Just 4 starts for a 3rd and a 5th before a tendon injury ended her racing career. I was in love with her so took her home for rehab and she has become my forever horse. Done a bit of everything dressage days, cross country and showjumping, beach and forest. Not your typical orange mare, loves to be a smooch and its cool to look out the window and see her every day.

 

Story shared by Anna Furlong

Antz retired from racing back in October 2020 where I was very lucky to lease him from Amy Clifford. He was based in Palmerston North but has now moved to Huntly in Waikato to start his new life as a sport horse. We have taken it slowly as it took awhile for him to get used to his new surroundings, however, he has settled in well and I have slowly brought him back into work and have only recently found out how much he loves jumping and is showing bounds of potential, so I am aiming to get him out this year to some small competitions. Antz is very well loved and does enjoy a cuddle or two 😊

 

Story shared by Lauren Jones

 

 

Squid arrived late January of 2021 to be rehomed but I snaffled him up for myself instead! He is one of the best natured horses I’ve come across and such a dead-beat (you could chuck your Nana on him and he would still cruise around on the buckle) Squidy absolutely loves attention of any sort, he’s always waiting at the gate before I actually get there or chilling in the stable trying to nab pats from anyone that walks by, he’s also a big fan of our Equilibrium Massage Therapy Pad, but his favourite thing in this world is his best mate/paddock buddy - my 16.3hh WB gelding Fred. Squid was an alright little racehorse picking up a couple of wins and placings including a 2nd in his first and only Hurdle race. He will continue to be schooled in both dressage and Showjumping and will hopefully be out and about soon!

Story shared by Kat Roe 

Hugh is a 2005 Australian bred Lohnro gelding out of a Barathea mare Satinet. He was imported as a weanling. He raced 7 times in New Zealand for D & R Moore, for 2 wins a second and a 4th before being retired as a 4yo due to an unsuccessful wind operation. I've had Hugh since he was a 6yo, and while he has been a challenge I wouldn't change him for the world he has a massive heart. He spent 8 years as my stock horse alongside competeing. In his last 5 seasons he competed in showing and dressage he qualified for HOY with limited outings. He now enjoys life in the more relaxed lane with adult riding club days and small shows occasionally with some jumping sprinkled in. He is a horse with a huge personality, and he has a home for life.

 

Story shared by Danelle Phillips

 

Boom raced as Beastmode which I have kept for his sporthorse career, he's bay 5yrs old and starting his career in dressage/showing. But occasionally he turns his hoof at some jumping to keep it fun. He's the most beautiful boy!

 

Story shared by Kelly Davies

Ben Hogan (Kingi) is the grand old age of 19 years old now. I was Kingi's strapper at Lisa Latta Racing for 8yrs . After racing he has been out eventing and show jumping. I am so stoked to have him back and he is at his forever home with me now.

 

Story shared by Amy Clifford

Paddock name Stella..my first race horse I trained managed a third place but found the racing game to hard..went to event stars where she found a home with Sam Minot who schooled her into an eventing star. She has won lots of comps competing in cross country I believe..

 

Story shared by Nigel Elliott 

My Dad (Tony Pike) purchased this colt in 2007 in hope of producing a champion despite being very small at 15hh. But he was too slow and always cantered along at the back of the trial field. My mum Kirsten was very quick to snatch him up. Trouble quickly got the hang of being a pretty show pony and had many successes including runner up Park Hack at the prestigious Horse of the Year show in 2012. Trouble got sold on to be an eventer and competed to 1* level. He came up for sale as I was looking for my first hack. He felt like a V8 car compared to my little ponies. Trouble and I had many successes and competed in two Horse of the Year shows having lots of fun together. He is a horse I will never forget. He sure taught me how to ride and be very patient and determined. He is now enjoying life back in the show ring. And he never grew any bigger being only 15.1 🙈
Story shared by Molly Pike

Bull, now affectionately known as Ted for his laid back, cuddly nature was bred by Burnewang North Pastoral in Northern Victoria, Aus. He was raced in NZ by Ngapuke Racing. Since retiring from racing Bulwer Bay has been very successful, currently competiting at 2** Eventing, Dressage level 3, Show jumping 1.20m and multiple champions in the show ring. He will forever be a special part of the family!  

Story shared by Sarah Mullen

Ernie is a 19yr old brown gelding. He had 16 starts for a 4th, safe to say he was pretty slow. He belonged to my daughter's friend who did Pony Club with him. When she lost her grazing I said he could come and stay with us until she found somewhere else for him. He's been here for 8 years! He was such a lovely horse to have around that when she went overseas I bought him off her for myself. He is now semi retired and spends his days getting spoilt rotten. He hates getting wet so he can please himself if he's in the paddock or the stables. His best friends are chicken's and he prefers them to other horses. He goes through buckets of Big Red Stable Snacks and can smell them in your pockets a mile away! Ernie will spend the rest of his days here sleeping in the sun and waiting for 4pm feed time.

