Victoria’s racetracks aren’t be the only place to see stunning thoroughbreds and glamourous fashion this spring as the 2016 Fashions Off the Track returns for a second year to the Show Horse Council of Victoria’s (SHCV) Show Horse Extravaganza at Werribee Park on Saturday 26 November.
The unique show horse class encourages competitors to enter the ring in their finest Spring Racing Carnival outfit with the ultimate fashion accessory, their Off the Track thoroughbred. Entry is open to any individual with a thoroughbred that has competed in a race or official trial, either locally or abroad.
Click here to download the entry form for the 2016 Fashions Off the Track.
Thousands of racehorses retire from the track into the show ring around Australia each year and the Fashions Off the Track event, an extension of the Off the Track Show Horse Series’ operating in most states, provides an opportunity to showcase their talents in a second career.
The Fashions Off the Track will operate across three separate classifications and entries are now open for each of the below:
- Fillies: Entry is open to female contestants aged 14 years and under 40 years, leading a retired thoroughbred racehorse;
- Fashionistas: Entry is open to female contestants aged 40 years and over, leading a retired thoroughbred racehorse; and
- Masters and Gentleman: Entry is open to male contestants aged 14 years and over, leading a retired thoroughbred racehorse.
The winners of each classification will receive a cash prize of $250 and a champion sash, while the second placegetter will also be awarded a sash.
The event headlines the undercard for the Off the Track National Show Horse Championship sponsored by Godolphin, which will be held later that evening at Werribee Park.
The invitational event will see the best-performed retired racehorses from Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland battle it out in the show ring for national supremacy.
Notes to Competitors
The Fashions Off the Track is scheduled for 5pm on Saturday 28 November on the indoor arena at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.
The event is being run in conjunction with the SHCV Show Horse Extravaganza. Entries close at 5pm on Monday 21 November 2016.
Sequence of Competition will be as follows:
- Each competitor from each category will enter the ring and compete on a figure of eight at the walk, with a horse space in-between following each other before being asked to line up.
- The Fashionistas first to lead off, followed by Gents and then the Fillies group. The judges will approach each competitor and view outfits and horse turnout. Each competitor will be asked to walk away from the judges, trot their horse across the arena and trot back to the judge. The trot workout can be done by either the Strapper or Leader - change of shoes acceptable.
- Winners will then be announced based on the Judging Criteria (see below). The winner and second placegetter from each group will called up and an overall winner will be announced.
Contestants must fulfil and abide by the following criteria:
- Contestants must be 14 years of age or more on the day of competition;
- Contestants and/or their outfits are not permitted to promote commercially a brand, store or designer;
- All contestants are permitted to engage the services of a strapper/leader. Only the one leader on the near side of the horse will be judged. The strapper/leader is permitted to lead on the off side of the horse throughout the competition and also trot the horse out on the nearside during the trot up phase of the competition. The strapper will not be judged as part of the overall picture but should be dressed neatly and appropriately for the occasion.
- Contestants must be leading a retired thoroughbred racehorse that has officially raced or trialled either locally, nationally or internationally;
- Contestants and Strappers must be members of the Show Horse Council of Australasia.
The judges will base their decisions on the following criteria:
- Style and originality of outfit;
- Appropriateness of the outfit for the Spring Racing Carnival and the individual;
- Attention to detail with accessories;
- Understanding and interpretation of the current fashion trends;
- Grooming and deportment;
- Turnout of the Horse, conformation, manners and suitability as the ultimate accessory to the leader.
- Appropriateness of the colour and style of the leaders outfit with the colour of the horse and the horses accessories.