Betfair to sponsor Jockeys v Eventers v Showjumpers Celebrity Challenge

Betfair is to sponsor this year’s Jockeys v Eventers v Showjumpers Celebrity Challenge in aid of the Injured Jockeys’ Fund at Bicton Arena.

The competition takes place on Saturday, August 23 during the venue’s summer showjumping show.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend and with a disco following the evening competition, organisers are hoping to add plenty of money to the Injured Jockeys’ Fund coffers.

The challenge will take the form of a relay race with two teams of four taking part at a time and negotiating a range of showjumps and brush fences against the clock. Speed and clear rounds are the key, with the first team home qualifying for the next round until the final pair compete for the prestigious championship.

Bicton Arena’s manager Helen West said: “We are delighted to welcome Betfair on board as our title sponsor. We held the competition for the first time last year and it attracted a lot of media attention, not least because so many jockeys, event riders and show jumpers came forward to support us.

"It was an hilarious evening, with plenty of thrills and spills. With a disco following the evening challenge, we are hoping even more people will come and enjoy a great evening of entertainment and help us raise as much money as we can for the Injured Jockeys' Fund.”

Flat jockeys Jenny Powell and Josh Bedouins, jump jockeys Joe Tizzard, Jerry McGrath, Matt Griffths and Jack Doyle and event riders Althea and Janou Bleekman, Laura Collett and Helen West were among the riders who took part last year with the jockeys riding horses supplied by the organisers.

Barry Orr, Head of PR at Betfair commented today: “Everyone at Betfair is excited to be sponsoring the Jockeys’  v Eventers’ v Showjumpers’ Challenge. As a long term supporter of the Injured Jockeys Fund and Oaksey House we hope the day is a massive success for all concerned’’

The competition will start at 6pm. Entry is free although spectators will be encouraged to make a voluntary donation to the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.