 

Story shared by Annette Condor

Cassie retired from Pitman racing in 2019, produced through the SJ/SH grades to 105cm Open show hack and endurance qualified over 40km. Sold to her forever home with a older lady rider (55+) returning to riding for hunting, hacking and dressage.

 

Story shared by Dee Grant

This is Charlestown aka Murray or Muzz. My son Josh took Murray who was raced by Go Racing, when he retired. Josh had only just learnt to ride a couple of months before ge and Murray competed at Beyond the Barriers hence muzz has his own facebook page! After not riding for a few years Josh decided Murray could come to me. Murray is very quirky and not always easy. I’m hoping to one day get to Hoy before I’m on a zimmerframe!

 

Story shared by Bronwyn Lavelle

Cheese Maker raced 33 times for 4 wins over his career, retiring at the grand age of 10. He has now transferred his skills to equestrian sports and is loving life as a trainee eventer in the Manawatu.

 

Story shared on behalf of David Moir

Marsh Racing runner Chettak ( left in photo ) was a successful Group race winner who came back from injury at the age of 9 to win his last ever race. ‘Al’ is now retired in Palmerston North alongside former stable mates Chocante and Top Echelon where he likes to think he’s the boss and is inquisitive about everything going on around him. Very playful in nature, he has to have a few toys in the paddock to keep him entertained - his favourite being a road cone.

 

Story shared by Helen Lawrence

I have had Lux since he was three, and he is a part of our family. Lux throws all of those old stereotypes surrounding thoroughbreds out the window. He is an exceptionally good doer, very low maintenance, and is a super mellow horse. We do have a few rules though, including NEVER leaving anything valuable in reach of him, unless you want it trashed. He has the most playful nature I have ever come across in a horse, and I'm thrilled he hasn't grown out of this. He has even got a few tricks up his sleeve, including having mastered how to bow at liberty.

 

Story shared by Kim Beauchamp

Direct Line (Harry) raced 18 times for one win before retiring in 2014 to enjoy life as a farm hack. Fast forward to 2020, and he got the call up to once more don the track saddle and teach current pilot Kira Gilmour the ropes as a track work rider.
Kira says….. ‘we quickly ditched the track saddle and swapped to a show saddle and Harry loved all the fuss of becoming a show horse. So off we went to our first ribbon day, coming home with his first ever wide and supreme Hunter Hack. We are now out competing most weekends!’

 

Story Shared on behalf of Kira Gilmour

Bought at Karaka as a yearling, broken in and had a lengthy career, 42 starts, 8 wins, 6 seconds and 8 thirds in races and a short stint in Oz winning the Dubbo Cup. Absolute stable pet. Retired the end of 2019 now in a loving home with Nikki Cross in Hokitika on the West Coast. She gushes about him and how safe and quiet he is, so laid back and very smoochy. Happy to go out alone, goes on the float to the arena for a lesson 3x a week and has started some jumping. Nikki will get him out and about for showing and jumping in the future. Fair to say she is in love and he is a forever horse!

 

Story shared by Anna Furlong

We were loaned Poppy 2 years ago as a 20yo to get my 9yo daughter back into riding after naughty ponies putting her off. She is such an amazing girl. Can put complete learners on her and go hacking. We have since bought her and she will be with us forever.

 

Story shared by Jenna Cann

The riding school I was at, at the time, bought Louie to be a school horse and I was able to lease him. This was in December 2017, but I fell in love and bought him from the school almost straight away. Louie is so insanely well-loved and lives an easy life at a wonderful horse-grazing property in Ohariu Valley, Wellington. I understand he is well travelled and I have been in touch with his old vets from when he was in HK. He now enjoys a lot of farm hacking, adult riding club, and a few low-level dressage and jump shows throughout the year. We have been through many ups and downs together, but he teaches me so much and I can't imagine life without him :)

 

Story shared by Vicky Gould

Max still thinks he's a 6-year-old and runs things at home. He is happily retired and shares a paddock with his Mum. He takes much interest in the comings and goings on the farm, always the first to check out who is arriving. Max is a tough horse who always gives 150 percent. He can be arrogant and has a ‘don’t mess with me vibe’ but he has a huge heart and he would give you the shirt (rug) off his back. He was a pleasure to train and it was a real team effort, him and me. To win a race like that (2016 Auckland Cup) was life changing.

 

Story shared by Phillip Devcich

Marvin is a loved member of the Marcie Flipp racing Kennels. We got Marvin after he failed to show enough speed to make a racehorse. Food was his number one priority. He loves his food and walking on two back legs. He is now being trained as a showhorse. He recently went to his first show (December 2020) where he won every ribbon except Best Mannered - we got some work to do!

