THE West Heslerton-based 13-year-old retrained racehorse, Liverpool, has been named as The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year Champion at the RoR Awards Ceremony in Newmarket.

Liverpool is owned by Susan Mason and ridden by her daughter Joanna.

Liverpool was trained under rules by Joanna’s grandfather, renowned racehorse trainer Mick Easterby, and won two point to points and had numerous places before retiring to the hunting field with Ian Mason, Joanna’s father, in 2010.

Joanna, an amateur jockey who rides in point to points and amateur races under rules, has also been showing for two seasons with Liverpool during the summer. Joanna and Liverpool have enjoyed success in several of the RoR Series of competitions, including the RoR Hunting Series final and the RoR Elite Series finals at both Hickstead and Windsor.

In March, 25-year-old Joanna was crushed and suffered a fractured vertebrae in a fall in a point to point. She made a remarkable recovery to return to competition, both race riding and showing. It was while she was recovering from her operation that she had the idea of trying side-saddle with Liverpool.

Joanna was back out competing on Liverpool and They entered their first side-saddle class, a HOYS qualifier, at the Great Yorkshire Show, finishing fourth.

A month later, Liverpool then competed at the RoR National Championship Show at Aintree International Equestrian Centre in August, where they won RoR/TARRA Ridden Qualifier class and finished third in the side-saddle class.

RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot said: “We chose to recognise Liverpool as this talented horse is a great all-rounder in hunting, showing, jumping and side-saddle. He epitomises the adaptability and versatility of so many retrained racehorses in their new careers.”

l Joanna and Susan are pictured with Claire Balding and Stephen Wallis.