Search For A Star
Horse of the Year Show 2003

'Low Price' Ex-Racehorse Earns HOYS Place

When Julie Farrell and her business partner Hilary Curtis went to the Ascot sales they had only £10 between them and were on a "girls day out."

But they finished the day as owners of a Thoroughbred out of racing. Now, after a South Essex Insurance Brokers "Search for a Star" selection day, the horse, Millimetre, has booked them a place at this year's Horse of the Year Show.

"Hilary and I went to Ascot for a girls day out," said Julie. "We saw this horse in a box and liked him and when he came into the ring to be sold we were stunned at the low price. So we bought him.

"Then we had to rush back home, organise the money and return with a horse box. When we got back there was only the auctioneer and our horse left on site!"

Their success came at the Search for a Star selection day held at the West Wiltshire Equestrian Centre, when Millimetre, ridden by Emily Curtis, took one of the two Horse the Year Show places in the Riding Horse class.

Hilary and Julie's celebrations were two-fold. Their pony, Hindleap Sweet William, ridden by 14-year-old Charley Sale also qualified in the Pony class. Charley missed her chance last year when she broke her arm just before the qualifier.

The competition is designed and organised by South Essex Insurance Brokers to give amateur owners and riders an opportunity to compete at the prestigious Birmingham show, which will be held this year on September 17-21.

In the Riding Club Show Horse class, Holly Badenoch crowned a successful week by taking one of the HOYS places with her horse, Ruyton Finnegan. Only
days before the pair had been on the Bath Riding Club team which qualified for the Riding Club Championships.

Vicky Johnson was over the moon with her Cob, Maguire's success. "He'll do anything for me since I've nursed him through two tendon and a suspensory ligament injuries," she said.

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