THOROUGHBREDS ARE GO

Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association’s Inaugural National Championships

While horse racing’s regulatory bodies in each state and territory of Australia grapple with the best ways to rehome our thoroughbreds, one New South Wales based organisation is simply getting on with the job.

Former Australian World Cup show jumper Krissy Harris is a pocket dynamo - the energy she produces in her quest to improve the takeup of thoroughbreds in the equestrian world could power a country and the results are there for all to see.

In November 2022 Krissy and her Thoroughbred Sport Horse team hosted the inaugural TSHA National Championships at the venue she built with late husband Heath Harris at Mangrove Mountain about an hour north of Sydney. The Stonewall complex, which has been likened to the magnificent Aachen in Europe, played host to a number of competition rings full of thoroughbreds, from ex-racehorses to unraced horses, former broodmares, race horses currently in race training and more.

The range of competitions was the finale of several years of fine-tuning events offered at TSHA competitions, initially in New South Wales but now held in many states of Australia.

From 80cm show jumping up to 1 metre 30, TSHA events cater from the younger or less experienced rider and horse to some of Australia’s elite Olympic show jumpers and three-day eventers such as Vicki Roycroft, Shane Rose and Shenae Lowing.

Current and ex-jockeys are also hugely supportive of TSHA with Jeff Penza a blue ribbon regular along with his wife Michelle. Kathy O’Hara and her partner Charlie Duckworth, the foreman for Chris Waller Racing are also enjoying this off track competition, Rachel Murray, Elaine Robl and other well-known racing names are also a major part of the TSHA model.

However, it’s not only about elite jumping riders. The numbers of entrants for the dressage classes have also taken off and there are fun led events, as well as high class showing categories there’s the “Fashions On The Field” event which gives less confident horsemen and women the chance to show off their thoroughbred without the pressure of being a high level competitor.

Krissy’s aim is to reward everyone in the equestrian world with an exciting level of competition but importantly with financial and other prizes, thereby incentivising people to look seriously at taking on the thoroughbred over other breeds of competition horses.

Everyone in the thoroughbred world doesn’t need any convincing of the quick brain and reflexes of the thoroughbred and their high level of sensitivity to a rider makes them ideal off track mounts. As with any breed there is a level of coaching and re-training required but Krissy has a wide range of proven coaches (including herself!) to call on and assist those new to the sport and to the breed.

Competitions also included the two “Teams” events the Maiden Team Challenge and the Racing Team Challenge while the six bar show jumping competition was a thrilling event eventually won by outstanding young eventer Charlie Richardson, son of former Olympians Blair and Nikki Richardson (nee Bishop).

As well as Krissy’s never say die enthusiasm for attracting new sponsors for TSHA there has been a satisfying response from the racing and breeding industry with some major sponsors supporting the Association’s work all year and in particular at the National Titles.

John Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Stud was the generous major sponsor with other well-known thoroughbred businesses getting behind the event including Snowden racing, Newgate Farm, Godolphin Lifetime Care, Inglis, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Frank and Christine Cook’s Mystery Downs, Peachester Lodge, OTI, Freedman Brothers, Blake Ryan Racing, Middlebrook Valley Lodge, Breednet, Aquis, Chris Waller Racing and Thoroughbred Breeders’ NSW.

Sponsors can pay a small amount extra and have a jump made to promote your business and your support for TSHA. I can tell you I get a real thrill every time someone jumps my Thoroughbreds Are Go fence and that’s not the only way those supporting TSHA gain enjoyment.

If you have ever gone to an event a horse you have bred or owned is competing in off the track you will know the joy of seeing your thoroughbred primped and preened down to its last eyelash, competing and maybe completing clear rounds in the show jumping or winning any colour ribbon and it’s as good as seeing them win on the racetrack!

And the great thing is thanks to the largesse of the racing and breeding industry that those caring for your horse are getting a financial reward too to help them travel, compete, and importantly care properly for the thoroughbreds we breed in Australia every year.

Olympian Shane Rose

Oscar Richardson - Son of Former Olympians Blair and Nikki Richardson (nee Bishop)