The SEIB Search for a Star competition has been won by a four-year-old show hunter at the Horse of The Year Show.
Impeccable behaviour
Diamond Roulette behaved impeccably in the NEC’s main arena, showing an attitude beyond his young years. Credit goes to his riderNikkiJohnson, whobred and produced him.
“It’s only his first season in the saddle soI couldn’t believe it when I heard my name called out,” Nikkitold H&C.
Dream come true
When the pair qualified for HOYS her grandmother sadly passed away, but Nikki said she often spoke to her about making it to the show
“Just to get here was amazing, so to win the championship is a dream come true,” said Nikki who works as a freelance groom in South Staffordshire, and also breaks and schools horses.
According to Nikki, Diamond Roulette has been the perfect pupil and hasn’t put a foot wrong since she backed him last year.
Good stock
Previous wins include second place at Shropshire and Staffordshire County Show and champion hunter and supreme of show at the Home Produced Show at Barleyfields.
The gelding certainly comes from good stock as his dam is out of a “fantastic” Irish Sport Horse by Oldenburg dressage stallion Roulette. She also has King of Diamonds in her breeding.
Nikki has owned the mare since she was 13 and competed in working hunter classes atcounty levelwith her. When she injured a tendon she was put in foal, producing Diamond Roulette.