After what has nearly been a ten year hiatus, New Zealand Racing was back on show at Equidays over the weekend at Mystery Creek. The Love Racing crew was busy showcasing career opportunities within the industry, inspiring the new generation with spring horse lessons from Noel Harris, and holding an informative seminar on equine welfare. Waikato trainer Chad Ormsby and jockeys Anna Jones and Chelsea Burdan also pulled out the silks for the Friday night 'show jumping extravaganza", raising funds for breast cancer awareness.
What is one of the Southern Hemisphere's largest equestrian events, Equidays sees large crowds over three days of shopping, entertainment, seminars and equine competition. Mary Burgess from New Zealand Racing emphasised their presence at Equidays this year "had a focus on careers and welfare." The Love Racing booth had the prime location this right next to the indoor arena, which saw the likes of competitive heavy hitters such as Carl Hester and Daniel Meech. Hall of fame jockey and NZTR Riding Master Noel Harris was kept busy all weekend teaching young kids to use the spring horse, polishing their technique and encouraging more youth to join the industry. LoveRacing team was also out and about holding 'Ride To Time' lessons, which teachers young riders how to time and pace their canter.
An informative seminar hosted by NZTR's General Manager of Racing and Equine Welfare Martin Burns and chief veterinarian Andrew Grierson discussed the actions being taken within racing to ensure a high standard of horse welfare was maintained. Recent debate around whip use on both sides of the Tasman, followed by the Australian ABC report on a Queensland abattoir has placed the topic of welfare in the headlines. The industry, which has seen many years of false accusations, is working to ensure the public that horse welfare within New Zealand is a primary focus. Using scientific and veterinary research and assistance, NZTR can ensure treatments are legal, ethical and medically justifiable. These equine welfare guidelines are created around what is known as the Five Domains model, developed in partnership with globally recognised Professor Emeritus David Mellor.
One of the most exciting propositions discussed within the seminar was the upcoming plans to allow better traceability of horses from birth to death. Each race horse will have an accountable person, ie owner, trainer etc to ensure horses are re homed to appropriatly. This ensures that every horse has the upmost of care for the entirety of it's life. It will also be required to provide adequate information on each horse's foaling, change of ownership, location, death or retirement. With events such as Beyond The Barriers taking place at Equidays, the versatility and longevity of thoroughbreds was well andf truly on display.
Friday night's 'showjumping spectacular' saw Matamata trainer Chad Ormsby and jockeys Anna Jones and Chelsea Burdan put themselves up for auction in order to raise funds towards breast cancer. Hosted by legendary auctioneer Steve Davis, Ormsby even put forward a share in his filly Neon Moon to the highest bidder, which is starting in the listed two year old at Trentham on Saturday. Created by cancer survivor Lisa Tennekoon, 'Jump For Cancer' was an invitational only competition where riders battle it out in a derby style course at high speed. There was plenty of thrills and spills and the crowd was thoroughly entertained, all for a good cause.
The long awaited presence of New Zealand racing at Equidays was inviting, informative, and entertaining. With large crowds of equine enthusiasts, it was the perfect atmosphere to promote the industry and emphasise it's relevance within the sport horse industry.
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