 

Story shared by Jasmine Leigh

Vivace has had a career as a ridden horse doing jumping, showing (competing at Horse of the Year) and dressage. She is now a sport horse brood mare at Elmwood Stud and has a beautiful warmblood colt. Vivace was assessed by a top German Assessor during the New Zealand Warmblood Association Classification Tour 2020. She received a coveted Excellence Award and also won the Foundation Mare Championship. Vivace was scored an astounding 85.5% for her conformation including a score of 9 for her beautiful head and a 9 for her shoulder and saddle area. Vivace is the highest scoring mare in the New Zealand Warmblood Association Foundation Mare Studbook (which includes thoroughbreds)

 

Story shared by Andra Mobberley

Equate, aka DJ, 2013 OTTB by Nom Du Jeu, out of Xeraphin. Purchased sight unseen from Eventstars in September 2019, 2 weeks or so after his unsuccessful second race. He is now a multi-disciplined sport horse, with a particular talent in Show Jumping. He has to date wins to 1m, despite being in irregular work. He is a sensitive soul, who needs constant reassurance that things are ok and that he’s doing a fabulous job. DJ has a super work ethic and tries hard no matter what he faces. He is definitely a much loved, smoochy pony!

 

Story shared by Sophie Gosselin

Essdee (Toby) retired from racing in 2017. At the time I was looking for a horse to bring on to compete and have fun with but above all else must be safe as I had 4 young children. Toby was exactly what I was looking for. He loves the kids, my 10yr old has fun jumping him, we have even have races with my son on his motorbike and Toby never blinks a eye at anything. He can have months off and is still the same horse as always. Toby will always have a home with us.

 

Story shared by Philippa Saxton

I got Mysty as a rising 5yr old through my instructor, straight from the race stable. She was my first horse. We had some small successes at pony club ribbon days and show jumping, and I took her with me to study Equine at Telford. I unfortunately had to sell her as I wanted to move up the levels and at the time couldn't have 2 horses, but was lucky enough to keep in touch with each owner that had her. I was given her back to retire last year. She will be 18 this year and will be with me for the rest of her days.

 

Story shared by Rebekah Dixon 

Foo was bred and raised in NZ by Murray Baker and raced under the name Furuvik before being sold to Hong Kong. One of his former strappers said he was quite a handful and very highly strung, but she got a shock when she saw him at Beyond the Barriers! After retiring in October 2019 he headed back to NZ to Eventstars where I got him in late June 2020. He is an angel to take out, hardly ever puts a foot wrong and is quiet as a mouse! We both learnt Side Saddle in 6 lessons over 5 weeks and headed to Beyond the Barriers where we performed in front of a huge crowd! Foo is doing Pleasure Classes and lower level Show Jumping and Eventing this season before stepping up next season.

 

Story shared by Hannah Gudsell

Gargamel is best known as being the 2014 winner of the Grand National Hurdles, at the age of eight. Goofy retired in 2017, aged 11, and after having a year in the paddock as chief babysitter – a role he did not enjoy - was put back into the training ranks. This is where his career did a turn. Having been first taught to jump as a racehorse with a lot of schooling over cross country courses, the progression later in life into Eventing, was quite easy. This season Sarah Beck (daughter of trainer  Leda Beck) will aim to event him to 1.05m and hopefully represent her Pony Club at Springston Trophy in 2021 with him. Gargamel is a true champ and will always be a member of the Beck family. They try to re-home their horses to suitable homes, knowing what they are capable of so they can be placed accordingly.

 

Story shared by Heidi Bulfin

Haidee Dawn was bred and raced by Hedwood Thoroughbred Ltd. She is now owned by Chatto Creek Gypsy Cobs in Alexandra where she is a sporthorse broodmare.

 

Story shared by Kay Hood

I have an awesome story about a horse that my mum (Trudy Thornton) bred, raced, show jumped, and who is now retired and living the best life ever at the ripe old age of 23. Mum and Dad also bred the Dam of Hamish - Miss Samantha (named after my sister Samantha Collett). Hamish raced to open company, had a successful comeback after an injury, then a successful post racing equestrian career. Mum regards Hamish as her first born son. He is very much part of the family!

 

Story shared by Jess Collett

I currently, and have since 2014 owned the gelding Boy, registered as Happy Landing (by Kingfisher Mill ex Happy Hops born 2000), in 2017 he relocated to South Australia with me so I could ensure he is always looked after. He has competed in dressage and eventing over the years but is now enjoying his well earned retirement.

 

Story shared by Kelly Ellis

Hors d’Oeuvre (the Beattie Boomerang!) Syd retired from the track to the Eastern Southland Hunt property in the ownership of Marion Smith. He hunted beautifully there before coming to agist at the property of Anne Beattie. Jayne Beattie then show jumped and hunted him under the watchful eye of Marion.  Marion had a hunting accident on Syd so he got sent to Northland to hunt up there. Things didn’t go well and Syd got very light and had to have rest and relaxation at Otaki on the way back to the Beattie property!  From there he got sold to Donna Smith of Dipton (ex Master of Birchwood Hunt) who was looking for a quiet TB to hunt and show jump on.  Donna hunted and show jumped Syd until her passing in February 2020. Marion still owns him and he is currently in Canterbury with a 12 year old girl teaching her all about equestrian life.

