensuring every child feels supported, regardless of ability. She has helped develop riders who have represented Wales and Great Britain, including world champions. Last year, she led a fundraising campaign that raised more than £20,000 to help the club's Mounted Games team compete at the Horse of the Year Show. Alongside her voluntary work, Ms Ivey is a full-time biology teacher and Duke of Edinburgh coordinator. Councillor Hazel Evans, cabinet member for regeneration, culture, leisure and tourism, said: "Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring that sport remains inclusive, accessible, and fun for everyone in Carmarthenshire. "The incredible work of volunteers across the county demonstrates how much can be achieved through dedication and community spirit." The council is encouraging residents to get involved through its Actif Volunteer Platform, which connects individuals with opportunities in sport and leisure across Carmarthenshire. The platform also supports clubs and organisations seeking volunteer assistance. It is part of ongoing efforts to make sport and physical activity accessible, enjoyable, and community-led throughout the county.
Pembrokeshire Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Fishguard Sports edge Camrose in dramatic Division Two Cup Final
A FISHGUARD amateur rider has qualified for the prestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) following a standout performance at a major qualifier in Warwickshire. Hannah Jenkins and her eye-catching grey horse, Le Paz—known as Balou at home—secured victory in the Working Horse class at the SEIB Search for a Star qualifier held at Stoneleigh Park on Saturday (May 25). Judged by top showing experts Nicola Taylor and Richard Ramsay, the win earns the pair a coveted place in the HOYS finals at the NEC Birmingham this October. Hannah, who works full-time as an intensive care nurse, spoke of the challenges she faced juggling work commitments and competition preparation. The pair narrowly missed qualification at an earlier event at Hartpury University, where they finished runners-up. 'Hartpury was originally the only qualifier I could do,' she said. 'After we came second there, I thought, 'I'm going to have to try again now,' so I swapped my shifts around so we could come here today.' Balou originally came to Hannah on loan from her best friend, who bred him. 'I had twin boys and she knew I got on with Balou and wanted to help me get back in the saddle,' Hannah explained. 'He came to stay and never left. I've owned him since last summer and I love him to bits.' Nicolina MacKenzie, organiser of SEIB Search for a Star, praised Hannah's determination and the ethos of the competition. 'Search for a Star is all about the journey—learning and improving over time. Our team of judges and stewards are committed to supporting competitors and helping them achieve their potential.' The SEIB Search for a Star series, launched in 1996, has opened the door for thousands of amateur riders to compete at national level, including at HOYS and Your Horse Live. Qualifiers take place throughout the country, offering a broad range of classes for amateur show riders. For more information and updates, visit or the SEIB Search for a Star Facebook page. Entries can be made via the Showing Scene platform. SEIB has been providing specialist equestrian insurance for over 60 years, offering tailored cover for horses, riders, horseboxes, trailers, and businesses. More details can be found at
Western Telegraph
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Fishguard rider qualifies for Horse of the Year Show
Amateur rider Hannah Jenkins and her horse Le Paz, known as Balou at home, have qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in Birmingham this October. The pair competed in the SEIB Search for a Star qualifier on May 25 at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. They won the Working Horse class under judges Nicola Taylor and Richard Ramsay, earning their HOYS qualification. Ms Jenkins and Le Paz had narrowly missed out on qualifying last month when they took the runner-up spot in the Search for a Star qualifier at Hartpury University in Gloucestershire. Ms Jenkins said: "Hartpury was originally the only qualifier I could do, I work as an intensive care nurse and after we came second there, I thought I'm going to have to try again now and managed to swap my shifts around so we could come here. "Balou came to me on loan from my best friend who bred him. "I had twin boys and she knew I got on with Balou and wanted to help me get back in the saddle so he came to stay and has never left. "I've now owned him since last summer. "I love him to bits." The SEIB Search for a Star competition first took place in 1996 and has since provided thousands of opportunities for amateur riders to compete at HOYS. Each of the SEIB Search for a Star qualifying shows offers opportunities for a full range of show horses to earn a place at the series championships at Horse of the Year Show and Your Horse Live. SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: "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 Courier
17-05-2025
- Climate
- The Courier
All you need to know about Fife Show
Fife Show will kick off a busy summer season of Scottish agricultural events next Saturday. And there's been an increase in entries for all the heavy horse, sheep and cattle sections. The event takes place in the grounds of Kinloss House, near Cupar. Gates will be open to members of the public at 8.30am and the show usually runs until around 5pm. Around 10,000 people have attended each of the past three annual events. Show president David Aglen, farm manager at Balbirnie Home Farms, Cupar told us the weather omens were looking good. Work on the fields started eariler this week and all the main equipment will go in this weekend, he said. He added: 'It's been lovely and sunny, and all the forecasts suggest it will stay dry all next week. 