Former trainer Jenny Pitman has teamed up with racehorse rehoming charity HEROS to run a new showing series.
The Jenny Pitman and HEROS Challenge Cup is aimed at owners, loanees and riders of ex-racehorses who may not have considered showing before.
The horses will be judged on general conformation, manners and turnout, but will not be marked down for racing injuries.
Retraining of Racehorses, SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse and the Ex-Racers Club also hold showing series, but this is for the less experienced.
Jenny told H&H: “There is room for all four. Our series is aimed at those who aren’t going to get to Horse of the Year Show, but who want to give it a go and have put just as much time and effort in.”
There will be five qualifiers — at Ponies (UK) shows in Newbury, Newark and the David Broome Event Centre — and a £250-to-the-winner final judged by Jenny at the Newbury Show (19 September).
HEROS chief executive Grace Muir said: “We’re thrilled Jenny has agreed to this. The majority of the 80-100 horses we rehome each year go to people like those this series is aimed at.”
Chris Tyrer will be entering 11-year-old Vortex, who was trained Gay Kelleway and won over £300,000 as a racehorse.
“I’ve had Vortex a year and neither of us have ever shown before,” said Ms Tyrer. “I didn’t want to throw him in at the deep end, so this is perfect.”
• Horses must have raced under Rules. www.heroscharity.org
This article was first published in Horse & Hound (29 April, ’10)