Story shared by Anne Beattie

At 21 years young, Hypnotize is loving retirement at his birthplace White Robe Lodge, North Taieri.Trained by Raymond Connors, he gave them many thrills on the racetrack. Notably three Great Northern Steeplechases (the only horse to ever do this) We are grateful to the Connors for entrusting him back to us. He is a real character and still strong minded. Last year we shifted him to another paddock with some new paddock mates. He wasn’t having any of that, turned on a Sixpence, galloped back down the paddock and jumped the gate back into where he came from. He currently resides at our Middlemarch property which has the Central Otago Rail Trail running behind it. He loves life up there and is looking a picture amongst the picturesque Mountain back drop and natural spring water races that run through the farm.  Story shared by Karen Stewart

Bob is special to me as my Nana Thelma Foley along with her partner Peter South bred and trained Bob right through including Nana riding him in trackwork. Bob was successful on the Racetrack with 6 wins and always had to lead out of the gates. He won over many distances including a 3200m race, which means when we are galloping on the beach it can take a while to pull up! He is not the easiest ride and I have come off him countless times but he tries his heart out and has a huge jump on him. I could write a lot more about how much I love, and in Bob's case curse his name sometimes when he dumps me on the road after spying a black sheep, or when he first saw a white pony, or a cone moved 😂 He is truly a one in a million and will be carted with me wherever I end up!

 

Story shared by Hannah Gudsell

Informant, known as Stevie is now my super wee hunter, he's spent the last 5 seasons as my number one hunt horse and he always delivers a fun day. Quirky little bugger he is but the best little horse I have ever sat on. I also use him for breaking in young ones, he will stay with me until the end of his days. Hes my best friend, I love him and hes the 3RD wheel in my marriage 😜

Story shared by Janis Cranston

Photo credit - PRW Photography

Eddie was trained by Stephen Ralph and finished racing 18 months ago. He had 3 starts all unplaced. He was sent to Event Stars to re home which is where my daughter Paxton saw him, rang me and said we just had to purchase him! He raced as INNOCENT MAN (No Excuse Needed x Capture) Paxton's partner Tom renamed him with ESNZ as DOS CERVEZAS which mean's " 2 beers " in Spanish after a recent trip to Mexico, the only way he would let her have another horse!
He is a lovely horse and a very talented jumper. He competed in Beyond the Barriers in 2019 and is now competing at 1.20m show jumping but he will be aimed at an eventing career as he loves x country jumping.

 

Story shared by Annette Conder

Jed, a 16.3 swayback won 4 races including a cup race (The Northland Cup at Dargaville) before accumulated injuries took their toll (suspensory ligament, which require his off-hind being bandaged daily and and lymph gland problems) Jed has the run of a 5 acre paddock with 2 mates.

 

Story shared by Allan Hunt

I brought Kace as an 8yr old from Waipukurau. We started jumping at 80cm. Evented to 105cm then went straight show jumping where we jumped to Grand Prix (1.40m to 1.50m) and Premiere league (1.40m-1.60m) level. Kace won the South Island Premiere League title in 2016 and the 2019 South Island 1.40m title. Has won and placed in many Grand Prixs and also competed at HOY 5 times.

 

Story shared by Kimberleigh McCabe

Shown as Gauntlet, Kyeburn raced 15 times for minor placings. I guess Homer is our all time favourite. He had been eventing a bit when I bought him. My dressmaker said there is a nice horse next door that’s been sacked and he was less than 5 minutes from home. It was a Friday and we bought him and took him to opening hunt on the Saturday and we thought we would continue jumping him. He trotted across the paddock to the first fence and that was the last time he saw a fence. He had personality in spades and was National Supreme Hack, runner Up Hack of the Year and took my daughter to senior rider of the year and then went back with an intermediate rider and she won her title too. He was 16.2hh and a true thoroughbred type. He lived out his days with us.

 

Story shared by Claire Simpson

Unnamed Little Tempest 2014 aka The Tenth Muse. Purchased sight unseen from Eventstars in March 2018, a couple of weeks after her last trial. Afflicted with the “too slow” gene, she is much more suited to the sport horse lifestyle. Although she has turned her hoof to a variety of disciplines, and shows talent in all, we have been focussing more particularly on Show Jumping. She placed 6th at Takapoto Estate 4 year old Show Jumping series in February 2019. She has multiple wins and placings up to 1.05m, and we are hoping to get to Amateur next season (spring/summer 21-22). She is a quirky mare who will go far, despite the less than perfect talent of her ageing owner/rider! She is adored and delight to own.

 

Story shared by Sophie Gosselin 

Our lovely boy Jack, raced under Lord Falcon taught myself and my sister how to ride. He started in 28 (2007-2012) races, winning 2 and placing in a few others. He is the kindest horse I have ever met - doing absolutely anything we ask of him. He is so full of personality and has been a part of our family for coming up 8 years now. I owe everything to this horse as he’s what ignited my passion. We can put anyone on him and trust that they will be safe no matter how long he’s been out of work for. Jack mostly enjoys plodding around and playing in water, but still enjoys the odd gallop. He has a home for life with us.

