news RoR prizes on offer for former racehorses competing at Badminton Horse Trials

• Rewards in both the ‘grassroots’ Mitsubishi Motors Cup and main three-day-event

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is once again offering prizes to the riders of former racehorses in action at Badminton this week. In addition to a cash prize to the rider of the highest placed racehorse in the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, there will be prizes for those competing for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup in the ‘grassroots’ finals staged on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This year will be the third year there has been an official prize for the best -placed former racehorse at the world’s premier three-day-event. Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul are bidding to win the £1000 cash prize for a third successive time as they attempt to improve on their third place overall in 2016, a feat that was followed up by another top ten finish in 2017.

RoR is also supporting the two days of competition that precede the start of the three-day-event. Formerly known as the ‘Grassroots Championships’, the Mitsubishi Motors Cup offers ‘amateur’ event riders a rare opportunity to compete at Badminton. For many riders competing in the BE90 and BE100 championship classes represents the pinnacle of their eventing career.

The qualification process for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup stretches back as long as 18 months and culminates in regional finals held around the country in the autumn. The regional finals determine which horse and rider combinations qualify for the championships at Badminton with only the top 20% going through.

This year there are six former racehorses among those who have qualified; four are due to take part in the BE90 championship and two in the BE100.

The four horses in the BE90 class are Ponte Vecchio, ridden by Stuart Nie, Master Wickham, ridden by Claire Lewis, Siurtain H Aon, ridden by Kayleigh Davies, and Rinus Star, ridden by Donna Boyd.

And the two competing in the BE100 class are Ambrosiano, ridden by Harriette Howard and Onyx Bruere, ridden by Miranda King

Each of the six starters will receive prizes from RoR, including VIP tickets to attend the first ever RoR Showcase event being held at Aintree in November.

The inaugural RoR Showcase is set to be an inspiring and educational day, demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of the thoroughbred. Attendees will witness demonstrations and Q & A sessions from expert trainers in a range of disciplines.

Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of RoR, said: “We are delighted to continue our association with Badminton Horse Trials and we wish the very best of luck to all the horse and rider combinations eligible for RoR prizes competing this week.

“In eventing Badminton Horse Trials is associated with excellence and all the former racehorses who have been retrained to a standard at which they have qualified to compete on that stage deserve great credit.”