12 finalists named following the count of the online public voting to find 2018’s equine hearts
RoR Patron Clare Balding to select the winners from the three finalists who made it into each of the four categories
The winners will be revealed at the RoR End of Season Party on Saturday 17th November.
Following an online public vote, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) can reveal the 12 finalists for the 2018 RoR Heart Awards. RoR Patron, Clare Balding OBE will choose the winner in each of the four categories and the final winners will be revealed at the RoR End of Season Party on Saturday 17th November.
The 2018 RoR Heart Awards was open to all RoR eligible former racehorses that have raced or been in training and a total of 24 former racehorses reached the initial RoR shortlist for the public vote from nearly 300 nominations. Around 2,500 votes were counted to decide on the public’s favourite 12 finalists. Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive, said; “We have all thoroughly enjoyed reading some incredibly moving stories and well loved horses. Everyone who entered deserves enormous commendation for their incredible hard work, passion and dedication they continue to give to their former racehorse.”
The final winners will be revealed at the RoR End of Season Party on Saturday 17th November at Doncaster Racecourse. The evening is a celebration of former racehorse and will also feature the presentation of a number of other RoR Awards in eventing, showjumping and dressage won through the 2018 season. Each RoR Heart Award winner will be presented with a RoR Heart Award Trophy and a RoR rug for their former racehorse.
The finalists in each of the categories going forward to the judging are:
RoR Biggest Heart Award – Best Temperament
- Magical Lasso – owner Sally Bentley (Lancashire)
Elsie’s Star – owner Helen Corner (Durham)
ince owning Elsie she has honestly been a dream come true. Earlier this year we had an accident through no fault of her own when a pack of dogs ran at us she stepped backwards and fell down a ditch on top of me (first picture). But because Elsie stayed so calm this prevented further injury.
My confidence was really affected and I didn’t dare ride anymore almost giving up
but because of Elsie’s trusting nature she has built my confidence back and this month my dreams came true when we were crowned NAF Riding Club National Show Jumping Champions!
Elsie has evented BE up to BE100 and can turn her hoof to anything! She is loved by everyone who knows her, people always take the time to comment on how lovely she is .. she lets my 11-year-old daughter ride her. She has excelled in showjumping, dressage and cross country. Nothing phases her, she turns her hoof to anything and brings home the ribbons! I honestly cannot put into words what this horse has done for my confidence I wouldn’t have jumped 70cm before! She is a horse in a million! She follows me like a dog around the yard (I have videos) and gives me a hoof for a treat and gives a friendly hello when the car pulls up
Great Choice – owner Jodie Burdett (Devon)
RoR Healthy Heart Award – Best All Rounder
Polish Paddy – owner Jane Gordon (Devon)
Society Sam – owner Sarah Hudgins (Derbyshire)
Native Caption – owner Karen Harrison (Cheshire)
RoR Heart Stopper Award – Overcoming Adversity
Seraph – owner Charlotte Bruton (Essex)
Danish Blues – owner Stacey Barr (North Lanarkshire)
Chilli Boy – owner Beth Roberts (Lancashire)
Until contracting strangles in October 2016 Chilli Boy had never been sick or sorry. I always thought he was fairly tough for a thoroughbred but, following that bout of Strangles he needed to prove just how tough he was. He was recovering well. The abscesses had healed, the snot had gone and he was looking more cheerful until I arrived at the yard one evening to find my boy with all his limbs swollen, refusing to move.
After the diagnosis of Purpura Hemorragica and seeing the vet six days running I was faced with the awful prospect on Christmas Eve that the vet would be with us at 6pm the following day (yes, Christmas Day) and we’d have to make the decision to put Chilli to sleep if he wasn’t showing any signs of improvement. Luckily he’s tough, he’s a fighter and my Christmas present that year was Chilli starting to look a bit brighter and starting to fight!
The illness had made all of Chilli’s limbs swell as he haemorrhaged internally and he had dropped all of his weight. I wondered if he’d ever fully recover and vowed that if he never worked again it wouldn’t matter if he was alive.
Two years on Chilli’s fully recovered. I didn’t expect anything yet we’ve been to several camps, are back doing dressage (competing as part of an RoR team) and even jumping sometimes. I really can’t believe the horse I thought I was going to lose will celebrate his 21st birthday next March.
RoR Heart Throb Award – Best Looking
Stilo Blue Native – owner Samantha Osborne (North Yorkshire)
Steel Rain – owner Jenni Savolainen (Herefordshire)
Steel Rain (Jack to his friends) is the George Clooney of the horse world. Tall (well, 16 hands…..) dark and handsome with chiselled features. With mirror like shine to his coat, he truly is my real life black beauty!Cool Doctor – owner Tracey Russell (Durham)
For more information go to https://www.ror.org.uk/finalists-decided-for-ror-heart-awards/
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