news Ri-Dry Racing to Hunting Challenge field narrowed down to ten

• Prize pot of £3,500
• Challenge Final takes place at Aintree’s Countryside Day

The judging panel tasked with finding the winner of the 2019 Ri-Dry Racing to Hunting Challenge recently met to review all the entries and identify ten former racehorses to go through to the next round.

Each of the ten horses and riders will now be visited during the upcoming Autumn Hunting season by a member of the judging panel, after which the judges will select the six finalists who will head to Aintree Racecourse for Countryside Day on Sunday 28^th October.

The winner of the Ri-Dry Racing to Hunting Challenge will be the former racehorse adjudged to have best adapted to their second career in the hunting field. The owner of the winner will be awarded the Meriel Tufnell Trophy together with their share of the £3,500 prize fund, and a waterproof Ri-Dry Coat courtesy of Ri-Dry Clothing.

The ten horses range in age from 8 to 23 years old, represent hunts from Devon to Northumberland and include two former winners at the Cheltenham Festival in Hunt Ball and Back In Focus, as well as a former winner over the Cheltenham Cross-Country course in Sire Collonges.

The Ri-Dry Racing to Hunting Challenge drew nominations from hunts from all over Great Britain and it was the unenviable task of the five person judging panel, chaired by Jonathan Clark, to whittle down the list to ten shortlisted horses.

After much deliberation, the panel selected the following horses who are seeking to follow in the footsteps of the 2018 winner, Kasilia, owned and hunted by Amy Brown with the Berwickshire Hunt.

1. Back In Focus; 14-y.o by Bob Back, Clare Burrows, Fitzwilliam (Milton) Hunt
2. Hunt Ball; 14-y.o by Winged Love, Sarah Henderson, VWH
3. Just A Touch; 23-y.o by Rakaposhi King, Elizabeth Feakes, Kent and Surrey Bloodhounds
4. Kawana Cove; 13-y.o by Karinga Bay, Maria Lewis, Lamerton Foxhounds
5. Kikos; 17-y.o by Nikos, Amy Morgan, Heythrop Hunt
6. Mr Chippy; 15-y.o by Laveron, Suzie Dent, Hurworth Hunt
7. Newyearsresolution; 15-y.o by Mr Combustible, Amie Waugh, Morpeth Hunt
8. Sire Collognes; 13-y.o by Dom Alco, Tom Jonason, Belvoir Hunt
9. Twister Mix; 8-y.o by Fair Mix, Martha Hayes, Burton Hunt
10. Valentino Taffi; 16-y.o by Primo Valentino, Anna Lockwood, Warwickshire Hunt

Dan Watt, Managing Director of Ri-Dry Clothing, sponsors of the Racing to Hunting Challenge, said: “We are delighted to continue our support for RoR through sponsorship of the Racing To Hunting Challenge. It is a great fit for our Ri-Dry waterproof clothing range, which is renowned for its durability and adaptability in all weathers, as these are also the attributes shown by all the former racehorses now excelling in the hunting field.”

Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) said: “Enjoying life in hunting field is the second career chosen for many former racehorses and through this Challenge we are delighted to recognise and celebrate the thoroughbred’s ability to adapt to the demands of being an exceptional hunter.”