Racehorse Competition Launched For 2003

Entry forms for the second year of the acclaimed "Racehorses to Riding Horses" competition are now available.

The competition, run by South Essex Insurance Brokers and QBE International Insurance, is designed to prove that Thoroughbreds coming out of training can be re-schooled for a career in other disciplines. It will be supported this season by the British Horseracing Board charity Rehabilitation of Racehorses (RoR)

"The first year of competition was an undoubted success," said South Essex's livestock and marketing manager Nicolina MacKenzie. "We had many, many entries and the ultimate winners last year have set a standard that proves that these much maligned equine athletes can certainly do more than just race - and in the right hands they can even be handled by children."

"Racehorses to Riding Horses" will be open to horses affiliated to the British Show Jumping Association, British Dressage, British Eventing and the British Endurance Society as well as those contesting recognised showing classes or unaffiliated competition run by The British Riding Clubs, Pony Club, Permanent Show Organisers Association or approved centre.

Horses need to be registered with Wetherbys and to have been in training for either Flat or National Hunt Racing, although they need not have raced. They must compete under the name registered at Wetherbys and used whilst in training.

Owners wishing to enter horses will need to get an application form entitling them to a Qualification Card on which competition successes are recorded. These will be assessed for a final result based on points at the end of the 2003 season.

Application forms are available from "Racehorses to Riding Horses," South Essex Insurance Brokers Ltd., South Essex House, North Road, South Ockendon, Essex, RM15 5BE. Please enclose a large, stamped and self addressed envelope.

.