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Leisure Riders Help Prove Worth Of Ex-Racehorses

SEIB competition attracting widespread interest

More than 300 entries have been registered for the celebrated South Essex Insurance Brokers Racehorses to Riding Horses competition, more than half of them in the unaffiliated section.

"I think this does prove a point," said organiser Nicolina MacKenzie. "We have entries in all the affiliated disciplines, but I question whether having so many unaffiliated registrations doesn't prove the worth of ex-racehorses and make nonsense of the idea that they are difficult.

"Leisure riders dominate this area of competition and they are, after all, are very discerning. Their time away from the day job is very precious and even though many of them are good and experienced riders, they are not going to spend their energies in a pointless project."

"Racehorses to Riding Horses" is 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. The end of year result is based on points awarded for competition results through the season.

The 2002 inaugural year was a resounding success, with support from QBE Insurance, trainer Mark Johnston, leading BBC TV racing personality Clare Balding and international showjumper William Funnell.

"Affiliated entries are well divided through the five disciplines," says Miss MacKenzie. "Ex-racehorses seem to be most popular for Dressage, but there are a lot competing in eventing and showjumping, with the remainder equally divided between showing and endurance."

A QBE spokes person said: "In a world where many thousands of Thoroughbred horses are bred each year and many do not make the grade as racehorses, it is extremely encouraging to see that so many riders' opinions are changing.

"Now a lot of these talented creatures are being allowed to fulfill their potential in many other spheres and not just the high level competitions - they are therefore no longer branded as failures if they do not succeed in the racing world.

"We at QBE are very pleased to see that this competition is proving to be so popular for a second year running."

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.


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