Eighty-five retired racehorses will be amongst the equine athletes competing this weekend at the Off The Track Mildura Horse Trials, which is being run in conjunction with the Mildura Racing Club for the first time.
For the second year Racing Victoria’s (RV) Off The Track program, which aims to place retired thoroughbreds in secondary careers, will be the naming rights sponsor of the Mildura Horse Trials.
The three-day showpiece gets underway tomorrow, Friday 27 July with the Dressage competition, before the Cross Country competition takes centre stage on Saturday, 28 July and the event comes to a close with the Show Jumping on Sunday, 29 July.
RV will award prizes, including inscribed rugs and a cash bonus, to the highest-placed Off The Track horse across all classes.
Competitors in the Mildura Horse Trials have been offered free entry to the two-day Mildura Cup Carnival, which features the 96th running of the Euston Club Resort Mildura Cup tomorrow (Friday, 27 July), and the racing club is also hosting the ‘Fashions Off The Track’ competition for owners and their retired racehorses.
Thanks to the collaboration between the Mildura Racing Club and organisers of the Mildura Horse Trials, taking place adjacent to the racecourse at the Sunraysia Equestrian Centre, racegoers and equestrian enthusiasts have easy access to both events.
The Mildura Horse Trials were started more than a decade ago by then-Year 12 pupil Bridget Caminiti, who is still the Event Director. The event has grown in size and significance and now boasts nationally-accredited facilities, attracting more than 150 riders from across the country.
Amongst this year’s Off The Track competitors is Fire Truck, who was retired from the racetrack after winning three times from 24 career starts. Fire Truck’s previous trainer Mick Kent saw potential in him as an eventer, and that potential was realised with a clear round under his current owner Jamie Keane in the Cross Country at this year’s Sydney International Horse Trials.
Established in 2012, the Off The Track program aims to facilitate and encourage the placement of retired thoroughbred racehorses in secondary careers.