Racing Victoria (RV), through its Off The Track program, has partnered with Equestrian Victoria to sponsor the prestigious 2017 Saddleworld Melbourne International Three Day Event (MI3DE) and reward the participating retired racehorses.
Off The Track thoroughbreds are well represented across all five classes of competition at the MI3DE, Victoria’s premier equestrian eventing competition held at Werribee Park this Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Over 50 retired racehorses will compete across the three days including a former Hong Kong winner; a VRC St Leger placegetter; an expensive Encosta de Lago yearling; and a 19-start maiden who managed just one career placing.
Among the leading thoroughbred contenders is 15-year-old gelding LP Boudin who finished third in the 2 Star class last year and returns this year to tackle the higher 3 Star class. The gelding raced as Mr Bigalow for the Houlahan stable and was runner-up in the Listed 2006 VRC St Leger.
RV Off The Track Acknowledged Retrainer Molly Barry, who works with ex-racehorses to facilitate their second careers, returns to compete at 3 Star level with her gelding La Muso, following their fifth placing in last year’s 2 Star class.
The MI3DE is a three day equestrian triathlon, testing the partnership between horse and rider across the disciplines of dressage, cross country and show jumping with each day consisting of a different discipline.
On the first day horses and riders complete a dressage test demonstrating obedience and discipline.
On the second day combinations need to be fit and athletic to complete a gruelling cross country course winding through the picturesque formal grounds of Werribee Park Mansion and the State Rose Garden.
Finally, all competitors must complete a course of show-jumps designed to test their agility and accuracy at speed.
Racing Victoria (RV) is the major sponsor of the Off The Track 1 Star class and Off The Track Junior 1 Star class, considered the entry level to international elite level competition.
In addition, RV will provide an embroidered rug to the Best Performed Retired Racehorse in each class of the competition.
An exciting racehorse to riding horse demonstration, ‘Morphettville to Melbourne – thoroughbred retraining for another career,’ will also be held from 6.30pm on Saturday night on the Indoor Arena 1.
Sponsored by Godolphin, the event will demonstrate training methods used to retrain a racehorse by 4 Star rider Rob Palm, followed by a Polo demonstration conducted by Clemmie Mann and her partner Sam Gairdner, who operate Bakers Bridge Polo Farm.
Click here for more information about the Saddleworld Melbourne International 3 Day Event.
ABOUT OFF THE TRACK
The Off The Track program aims to facilitate the placement of retired thoroughbred racehorses in second careers by promoting the network of Racing Victoria Acknowledged Retrainers, driving demand for the breed as performance and pleasure horses and educating the community about the various life after racing options, versatility of use, and the appropriate care and retraining of the thoroughbred.
Racing Victoria has formed sponsorship arrangements with Equestrian Victoria (EV), Pony Club Association of Victoria (PCAV), the Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria (HRCAV) and others to ensure suitable incentives exist for re-educating and riding Off The Track horses.
Racing Victoria Acknowledged Retrainers are tasked with re-educating retired racehorses for second careers as performance and pleasure horses and are available to assist racing trainers and owners with the placement of their retired racehorses into a second career.
Racing Victoria is the peak body for thoroughbred racing in Victoria and is committed to the welfare of the Australian thoroughbred racehorse.
Horses are the centre piece of our industry and we’re dedicated to ensuring they’re afforded appropriate care and attention before, during and after their racing life.