LONDON and LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amlin plc (LON:AML), a London-headquartered, global specialty insurer and reinsurer with more than 100 years of underwriting experience, today announced it is sponsoring Louise Robson, an esteemed equestrian trainer and dressage rider, in the Retired Racehorse Makeover Project (RRP). Louise’s thoroughbred, known as “Ryan,” is the only entrant in the competition from the United Kingdom. A significant testament to her expertise, Louise previously trained two former racehorses owned and bred by Her Majesty the Queen, Quadrille and Prince’s Trust, upon the Queen’s request.
The competition will take place from October 23-25, 2015, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, and is comprised of seven disciplines, such as show jumping, dressage, polo and freestyle. A fast-growing competition, the goal of the Retired Racehorse Makeover Project is to see how far racehorses can be re-trained in nine months into one of these seven disciplines. Ryan was selected by Louise for his temperament and other qualities among 50 horses reviewed for consideration. He has been re-trained by Louise from racing to dressage, a competitive equestrian sport in which horse and rider are expected to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements. Her training methods involve a myriad of adjustments, from changing the animal’s muscle structure to teaching an entirely new routine.
There are currently about 350 entrants in this year’s RRP, and other attendees will include owners, breeders, racehorse trainers and re-trainers. Louise and Ryan are the only participants from the U.K. Nearly all other competitors hail from the U.S., except for two from Canada. The event has generated a $2.5 million investment, with the proceeds going towards the care, education, and training of these horses.
Louise Robson said, “I am delighted to be joining Amlin and am very grateful for their support. I am the first ever UK rider to compete at the RRP Makeover Project. It is sure to be an incredible experience and I am very much looking forward to the competition.”
Louise is the first ever U.K. rider to take part in the competition and will compete against riders from 44 different U.S. states. Louise, who trains in Buckinghamshire and has been riding since age five, is also an author and lecturer on the subject of retraining racehorses. In fact, at RRP this year, she will be presenting a trainer’s forum on “The British Model,” which will discuss perceptions of racehorses in the U.K. and what trainers should look for. Funds provided by Amlin’s sponsorship are being directed to Louise’s travel arrangements, her and her horse’s clothes, procurement and shipping of equestrian accoutrements and dedicated support. The Queen’s former racehorses, Quadrille and Prince’s Trust, who Louise has trained into dressage, will participate in the Queen’s 90th birthday celebration in 2016, which recognizes Her Majesty as the longest reigning monarch in the country’s history. They were also part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee gala in 2012, a notable demonstration of Louise’s know-how. The transformation of horses trained by Louise prepares them to be eligible for high-level, mainstream competitions in a non-specialized class.
Commenting on the RRP, David Ashby, Amlin’s Principal Underwriter for Bloodstock and Livestock added, “Amlin is thrilled to support the re-training of ex racehorses and to include Louise in our sponsorship portfolio. It is a very exciting time for Louise as she prepares for America. She has already seen much success on ex-racehorses in the dressage ring here in the U.K. and Amlin wish her the best of luck in Kentucky.”
Within a diverse portfolio of business insurance and reinsurance, Amlin is a leading insurer of the bloodstock and equine industry and understands the risks involved with valuable horses and are continually developing coverages to suit the needs of clients. From high value sport horse insurance to liability cover, Amlin offers bespoke solutions for the worldwide bloodstock and equine industry.
Now in its sixth year, the mission of the Retired Racehorse Makeover Project is to facilitate the placement of retired Thoroughbred racehorses in second careers by educating the public about the history, distinctive characteristics, versatility of use, and appropriate care and training.
About Amlin
Amlin (LON:AML) is a global specialty insurer and reinsurer with more than 100 years of experience in the insurance markets. The company’s strong foundation and superior financial strength demonstrate that it’s here for the long-term. Amlin’s track record is built on a proven strategy; encouraging its teams to apply the firm’s successful underwriting formula, incorporating a dynamic approach to risk, while developing a geographically diverse global portfolio. Amlin underwrites more than 30 classes of business through three underwriting platforms: Syndicate 2001 at Lloyd’s, Amlin AG in Switzerland and Amlin Europe in the Netherlands. Amlin plc and its underwriting subsidiaries are highly rated for their financial strength.