 

Story shared by Tyla Qualtrough

 

 

When the Challenge Eleven Syndicate had the misfortune of their filly Luana (by El Roca) break down, it was important to find a good home for her to rehabilitate and ideally find a new pathway too. Thankfully Don & Jan Avenell, who farm in Gisborne, were good enough to provide an excellent home and had the patience to allow her the time needed to fully get over what was a serious injury. Fast forward a couple of years and it is wonderful to see her beginning a career as a show horse – see photo with Holly Hutchinson riding.

 

Story shared by Adrian Clark – challengeracehorsesyndications.com

Never made it to a formal training facility we don’t think, arrived on a one way ticket as a rebreak... left as a Amateur rider level show jumper with wins and placings. Now in the capable and eager hands of a 14yo Ngai Tawa student heading to the JR circuit next season.

 

Story shared by Dee Grant

Thought you would like to see a retired TB in a different discipline! This is Star AKA Maknificent, she is all of 15hh high and raced twice (she never finished last either). I have had her for 4 years now and this season was her first full season competing in Mounted Games. She competed in 3 national title classes, finishing 6th in Open Teams, 10th in Open Pairs and 13th in Open Individuals. My favourite thing about her is her tough, never give up attitude, she gives me 110% every time we enter the ring. To my knowledge she is the only raced TB to compete in Mounted Games, there are a few unraced ones competing also.

 

Story shared by Dana Genefaas

Hope will be with us for the rest of her days as she is reasonably “quirky” and I worry about ever re-homing her. Currently we compete in low level show jumping, enjoy beach rides out and very occasionally enter ribbon days (but Hope hates being in the ring with other horses so this is not really our thing). My goal for Hope is to bring her up the Show Jumping levels to comfortably compete at 1:05-1:10. Currently we have competed to 90cm. Hope lives with two bush ponies - Smurf who was mustered from the forest on 90 mile beach and Angel who was mustered from Mitimiti. We started Angel ourselves and Smurf is the paddock mate to both “girls” as he has spine problems.

 

Story shared by Vicki Traas

Midnight Countess came  from Eventstars in Cambridge after she finished her racing career. Since I have had her she sustained a gaskin injury that has now healed and we are well on our retraining journey with several events coming up.  I have had her out to the beach, she hacks at home and alone or in company and travels well in the float, she can be pushy on the ground but we are slowly working on that!  She has plenty of jumping scope and I hope to have her out eventing consistently by the end of the year as well as any other local events.  She got introduced to working equitation a few weekends ago and is already great at hoofball and likes to give it a good shove! She is not stabled at all, has a large 3 acre  paddock with a broodmare and 15 week old colt for company. 

Story shared by Jo Rushbrooke

 

Millie Rose, a 10 year old mare by Keeper, originally trained at Wingatui by Marion Stevenson had 11 starts for 1 second and 1 third.  She was given to Janaya Anderton at the end of 2016.  Janaya has done a super job of her retraining and Millie has turned her hoof to everything! She has done a couple seasons of pony club, show jumped successfully to 80cm, evented, trekked, done calvacade and now is in her first season of barrel racing!  She is very versatile and very loved!

Story shared by Claire Anderton

This is my OTTB Pete, raced as Morcheeba. I rode him trackwork as a two year old in Wanganui, fell in love with him. Unfortunately my boss at the time sacked him and he was sent to a trainer in Auckland. Long story short he popped up on Facebook for sale 7 years ago. I bought him on the spot no questions asked. It was best decision I ever made. Seven years later he is my one in a million horse and he will live out the rest of his days in my paddocks being my show hack.

 

Story shared by Codie Peterson

Mr Brown 2008 ( Duelled/True Zephyr) Trainer- Michelle Northcott. Following a short career where his potential was never reached, he travelled to Timaru to the Phiskie family. His real potential will be eventing and following some show jumping training days he graduated to the hunting field. Last season he hunted with the South Canterbury Hunt. This photograph was his first spar at the Whites Hunt. Mr B has a tremendous attitude, is a willing jumper, so honest and a dream horse to own. Michelle did a wonderful job in his education.

 

Story shared by Bill Phiskie

Sparkles (Mytsharp) came to me from a friend last year. She has the most amazing, chilled out temperament, hard to believe sometimes that she won a race or could even go that fast! She destroys all stereotypes related to chestnut thoroughbred mares for sure. Since racing she has had a foal which is now two years old (not a full thoroughbred). Sparkles spends her days relaxing, going to low level shows and pottering around the paddocks hacking out with me. A very much loved member of our family who fits in perfectly. 

 

Story shared by Erin Carson

The horse started his career with trainer Roger James. He never got to the races but he ended up with Andrew Nicholson as a top class eventer.

 

NZTR 

Here's my boy by Towkay. He's called Smealzy at home raced as On The Rise. He events to open and 1.2m SJ and is 100% awesome and my best mate.

