Retired racehorses on track with their new lives
17 May, 2018
Off The Track
Photo caption left to right: Taltarni Wevel Pyatt on Key Emblem, Isabelle Siegwart on Madam Tempete, show jumping instructor Les Bunning, Bonny Dunlop on Jeux Desprit and Monica Magalengo on Eivind.
The first of the popular Off the Track (OTT) Education Clinics for 2018 took place recently at the State Equestrian Centre in Brigadoon with 112 retired racehorses attending the clinic with their new owners, including Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds.
Racing & Wagering WA (RWWA) along with Touchstone Farm have sponsored the OTT clinics since their inception in 2014. This year’s first education clinic took place on Saturday, May 12, 2018.
RWWA and Touchstone Farm are strong advocates for the sustainability of the racing industry including post-racing careers of all racehorses through their support of retired racehorse programs such as OTT.
RWWA OTT Coordinator Sharon Joyce said it was a sensational day full of learning for any OTT horse owners who required assistance with retraining or furthering the education of their retired racehorse for equestrian or pleasure pursuits.
“The clinics engaged six of WA’s finest NCAS qualified instructors for the day, all who are very experienced with OTT horses and are highly sought after coaches who regularly offer education, training and advice to riders,” said Mrs Joyce.
“Lessons included show jumping in the indoor arena, flatwork on the international and grass arenas, gridwork and groundwork.”
“Riders were invited to participate in two lessons of their choosing and all lessons on offer proved very popular, with all available spots filled within the first three days of bookings opening.”
Other highlights of the day included the demonstration put on for the lunch time crowd in the indoor arena, with a ridden demonstration and lecture regarding the early stages of training the young green horse OTT.
The very informative and knowledgeable combination of Sophie Warren and Portland Jones provided the demo on their 5 year old Snitzel gelding ‘Pheteven’ whose racing name is ‘Poetic Flash’.
Named appropriately because of his parrot mouth, Warren and Jones proved testament to how a young green horse OTT can make significant progress with correct training.
Participants were also given information on how to appropriately feed a retired racehorse ‘cool’ feed and given a bag of feed from Thompson & Redwood who were also strong supporters of the day.
Future clinics will be advertised on the OTT Facebook page and Cavalletti Classifieds. For further information email offthetrackwa@rwwa.com.au or Facebook Messenger offthetrackwa