Championship plans as horse weight awards make progress

The Weigh to Win scheme is growing and having an effect, delegates heard at the annual initiative overview

- ELEANOR JONES

A NATIONAL championship and safety helmets were discussed at the Weigh to Win equine weight forum – as was the idea of not giving awards if all horses are overweight.

At the annual overview of the Weigh to Win scheme, at the Royal International on 23 July, delegates were given an overview of progress since the pilot in 2019. The initiative, funded by The Horse Trust and supported by the University of Liverpool, involves presenting a special rosette to the horse or pony in the healthiest body condition in participating showing classes.

“The awards this year have been phenomenal,” said Rachael Holdsworth, event manager and PR for the programme. “The shows have really grasped what we plan to do. We’ve had loads approaching us to host the awards; up 15% on the number of shows. The number of classes everybody wants to include is going up too. So well done everybody.”