 

Story shared by Izzy Kimble

I got given Painless (Zack) around Christmas 2019 from a trainer (Nikki Marshall) who I do a bit of work with. I used to ride Zack at the beach and do a little trackwork with him. Nikki chose to retire him and of course I was first option and of course I said yes. Since I’ve had him we have hacked around my grandparents and neighbouring farms, attended a low-key sports day and been on a few beach rides. He is now just sitting in the paddock while I sit back for a while as I’m still young and have a lot on my plate, but he is as happy as ever and I’m so glad that I ended up with him.

 

Story shared by Brooke Bland

HKJC Race Performance

My horse raced as Piri Piri Pete but I call him Leo and he competes as an eventer now as Rei de Lago. Leo finished racing in October of 2020 and started work as a sport horse in December 2020. He is now doing really well as an eventer and at the end of the 2020/2021 season he has completed 3 65cm events and one 80cm event. He is a joy to have around, so friendly and cuddly and so much fun to ride. For the 2021/2022 season he will be aimed at the higher heights in eventing.

 

Story shared by Bella Park

Woody had a long, successful racing career followed by 10 years with me as a hack and now very much a pet. His trainer and owners still play a role in his care and his favourite hobbies are visiting the beach and clicker training. He is very opinionated, thinks that everything is all about him, only just scrapes in at 15hh but still to this day thinks that he is 17hh!

 

Story shared by Kim Skilton

 

I got Prince in December 2020 and he has just started his jumping career and in his first two starts he was competing at 90cm where he won one and placed 2nd in the other. He finished the season competing at 1m and has a very exciting future ahead! My horses all enjoy regular beach rides and hacks through the dunes  I just love working with thoroughbreds and find them so easy to deal with.

 

Story shared by Kimberleigh McCabe

 

Seanachie aka Bugs never made it to the track but she certainly made it to the show ring! Winning multiple champions her show career unfortunately was cut short due to a trucking accident that took over a year to heal. She has done many lambing beats and dockings. And will even carry sheep, she is the most sure footed and well balanced horse I've ever ridden. At nearly 21 she is enjoying her retirement life on the hill with the most spectacular views of the Hawke's Bay.

 

Story shared by Danelle Phillips

I have been blessed to have the love of one of the many off the track TB’s. Red Oasis, now 23 and looking very much the magnificent equine that he is, bold, strong, handsome and very much a part of my life since he was rising 9. BIG Red is my everything. We embarked on eventing (not to my liking as l’m a bit of a sook and l’d just had a c section, hmm not recommended) Show jumping (hmm still too scary over 65cm) Dressage, (hmm loved the outfits but wasn't very good in the driver’s seat) So, we did A & P shows and ribbon days, now that was more my thing. Forward to 2013, l decided to bake him some tasty wholesome treats and before l knew it, he is a house hold name nationwide with Big Red's Stable Snacks, available nationwide in 50+ stores. . He melts my heart every single day l look at him bold, strong and magnificent 💖 my life, my soul my once in a lifetime racehorse. The Incredible Red Oasis made my dreams come true..Story shared by Angela Broadbent

Regie is ex HK, retired from Ridley Racing in 2018 and came to me for rehoming. He is now in his forever home as a dressage horse with his mum who is studying vet at Massey.

 

Story shared by Dee Grant

Rox is just starting showjumping with the tail end of the season, where she jumped clear rounds up to 80cm. I love my TBs, I keep going back to them as they are so rideable, brave and fun. 

 

Story shared by Janis Cranston
Photo Credit - PRW Photography

I got Beverley as a 6yr off the track in Invercargill. She has mainly Showjumped but has also had wins in RTR and placed 2nd in the Southland Young event horse. At HOY 2020 she placed 6th in the 1.15m out of 130 horses and is now competing at 1.30m level with plenty of scope !

 

Story shared by Kimberleigh McCabe

My mare, Doll, missed out on being a race horse. I bred her on my lifestyle block from leased mare Sayyal. She was quite a late foal and was too small to go to the Karaka sales as a yearling. Subsequently, I decided to keep her as a riding horse and she was professionally broken-in for this in late 2018. Doll loves the "cowboy challenge" obstacles and is very clever and a quick learner at this. In 2021 I hope to get her competing in the Cowboy Challenge field. At some time in the future I may allow her to be a broodmare, but she is perfectly happy just being a very spoiled and happy pet.

 

Story shared by Eve Davidson

In university I picked up riding trackwork to fund my riding and not long after I acquired the very slow Sparty as he was known for a project. 10 years later Sparty is still here and the love of my life. If Sparty was a person he would be one of those annoying people who is good at everything. He has won titles in showing at Horse of the Year, placed in the National Young Event Horse, carted me around my first 1* horse trial (now 2*) and still spends a lot of time switching hats between Eventing, dressage and showing, being perfect and picking up wins and placings as he goes along. The most amazing part about him is how genuine and kind he is though. He is a true unicorn and will be with me forever. My horse of a lifetime ❤️.

 

Story shared by Cassie Henderson

Sparkles is a gorgeous girl. She has show jumped to 1.20m and has recently stepped up to 2* Eventing with ease, she is an absolute XC Machine! She took me back to eventing with huge confidence! Currently owned by me and now being ridden by Amanda Illston. Sparkles is extremely willing and tries her hardest to please and is always thinking forward, she is a delightful horse to be around.

