The Real Rider Cup, a charity show jumping event featuring members of the racing industry competing on off-track Thoroughbreds, announced today the 2024 dates for two competition legs in the heart of the Thoroughbred industries in Kentucky and Maryland. The Kentucky leg will take place on 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 on September 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 and as part of a team; riders are encouraged to form their own teams to ride for a particular farm, stable, organization or branch of the industry. All riders pledge to raise a minimum of $1,000, either through donations or sponsorships. Participation will be capped at 30 riders per event.

All riders will compete on an off-track Thoroughbred over a course of 2’6”, and choose at which location they intend to compete (they can also compete at both). As a show jumping event, riders are competing for fast time. Awards will be given at each leg for individual winners, plus top teams and top fundraisers.

Terence Collier will once again serve as the master of ceremonies at the Kentucky leg, and Scott Wykoff is returning to announce at Maryland.

“As we gear up for Real Rider Cup 2024, I’m looking forward to what could be our best year yet,” said Real Rider Cup founder Anita Motion. “Each year, we make adjustments and improvements to the flow of the event. Since the inaugural Real Rider Cup in 2017, we’ve raised much-needed funds for three Thoroughbred charities while also producing a truly enjoyable spectator event. I look forward to seeing you ringside on July 13 in Lexington and September 13 in Fair Hill!”

Rider entry for both legs will open on June 3 at TheRealRiderCup.com. Sponsorships are available for the Real Rider Cup for both the Kentucky and Maryland events.

Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show is a 501c3 organization supporting riders of Thoroughbreds by providing affordable show fees, scholarships, stakes classes and prizes in every division. By supporting their riders, we are helping more OTTBs find second careers.

Founded in 1992, New Vocations has grown into the largest racehorse adoption program in the country. Its mission to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retired Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorse has led to the placement of over 7,000 individuals, with 500 retirees entering the program each year. With facilities in Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, New Vocations serves over 40 racetracks, working directly with owners and trainers in need of aftercare options.

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization working to increase demand for off-track Thoroughbreds beyond racing. In addition to producing the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, the world’s largest and most lucrative retraining competition for recently-retired racehorses, the organization also maintains an educational library of content to empower more equestrians to ride a Thoroughbred, offers the only Thoroughbred-only online horse listings, and conducts clinics and seminars throughout the country.