Governing body responds to concerns over new series

There has been much debate over the British Show Horse Association's Rising Star qualifiers and the final

- ELEANOR JONES

A TITLE reallocated, questions on some qualifications and a judge dismissed after 37 years: the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) Rising Star series has sparked debate.

The lightweight cob title awarded at the London International (LIHS) has been reallocated. H&H has heard concerns over the amateur status of some others at the final, but the BSHA said all concerns about the Rising Star classes have "now been investigated thoroughly".

H&H reported in 2022 that the new series focused on, the BSHA said, "encouraging more to join in and have a go".

But Alan Mickleburgh, the BSHA judge dismissed, thinks it will have the opposite effect.

"All this misrepresentation is going to put them off," he told H&H.

Mr Mickleburgh said he was to judge his first series qualifiers last spring, and that despite his experience, he never went to a show without a rulebook. He said he asked BSHA general manager Lucy Savill for a rulebook, then and at the semi-final, and was told none had been printed.

Mr Mickleburgh judged the hack semi-final qualifier, in which there were two riders. He thought Finn Williamson's ride Port Lou Lou was very nice, but not a hack.

"Ian Smeeth, who's on the BSHA board and chair of judges, was at the side of the ring and I commented to him that it was a shame; the horse is more a riding horse - and he agreed. I asked if there was provision in the rules for him to move to the small riding horse final and he said, 'Yes'.

"The competitor thought having come second, he wouldn't qualify but I told him he'd qualified for the small riding horse final. I didn't think there was anything wrong with it as no rules were available on the day, and I'd had permission from a board member."

At London, Mr Smeeth judged the small riding horse final, which Port Lou Lou won.