RULES
1. The organisers (South Essex Insurance Brokers Ltd) reserve the right to refuse and/or disqualify an entry without giving a reason at any time.
2. The judges decision, at any point in the competition, is final.
3. Any RIDER or OWNER within the following categories is exempt from competing in or entering an animal in Search for a Star.
(a) judges registered within 2 years of the competition date with any showing association, organisation or breed society.
(b) anyone who produces or schools show horses or ponies for financial remuneration.
(c) Anyone who has ridden, exhibited or owned a horse in any show class at Horse of the Year Show since and including 1997.
4. The HORSE or PONY being exhibited must not be produced in a professional showing yard although may have been purchased from a professional before Jan 2010 and must not have been shown by a professional. However, it must meet all other qualification criteria.
5. Hard hats fitted with a safety harness and to an approved and accepted standard and correct footwear with a heel must be worn while mounted on the showground at all venues.
6. The rules of the Sport Horse Breeding of GB, British Show Horse Association apply in all selection classes unless otherwise stated. Competitors in the final must comply with the rules of the Horse Of Year Show.
7. No stallion or entire is eligible.
8. Any horse or pony that has qualified for the Horse of the Year Show or Royal International Horse Show before March 1, 2010, is not eligible for entry into Search for a Star 2010. Qualification after March 1, 2010, for HOYS or RIHS is acceptable but the horse or pony must not compete at HOYS before being judged in the first round of Search for a Star.
9. A competitor or owner may enter more than one qualifying class at more than one selection venue but can only take up qualification in one class with one horse at HOYS.
10. An owner/rider qualifying and then unable to complete the first round at HOYS is permitted to enter a selection on a subsequent year provided a letter is submitted with the new entry form explaining the circumstances.
11. Being placed first or second in a qualifying class does not automatically entitle a competitor to an invitation to compete at HOYS. An invitation will be issued only if the judges consider the entry is of a suitable standard to appear at HOYS.
12. Entries for only one horse/pony can be made on each entry form, which must be signed by the owner and rider. In the case of multiple ownership, the entry form must be signed by each owner.
13. Refund of entry fees will be made, upon application, up to 7 days after the qualifier but only on the production of a valid certificate from a doctor or veterinary surgeon. £10 per class will be deducted for administration costs.
14. No entries will be accepted on the day of a competition. Closing date for entries being paid by cheque is 14 days prior to the qualifying selection day. After that, arrangements must be made to pay in cash directly to the secretary, subject to the availability of places.
15. Only complaints in writing with a full name, address and telephone number, made within 30 minutes of the grievance arising will be considered. No correspondence will be entered into, beyond that necessary to inform parties of a decision if it cannot be reached on the day. If you have any knowledge of a qualified horse that proves it does not meet the criteria for qualification for Search for a Star at Horse Of the Year Show please write directly to N. MacKenzie at SEIB, South Essex Insurance House, North Road, South Ockendon, Essex RM15 5BE with your name, address and telephone number. Your details will remain strictly confidential.
16. Competitors must declare 30 minutes before the start of each class. No professional help is allowed in the warm-up or main ring at the qualifiers or championship.
17. GROOMS - No person may attend a horse/pony in the arena who is inappropriately dressed or deemed a showing professional. Hard hats must be worn by grooms at all times when in the arena.
18. No rider may compete side saddle.
19. The combination of horse, owner and rider that qualifies must compete at Horse of the Year Show. The horse must remain with the same owner and no change of rider will be allowed without a medical certificate forwarded to and agreed by South Essex Insurance Brokers before the Monday immediately preceeding Horse of the Year Show.
20. If there is a large entry the class may be split. Competitors will be told times at declaration which must be at least 30 minutes before the published time of the class.
21. In the working hunter and riding club show horse classes any horse that does not jump clear is unlikely to be asked back for further judging.
22. Badly behaved horses may be asked to leave the ring, the judge has the right to refuse to ride any horse at anytime.
23. As a competitor you authorise us to share/use your details with the press for publicity purposes.
24. If the horse or pony is leased or on loan, it must still meet the criteria of Search for a Star for example, if the real owners have horses that have competed at, or they have ridden at, Horse of the Year Show since 1997 the horse or pony is not eligible for Search for a Star.
25. In the opinion of the organisers if a horse, rider or owner are not considered to be in the ‘spirit’ of the competition they will not be eligible to compete at Horse of the Year Show, and the qualification will be removed.
26. Lessons with professionals are permitted
27. Only professional show horse producers and riders are not eligible to compete in Search for a Star. Competitors working in other fields of the equestrian world are eligible if they adhere to rule 3.
28. Children of any show judge on any panel are not eligible to compete in Search for a Star.

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