news Entries open for The Jockey Club RoR National Championships

• A total of 64 classes exclusively for former racehorses
• Includes new revised format that offers British Showjumping classes

Entries are now open for The Jockey Club RoR National Championships, held at Aintree International Equestrian Centre on 23^rd - 26^th August 2023, featuring classes for showing, dressage, arena eventing and showjumping, culminating with the crowning of The RoR Elite Performance Award for Dressage and The Tattersalls RoR Ridden Showing Series Supreme Champion during Saturday’s evening performance.

Generously sponsored by The Jockey Club, the annual extravaganza has previously attracted thousands of former racehorses to enter throughout the years and is the biggest event in Great Britain for showcasing the versatility of the thoroughbred together with the range of activities available to them once retiring from racing.

In 2022, Rich Man Poor Man, ridden by Kirstine Douglas, was awarded the title of RoR Supreme Showing Champion. In his racing career Rich Man Poor Man was trained by Philip Kirby, but did not distinguish himself in five starts under National Hunt rules, pulling up on four occasions. However, since retiring from racing in 2017 to pursue a career in showing Rich Man Poor Man has gone from strength to strength.

This year you will see a number of minor changes to the format of the classes to help streamline the show and to set a sustainable model for the future. A wide range of classes is offered, ranging from newcomer classes open to all former racehorses registered with RoR that do not require prequalification to restricted open classes. The format incorporates British Showjumping classes which run under British Showjumping Club structure, with no additional fees to pay for RoR members, as we look to build our partnerships and provide RoR riders with even more opportunities to compete.

The organisation’s North West Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Aintree Racecourse, Sulekha Varma, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming The Jockey Club RoR National Championships back to the Aintree Equestrian Centre this summer. It is always brilliant to see the stars of our sport enjoying a new career away from the track, and the RoR Championships are a brilliant way of showcasing this. We are very much looking forward to hosting them once again in August.”

David Catlow, RoR Managing Director, added: “We are very much looking forward to this year’s National Championship Show. It provides former racehorses and their owners with an opportunity to compete in a variety of disciplines at the highest level, while also celebrating the former racehorses' versatility and athleticism. We would not be able to host this event without the support of The Jockey Club as our major sponsor. On behalf of RoR and all the competitors we thank them enormously for their support, as well as the clear demonstration of The Jockey Club’s commitment to the wellbeing of racehorses throughout their lives.”

Entries for The Jockey Club RoR National Championships open at 9am on Monday 5^th June, and will remain open until Tuesday 1st August.

Full schedule can be found HERE and entries are made via Horse Monkey HERE.

For stabling and accommodation bookings click HERE.