4 minute read
Remi Stud Young Rider 2020
ABOVE: Spirited, bold and fast, Thoroughbreds are perhaps best known for their racetrack prowess.
breathtaking amounts well into the millions, the Thoroughbred is still considered to be one of the cheapest breeds to buy, simply because there are so many of them.
And so if you are considering purchasing a Thoroughbred either straight off the track, or re-trained, or from a breeder, you may not need to part with as much money as you might have thought.
While Thoroughbred yearlings regularly sell for many thousands of dollars to investors hoping to find the next Black Caviar, within a few short years many of these horses are rejected by the racing industry and sold off for significantly fewer dollars, or even given away.
So price isn’t necessarily a barrier, nor is it a good indicator of breeding, trainability or athletic potential when buying a Thoroughbred for purposes other than racing.
As an aside, one of the most expensive Thoroughbreds ever sold was American bred Fusaichi Pegasus. As a threeyear-old colt he was sold for more than US$60 million after amassing $2 million in winnings. He retired to stud but was considered a disappointing sire and died fairly young. Find (sire Gonski, grandsire US Danehill) was sold for $32,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. After collecting just $26,000 in race winnings from 35 starts, he was retired in 2013 as a failure and sold for $500 to a Pony Club rider. He went on to enjoy a new lease of life as a much loved and useful all-rounder. An OTT story with a very happy ending!
Want to know more?
If you’re on the hunt for a Thoroughbred here are some links to follow up: Thoroughbred Breeders Australia www.tbaus.com; registered charity Recycled Racehorses recycledracehorses.com.au/; the Aquis Farm retirement program aquisfarm.com/racehorse-retirementprogram/; horserescueaustralia.org.au; the Transitioning Thoroughbreds Foundation www.transitioningthoroughbreds.org; and International Thoroughbred Retirement internationalthoroughbredretirement.com/.
Fiona McIntyre and OTT Thoroughbred Precedence excel in the show ring (Image by Angie Rickard Photography).
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The inaugural 2013 Remi Scholarship recipient Isabella WilkinsonMcIntyre and Remi Livingstone S were awarded EQ Runner Up Newcomer HOY 2019, and have been selected on the Talent Recognition Squad for 2020 (Images courtesy of Geoff McLean, Gone Riding Media). Accullenitis vellant labo. Officias sustinc ipient facimpe vererro quibusae. Ficimol orporrum lamus dolendi aboris earum sitatquis ut laut velecta turione ctiusam, tore conet iligent que sunt dolupta tecupta vernatus ea core volorit alitata quidebit qui
FEATURE
Remi Stud Young Rider 2020
Remi Stud is Australia’s home of internationally bred Hanoverians. Each year, the stud presents an up-and-coming young rider with a substantial scholarship, writes GEOFF McLEAN.
First offered in 2013, the Remi Stud Young Rider Scholarship is an annual award gifted to a deserving young rider who has the talent and dedication to succeed either in dressage, showing, or eventing, but who needs assistance in order to achieve their dreams.
The scholarship, prepared by Cheryl O’Brien from Remi Stud, includes ownership of a purpose bred Hanoverian weanling by Lauries As (imp), one of Australia’s best performing Hanoverian stallions.
The young horse awarded as part of this year’s scholarship was a nine-month-old weanling filly Remi Laurentia S (aka Tia) by Lauries As out of the mare Remi Veuve Clicquot. The filly was part of a scholarship package valued at over $30,000. The package was supported by an broad range of sponsors including Prydes Easifeed, Equestrian Queensland, Equestrian Australia, Brisbane CDI, HorseForce, Edwards Saddleworld, Lord Dressage (in conjunction with Team Van Den Berge), Dr Show, Belrock Equestrian, Westvets, the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia, Meaker Farrier Services, Kelato Animal Health, and Manuel Equine Transport. McNichol (Victoria), who among many other roles has served as the Australian dressage team’s Chef d’Equipe; Ros Lipp (Queensland), an accomplished dressage rider and co-owner of Saddleworld Toowoomba; and Cheryl O’Brien (Queensland) owner of Remi Stud.
This year’s scholarship was presented to 17-year-old Elise Payne of Ourimbah NSW during a ceremony at the recent Saddlefitter Brisbane CDN. Elise, who is coached by Melanie Schmerglatt, has had a passion for horses since the age of four and is certainly a deserving winner.
The journey for Elise and her family has not been easy. Her parents, while not ‘horsey’, understand and encourage their daughter’s passion. Her father a Vietnam war veteran suffers complex mental health issues as a result of his war service, while Allison, Elise’s mum, has often worked two to three jobs in order to support the family and her daughter’s equestrian activities. Elise, who has demonstrated considerable talent from a young age, also has an after school job to contribute to horse costs.
While under the watchful eye of Charlie Brister and riding her much loved grey mare Teenage Witch, she became the youngest competitor in NSW Pony Club B Grade eventing, winning the cross
