OTTWA Competitor Sponsorship | Thunder Gods Interschool Nationals
Last month, Off the Track WA (OTTWA) sponsored young rider, Ella McCrum, on her adventure across to Tamworth with her retired racehorse. Qualified to compete at the 2024 National Interschool Championships, Thunder God and Ella were one of over 400 horse and rider combinations to compete. Hosted at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC), this event showcases the best of young equestrian talent across Australia.
Thunder God, affectionately known as Alfie, travelled from Perth to Tamworth across four-days with Ramsay’s Horse Transport. OTTWA supported Alfie and Ella’s travel through financial support to assist with the costs of travelling interstate, along with merchandise to ensure Ella and Alfie arrived ready to represent Off the Track WA and retired racehorses in performance homes.
Ella and Alfie competed first in the Combined Training 105cm for Secondary students. Ella commented that Alfie produced a ‘solid dressage test’ to score 37.5 penalties. Going into show jumping the next day in tenth place, a clear round pushed the pair up to sit in eight positions.
Following Combined Training, Ella competed in several show jumping rounds with Alfie. In the 100cm classes, Ella and Alfie placed in the top 5 for each of their classes, concluding with two fourths and a second to win Overall Reserve Champion Secondary 100cm. Ella and Alfie backed up this success in the 100cm, with great rounds in the competitive 110cm classes to finish in 10th place in the Overall Championships.
Thunder God and Ella did a wonderful job representing retired racehorses in competitions across the country. We were thrilled to be able to provide some support to Ella, who was incredibly appreciative and professional throughout. We hope Ella and Alfie gained experience that will follow them for years to come.
“The opportunity to expose Thunder God to this caliber of competition, and the atmosphere and facilities of a national competition was invaluable,” said Ella following the competition. “Thank you for your support, it was an unforgettable experience.”
Ella and Alfie are just one of many combinations representing the talent, versatility, trainability and ambition of retired racehorses in performance homes.
Chris Miller Photography / Morrison Photography
