Retired racehorses benefit from QRIC Racing Animal Welfare grants program
A project to rehome and re-educate retired racehorses, the development of an online education module for assessing and re-educating retired racehorses and a contribution to a training arena for the retraining or retired racehorses are just some of the beneficiaries of the first Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Racing Animal Welfare (RAW) grants program announced today.
Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett said the RAW grants have provided up to $10,000 for successful projects which includes community based organisations supporting the Commission’s animal welfare objectives.
“The Commission’s RAW grants program has resulted in successful projects that will commence from January next year and the range of applications received from all over Queensland has been impressive,” he said.
“These funds will assist organisations to host events, provide infrastructure, re-training and a range of support for organisations that work with retired racing animals.”
The successful applicants include the Standardbred Association of Queensland (SAQ) which will see three of their projects come to fruition as a result of the RAW grants including support for its 2020 State Championships, funding to host an off the track training clinic and funding for a training arena.
Equestrian Queensland will reward the top three placed retired racehorse at their events throughout 2020 providing opportunities for those with retired racers to compete.
The Redlands and Southern Districts Equestrian Group will promote the integration of off the track thoroughbreds into its dressage competitions.
Maryborough Active Riders have been successful in gaining support for off the track Thoroughbreds and Standardbred classes in three Fraser Coast dressage events.
Caboolture Dressage Group will run a project to raise awareness of the versatility and talent of off the track horses amongst current and future dressage riders.
The Rockhampton greyhound adoption group Love a Greyhound are being supported in their efforts to rehome retired racing greyhounds.
Brisbane Polo Club will be supported to rehome and re-educate retired racehorses straight from the track and actively encourage and support members of the club and its affiliates to seek out and re-educate racing animals.
The School of Agriculture and Food Sciences and School of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland will develop an online learning module that encompasses important aspects of acquiring, assessing and re-educating retired racehorses.
Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland has been successful in gaining support for the Hunter and Hedger Cups at the Toowoomba Royal Show which promotes retired Thoroughbreds that are following a different discipline.
Commissioner Barnett said the grants program had been a great success with 32 applications for funding and has resulted in support for the animal welfare community, sharing knowledge, coordinating and maximising retired racing animal welfare efforts.
Grant recipients
Equestrian Queensland $8000
Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland $3000
Caloundra Equestrian Association $3000
Maryborough Active Riders $5000
Maryborough Active Riders $1350
Maryborough Active Riders $1350
Caboolture Dressage Group $2300
Redlands and Southern Districts Equestrian Group $3350
Standardbred Association of Queensland $10,000
Standardbred Association of Queensland $7600
Standardbred Association of Queensland $5500
University of Queensland $10,000
Love a Greyhound Inc $5760
Brisbane Polo and Equestrian Club $3214
Details of 2019 Grants recipents
Media contact Vincene Overs 0472 842 346