Thanks to support, passionate and dedication, OTTs have emerged as equestrian stars on the national stage. From local competitions to centre stage at the Australian Interschool Championships, riders like Charlee on her Thoroughbred Mt Flirt and Thomas on I Thought So have proven that when opportunity meets commitment, greatness unfolds — regardless of the starting gate or finishing position.
Victoria’s OTT contingent rises to the occasion
This year, the Interschool Victoria team travelled to Sydney with 14 OTTs competing across all five disciplines: Showing, Combined Training (dressage and show jumping), Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing (dressage, show jumping and cross country).
Stories of transformation and triumph
The competition began in the show ring with stunning performances from Tyra on Springston, Charlee on Mt Flirt, and Emily on Perverse. The horses were immaculately presented, showcasing the dedication of riders and their support teams. These OTTs stood proudly beside top show ponies and hacks — proof that racehorses can indeed shine in the show world.
Charlee and Mt Flirt went above and beyond, taking out the Senior Secondary Show Horse Champion — an outstanding achievement. Unnamed as a racehorse, Mt Flirt is now certainly making a name for herself in the show ring!
Thomas and I Thought So (known as “Paul” at home) had a brilliant event, placing fourth in the 80cm Combined Training and earning Reserve Champion in the Senior Preliminary Dressage. With his athleticism and presence, Thomas is often asked if Paul is a Warmblood. He proudly replies that his mount is an OTT, and he is the son of a racehorse trainer. Not only does Thomas have racing in his blood, but I Thought So also boasts incredible bloodlines, being sired by the renowned — and recently passed — two-time Cox Plate winner So You Think.
Also competing in dressage, was Alexis and Comet in Orbit, they put their best foot forward, competing in the Primary Novice section, the highest level of Primary Dressage at Nationals. The Eventing competition further showcased the adaptability of OTTs. Five Victorian riders tacked the challenging three-day event with strength and style:
Bliss (Eventing Captain) on I’m The Maverick – EVA80 class.
Matilda on Sparrow – EVA95 class. Matilda’s mother is a licensed trainer and deeply involved in the OTT community.
Mia on Another Coldie – CCN1* class. It’s worth noting the racing success of Another Coldie, with 42 starts and just over half a million dollars in prize money, proving the talent of this Thoroughbred on and off the racetrack.
Isobel on Diamond Diva – CCN1* class. This Thoroughbred mare was unnamed and didn’t make it to the track as a racehorse, but she’s certainly shining in her career as an eventer!
Bonnie on Lucky Husson – CCN1* class.
Shining in the Victorian signature navy and white, these combinations showcased remarkable athleticism and trust across all three phases, culminating in the thrilling and exhilarating cross-country phase.
Finishing strong in show jumping
The final day of competition belonged to the show jumpers:
Alice on Bel Attarit in the Senior 90cm classes. Bel Attarit is a classy horse, who was sired by Bel Espirit, who also sired the famous Black Caviar, demonstrating these blood lines can sprint and jump!
Matilda (Tilly) who rode Arthuras in the Senior 100cm class. Anna competed on Apache Walk and Brinkley Breeze in the Primary 90cm class.
Anna not only had two OTTs competing but qualified them both in the Primary 90cm Show Jumping. Nationals ran on a tight schedule, requiring Anna and her team to have both horses perfectly prepared for each phase — jumping off one and straight onto the other. Anna wrapped up the championships with an impressive overall sixth place rosette for Brinkley Breeze while Apache Walk finished just out of the placings. A fantastic effort from Anna, her OTTs, and the entire team!
A community effort backed by Racing Victoria
Regardless of the outcome, all these fabulous combinations achieved outstanding success by earning a place on the Victorian Team for Nationals. Their dedication, hard work, and love for off-the-track (OTT) horses shone through, and they are a true credit to everyone involved in the re-training of these majestic steeds.
The riders, their supporters, and the Interschool Committee would like to extend their sincere thanks to Racing Victoria for their generous contribution of $300 in travel support per horse for each of the 14 Victorian OTTs that competed in Sydney.
The support from Racing Victoria and the broader OTT community for Victorian Interschool riders has grown significantly at both State and National levels over the past 12 months. We are thrilled that this support will continue into 2026.
Get involved in 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, Victoria will be the epicentre for Interschool Events. The Victorian Interschool State Championships will be held at Boneo in April, while the Equestrian Australia Interschool National Championships are set for Werribee in September.
If you’d like to support the Equestrian Victoria Interschool riders (OTTs or the wider team), please contact Equestrian Victoria: info@equestrianvictoria.com.au
Note: Some of the names listed on this article represent the horse’s EA registered name, which may differ from their racing name.
