Racing Victoria’s Off The Track (OTT) Program has partnered with Narre Warren North based Equine Pathways Australia (EPA) to offer more opportunities for off-the-track horses to support athletes with a disability.
EPA assists people with a physical disability to engage in equine sports and activities by providing community participation programs and sporting programs for equines and athletes.
EPA was initially founded in 2017 to provide a structured program for people with a disability or recovering from illness or injury to return to involvement in equine sport.
It is now an accredited Paralympics Australia Centre of Excellence for Paralympic preparation.
Equine Pathways Australia chairman Brett Mace said he was pleased to partner with Racing Victoria in this program to rehome and find a new role for some retired racehorses.
“Our program provides a number of opportunities for selected horses to find a new role in equine sport and for that special horse the dream of Paralympic selection with one of our athletes,” Mr Mace said.
“The Equine Pathways Australia Horse Owner Program also provides a unique opportunity for the community and lovers of horses to partner with us to own one of these off-the-track horses and to play a significant part in the next phase of its life.
“Being an owner of one of these horses can be wonderfully fulfilling as each horse partners with athletes in our program to change their lives and provide opportunities they might not have normally had.”
Racing Victoria general manager of equine welfare Jen Hughes said she was looking forward to supporting Equine Pathways Australia.
“We are pleased to have entered into a partnership with Equine Pathways Australia and are looking forward to supporting the valuable work they do, not only in the high-performance area, helping athletes compete at World Equestrian or Paralympic Games level, but also in the vocational area, helping people to find employment within the industry,” Ms Hughes said.
“The great thing about EPA is that you don’t need to be an elite athlete to take part, they also offer clients the opportunity to re-engage with horses for fitness or to simply interact with other equestrian athletes, and we believe thoroughbreds are perfect in this role.”
EPA has been a breeding ground for Paralympic athletes, with former jockey and current EPA member Louise Cooper aiming for Paris 2024.
Jockey Brenton Primmer is also hoping the make the next Paralympic Games and is currently competing on an Off The Track thoroughbred.
There are a number of retired racehorses involved in EPA’s program, including fan-favourite Jungle Edge, who finished his career with over $1.7 million in prize money, having won 18 races and placed on 25 occasions from his 89 starts.
