BEDE Events, the organisers of several British Eventing (BE) competitions, have announced a range of eventing initiatives for former racehorses ahead of the 2026 season.
Together with the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), BEDE Events will host the new Connelly’s Red Mills RoR Eventing Championships at the Aspen Cooling Osberton International Horse Trials on Friday 22 – Sunday 24 May.
Featuring classes at BE90, BE100 and novice level, the championships is designed to further recognise and reward the performance of former racehorses competing within BE. The winners at each level will receive a cash prize and a rug while second and third placed competitors will also reeve prizes.
Qualifying criteria
To qualify, horse and rider combinations will need to achieve a minimum of two MERs* at any standard British Eventing competition between 1st March 2025 and 26th April 2026. Qualifying opportunities will take place across all early season BE fixtures.
The highest placed RoR awards will also return this season at all BEDE Events. A new addition will see the awards formatted into a league with prizes supported by Foran Equine given at the end of the season.
Spring Bonus
Osberton will also feature “BEDE’s Spring Bonus” a new initiative which rewards regular BE90, BE100 and novice competitors at BEDE Events. 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.
“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,” said BEDE events director Stuart Buntine.
“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.”
Entries for the RoR Eventing Championships will open on Monday 13 April and the ballot date will be Tuesday 28 April.
‘Hugely exciting’
“We are delighted to launch this series of initiatives supported by Connolly’s Red Mills building upon our partnership with BEDE Events,” said David Catlow, managing director of RoR.
“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.
“We’re proud to partner with Retraining of Racehorses for 2026,” said Jane Davis, head of marketing at Connolly’s Red Mills.
“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.”
* MER criteria, aligned with that of British Eventing:
Dressage: no more than 45 penalties
Cross-Country: zero jumping penalties, and no more than 30 time penalties
Show Jumping: no more than 16 jumping penalties
Image © BEDE Events.