 

Story shared by Laura Daly

Anna, of Annarehab near Thames, met Sexabeel while working at Marsh Racing. During a dark time in her life battling a TBI and subsequent depression, she formed a deep bond with this entire, who helped her to heal. When it became apparent that he wouldn’t make a racehorse he was retired to Kate Lambie in the hopes that this stunner would blossom as an eventer.  When that didn’t happen he was offered to Anna. He has matured into a phenomenal therapy horse being particularly drawn to men and teenage boys. We are so blessed to have him doing such important work in the field of men’s mental health.

 

Story shared by Anna Baigent

We have a lovely TB mare who we owned for 10 years and who Paxton got after she had been sitting idol in a paddock. She competed her to the highest level in Show Hunter & Show Jumped to 1.20m until it was time for her to step back in heights and take life a bit easier. Here name is Gem -  HOT WIRED. She is now 20 years old and this year she is with Trudi Lovett in Wellington and has taken her from a nervous low level rider to qualifying for Horse of the Year and placing 6th in NZ in the Show Hunter TIES series (Thoroughbreds in Equestrian Sport). She looks amazing for 20 and still loves jumping around the 1m classes including being placed at series final this year. We are very lucky that she has a home for life with Trudi who loves her to bits and Gem has no intention of retiring any time soon!

Story shared by Annette Condor

Ice came to me from my aunt and uncle, who trained him, having raced until he was eight for two wins and a handful of placings. He had had basic retraining and came to me as my first horse to produce in 2007. At 17hh he was rather imposing but quickly gathered fans everywhere he went for his striking looks, beautiful movement and his even more stunning temperament. Icey took to his new life like a duck to water and made many teams in Eventing, show jumping and dressage. He had placings at HOY in dressage and in 2011 we won the level 2 Dressage NZ Young Rider Championship. Everyone one who meets Ice loves him and he really is the perfect ambassador for how wonderful Thoroughbreds are. He is now rising 25 and lives the life of retired luxury with us and his long time buddy Bill who is 28.

 

Story Shared by Cassie Henderson

From her birth, Simple Truth was unusually “quiet” with an exceptional nature around other horses and people. So she has always been a favourite on the farm, especially valuable as a ‘minder’ with foals pre- and post weaning; the foals often tend to spend more time with her than their mothers and she acts like a foster mother.

 

Story shared by Marie Pepperell 

I bought Stark for adult riding and farm hacking. He is amazing, everyone loves him and I can put anyone on him if I have friends over who like to ride. He will also be with us forever.

 

Story shared by Jenna Cann

Reserve Champion Open Riding Horse! (Stonemason, 5 wins) Bred by Levin Thoroughbred Breeders Assn. Trained by Lisa Latta & Andrew Carston.

 

Story shared by Kay hood

FULL BROTHER AND SISTER (FIESTA STAR-PRINCESS DOMINION(GB)): 25YO Sway (Polly) who was unplaced in one start before leaving 4 race winner Balerune (St Petersburg) and 22YO King’s Bard (Benny) who won 3 of his first 4 starts before injury curtailed his career.

The pair enjoy life at home with buddy, Mungo.

 

Story shared by Allan Hunt

Taz wasn't raced. I think he had the slow bug to which he still has to this day! He's very much an all rounder and we have qualified to attend horse of the year 2022 in pleasure horse. Last weekend he did hunter trials and weekend before he was show jumping 😀
Taz is 18 but you would never pick it.

 

Story shared by Kelly Davies

Paddy is living his best life as a riding horse these days... Has done inhand showing with great results and this year has progressed to low level show jumping and show hunter. Best horse ever. Love ottbs.

Story shared Kobi Matthews

Outram and The Man came out of the White Robe Lodge stable and are now both on the Hunt field with Otago Hunt as retired racehorses with a new career.
Both are very versatile horses, coping with hounds around them, very closely at times. The Man also puts up with the Hunting horn being blown while ridden and he has to be the first over all types of fences and country. Outram has to also go out on his own a lot, gather in loose hounds, cope with a stock whip being flicked off him, occasionally cracked as well. Otago Hunt has many OTTTB's in their field and the majority make lovely safe hunters for a range of riders once they know what hunting is all about.

 

Story shared by Anne Beattie

Arnie was my first ever horse and what a first horse he has been. He is incredibly quirky, smart, hot and full of personality. He is a very talented jumper and had competed to pre novice before I got him, I had high hopes for a show jumping career for us both but due to an injury, it quickly became clear that this lifestyle wasn’t going to suit him. Arnie has been semi retired since he was 15 and is the best babysitter/happy hacker in the world. He is my best friend and has taught me so many valuable lessons in our time together, I love him with all of my heart!

 

Story shared by Chrisanna Hancock

Leroy was a winner of 3 races and shares a paddock with Al (Chettak) and his lovely kind nature compliments Al's - there can’t be two bosses in one paddock. Overly affectionate, you have to mind his hard head butts as his way of showing love.

