
RoR to stage showcase event and swoon for its Heart Throb
It’s a busy time for Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) – British Horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses that have retired from racing.
The charity stages its first Showcase event on Saturday 3rd November 2018 at the Aintree Equestrian Centre and two weeks later announces the winners of RoR Heart Awards, revealed at the RoR End of Season Party on Saturday 17th November at Doncaster Racecourse.
Everything under one roof
The RoR Showcase is designed as an inspirational training and educational event, at which the charity will highlight the talent and transition of thoroughbred racehorses to their second careers.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to come along and meet a host of experts and industry professionals all under one roof,” said RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot.
Anyone interested in former racehorses or considering having one, from grassroots to elite level is welcome to attend this day of discovery, which has been kindly supported by The Racing Foundation.
A line up of top trainers and experts, including Olympian eventer Jeanette Brakewell; show producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable; British Dressage Training Director Paul Hayler and natural horseman Guy Robertson will be on hand to share their knowledge. On the menu is a step-by-step guide to selecting, caring for, and retraining the ex-racing thoroughbred for various equine disciplines.
Live demonstrations and clinics featuring over 20 former racehorses, as well as a wide range of up-close demos, in and around two Arenas are on offer to the public. Showing; dressage; jumping; eventing; endurance; natural horsemanship; western riding; long lining; and horseball will all be showcased.
The day runs from 9am to 5pm and will culminate with the RoR Grand Showcase finale featuring all of the day’s retrained horses, including 2014 Grand National winner Pineau De Re and former Royal Ascot winner Namibian.
Di Arbuthnot summed up the aim of the day: “The RoR Showcase is intended to inspire and educate trainers, riders and owners at every level involved or interested in transitioning former racehorses to second careers, as well as providing information on the care, training and sale of these horses.”
For more information, a full schedule, and to book tickets for the RoR Showcase day visit
www.ror-events.org.uk. Tickets cost £15 each online (or £18 on the day).
Winning Hearts and minds
RoR Patron Clare Balding has the job of selecting the winners of the four categories that make up the RoR Heart Awards, covering: Best Temperament; Best All Rounder; Overcoming Adversity and, of course, Best Looking, aka RoR Heart Throb Award.
The 12 finalists were chosen through a public vote and Di Arbuthnot explains more: “We have all thoroughly enjoyed reading some incredibly moving stories about well-loved horses. Everyone who entered deserves enormous commendation for their incredible hard work, passion and dedication they continue to give to their former racehorse.”
The 2018 RoR Heart Awards were open to all RoR eligible former racehorses that had raced or been in training, and around 300 were nominated. The winners will be revealed at the RoR End of Season Party on 17th November at Doncaster Racecourse. The evening is a celebration of former racehorse and will also feature the presentation of a number of other RoR Awards in eventing, showjumping and dressage won through the 2018 season.