EAST Yorkshire rider Sarah Birbeck shone on the aptly-named Flagmount Dazzler in the prestigious Horse Of The Year Show.

The Walkington-based horsewoman and her mount romped to victory in the Working Hunter Final in the South Essex Insurance Brokers’ (SEIB) Search For A Star Championship at the Birmingham NEC.

The judges, Robert Oliver, Katie Jerram, and ride judge Clare Oliver, had a difficult decision to make after the finalists in the SEIB Search for a Star Working Hunter of the Year tackled a spooky course of jumps that included a water tray and double of ‘hedges’. Birbeck and Flagmount Dazzler were one of six clear rounds.

Birbeck saw Flagmount Dazzler advertised and bought him two years ago as a working hunter. The seven-year-old grey gelding is a pure bred Irish Draft, by the draft stallion, Welcome Flagmount, and was imported from Ireland by the previous owner who bought him as a four-year-old at Goresbridge Sales.

“He gave me such a comfortable ride, popped all the fences and felt safe, I just had to buy him. They are so hard to find,” recalled Birbeck. The pair have competed in show jumping, dressage and working hunter classes, as well as ridden Irish Draft classes.

They also competed at the first SFAS qualifier at Osbaldeston in Blackburn earlier in the year.

“He is quite a character, and wakes me up when he wants his breakfast as his stable is next to my bedroom,” added Birbeck, who works part time for Partrick Wilkinson Saddlers in Beverley.

Now she plans to do open working hunter classes next season, explaining of Flagmount Dazzler: “He has grade ‘A’ jumpers on both sides of his breeding, so it shouldn’t be a problem but he needs to learn. “He went in there and was focused and stayed focused.”

Now in its 17th year, Search for a Star was the brainchild of South Essex 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 marketing manager, Nicolina Mackenzie, said: “The atmosphere at HOYS was magical. It is wonderful to be able to give genuine amateur owners and riders this opportunity.”

SFAS conformation judge, Katie Jerram, said: “Another year of Search for a Star and every year it gets better.

“It has been an absolute honour to judge. We have certainly seen some stars of the future.”