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Ex-racehorses who have made the transition into riding
horses will be demonstrated in the EQUITANA Melbourne Education Program this
year, during Racing Victoria's 'From
Race Horse to Riding Horse' presentations to be held on Saturday 17th and
Sunday 18th November in the Epsom Arena.
Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL) is committed to the
welfare of the Australian Thoroughbred racehorse and supports their re-training
and re-homing after the conclusion of their racing career. "Horses are the
centrepiece of our industry and we're dedicated to ensuring they're afforded
appropriate care and attention during and after their racing life," Cara Shelley,
RV's Equine Welfare Officer said.
"Racehorses are perfect candidates for
re-training and re-homing and their temperament, agility and intelligence make
them a highly sought after breed when it comes to other equestrian sports and
leisure activities."In general, the nature and durability of thoroughbreds make
them an ideal pony club or riding club mount and racehorses excel in dressage,
showing, show jumping and eventing disciplines."
Many retired racehorses have successfully
competed at Olympic level, including Jeepster, who raced as Delphic Oracle and
won gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games after executing an accurate dressage
test, a faultless cross country round and knocking just one rail and a time
penalty in the show jumping phase. Jeepster was named NSW Eventing horse of the
year in 2000 and in 2003 and earned the right to represent Australia again in
Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games.
EQUITANA, held at the Melbourne Showgrounds from
15-18 November, provides a perfect platform to promote the versatility of the
Thoroughbred and to expose the opportunity to the 50,000 strong horse lovers
who pass through the event's gates. The presence of a retrained racehorse in
the event's popular Breed Village enables RVL staff to explain the process and
advise visitors where they can go to purchase one.
To learn more about educating and training a retired racehorse or riding an
established thoroughbred equestrian mount, visit the Racing Victoria team at
booth #268 in the Grand Hall or at the EQUITANA Breed Village. Visitors to the
stand can also find out about the breadth of employment roles available within
the racing industry including stable hand, stud hand, track rider, farrier,
veterinary nurse, track manager and administration.
More Information on the EQUITANA program for 2012 visit www.equitana.com.au
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