Local rider Zac Boland and his off the track (OTT) thoroughbred Display Case – aka Case, competed at Equimillion at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre over the long weekend.
Zac had friends who attended and enjoyed the event last year which showcases the versatility and suitability of Thoroughbreds for careers outside of racing and they suggested he should give it go.
Zac gave it some thought and as the nomination fees were quite expensive, his family approached the Cobar Miners Race Club for assistance.
Given the nature of the event, the club was happy to help Zac and Case.
Cobar Miners Race Club president Jarrod Marsden applauded the Equimillion event as being very worthwhile.
“As a club we believe it’s important to support local equestrian competitors where we can and Zac is going great,” Mr Marsden said.
“It’s also crucial that all participants in horse racing play a part in the healthy lives of racehorses on and off the track through all phases of their lives,” he said.
Case has been spelling at home for the past 12 months and he and Zac had not competed since the Cobar Show.
Zac took him to a clinic in Dubbo two weeks out from the competition and then onto Cudal for a few days training before the event.
The Equimillion four day event competition consisted of four disciplines—Dressage, Show Horse, Eventing and Show Jumping, with more than 300 participants and horses taking part.
On Friday Zac and Case entered the Dressage Arena in two Junior Preliminary Tests of which they came away with 4th place overall.
Case then had a well earned rest over the next two days.
On Monday they competed in two rounds of Show Jumping, winning one of their classes.
Overall they finished in second place in the Junior 90cm rounds.
Zac enjoyed the weekend and Case did a good job of displaying what can become of an OTT horse after retirement from racing.
“There were so many talented horses at Equimillion and it was great to watch them compete at their chosen disciplines,” Zac said.
