Melton rider Joyce Lomas qualifies for Horse of the Year Show

Joyce clinched second place at the SEIB Insurance Broker’s Search for a Star 2016 qualifier to book her ticket to HOYS in the Riding Horse/Hack class, aboard her own Powder King.

The grey gelding started out in racing and was trained by Chris Bealby at Barrowby, but didn’t settle to his chosen career.

After two runs in bumpers, Joyce bought him as a four-year-old, and five years on, Charlie, as he is known at home, has taken to a variety of activities.

From a hunting and eventing background, she started to event him at unaffiliated level and also tried some ex-racehorse show classes, winning at Midland Counties to qualify for Hickstead. At Lincoln the pair won the Racehorse Challenge.

“Showing is all a bit new to us, but he is getting the hang of it. He is brilliant at cross country,” said Joyce, mum to well-known former event rider Claire.

“We have jumping lessons here with Caroline Moore and it has taken time to control him after the fence. We have done a bit of dressage.

“Now I need to get out and about with him and do some more showing.”

The SEIB Search for a Star series was created to encourage amateur riders to produce their horses to a high standard in the show ring and give them a chance to compete on the prestigious Horse of The Year Show which runs from October 5 to 9 at the Birmingham NEC.