 

Story shared by Helen Lawrence

Colin has just had his second eventing start but has pottered and turned heads in the show ring as well. Colin is a right character and keeps everyone at home on their toes. He loves carrots and absolutely hates baths. Colin has an incredible jump when he is paying attention and a face that just makes you smile. He will continue to go up the levels eventing and hopefully one day we will see him at the top. Having Colin is like having a big over friendly dog.

 

Story shared by Molly Taylor

Tricidity was bred by Whakanui Stud Ltd, by Sir Tristram (IRE) out of Lucidity (NZ) born in 1993 and sold to Australia where he had many wins and placings before retiring from racing as a 7YO Trick was then brought back to NZ by a lady who had worked with him in Australia. I was lucky enough to then purchase Trick and we had a great partnership for 12 years. Competing successfully in Show jumping up to 1.30m, with multiple wins and placings. Including Championship classes at Horse of the Year. Trick retired in 2015 at 22 years old. He was an absolute one in a million!

 

Story shared by Sarah Mullen

I am fairly new to polo but have spent my life riding horses - at the age of 46 I decided polo looked fun and took it up! In early 2021, I joined up with the Women's Chukkas practice group at Auckland Polo School. I met Handel there, and got to use her for practice - she was super! Fast, easy to maneuver, always has her eye on the ball and has the sweetest personality. She became available for sale so I decided, why not? She has moved onto our property in Kumeu and absolutely loves her stables, pampering and bossing around the younger geldings in the paddock! I hope to play her for a few more years at lower levels and then if she is still willing and able, to ride her at Muriwai Beach and in the forest.

 

Story shared by Candace Kinser

Ubetcha departed the racing stables in March 2015 and became a mate for young horses at the Wingatui track. He lived at the track. In 2018 he became a hunter for Anne Beattie’s family. Daughter No 1 Jayne rode him as she knew him from track work days and he wasn’t the easiest of horses! He settled in well and went on to join the show jumping team. He successfully competed for a season before being spotted by Kaye Buckley who wanted to purchase him as an eventer. The sale went though as Jayne was to be heading overseas for her big OE and Beattie’s had plenty of other horses on the go! Then Covid hit, no overseas travel, Ubetcha decided he didn’t really like dressage and would rather return to the Beattie’s SJ team, which is now where he is back competing with lots of success.

 

Story shared by Anne Beattie

Wade came to me in September 2020 when he was unwanted by his current owner. I was told he was a standardbred, 13-14yo and had previously been a trekking horse. As his 2” long winter coat came out it revealed thoroughbred brands and it turned out he raced as Wade and is 20yo. In need of a little TLC and still a work in progress, he has thrived since arriving. Renamed Lucky (by a friend) for finding his way to my place, he will be a companion and hack for the Burgundy 2yo I have. I’m not sure who will be babysitting who though as Lucky stresses on his own, while the 2yo doesn’t care less!

 

Story shared by Margaret Larsen

Lachie arrived with a reputation for bucking people off, it was clear he was scared while handling him so I spent time gaining his trust on the ground before riding him and it was 100% worth it. He went on to become a multi champion show hack, pre novice eventer and 1.10m show jumper. He is now semi retired due to some minor health issues but still loves getting out and about and is always a professional to deal with. Not bad for a horse that retired from racing as an 11YO!

 

Story shared by Chrisanna Hancock

Who Shot Thebarman has been an absolute delight since he arrived. He is quite sociable with visitors especially when they bring carrots. The reports were that he jumped like a gazelle when he came to us and once he joined our legends under saddle program we found this to be the case. He does do some dressage work as well, it is good for his suppleness and flexibility and he has made improvement, but it would be fair to say that he is more of a cross country performer than a “dancing with the stars” dressage performer. Barry is hugely popular with visitors to Living Legends, the name definitely helps but at heart of the matter is his long career, as a very brave stayer competing at the highest level.

Story shared by Andrew F Clarke BVSc(Hons) Ph.D.

I have had Rosie two seasons now where she has only showjumped and is now competing at 1.20m with many placings and wins.

 

Story shared by Kimberleigh McCabe

Willie retired from hurdling in Southland in 2014, ex jockey Jillian Morris paid for his truck to Chch where we offered him a rehab home for 12 months paddock rest prior to selling him as a first hack to a very competent teenager who has successfully jumped him up to 125cm.

 

Story shared by Dee Grant

Bill was bought as a yearling and trained by my Aunt and Uncle in Ruakaka. Upon being retired he was reschooled by my aunt as a sporthorse. Unfortunately he developed an Ethmoid haematoma as a young horse and was unsuitable to be sold on so I was lucky enough to be gifted him as my first hack when I was just 11 coming off my first pony and him only 8. He was an exceptionally talented horse all round, very much wasted on my young self but took me to many wins in dressage and Eventing to open level, and won countless ribbons. He taught me an endless amount and was always so safe. He is retired with us, soon to be turning 29 so has been in our family for 28 years. The first thoroughbred love story of many to come in my life!

 

Story shared by Cassie Henderson