BEDE Events and the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) are delighted to announce a range of eventing initiatives for 2026, including the Connelly’s Red Mills RoR Eventing Championships. The initiatives are designed to further recognise and reward the performance of former racehorses competing within British Eventing.
The new RoR Eventing Championship with classes at BE90, BE100 and Novice, are to be incorporated into the Aspen Cooling Osberton International Horse Trials (22-24th May 2026) and will be open to all RoR registered horses, with qualifying opportunities across all early season British Eventing Fixtures.
In addition to the Championship, RoR owners will see a welcome return of the Highest Placed RoR awards across all BEDE Events. In a new development for 2026, the awards will be formatted into a season long league with end of year prizes supported by Foran Equine.
In a further boost for regular BEDE Events competitors, Osberton 1 will also feature “BEDE’s Spring Bonus”. This new initiative is to support and award regular competitors of BEDE Events at BE90, BE100 and Novice. The special classes will be open to any combination who has completed 2 double clears at a BEDE Event between 1st March 2025 and 1st May 2026. Each section will receive enhanced prize money and extensive prizes in kind.
Of the new additions to the Osberton schedule BEDE Events Director Stuart Buntine commented:
“We’ve supported RoR for a number of seasons and are very much looking forward to adding some Championship vibes to Osberton (1) and providing a great experience for these horses in their second careers.
With BEDE’s Spring Bonus we’re keen to reward regular BEDE Events competitors, and Osberton always has a great atmosphere. Creating the new Spring Bonus for BE90 to Novice competitors gives those not necessarily competing at international level something new to aim for early season, and more experience at the big international fixtures.”
Of the RoR Eventing Championship launch David Catlow, Managing Director of RoR commented:
“We are delighted to launch this series of initiatives supported by Connolly’s Red Mills building upon our partnership with BEDE Events. This new programme is hugely exciting, and we are extremely grateful to Connolly’s Red Mills and to BEDE Events for their commitment to enhancing opportunities for retired racehorses and to our mission to safeguard their welfare.”
The partnership between BEDE Events and RoR also welcomes Connelly’s Red Mills, and their portfolio of brands, as principal partner for the championship series.
Jane Davis, Head of Marketing at Connolly’s Red Mills said: “We’re proud to partner with Retraining of Racehorses for 2026. This partnership means a great deal to us as a company, as we share a genuine passion for supporting retired racehorses beyond their racing careers. The transition from racing to a second career is a transformative journey, and with the right nutrition, training, and support, former racehorses can thrive. We look forward to helping more former racehorses flourish in eventing, and to supporting the owners and riders who champion their journeys.”
Looking ahead to Autumn events, Carr & Day & Martin will award prizes to the Highest Placed RoR in the Aspen Cooling Osberton International (2) (1– 4 October 2026), Arena Eventing classes.
Entries for the RoR Eventing Championships will open 13th April and Ballot 28th April 2026.
MER criteria, aligned with that of British Eventing:
- Dressage: no more than 45 penalties
- Show Jumping: no more than 16 jumping penalties
- Cross-Country: zero jumping penalties, and no more than 30 time penalties
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