news Minella Rebellion crowned Tattersalls Showing Series Champ

RoR’s showing stars came out for a fantastic day at the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting on Sunday 23 June as the finals of the Tattersalls RoR Amateur Ridden Showing Series and the Tattersalls RoR Open Ridden Show Series took place, with over 50 former racehorses competing.

After two very competitive sections were judged (National Hunt and flat), all eyes were on the International Arena where the Tattersalls RoR Elite champion Minella Rebellion, owned and ridden by Katie Dashwood, was crowned.

Katie Dashwood’s Minella Rebellion, who was in training with Nicky Henderson, has made waves on the showing circuit having won the riding horse championship at the Horse of the Year Show in 2023 holding his own against all riding horses, not just former racehorses. The pair were reserve champions in the Tattersalls RoR Open Ridden Show Series last year and came back this year to go one better.

Native River, ridden by Emma Vine and owned by Tom Malone and Garth and Ann Broom, secured top spot in the Tattersalls Amateur Ridden Showing Series. Gold Cup hero Native River was formerly in training with Colin Tizzard and has taken to his new career like a duck to water, turning his hoof to many disciplines. Alongside showing, he is shining in the dressage arena, having qualified for the Jockey Club RoR National Championships at Aintree in August.

In the Tattersalls RoR Open Ridden Show Series, Festive Fair, ridden by Rebecca Court and owned by Diana Taylor, were reserve champions. Runner up in the Tattersalls Amateur Ridden Showing Series were Falloway Dubreau and Eve Nicholls.

Rupert Arnold, Executive Consultant to RoR said: “It was wonderful to see so many former racehorses competing at Hickstead’s prestigious Derby meeting. It is fantastic to be able to hold the finals of these two series on such a large stage. Tattersalls has demonstrated ongoing commitment to the care of former racehorses through their sponsorship of these series, which is crucial to their success. RoR and our members are extremely grateful for their ongoing support.”

Hetty Keyes from Tattersalls said: ‘It was a real privilege to attend the Tattersalls sponsored RoR finals at Hickstead yesterday, every year the standard of retraining is remarkable. It was lovely to see that even those who did not hit the heights during their racing careers could reach such great success in another sphere. Yesterday, both the Amateur and Open Champions were graduates of Tattersalls Ireland sales and Tattersalls is committed to ensuring there are opportunities for racehorses after their racing lives and we thank all those involved in running the qualifiers around the country as well as the Finals at Hickstead.’

In total, over 170 showing qualifiers are held annually in Great Britain, with a geographical spread from Aberdeenshire to Cornwall. Qualifying classes are held at county and Royal shows, including Royal Windsor and the Royal Welsh Show, as well as at smaller venues.