Real Rider Cup

The Real Rider Cup, a charity show jumping competition created to support Thoroughbred aftercare, has partnered with Breeders' Cup Charities and Keeneland for its 10th anniversary year, each of whom will field a team of riders and have committed to match their respective team's total raised up to $5,000. Set for Saturday, July 11th in Lexington, KY, the Real Rider Cup encourages participating riders to pledge fundraising efforts for RRC beneficiaries, all while increasing awareness and "fostering a spirit of collaboration and community between the racing, aftercare, and equestrian industries."...

The Lexington leg of the Real Rider Cup, held June 28 at New Vocations at Mereworth Farm raised over $57,000 to support Thoroughbred aftercare efforts. The charity show jumping competition brings together personalities from across the breeding and racing industry to increase awareness and raise funds for Beyond the Wire, New Vocations, and the Retired Racehorse Project, with each rider pledging to raise at least $1,000. Kristin VanMeter and Hardesty won the individual competition, and VanMeter's Team Stockplace, which included Gina Gans, Mary Motion, and Avery Wismer, prevailed as the...

When it came time for United (Giant's Causeway) to retire from the racetrack, there was never any doubt that he would remain with LNJ Foxwoods, the parents-and-daughter team of Larry, Nanci and Jaime Roth who had campaigned him throughout his four-year career. A seven-time graded stakes winner, the towering chestnut had become the family's all-time leading earner and they were committed to giving him a forever home. What they didn't expect, however, was just how much the competitive gelding would take to a second career. Now flourishing in the show...

The finalized dates for The Real Rider Cup (RRC)'s annual charity show jumping competitions have been set for Saturday, June 28 in Lexington, Kentucky and Saturday, Oct. 18 in Fair Hill, Maryland. "We're grateful for the continued enthusiasm and support for our event," said RRC founder Anita Motion. "The breed has given us all so much and we're honored to give back by supporting a variety of aftercare organizations who are making meaningful impacts on post-racing life for Thoroughbreds. I also want to extend my gratitude to the Maryland 5...

As we approach this year's season of giving thanks, I am especially grateful for those in the veterinary profession, the dedicated racing connections who stand by their horses for life, and the amazing Thoroughbreds who teach us what really matters. My mare, Sadie's Magic (Street Magician), has taken me on many adventures and taught me a tremendous amount as a rider. What I did not expect were the lessons that she would teach me out of the saddle: lessons in resilience, perseverance, and the perspective on life that would follow...

The Fair Hill leg of the Real Rider Cup welcomed 36 horse and rider combinations along with hundreds of spectators to Fair Hill Thoroughbred Horse Show Sept. 13th. The charity show jumping competition brought together personalities from across the breeding and racing industry to increase awareness and raise funds for Thoroughbred aftercare, with each rider pledging to raise at least $1,000. Riders, mounted on off-track Thoroughbreds and wearing the silks of their employers, colleagues, and clients, contended a course of fences with the fastest clear rounds taking home top honors....

The 2024 dates for two competition legs of the Real Rider Cup, a charity show jumping event featuring members of the racing industry competing on off-track Thoroughbreds, were announced Tuesday. The Kentucky leg will take place July 13 at New Vocations at Mereworth Farm in Lexington, and the Maryland leg will once again kick off the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show in Elkton Sept. 13. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, and the Retired Racehorse Project. Riders will compete both individually...

When the Real Rider Cup launched a second leg of its charity show jumping fundraiser last year in Lexington at New Vocations' Mereworth Farm, the event's creator Anita Motion said that her team was not sure what to expect. But the breeding and racing community showed up in force to support the cause and the evening was a smashing success. The place was packed as spectators enjoyed lighthearted competition and helped double the event's previous record by bringing in over $90,000. "We didn't even think that it would go beyond...

Following a record-setting turnout in Lexington this past July, the 63 entered riders that have taken part in the Real Rider Cup have raised better than $160,000 this year, a number that rises to $173,000 when corporate sponsors are factored in. That amount more than triple any previous annual total for the event and brings the total raised since the inception of the Real Rider Cup to $410,000 raised for Thoroughbred aftercare. "It's been an honor to have been a beneficiary of the Real Rider Cup since the beginning," said...

A team representing the Maryland Jockey Club will participate in the Real Rider Cup Friday, Sept. 16, at Fair Hill. The Fair Hill leg of the 2022 Real Rider Cup continues the tradition of the charity show jumping event that supports Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and the Retired Racehorse Project. The MJC will be represented by host/analyst Kali Francois, marketing and events manager Brittlan Wall and trainer Jacqueline Savoye. "I couldn't be more excited to be part of this amazing event and Team Maryland Jockey...

Edited Press Release Following a record-breaking inaugural run in Lexington last month, the Real Rider Cup, a charity show jumping event created by Anita Motion to benefit Thoroughbred aftercare, returns to its home at the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show the evening of Friday, Sept. 16. Past winner Penelope Miller returns for her fifth Real Rider Cup, riding once again for Team Racing Media. Past top fundraiser Keira Nygaard, whose parents Erik and Pavla own and operate Thor-Bred Stables, was among the leaders in Kentucky and comes now to Maryland with...

LEXINGTON, KY--With a rainy, cloudy afternoon turning into a perfect sunny and 72-degree evening, the racing industry was out in full force to support retired Thoroughbreds in the Real Rider Cup. Typically held in the fall at Fair Hill, it was the first time the event was being held in Lexington at New Vocations' Mereworth Farm and the rail was packed with familiar faces, such as Christian Black, Mike McMahon and Aidan and Leah O'Meara, to support this great cause initiated by Anita Motion. Thirty-one riders completed a 2'6" jumper...