One of the many things that’s great about riding ex-racehorses is the glut of competitions and series that are not only available, but exclusive to thoroughbreds in their second career.
Whatever your discipline of choice, there are dozens of classes, predominantly at grassroots level, to kickstart your retrained racehorse’s new competitive calling, culminating in prizes and championships if your journey takes you there.
An added incentive is the prestigious shows and venues hosting the championships, such as Aintree, London International, Hickstead and Horse of the Year Show. Plus, some of these competitions for ex-racehorses have enticing prize-money to boot.
The major championships for retrained racehorses in the UK – the Jockey Club’sRetraining of Racehorses (RoR) National Championships – is a six-day competition featuring classes in showing, dressage and jumping, plus two evening performances. In 2026, this will take place at Aintree International Equestrian Centre on 18–23 August. As befits a national championships, there are qualification criteria, which we will go on to explain.
Competitions and series for ex-racehorses often have finals at prestigious venues, such as Hickstead.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Competitions for ex-racehorses: All disciplines
RoR competition league
League runs from 1 September to 31 May (dressage, showjumping and arena eventing) or until 31 August (unaffiliated eventing, cross-country and showing), with combinations accumulating points at shows (not online) throughout this period.
At the end of the League, rosettes will be awarded to the top 10 at each level based on points submitted.
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RoR competition league championship
In addition to the league placings, RoR competition league championships for dressage, showjumping and arena eventing will be held at the RoR National Championships at Aintree in August and are open to qualified combinations only.
The Showing League Final will take place at the Winter Championships at Pickering Grange on 19 April.
To qualify for the League Championship classes at Aintree, members must submit a minimum of four scores showing a completion result or percentage in the relevant discipline.
Many owners of ex-racehorses find their horses adapt well to eventing.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Eventing competitions for ex-racehorses
Thoroughbreds have many attributes that can make them ideally suited to eventing as a new direction. They are often bold, forward-going, athletic and full of stamina. There are several options for those with competitive aspirations throughout the year, both organised by the RoR organisation and others.
RoR Winter Championships (Arena Eventing)
Pickering Grange EC, Leics
17–19 April 2026
Qualification: Two completion results at the level at which you wish to compete in the championships, at any venue, affiliated or unaffiliated. You may qualify for two championship classes as long as the heights are consecutive.
Aspen Cooling Osberton International Horse Trials (1)
22–24 May 2026
Levels: BE90, BE100 and novice
Qualification: Combinations need to achieve a minimum of two MERs, or two double clears, at BE classes at the level between 1 March–26 April 2026.
Arc Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup
Cornbury House Horse Trials
10–12 September 2026
Level: open novice
Qualification: Via regular novice classes in the 2026 season. Combinations must achieve two minimum eligibility requirements at the level. Horses must not have competed at Advanced or CCI4* level or above. Horses must either have raced or have been in training at a registered trainers’ yard.
Tom McEwen eventing former racehorse Dream Big.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
RoR BE Points Series
Levels: BE80, 90, 100, novice
Series runs from 1 February to 15 October 2026, with combinations accumulating points at any of these levels at BE events during the season.
A series for RoR members competing at unaffiliated events. Points are awarded according to finishing position (from first down to 11th or lower), with the combination accumulating the most points within the period (1 September 2025–31 August 2026) being crowned the series winner.
Points can be won at any venue during the qualifying period. BE registration is not required.
Highest-placed RoR awards at all BEDE events. These will be formatted through the season into a league with end-of-season prizes. Further details on eligibility, registration and prize structures will be released in due course.
Showing series for ex-racehorses
It’s wonderful to see racehorses showing off once again in front of a crowd – plus it’s great for those spectators to see some of the stars excelling in a new career. There are plenty of opportunities for competitions for retrained racehorses, in prestigious venues, whatever your level.
Tattersalls RoR Scottish Series Championship
Royal Highland Show
18 June
Qualification: Horses must have raced in Great Britain. Qualifiers are held throughout the season (prior to 1 April qualifies for 2026, afterwards for 2027). Top three qualify for championship. Prize for highest placed veteran.
Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Show Series Finals
Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting
22 June
Qualification: Qualifiers are held throughout the season (prior to 2 June qualifies for 2026, afterwards for 2027). Previous champions cannot compete in final.
Depending on the class, there are restrictions on where the horse has raced, whether it was in training and unraced, and so on. The final is split into horses whose last race was on the Flat or under National Hunt rules (including point-to-point and bumpers). Top three go forward to international arena for final judging. Prize for highest placed veteran.
Qualification: Winner of each Tattersalls RoR show series qualifier (open, amateur, novice, in-hand, Scottish) from 1 August 2025–31 July 2026, plus the highest-placed horse aged 15-plus qualifies for veteran final.
For the Tattersalls RorR challenge, there is a course of eight fences (80cm in qualifiers, 85cm in final) and an individual show/conformation phase – series champion and top three in any qualifier go through to final.
Retrained racehorse showing classes can take you all the way to Horse of the Year Show.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship
Horse of the Year Show
8–11 October 2026
Qualification: For thoroughbreds that have raced under Rules. Via the SEIB Search For A Star qualifiers and selected other shows including Hartpury Horse Trials, Burghley Horse Trials, Equifest, National Hunter Supreme Championship Show.
Just because thoroughbreds are built for speed doesn’t mean they can’t point their toes! Many racehorses have fantastic paces, and can be retrained to excel between the white boards especially at grassroots level.
The Jockey Club RoR National Championships
Aintree International EC, Merseyside
18–23 August
Levels: intro, prelim, novice, elementary, medium, special
Qualification: RoR members can qualify from 1 February for regional championships, at which they can qualify for the nationals, by submitting two scoresheets at or above the required minimum percentage (varying from 60 to 65%, class-dependent) from affiliated or unaffiliated dressage competitions.
At regionals, you must again score the minimum percentage or higher to qualify for the nationals.
Regional championships
West Midlands: Allens Hill, Worcs (2 May)
Midlands: Field House Equestrian, Staffs (23 May)
South Wales: Beacons EC, Carms (24 May)
East: Fenning Farm EC, Cambs (7 June)
South-west: Chard Equestrian, Som (13 June)
North-west: Myerscough College, Lancs (14 June)
North-east: Highfield House, Tyne and Wear (20 June)
Showjumping competitions are arguably the option taken by the least retrained racehorses, but if you need any inspiration, look no further than John Whitaker’s Philco, a full thoroughbred who won European silver and numerous grand prix trophies.
Who said thoroughbreds can’t jump! David Broome’s Philco is a prime example.
(Image credit: Eamonn McCabe/Popperfoto via Getty Images)
The Jockey Club RoR National Championships
Aintree International EC, Merseyside
18–23 August 2026
Levels: 70cm, 80cm, 90cm and 1m
Qualification: These are all open classes for RoR competition registered horses, with no qualification criteria. They are run in accordance with British Showjumping rules.
Equiyd British Showjumping National Amateur and Veteran Championships
Aintree International EC, Merseyside
10–15 November
Levels: 85cm–1.10m
The RoR will be awarding prizes to the highest placed RoR-registered combinations in all championship classes. Horses must hold current RoR competition membership, and will need to state eligibility on entry.
Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
