Andrew Hoy Clinic

2019 Off The Track Andrew Hoy Retrainer Clinic

The chance to learn from the best of the best is always an opportunity to savour. In late 2019 a lucky group of riders and their off the track horses got the chance to spend time with equestrian champion Andrew Hoy.

Winners of the Racing Victoria Off The Track competition took part in a one day practical coaching session focused on flatwork and jumping at JurAvon Park Equestrian Centre in Kurunjang.

With a variety of personalities and experience levels involved in the session a key focus was on getting the basics right.

“It’s absolutely wonderful to see these horses on the racetrack and then for them also to come off the racetrack and have the opportunity to continue doing something they also will enjoy,” Hoy said.

“Working with these riders and retrainers, first of all they need to understand the horses personality, they then need to understand the horses ability – what it finds difficult, what it doesn’t find difficult – with the change from racing through into the sporting horsing industry.”

The coaching session was a good reminder for the riders and retrainers involved that every horse is different and that there is no set rule when retraining an ex-racehorse.

Winners of the Racing Victoria Off The Track competition took part in a one day practical coaching session with Andrew Hoy

© Racing Photos

“It’s not about a time pressure, it’s not about putting a lot of pressure on the horse to get it done in a certain period of time. Every horse will take a different amount of time and it’s really up to the retrainer to work with the horse and understand that. I think that’s the key thing,” Hoy said.

Allowing the horse to adapt to its new environment and learn instinctively is something Racing Victoria Acknowledged Retrainer Steph Afif took on board.

“When you get them off the track it’s always about trying to get their balance, getting them to steady find their feet but what Andrew has really instilled in all of us riders is to actually move more forward and let them figure out their own feet instead of almost babysitting them as you’re riding them, and to keep pushing them forward until they find their balance,” Afif said.

Experienced retrainer Fiona McIntyre said these types of coaching sessions encouraged riders to think about how they work with each individual horse in its new environment.

“Using some of the techniques that we’ve learnt and applying them to all the different horses that we are taking on and retraining, and making sure you’re treating them as an individual, however, using these exercises is going to have a huge benefit on the horse not only physically but on their minds as well, you’re going to be stimulating them, giving them something to really think about,” McIntyre said.

Racing Victoria’s General Manager – Equine Welfare, Jennifer Hughes, said the collaboration between the Off The Track program and Andrew Hoy’s team is another way the Victorian racing industry supports the re-educating of thoroughbred racehorses for a second career and showcases their versatility.

“It was great to work with Andrew given his support and passion for off the track horses. All the feedback we received from those who attended the coaching session has been really positive and there has been plenty of interest in the clinic on our Off The Track social media channels.

“It’s another great way to support our Off The Track community and give them the chance to learn from the very best. The videos and messages we got from those wanting to attend was incredible and shows how passionate people are about their off the track horses,” Hughes said.