OTTWA Clinic Wrap-Up | March Training Day

On the ninth of March, OTTWA in partnership with Equestrian WA, hosted our first Training Day Clinic for the 2024 season. Joined by fifty retired racehorses throughout the day, we were thrilled to see many horses and riders improving throughout their lessons. Coaches Denise Barker, Wendy Barker, Isabel Stanley and PollyAnn Huntington joined us for the day and were blessed with lovely sunny weather.

Lessons started at 8am, with the early morning riders eager for the day. There were several green, intermediate, and advanced flatwork lessons throughout the day, along with a variety of protocol tests for those riders seeking to improve their dressage test work. Many of the horses found the day to be highly beneficial in improving their way of going. In the jumping arena, with the guidance of PollyAnn Huntington, many of the horses learnt to overcome their hesitations and developed a more confident jumping method to complete clear rounds. Down on cross country, the horses enjoyed splashing through the water jump and experiencing the open fields of the State Equestrian Centre cross-country course.

Each horse was given the opportunity to experience this environment amongst their supportive peers. One horse in particular, Mr. Fahrenheit, had retired from racing in 2023 and was attending his first off the track clinic. After some encouragement from those around them, “Freddie” ventured into the international arena for the first time to produce some lovely work under owner/rider, Kate Howland, and the guidance of coach, Wendy Barker.

Out on the cross-country field, young rider, Ava and four-year old off the track mare, Flamingo Magic, also enjoyed their first clinic. Ava’s mother, Liss, reached out to the OTTWA team to let us know that “We had the best morning at our first clinic.” We are thrilled to have been able to provide a positive experience for both Ava and Flamingo Magic.

We look forward to seeing the wonderful photos taken of this day by our super photographer, Eric Lloyd Photography.

Beneath the Covers and Erin Greenwood | Alfred Nobel x Tarp | 2018 Brown Thoroughbred Mare | Trained by Summer Dickson for 12 starts, one win and $31,424. Retired in 2023. | Jumping with PollyAnn Huntington.
Captain Fremantle and Amelie Bartsch | Teofilo x Saxabelle | 2014 Chestnut Thoroughbred Gelding | Trained by David Harrison, although never raced. | Cross Country with Isabel Stanley.
Captain Fremantle and Amelie Bartsch | Teofilo x Saxabelle | 2014 Chestnut Thoroughbred Gelding | Trained by David Harrison, although never raced. | Cross Country with Isabel Stanley.
Each Way Tom and Sonia Broi | Planet Five x Polish Spirit | 2014 Brown Thoroughbred Gelding | Trained by Helen Harding for four starts. | Cross Country with Isabel Stanley.
Invincible Warrior and Carol Bowman | I am Invincible x Chicksaw | 2013 Brown Thoroughbred Gelding | Trained by Jodie Liakousis for 37 starts, five wins and eight placings for $87,439. | Flatwork with Wendy Barker.
Nova's Delight and Monique Swanson | My Admiration x Miss Bosanova | 2015 Chestnut Thoroughbred Mare | Trained by Angela Smith for three starts. | Protocol Tests with Wendy Barker.
Benito and Shannon Bray | Due Sasso x Bent Linc | 2010 Bay Thoroughbred Gelding | Trained by David Harrison for 36 starts, eight wins and ten placings for $391,250 | Jumping with PollyAnn Huntington.
Mr. Fahrenheit and Kate Howland | Reward for Effort x Lady Gwendyln | 2016 Chestnut Thoroughbred Gelding | Trained by Holly Taylor for 28 starts, two wins and fourteen placings. | Green Flatwork with Denise Barker.