Real Rider Cup

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...

The Kentucky leg of the Real Rider Cup, a charity show jumping event created by Anita Motion to benefit Thoroughbred aftercare, will be held Saturday, July 9--two days ahead of the start of the Fasig-Tipton July sales--at New Vocation Racehorse Adoption Program at Mereworth Farm in Lexington. Among those set to participate are Zenyatta's son Cozmic One (Bernardini), who will be ridden by Real Rider Cup veteran Sergio de Sousa; and Grade III winner Sticksstatelydude (First Dude) with exercise rider Kristin VanMeter. 1/ST Racing is furnishing an entire team coming...

The 2020 edition of The Real Rider Cup--an annual competition designed to showcase off-the-track Thoroughbreds and raise funding FOR the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP), New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and The Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show--is going virtual this year. The champion will be crowned Oct. 24. This fundraiser invites individuals working in various parts of the racing industry to compete against each other on a Thoroughbred over a show jumping course wearing the silks of one of their sponsors. Each competitor pledges to raise a minimum of $1,000, which goes...