'If the weather does play ball for us, it's sure to be anther great event.' David – now in his second year of a three-year stint as president – said the recent dry spell would help make sure there isn't a quagmire on the day, even if there is any rain. And with farmers having suffered no weather-related disruption to spring chores this year they'll all enjoy the chance to enjoy the show with all the other visitors, he added. Show organiser Elaine Millar told us the heavy and light horse sections had 187 and 321 entries respectively. Cattle classes have 146 entries, with 376 received for sheep. There are two Horse of the Year Show qualifying competitions. There are nine entries for the driven championship and 13 for the ridden event, with competitors coming from across the UK. These classes are open to Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons and Suffolk Punch horses. Showjumping entries are still open but there are also Royal Highland Show qualifiers. Other highlights of this year's event include The Sheep Show and 3SIXTY bike team. The Game Fair Ring will have gundogs, bloodhounds, raptors and the dog show, which can be entered in advance or on the day. Meanwhile, the main ring is the place to see which animal will be crowned champion of champions.. A Young Farmers' tug o' war and Cupar and District Pipe Band will both help to keep the crowds entertained. There will also be parades of livestock and vintage vehicles. The Game Fair area will have numerous activities going on throughout the day, including demonstrations of falconry, ferret racing gun dogs and angling. Elsewhere, family-oriented activities in the Kids Countryside tent, home produce and craft tents, trade stands and an abundance of catering options will keep everyone busy. The show is held just outside Cupar at Kinloss House. The postcode to use is KY15 4PE, then follow the signs. Gates are open to members of the public at 8.30am and the show normally runs until around 5pm, or whenever the last event ends. Admission is free for children under 16, when accompanied by an adult tickets cost £15, including VAT and booking fee, if purchased online. You can buy them at until 6pm on Wednesday. Tickets at the gate on show day cost £20, including VAT. And if you become a member of Fife Agricultural Association, you'll get into the show for free. Yes and it's free. Officials will be there to guide you to a spot just a short walk away from the entrances. If you have a Blue Badge, show it to the parking attendants on your way into the field and you'll be directed to disabled parking near the main entrance. All visitors are welcome but the event takes place in fields, so people must make their own assessment as to how easy it will be for them to navigate there way around. If the weather is wet, conditions may be muddy. There's an accessibility statement available via the Fife Show website. Yes, but make sure you're wearing your show wristband or have your hand stamped in order to avoid having to pay again. Its all there on the A Day at Fife Show section of the website. This has lots of useful information about what's happening and where. Yes, and there's even a dog show to enter them in. But bear in mind the show will get very busy, with people and animals. Make sure you know if your dog is comfortable in this kind of environment. Dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times within the showfields, and owners must clean up after them. Dogs should not be left in cars. Yes, there will be lots of stalls selling all kinds of food, drink and snacks. 'Prepare to go home feeling full,' say the show organisers. Some of the exhibits are in tents but the main ring and most of the action takes place outside, whatever the weather. The official advice is to 'bring your jacket and a pair of wellington boots, and you'll be all set'.
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Katie Price sparks concern among fans over her horse's welfare in new photo
Katie Price has spared outrage among animal lovers after sharing a new image of her riding her horse on social media Katie Price has sparked concern among animal lovers with a recent photo she shared on social media. The former glamour model has always been open about her love for animals and has owned numerous pets over the years. She's known for her fondness of horses and has even competed at the Horse of the Year Show with her horse, Jordan's Glamour Girl. In a recent update, the 46-year-old shared a photo on social media of herself riding her horse, Wallis - who she has owned since he was eight-years-old - as temperature continues to rise in the UK in the lead-up to summer. Sharing the snap with her 2.7 million followers on Instagram, Katie beamed as she proudly sat on the gorgeous black horse in the sunshine. She looked like an equestrian expert as she wore a pair of black jodhpurs, black riding boots and a premium horse riding helmet, reports the Mirror. Katie uploaded the image with the caption: "Everyday routine out riding. My happy place," and received thousands of likes. Although not everyone was keen on the image. Some animal lovers were quick to notice that the bit in the horses mouth, used for the reins appeared to be too tight. One follower wrote: "His bit is way too tight! Come on Katie, this is basic know how for horses." Another added: "Jesus, loosen the bit ffs." A third concerned commenter said: "Ouch! What have you done to the mouth - needs a bigger bit and loosen the rein." A fourth remarked: "Noseband and bit both too high, nice horse though." But some of her followers leapt to her defence, with one stating: "Horses are soul medicine of the best kind." A second went on to say: "I don't care where Katie got the horse from it's a lovely photo and why do people have a problem with anyone having a happy place move on and stop b****ing about her them without sin cast the first stone." While another backed up the former glamour model, writing: "Lovely pic so what if she is riding someone else's horse she can ride. Why do the Karen's of the world have to be picky and mean. Just because you're not happy with your life don't be b***y about others u mite just get good karma back." However, over the years there has been great concern for Katie's animals. Back in 2020, a petition was launched on calling for a ban on Katie owning animals. It has since garnered over 37,000 signatures, followed by a series of distressing revelations concerning the welfare of her pets. Previously, her German Shepard was killed on the A24 close to her home, and just seven month after the incident another one of her dogs was killed on the same road. While one of her horses were also killed on the same road after breaking free from Katie's fields. In 2020, her French Bulldog puppy Rolo suffocated after being trapped under a chair. Katie has previously described her horse - Wallis - as her "sidekick through thick and fine." In August last year, she had shown her appreciation for the horse with a heartwarming post, saying: "I've been riding horses since I was 7 and I've had Wallis since he was 8, he is now nearly 22, horses are my life and passion."
