On the 28th - 30th April Equestrian in the Vines will take place at the magnificent Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.
The Thoroughbred Club is staging a range of events for off-the-track horses including the increasingly popular Fashions in the Field. We caught up with co-organiser Sharon Lenton to find out more about what's on offer at this innovative and inclusive show for retired thoroughbreds.
What inspired you to get involved in this event?
I fell in love with Sue Middleton’s vision and could see this would be perfect for the horse community. Hearing more from Sue I was amazed about how she was transforming off-the-track horses into show horses. Once I knew Sue bought many thoroughbreds from the sale yard, I knew this was for me. The racing industry could benefit from this show and I had the contacts to get the word out.
HorseSport is a new equine sporting organisation that encourages and embraces INCLUSION and education. What better way to encourage those new to the show world than to know you are all welcome from beginners to high-level performance.
When asked to be involved in this event, I could not wait to get started but as everyone knows you need a team. I run the Thoroughbred Girls which is an active group of girls in the racing industry who care about racing, and the welfare of every thoroughbred and are active in the racing industry. They all have unique skills and I call on these for various roles.
I knew I could put this event forward and girls would jump at being involved – and they have. We have a dedicated group of girls so I have full confidence this event will work.
What are your main aims?
My main aims are:
1. to ensure off-the-track thoroughbreds are at the top of the list for a person wanting to buy a show horse.
2. to let other participants in the racing industry, know that they can be involved (and proud) of an event that is educating and showing our off-the-track thoroughbreds and other breeds.
3. to try and bring awareness that thoroughbreds can do so much more than being put in a paddock or shipped unkindly elsewhere.
4. to hold an INCLUSIVE event for every level which is also HorseSport’s main goal. We are very proud to have the same ethics.
Why are you so passionate about OTTs?
I have been attending the races for over 28 years and have always been in awe of how majestic the thoroughbred is. But it always hit to the core when I heard about the lack of care or want of a thoroughbred after racing.
As a passionate racehorse attendee, owner and racehorse lover I had to do whatever I could to promote off-the-track thoroughbreds – hence The Thoroughbred Club was born (8 years ago). I already ran thoroughbred events, and we always had a charity element so it was an easy transition to use the money for the good of the Thoroughbred.
With the help of the Thoroughbred Girls, we have raised money and sponsored:
· many events including Polo in the City best off the track pony,
· various events at Windsor Polo Club and Northside Riding Club;
· given money away to those doing it tough during covid who were struggling to feed their horses while also bringing awareness to the extraordinary job they were doing;
· hosted online off-the-track fashions on the field
· sponsored riders who have off-the-track thoroughbreds
but we still needed to do more.
It sounds like a great event and in an amazing location can you explain a bit about what's happening and some of the classes?
On Friday and Saturday, there are show jumping and dressage classes which are run by various Clubs under the umbrella of HorseSport.
On Sunday, this is our day- we are holding a Hack Show… without putting too much emphasis on a favourite class, I am very excited to hold classes by the colour of the horse. This is so unique and inclusive. It is a led class so riding skills are not required but it certainly will be beautiful to watch a group of perfectly turned-out horses grouped by colour:
Led by colour (All Breeds) | Chautauqua - Greys sponsored by Casey Bruce Led by colour (All Breeds) | Alpine Ace - Blacks sponsored by Tracy Timbery Racing Led by colour (All Breeds) |Thief by Night - Chestnuts sponsored by Sam Kavanagh Led by colour (All Breeds)| All too Hard - Browns & Bays sponsored by Vinery Stud
Other classes include Fashions on the Field in age brackets, both for Thoroughbreds and Other Breeds; a couple’s category, an open fashions on the field without a horse; then we head into led classes for Thoroughbreds new to showing; other classes based on height, and then other breeds classes grouped by horse age. After lunch, we have 16 ridden classes. There is something for everyone.
You have some great sponsors, how easy has it been to get them on board?
Thank you, yes, I totally agree – our sponsors are amazing. I would love to give the thoroughbred racing industry a huge shout-out. I was a little nervous thinking about how am I going to get 36 classes, 9 reserve champions, 9 champions and 3 supreme classes sponsored but I am extremely proud to say, that every class has been filled. We had the majority filled within 2 weeks of going out to the market. I think anyone in the racing industry has a soft spot for the thoroughbred after it leaves the track. This is their way of giving back and I just want them to feel so proud that we have an inclusive event where everyone is welcome. We would love to invite as many people as possible to be part of this event – no matter what level or age you are even as a spectator. Please support our sponsors in any capacity you can. They all have been very generous, and we would like to showcase this event at least once a year if not twice.
But mostly I would like to thank my team:
Joanne Burgess
Toni Cavers
Amy Halliday
Julie Wilkie
Sharelle Davies
And to the incredible Sue Middleton for having this vision and allowing us to be part of it.
