Katie Clark and off the track Thoroughbred Katelle Grand.
© Racing Photos
Racing Victoria (RV) has announced the seven Victorian equine businesses that have received financial support to help boost their operations to expand the opportunities afforded thoroughbreds once they leave the racing industry.
The successful applicants each receive $10,000 to help increase the breadth of career options and pathways for non-competitive retired racehorses to transition to new long-term non-competitive homes.
Following a strong response to the application call out, the seven Victorian businesses that are receiving funding from RV’s Off The Track Program to support their projects are:
JW Equestrian Riding Academy – Provides opportunities for people to learn to ride who don’t have their own horse. In two-and-a-half years, the stable of school horses has grown from two to eight, with those eight horses being of different ages and riding stages. Teaching over 40 lessons per week, over six days.
Funding: $10,000
Project Funded: Arena Mirrors
Yarramalong Equestrian – Is a riding school based on the Mornington Peninsula incorporating Off The Track horses (OTTs) as part of their school horses. They currently have over 80 regular students (adults and children) and a further 30 plus on their waiting list. Their teaching focuses on equitation science principles.
Funding: $10,000
Project Funded: Round Yard
Marcus Oldham College – Australia’s only independent agricultural and equine business management college. The college provides a unique educational experience and owns several OTTs as school horses for students. They equip graduates with the tools to succeed by being change-ready in an ever-changing world.
Funding: $10,000
Project Funded: New Paddock Shelters
Stonesthrow Equestrian Centre – The Lamperd family have owned and operated an equestrian business involving a riding school for around 40 years. They teach students of all ages and levels on school owned OTTs, including riders requiring extra support/care. The addition of an all-abilities mounting ramp will improve access for clients with physical disabilities.
Funding: $10,000
Projects Funded: Portable Round Yard, New Day Yards and an all-abilities Mounting Ramp
The Australian Centre of Trauma and Wellness – A specialist counselling service to people who have experienced trauma and adversity. In 2021 they introduced equine assisted therapy and learning to their suite of offerings to clients. Their therapeutic herd of six are mainly OTTs.
Funding: $10,000
Project Funded: Portable shade Shelter, Portable Toilet, Assistance in Retraining x 1 OTT thoroughbred specific to therapy
Equus – Has been successfully operating in the thoroughbred and equestrian industries for over 18 years. Equus operates in a number of areas within the horse industry including the use of OTTs in the riding school and coaching arm of their business.
Funding: $10,000
Project Funded: Solar Lights for Arena
Racing Hearts – Works with a team of retired racehorses providing equine assisted therapy to individuals in the local community who have psychological, intellectual and physical challenges and disabilities.
Funding: $10,000
Project Funded: Farm transportation for feed and equipment
The Off The Track Business Grant is made possible by RV’s equine welfare fund, and the initiative has contributed close to $140,000 to 14 Victorian equine businesses since launching in 2021.
The Grant program complements the various post-racing initiatives RV has introduced in the past three years, including the RESET Program, Retrainer Capacity Expansion Grant Program, COVID-19 relief support scheme for RV Acknowledged Retrainers, and partnerships with organisations such as the Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria, to help enhance the post-racing opportunities and support for racehorses in Victoria.
RV General Manager – Equine Welfare, Melissa Ware:
“It is great that so many equine businesses in Victoria see value in adding retired racehorses to their operations, and that the grant can be the stepping stone to making that happen.
“This has opened the door for businesses to consider retired racehorses for the first time or allow those already utilising them to take on more.
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