The results – 2015 RoR Racing to Polo Challenge held at RCBPC and organised Retraining of Racehorses
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
Started in April 2000 by the British Horseracing Authority (known then as the British Horseracing Board), RoR (Retraining of Racehorses) was given charitable status in Autumn 2000, with HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein being appointed the first patron in 2009, she was joined by Clare Balding OBE as another patron in 2014. The aim of the charitable work is to raise funds and provide homes for ‘vulnerable former racehorses’, the key to which is ‘promoting the adaptability and versatility of racehorses to other equestrian activities.’
Unsurprisingly one of the disciplines well suited for retrained racehorses is Polo, during each English season there is awarded the RoR Elite Polo Performance Award and Polo Series sponsored by Lycetts. In July, the 2015 winner of the ROR High Goal Pony Award was given to Costa Lotta, owned and played by Ollie Cudmore, with The ROR Young Producer Award 2015 going to Jack Richardson.
During the seasons other ROR awards were given at low/medium/Pony Club and Junior HPA level, including:
16th May – REGIS INTERNATIONAL, Cowdray Park, Sussex
31st May – GERALD BALDING CUP, Cirencester Park Polo Club, Gloucestershire
13th June – HPA INTERNATIONAL, Beaufort Polo Club, Gloucestershire
15th June – GOLD CUP SEMI FINALS, Cowdray Park, Sussex
26th July – ROYAL SALUTE INTERNATIONAL 10 GOAL FINAL, Guards Polo Club, Berkshire
7th August – JUNIOR HPA FINALS, Cowdray Park, Sussex
9th August – PONY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS, Cowdray Park, Sussex
Following this on Monday 7th September the ROR racing to polo challenge was held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. Comprising of several classes, the criteria included that all horses must have raced in Great Britain and all entries must be registered with RoR under their registered breeding name and ridden by a player of 2 goals or above.
The 2015 winners included:
3 Year Olds
1st – Wesie’s Dream – Ed Hitchman
2nd Loti – Lucho Aguirre (Owned by Mr & Mrs Jason Parker)
3rd Drastic Art – Harry Allhusen (Owned by Dilip Rahulan)
4th Masipa – Oscar Mancini
5th Riba Roja – Josh Clover (Owned by Siri Evjemo-Nysveen)
6th Double K – Edward Olof (Owned by Gutchpool Polo)
4 Year Olds
1st Anya’s Angel – Josh Clover
2nd Morgan’s Bluff – Miguel Delia (Owned by Hooked On Polo Ltd)
3rd Ready to Rumble – Jonathan Osterrieth
=4th – Aussie Sky – Matthew Simpson (Owned by Adele Lewis)
=4th Faye Belle – William Brasher
6th Currently In London – Jason Coupe (Owned by Sarah Coupe)
5 Year Olds +
1st Medici Dancer – Alex Mains (Owned by Alan Kent)
2nd Molly Mylenis – Alex Mains (Owned by Alan Kent) Also bonus prize winner
3rd Ivory Prince – Ed Winterton
4th Shout for Joy – Matthew Simpson (Owned by Adele Lewis)
5th Tough Question – Ed Winterton (Owned by David Morley)
6th Sylvia’s Diamond – Matthew Simpson (Owned by Adele Lewis)