Sixteen-year-old Tess Storey from Mansfield turned her dreams into reality when she competed at last month’s Saddleworld Melbourne International 3 Day Event (MI3DE) with her ex-racehorse Hunter Brown, more affectionately known as Brownie.
Bred in New Zealand by Vicky Hammond and sold to race in Hong Kong, Brownie raced for four seasons, winning three races from 15 starts and amassing over $260,000 in prizemoney before heading to Australia as a six-year-old.
Unfortunately, Brownie couldn’t continue his winning streak on Australian shores, finishing last in three of his eight starts before eventually being retired from racing.
Whilst Brownie’s motivation to win races may have waivered, his super movement ability made him the ideal eventer.
The now 13-year-old gelding has partnered with Storey to embark on an exciting eventing career, including qualifying for the MI3DE Junior 1 Star after competing at Tonimbuk in the CIC 1 Star, placing eighth overall and winning the Noble Spirit Award for best performed under-21 rider.
Disappointingly for the pair their Melbourne event was cut short following a rogue shoe toe clip puncture in the cross country, however the brave gelding still completed the course, going clear and under time.
Storey said she was thrilled to compete in her first ever MI3DE despite the outcome and incredibly proud of Brownie’s courageous efforts.
“No matter what happened in Melbourne I was over the moon to compete on Brownie and am looking forward to seeing where our journey takes us now,” Storey said.
With Brownie’s racing career long behind him, Storey believes his true calling lies as an eventer.
“He ticks all the boxes, he’s got super movement, a great temperament, scopey jump, a fantastic work ethic and he’s so bold and brave in the cross-country,” Storey said.
“He’s my perfect match and I adore him.”
Brownie was one of a number of retired racehorses who competed at the MI3DE , including top class CCI3* winner Angus Blue, a retired racehorse that was prepared in New Zealand by Riccarton trainer Pam Robson and ridden by Olympian Jock Paget.
As part of Racing Victoria’s (RV) sponsorship of the 2017 Saddleworld Melbourne International 3 Day Event, the Best Performed Retired Racehorse in each class of the competition was presented with an Off the Track rug.
RV’s Off the Track program aims to facilitate the placement of retired thoroughbred racehorses in second careers by promoting the network of RV Acknowledged Retrainers across the state, 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.
RV is the peak body for thoroughbred racing in Victoria and is committed to the welfare of the Australian thoroughbred racehorse.