Entries for the Ri-Dry RoR Racing to Hunting Challenge now open

The Countryside Alliance welcomes news that entries for the Ri-Dry RoR Racing to Hunting Challenge are now open, with hunting enthusiasts invited to nominate their ex-racehorses before 1st October 2022.

The contestants will be whittled down to just six national finalists who will then be given a day's hunting with the Kimblewick, where the horses will be judged throughout the day on their all-round behaviour and manners out hunting, before the winner is announced.

Last year's winner Tom Jonason says his love for hunting is completely due to his incredible horse Sire Collonges. Whilst working as assistant trainer to Paul Nichols, he had great affection for the horse - known as Sire - who amongst other successes was a key figure in the cross-country races at Cheltenham. Tom credits Mr Nichols with not only being a big supporter of hunting generally, but in sending the older racehorses out hunting as a "freshener" and a fitness boost for really improving their performances.

Following his marriage to self-proclaimed hunting fanatic, Chloe Newton, Tom admits he needed to seriously "up his game" and asked Paul Nichols if Sire Collonges might be ready to enjoy a new career. Tom says he remains truly humbled that Angela and her late husband William Tincknell gifted Sire for a fun life of hunting, rather than selling him on as a racing schoolmaster.

Sire and Tom have gone on their hunting journey together, both as rookie novices and Tom maintains that ex-racehorses need patience, routine and regular, steady hunting to become brilliant hunters. Of their qualities for hunting, Tom cites racehorses as being "malleable, intelligent, quick-learners, with a nimble athleticism and, if trained well, the temperament and independence for a perfect hunting horse."

When asked why this duo was chosen as the overall winner last year, Tom explained: "Sire comes into his own on the hunting field. He loves the day from beginning to end and all eyes are on him. We are partners in crime and have gone from tinkering at the back of the field to jumping huge hedges up front together. I owe my passion for hunting to him."

Director for the Campaign for Hunting, Polly Portwin, praised the Ri-Dry RoR Racing to Hunting Challenge series: "Hunting offers the perfect second career when a horse's racing career finishes. These equine athletes relish the adrenalin and cross-country aspect of hunting and we are delighted that the RoR is highlighting this important future role for racehorses."

To enter, click here.