news RoR appoints Regional Development Officers to bolster education programme

To enhance its regional educational and community support programme, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) has recruited seven Regional Development Officers.

As British Horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses that have retired from racing, one of RoR’s key roles is to educate owners and riders who take responsibility for former racehorses. The newly appointed Regional Development Officers will be RoR’s regional lead and principal contact point in seven areas, Scotland North, Scotland South, Wales, Northern England, the Midlands, the South East and South West England.

Working 8 days a month, the Regional Development Officers - known as RDOs - replace the valued volunteers who previously operated as regional coordinators. The RDOs will build on the work of the volunteers to increase awareness of RoR in each region. They will also deliver a more coordinated approach to education clinics and camps and help bridge gaps between local racehorse trainers and RoR members looking to take on retired racehorses.

Di Arbuthnot, RoR Chief Executive, said: “Fundamental to securing a successful transition for horses leaving racing is accessible advice, support and training for those owners who have taken on a former racehorse.

“Fortunately, we had a lot of applications for the roles and consequently we were able to select a high calibre of candidate for each region. I have no doubt that they will make a significant and positive difference to the delivery of our educational programmes.”

The RDOs bring a wide range of knowledge and experience from working with thoroughbreds in racing to clerk of the course at Larkhill to accredited BHS coach’s and assessors.

The seven RDOs and their regions are as follows:

• Scotland North - Eleanor Warren
• Scotland South – Aileen Firth
• Wales - Amy Bannister Bell
• Northern England - Katharine Martin
• The Midlands - Annie Reavley
• South East – Clare Chamberlayne
• South West - Roly Rickcord