Are you a Real Rider? Read on for more information on how you can participate in this special charity event!
Racing industry personalities — those working in breeding, sales, training, racing, media, or aftercare — are invited to compete. Riders enter as individual combinations with their horses and also as a part of a team. Each rider submits a profile for this website so that fans of the Real Rider Cup can learn more and make a donation to their favorite rider. See “How do you raise funds?” below.
The 2026 competition will run one leg: Saturday, July 11th at New Vocations at Mereworth Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. We hope to be back at Fair Hill in 2027!
All competitors will ride Thoroughbreds who have had at least one lifetime start or published work. Riders compete in the silks of their supporters, employers, or connections of the horse to honor the racing industry.
Unless cleared in advance with the organizing committee, horses will be ridden in a headstall with reins and an English-style saddle suitable for jumping. Bitless bridles , exercise saddles, and side saddles are acceptable. Real Rider Cup organizers reserve the right to excuse any combination who demonstrate unsafe riding.
Team must be comprised of a minimum of four riders. Participants forming their own teams may choose represent the racing entity of their choice, such as a specific track, stable, or breeding farm. Past teams have included Stable/Farm Managers and Staff, Racing Media, Racetrack Kids (juniors), and Jockeys/Exercise Riders/Outriders. RRC organizers reserve the right to split or reorganize teams.
Entry capacity is limited to 30 horse/rider combinations per leg of competition and are taken on a first come, first served basis. RRC organizers will contact you shortly following your registration submission to gather details about your team as applicable. Note that it is not a requirement to organize your own team. The organizers will select a team for you if you if you did not organize one on your own.
Each competitor will pay a $25 registration fee and pledges to raise a minimum of $1,000.
The registration fee is credited to the $1,000 pledge and how you raise those funds is completely up to you. Writing a compelling profile for the Real Rider Cup website is a great starting place, as supporters of the event will make donations via the website. Competitors in the past have solicited large donations from sponsoring farms, as well as compiled many small donations from friends and family.
The Real Rider Cup is a show jumping event, so is ridden for fast time over a 2’6” course. Dropped rails and disobediences (refusals and runouts) add four-second time penalties to the overall time score per occurrence. A rider fall, off-course trip, or a cumulative three disobediences are cause for elimination. Placings are ranked by lowest score. Course maps and course walks will be made available prior to the start of competition.
Teams will be scored based on their lowest-scoring three rounds. Teams must have a minimum of three complete rounds to be placed in the team standings (i.e.; rounds resulting in eliminations will not be calculated in team standings).
Awards are as follows:
Highest Earner
Individual Win, Place, Show
Team Win, Place, Show
