Clare Balding was on hand to present £17,500 of prizes at the annual RoR Awards in Newmarket (16 November), which recognises ex-racehorses excelling in new careers.
Horse of the Year
The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year Champion Award went to Liverpool, owned by Susan Mason and her daughter Joanna. The 13-year-old was trained under rules by Joanna’s grandfather, racehorse trainer Mick Easterby.
Earlier this year, Joanna crushed and fractured vertebrae when she fell in a point-to-point race. While recovering, she decided to try side-saddle with Liverpool, who had already done some showing. They entered their first side-saddle class, a HOYS qualifier, at the Great Yorkshire Show (12 July), where they came fourth.
‘Great all-rounder’
A month later, Liverpool competed at the RoR National Championship Show where they won the RoR/TARRA Ridden Qualifier and finished third in the side-saddle class.
“We chose to recognise Liverpool as this talented horse is a great all-rounder in hunting, showing, jumping and side-saddle,”said RoR Chief Executive, Di Arbuthnot. “He epitomises the adaptability and versatility of so many retrained racehorses in their new
Dressage Champion
TheRoR Elite Dressage Championwas won by seven-year-old bay geldingGreen Warriorand Linda Davis from Durham. Green Warrior ran a total of 28 races on the flat before Linda started his retraining in 2013.
They have enjoyed great success in dressage, winning 104 British Dressage points. They also took two seconds and a first at the Dressage UK’s Winter Championships and competed at the RoR Racehorses to Riding Dressage Championship Finals, finishing second in the Novice and sixth in the Elementary.
Showjumping Champion
Hartpury College student Charlotte Gibbens was crownedRoR Elite Showjumping Champion with Bluegrass Hopper. The 16-year-old mare ran three times before going to Charlotte in Chippenham, Wiltshire in 2011. Two years later they were successfully competing in British Showjumping.
Despite a set-back in 2014 when ‘Hop’ fractured her face in a field accident, the pair qualified for the 2015 Blue Chip National Winter Championships and the Bronze League semi-final at HOYS. They also rode for the Wiltshire team in the National Team Jumping qualifier.
Eventing Champion
RoR Elite Eventing Championwent to Paul Tapner and Counterparty. The seven-year-old mare, who raced five times, is competing at the highest level allowed for her age in eventing. In 2014 she contested the Eventing World Championships for six-year-olds at Le Lion D’Angers in France, and this year she came eight in the RoR Eventing Championship at Barbury Castle.Paul previously won this award in 2011 with ex-racer Inishmor.
Show Series Supreme Champion
Prolific show producer Allister Hood scooped yet another prize, taking home the RoR Elite Show Series Supreme Champion with Jack the Giant. They took the title in the final at the inaugural RoR National Championship Show at Aintree International Equestrian Centre in August.
The 16-year-old, who won nearly a quarter of a million pounds during his racing career, is owned by a syndicate made up from seven female friends.
Polo Champion
TheRoR Elite Polo Championwas awarded to England International polo player Ollie Cudmore for his retrained racehorseCosta Lotta. Ollie bought her from fellow player Olly Tuthill in August 2015 and has since ridden her in the Queens Cup and Gold Cup matches. In July 2015, the pair also won the RoR high goal pony prize of £1,000.
EnduranceChampion
Beths Choicewas named RoR Elite Endurance Champion. He ran in 15 races, winning one, before retiring to endurance with Lynn Harvey from Dorset.The pair has completed four 80km rides – winning two of – and five rides of more than 60km.
“Over the past five years Harry has surpassed anything I could have dreamt of and he shows just what former racehorses are capable of,” said Lynn.
Show Series Champion
Wild Westand Lizzie Harris won theRoR Elite Show Series Championtitle at Hickstead’s Derby meeting. Lizzie, a former amateur jockey who is now a point-to-point trainer, took on ‘Westy’ straight out of training in 2013. The seven-year old gelding was often ridden by A P McCoy during his racing career, and Lizzie says he is proof “just how versatile former racehorses are adapting to a life after racing.”