SPPHAWA Competitors Dance Into the Spotlight

August tenth saw 36 retired racehorses entering SPPHAWA’S Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Partbred Dressage Championships. Hosted at the beautiful grounds of Magenup Equestrian Centre, competitors were treated to a lovely day in the sun despite the day before receiving significant downpours.

Proudly sponsored by Off the Track WA, we were thrilled to see fresh faces participating at this event. The standardbred section filled with 13 horses, most of which were Western Australian bred geldings and one mare, while the thoroughbred section hosted an additional 24.

Of the horses, five horses retired from racing before ever gracing the racetrack. These five included three standardbreds and two thoroughbreds, all of which were bred in Western Australia.

On the flipped side of the coin, IAM LAMBROS NZ raced in a total of 181 races throughout his racing career before transitioning into an off-the-track home. Despite his extensive racing resume, IAM LAMBROS NZ wasn’t the most successful racehorse in attendance! This title goes to Pushin’ Shapes, a 2012 thoroughbred gelding who accumulated $614,000 in lifetime earnings throughout his racing career. Both of these horses are now happily enjoying their off-the-track careers, dabbling in a bit of dressage.

With classes from prep to novice, each section was granted their own arena. In the standardbred arena, many of SPPHAWA’s regular competitors attended to compete.

Preparatory Champion was awarded to Tori Gladwell’s gelding, BS Bodine (unnamed), with reserve awarded to Saara Jordan and Touch of Success NZ.

Prep/Prelim Champion was then presented to Nadia Bishop and Master Jaxon, followed in reserve by Elstevo and Inge Rodgers. Finally, Novice Champion went to Chloey Stead’s lovely grey, Tough as Steel, with reserve awarded to Hannah Ewers and President Hoylake.

Congratulations to these riders and their super standardbreds.

In the thoroughbred arena, Preparatory Champion was won by Ann-Louise and Miss Silversprings, with reserve awarded to Brooke Michaels and her gelding, Notorious One.

Preliminary Champion was secured by Chloe Kenworthy and IceCrusher Jack, with reserve to Rachel De Beer and OilSkin.

Novice Champion was awarded to Be My Guide and Pippa Moore, followed by Cantucci and Reanna Stanhope for reserve.

Congratulations to these riders and their wonderful thoroughbreds.

We look forward to sponsoring more SPPHAWA events, with the next event being the 2025 Standardbred ‘25^th Anniversary State Championships for both standardbreds and thoroughbreds.