Ex-racers prove their worth at dressage finals

Ex-racers continue to dispel the myth that thoroughbreds are flighty – this time proving their prowess at the 2015 RoR Racehorse to Riding Horse Dressage Championships.

Versatility and adaptability

According to British Dressage judge Fiona Carlin, the championships at Houghton Hall Equestrian Centre (26-27 September) “highlights their versatility and adaptability”.

“I was very impressed with the overall standard this year, with lots of partnerships appearing confident and harmonious, beautifully presented – all the horses looked very well – and producing competent tests,” she said.

The RoR Introductory Championship was won by Charlotte Bowery on Right You Are with a score of 75%.Charlotte, who is based in Lancashire, was given the former racehorse by Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre (TRC) in 2011.

Close call

Helen Jackson won the RoR Preliminary Championship riding Leverage, achieving the highest score of the weekend with 80.57%. The nine-year-old ran 11 flat races during his previous career under trainer Michael Wigham.

Last year’s Prelim winners, Amy Ferris and 15-year-old Sandmartin, moved up a level to take the title in the RoR Novice Championship with a score of 75.80%.

It was a close call in the RoR Elementary Championship, with just over half a percent between the top three. However, it was Fiona Joplin and five-year-old Medburn Singer who were the victors with 69.48%.

High standard

This year saw the inaugural RoR Medium Championship class, which was won by Nicole Turner and Galileo Figaro. The 11-year-old ran 28 times, on the flat and over hurdles, during his racing career with trainer Philip Kirby.

“Congratulations to everyone who took part and particularly to this year’s champions,” said Fiona. “There were lots of happy horses and riders and it was a pleasure to judge at such a super venue, the organising team could not have been more helpful.

“The high standard and success of this event bodes well for the future of retrained racehorses competing in dressage and highlights their versatility and adaptability.”

Full results

RoR Introductory Championship 1st Right You Are, Charlotte Bowery 75% 2nd Bannockburn Boy, Caroline Hytch 73.37% 3rd Todlea, Helen Sanderson 72.17%

RoR Preliminary Championship 1st Leverage, Helen Jackson 80.57% 2nd Baikaline, Amanda Mills 78.46% 3rd Kajima,Katie Wicks 77.85%

RoR Novice Championship 1st Sandmartin Amy Ferris 75.80% 2nd Green Warrior, Linda Davies 74.55% 3rd Medburn Singer, Fiona Jopling 73.39%

RoR Elementary Championship 1st Medburn Singer, Fiona Jopling 69.48% 2nd Sandmarti, Amy Ferris 69.31% 3rd Last Emperor, Sarah Hale 68.96%

RoR Medium Championship 1st Galileo Figaro, Nicole Turner 70% 2nd Quadrille, Louise Robson 68.27% 3rd Luther, Cara Hayward 67.93%