EQUINE WELFARE
SUCCESS STORIES BY KE I TH HI LL I ER
In the past decade Racing Victoria has expanded its Off The Track Program into a rapidly growing list of new career opportunities for thoroughbred racehorses post-racing. Top off-the-track performers in different equestrian disciplines were recognised in Equestrian Victoria’s recent annual awards, highlighting their continued popularity amongst the equestrian fraternity. Thoroughbreds have been a mainstay of the Australian equestrian landscape for decades, popular with show riders, showjumpers, eventers and dressage riders alike– all disciplines that are overseen in this state by Equestrian Victoria (EV). Racing Victoria (RV) has sought to amplify this relationship in recent years, promoting the thoroughbred as the ideal equestrian athlete. RV’s Off The Track Program (OTT) has enjoyed a long and successful partnership with EV, which provides additional recognition and rewards for those equestrian riders who are succeeding with their OTT thoroughbreds across all equestrian disciplines and levels. The most recent EV awards were announced in November 2020, with categories including OTT Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year, OTT Showhorse of the Year, OTT Dressage Horse of the Year, OTT Jumping Horse of the Year, and OTT Eventing Horse of the Year. Last year’s Lady of Racing award winner Fiona McIntyre added a second major acknowledgement in 2020 for her outstanding dedication and commitment to the welfare and care of racehorses post-racing by claiming the OTTAcknowledged Retrainer of the Year. Balancing full-time work and her retraining commitments, Fiona has long been flying the flag for OTT horses as she is a passionate advocate for the thoroughbred and their post-racing careers, which she says are endless given the opportunity, time, and correct training. “Every racehorse can have a purposeful second career after they have retired from the track. It’s just a matter of finding the right fit for each individual horse in terms of vocation and matching “their
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