LUCY May says her recent success at the 2015 SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star series at Horse of the Year Show was a real family affair.

May, from Hapton, rode her horse, Blitz to victory in the final at the prestigious Birmingham NEC venue.

The grey gelding, Blitz, did not put a foot wrong in the very competitive riding club show horse final.

Blitz had previously been eventing but an injury had put him out of action.

He was put out in a field for a year before coming back into work and Lucy bought the horse 18 months ago to do some show jumping.

The pair compete most weekends in British Showjumping classes at Myerscough and Aintree and Lucy’s long term aim is to do working hunter classes.

“I am not really a showing person, but I might be now”, she said after the win. “Blitz is a real family horse. He hacks and schools and can turn to do whatever we want.

“It’s a real family effort and I am helped by my mum, who is at home looking after my boys who are at school”, said Lucy.

Now in its 19th year, Search for a Star was the brainchild of SEIB Insurance Brokers who still run and support it today.

It is exclusively for amateur riders and owners and designed to give these enthusiastic people a chance to compete at the Horse of the Year Show and also to discover new equine talent.

SEIB has been providing equestrian insurance for over five decades and is a major player in equestrian insurance.

There was hot competition throughout the Search for a Star classes and the hard work, training and preparation that each of the competitors have put in since the qualifiers was evident - giving judges, Robert Oliver (conformation) and Katie Jerram (ride) plenty to think about.

“Robert and I were on the same wavelength throughout and he was just great to judge with,” said Jerram. “There were no disagreements, but when you get horses from up and down the country produced so well, for us to come and judge has been a total pleasure.

“I am always impressed with the number of people wanting to have a go at Search for a Star, and the standard of horses and ponies coming forward just gets better each year.

“The atmosphere was magical. It is wonderful to be able to give genuine amateur owners and riders this opportunity and I hope that many will go on to further success.”