Ready Set Trot Welcomes New Partner

By: Michelle Cook/Equestrian Australia

The presenting partners of Ready Set Trot, Equestrian Australia (EA) and Pony Club Australia (PCA), are pleased to announce a new partner for the junior participation program. 

Standardbreds Australia Unharnessed, an organisation which helps to rehome retired standardbred horses, will join the program as a support partner in a two year arrangement.

As well as raising the profile of the breed, the partnership will seek out new homes for retired standardbreds through Ready Set Trot stable skills delivery centres.

Equestrian Australia CEO Grant Baldock said the partnership between Standardbreds Australia Unharnessed and Ready Set Trot was a good fit.

“We are pleased to have Standardbreds Australia Unharnessed involved in Ready Set Trot, an initiative which offers young people the opportunity to develop their horse skills and knowledge through a series of interactive programs. 

“Ready Set Trot and Standardbreds Australia Unharnessed will work together to educate accredited Ready Set Trot riding schools on the standardbred breed and encourage the centres to adopt a retired standardbred for schooling purposes.

“Beginner riders need a reliable and gentle natured horse and the temperament of the standardbred breed makes them an ideal mount for children to learn to ride on.”

Carol Paterson, National President, Pony Club Australia said, “with care for the horse at the centre of Pony Club Australia Inc  training, we are happy to see a partnership which allows these otherwise retired horses to continue to have care and good use as learner mounts. Any partnership which allows young people to experience the joy of participation in equestrian sport should be encouraged.”

Harness Racing Australia Operations Manager Gary Kairn said, “We have seen a rise in interest in Standardbreds for pleasure riding as well as in showing.  The success of Kathleen Mullan and her horse MF Hollywood in qualifying for the Garryowen has certainly helped to lift the profile.

“We are also watching with interest the progress of other horses making their mark in the Victorian Mounted Police as well as Andy the Standardbred, who is being re-trained by Andrew McLean at the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre.

“There is little doubt that the temperament, soundness and availability of these horses make them ideally suited to the Ready Set Trot program.”

About Ready Set Trot

Ready Set Trot is the junior participation program for equestrian sport. The program offers interactive and hand-on learning opportunities that develop horse skills and knowledge, teach responsibility and build confidence. Ready Set Trot makes it easy for young people to dip a hoof into the horse world as the program removes the need for them to own a horse.

Ready Set Trot is presented by Equestrian Australia and Pony Club Australia with assistance from the Australian Sports Commission and Support Partner Standardbreds Australia Unharnessed.

Visit www.ReadySetTrot.com