Former Burghley winner judges SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier

The final SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier of the 2023 season took place on the 3rd of September in the main arena at the Defender Burghley horse Trials. With just two final Horse of the Year Show tickets remaining in the 2023 R2R series, the atmosphere in the class at Burghley was superb. Thirteen thoroughbred ex-racehorses came forward to vie for the top placings under judges, former Burghley winner, Jane Holderness-Roddam and ride judge, David Ingle.

French-bred horse, Qulinton took the top spot ridden by Thea Geake, owned by her trainer father, Jonathan Geake, Qulinton won nearly £100,000 during his days on the racecourse. Thea said: “He went so well today, we don’t get many shows with that crown and clapping! The ride judge rode him beautifully and he’s only been to a few shows this year. I’ve just started a new job as Racing and Business Support Executive for Juddmonte in Newmarket so I will be travelling home to Wiltshire every weekend between now and HOYS to ride him. My boyfriend, Nathan Brennan will keep him going in between! Huge thanks to SEIB for running this class.”

Jane Holderness-Roddam commented: “Our winner was a lovely horse, everything you would want a riding horse to be, legs as clean as a whistle and light on his feet. He had a happy attitude. These horses are a tribute to the care and attention they receive throughout their lives.”

Former flat jockey, Kelly Guillambert took second place with her five-year-old, George Square. Kelly explained: “He ran once for Danny Brooke – a trainer based in the Midlands – as a three-year-old and we saw him on Facebook during lockdown and I bought him from a video. George took second place in the RoR Hickstead flat horse final in 2022 as a four-year-old and we went back and won it this year. We’ve also been eventing him and he recently took 3rd place in his first BE100. I used to ride on the flat and had 150 winners, but I’m really enjoying doing this now.”

Ride Judge and Director of Showing at Hickstead, David Ingle said: “Every single horse here today is a credit to their owners and riders. It is no mean feat – it is an international arena for a reason! Our winner had a touch of class about him and the second was lovely to ride. It was a delight to judge with Jane she is such an advocate for the horse and promoting good training.”

Marketing Manager at SEIB, Nicolina Mackenzie said: “What an honour it is for us to continue to return to Defender Burghley year after year. We are so grateful that we have been invited back once again. We are proud of the competitors for outstanding turnout and riding and their horses were extremely mannerly in the electric atmosphere in the main ring.”

Leading equine Insurance brokers, SEIB Insurance Brokers set up Racehorse to Riding Horse over fifteen years ago to celebrate ex-racehorses and give them a chance of success in a second career SEIB has a long association with the showing world and is renowned for ‘putting something back’ by supporting many equestrian events and activities in addition to Search for a Star.

See www.SEIB.co.uk for more information.

1st Qulinton owned by Jonathan Geake and ridden by Thea Geake

2nd George Square owned and ridden by Kelly Guillambert

3rd Blaze of Hearts owned and ridden by Alex Humphreys

4th Shift the Blame owned by Louisa Simpson and ridden by Jo Jack

5th Swift Encounter owned and ridden by Charlotte Morrison

6th African Jazz owned and ridden by Abi Sole