THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE PROGRAMME (TAP) FORMER RACEHORSE PARADE TO TAKE PLACE AT CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS

Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2025 by Heather Dodd

THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE PROGRAMME (TAP)
FORMER RACEHORSE PARADE TO TAKE PLACE AT
CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS

To celebrate the versatility of the thoroughbred and promote second careers after racing, Cornbury House Horse Trials (10-14 September) will host a former racehorse parade in association with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme (TAP) on Friday, 12 September. The parade will feature six former racehorses currently on different parts of their re-training journey.

A major focus for this year’s Cornbury House Horse Trials is to showcase the sports of racing and eventing and honour the thoroughbred, and the inaugural Arena Racing Company-sponsored Racehorse to Challenge Cup takes place on 11, 12 and 13 September with a £50,000 total prize fund on offer.

The line-up for the parade includes several high-profile names, including the former Dan Skelton-trained Blaklion, who won almost £500,000 in prize money on the track, along with Kimberlite Candy, owned by JP McManus and winner of the Classic Chase at Warwick when trained by Tom Lacey. Both horses are now part of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, which is designed to offer a nationwide support framework to help ensure a smooth transition from racehorse to riding horse for either a competitive or non-competitive second career via an online information portal alongside subsidised regional training delivered by top-class coaches.

Justine Parker, Programme Director of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, said: “We are really delighted to be able to showcase the work of TAP with six horses who are all at different stages of their re-training process.

“Thoroughbreds are so quick to learn and happy to please, and we hope that everyone who has the pleasure of watching the parade will consider an ex-racehorse as their next horse of choice.  It goes without saying that we also look forward to extending them our support along with the many other opportunities that TAP has to offer.”

David Howden, founder and president of The Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme and Cornbury House Horse Trials added: “Bringing together two of my great passions, racing and eventing and showcasing the versatility of the magnificent thoroughbred what we set out to achieve. Coupled with the inaugural Racehorse to Eventer Challenge, it knots it all together really well.”

The display will take place in the main arena at Cornbury on Friday, 12 September at 12.30pm and will be compered by Sky Sports racing presenter Vanessa Ryle and TAP ambassador and former top-level event rider Lucy Jackson.

Full parade line-up:

1.KIMBERLITE CANDY ridden by Hollie Cartwright (pictured left)

2. BLAKLION ridden by Fay Shulton

3. MOWBRAY in-hand led by Daren Sellars-Waymark

4. LORD IN RED ridden by Emma-Jane Brown

5. ARDLAIR ridden by Evie Lawson

6. CARMENS CONCERTO ridden by Joe Sellars

As well as superb equestrian sport, featuring many of the world’s most famous riders, Cornbury Horse Horse Trials is an innovative and exciting blend of local, sustainable food and drink from our neighbouring farms, premium hospitality, and interactive children’s activities over the weekend of 13-14 September, all in the stunning setting of Cornbury Park. There’s no doubt that Cornbury House Horse Trials promises a fantastic day out for families, as well as riders, owners, guests and spectators.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to be part of one of the most anticipated equestrian events in the country. Tickets start from just £10, and children 12 and under attend for FREE. Book your tickets today and join us for an unforgettable day for the whole family at Cornbury House Horse Trials.

All the cross-country action from Cornbury House Horse Trials will be shown live on Horse & Country TV’s streaming platform H&C+.

To buy tickets, see timetables of each class and for more information, visit cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk.

About Cornbury House Horse Trials
The 2025 event (10-14 September) will be the sixth year of Cornbury House Horse Trials, which takes place on the Cornbury estate near Charlbury in Oxfordshire. It will stage the British Eventing Young Horse Championships for five-, six- and seven-year-old horses, FEI CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S, The Howden Way Youth classes for under-21 riders and the ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup. Cornbury Park Horse Trials ran from 1993-2000, and was a large and popular advanced-level event.

The Howden Way Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme (TAP)

• The Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme launched in December 2020 under The Howden Way umbrella. TAP plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth, welfare-focused transition for former racehorses into successful careers as riding horses.

1. This initiative has received widespread acclaim across the equestrian and racing industries for its positive impact on equine welfare and its support of the wider equestrian community. With a strong emphasis on education, training, and accessibility, TAP addresses a key welfare need in the sport.

2. TAP offers subsidised regional training sessions, delivered by certified Level 3+ coaches, along with an extensive online resource hub filled with guidance from industry experts and elite riders. The programme empowers riders and owners with the knowledge and tools required to retrain ex-racehorses effectively and compassionately.

3. At its core, TAP aims to create an informed and supportive network to benefit the horse, the owner, and the rider. The programme works to overcome misconceptions about ex-racehorses, highlight their potential across disciplines, and raise their profile as a versatile and valuable choice for equestrians at all levels.

4. TAP is committed to making its resources freely accessible, whether individuals are just exploring ex-racehorse ownership or are experienced in retraining thoroughbreds. More details and access to the training calendar and online materials can be found at: www.thehowdenway.com/tap