Friends and supporters of the Cyberhorse Racehorse Outplacement Program were given a great morale boost to find that the popular lifestyle show Horse Talk TV was keen to do a segment to introduce this great industry initiative to horse lovers all over the world.  

Horse Talk TV (film crew left) is a very popular and award winning special interest TV program seen right across the globe ... and soon available through an app on a smart phone or IPad with no buffering delays - how good is that!  The program showcases Australian horses and the people who love them, with many segments covering outstanding achievement and the special relationship that most Aussies have with horses.

The founder and producer of the show, Katie Hickson (pictured left) is herself an enthusiast of TB horses and is "all for" giving them a chance to succeed in a life after racing.  As a former horse breaker and educator, Katie is well aware that ex-racehorses need special selection, re-education and management if they are to find the right person to facilitate a new career.

The filming was scheduled to be a very comprehensive day which would introduce a number of horses and trace the re-training and adjustment to their new life and routine. The filming began at about 9.30 am at Woodend in Victoria, a pretty and green part of the world nestled in the foothills of the Macedon Ranges.

The star of the day was the gleaming white 6 YO TB "Pinky" who retired from racing a little over a year ago.  He was lucky enough to find his way into the hands of Catherine Shelley from the Melton Equestrian Academy and her daughter Cara, who is the Welfare Officer with Racing Victoria. Both ladies are keenly interested in finding TB's the best opportunities after racing and are personally committed to the cause.

Catherine is a Level 2 NCAS Coach and also a CROP re-trainer and this vast experience gives her a very "good eye" for a horse and the knowledge to instinctively know the best approach to reveal  talents that will be required for further training.  Catherine said,  "Right from day 1, Pinky was special!  He came to us in quite poor condition but responded well to our style of care and training. 

Catherine said, "I coach many disabled riders and was asked to help find a suitable mount for NSW Paralympian Jan Pike.  Even though it was early days with Pinky, I had great confidence that he would be suitable and so arranged for Jan to come down to Melboune and ride him.  They formed an instant bond and have gone on to win or place highly in the Olympic Qualifiers.  They are now on the last round of qualifiers and hoping to stay in top form and take part in London at the Paralympic Games later this year - we are all very proud of them both. In the course of partnering with Jan, Pinky has shown his very special nature.  Working with a rider who needs a lot of help from her horse and must be able to trust in all situations, is a very tall order for any horse - and some people just do not believe that he is a TB!"

Catherine added with a smile, "There is the other side to Pinky ... and he can show his spirit when he gets out showjumping with Cara or in the dressage arena with me. He prances and cavorts in a way that surprises many!   He is a  really exceptional creature and we all love him dearly!"

Cara put Pinky through his paces for

Horse Talk TV.  Katie Hickson and Paul Newport were delighted with the footage that resulted  from the session and thanked the weather man for his role delivering the perfect conditions.  

Katie interviewed Catherine, Cara and Jan and they all had some very good comments about the Cyberhorse/Racing Victoria program.

Next to go was Bill Saunders on the 6 YO TB Roger who was chosen to demonstrate some of the often encountered difficulties with horses in their early days of training.  Roger is much less experienced than Pinky and still gettig used to the different facets of his life after racing.   Roger is a lovely mover with all of the necessary qualities to make a very competitive dressage horse.  He was a little tense to start but settled well and showed his lovely flowing movement ... and a way of going which makes him an ideal candidate for the program assuring him of a happy future as an equestrian horse.

The film crew packed up the equipment and changed location in order to take in a training session with the beautiful 5 YO, Sheik Ali who is currently stabled with talented young FEI rider Shanon McKimmie - just down the freeway in Kyneton.   Shanon has an impressive CV as a trainer and rider ... being the youngest winner of the prestigious FEI Aachen Challenge at Prix St Georges level.  Her expertise gave us an early glimpse into the aptitude and talent of this flashy chestnut and his fantastic nature and trainable temperament rounds off the package.   Sheik Ali did his racing with leading trainer David Hayes and his confidence around people is a great testament to the good handling and management the horse received in the Hayes stable. 

Ali has now been sold to dressage judge and former show horse rider Sue Innes who said.  "I have been out of the saddle for about 8 years and I certainly appreciate having such a wonderful horse to help me though the many obstacles that I have to overcome in order to ride again after such a long break.  Ali has been delightful - in fact many  of my friends describe him as charming ... and charming he is! 
I have appreciated Shanon's continued support with Ali and I am looking forward to enjoying many happy days with this wonderful thoroughbred."

Katie and camera man Paul Newport worked at a frantic pace all day to get lots of suitable  footage and to give the CROP every chance to show off some of their equine stars.

With many innovations in the pipeline, the Racehorse Outplacement Program is going from strength to strength. 

Bill Saunders said, "Our first 18 months have been a mix of very hard work and many rewards.  We have been delighted that the racing industry, many businesses and people generally have embraced the concept so warmly and events such as the Yogi Breisner clinic for members of the Thoroughbred Riding Club was a welcome initiative which gives new owners a taste of the sort of activities that are planned for the future.  We are seeking to really support new owners and we are looking to implement special show and performance classes, perhaps a highpoint award/s, specialist training and activities that foster interest and see thoroughbreds appreciated and highly prized for their good points.  This will create more buyers and more buyers will create more interest which will increase demand and give more horses a chance to make a rider very happy." Bill added.

"There are other programs out there which enlist the help of horses in the mental health area. This is breaking new ground and we are working with some wonderfully dedicated people who see a very special role for equines in some innovative and effective therapies and remedial programs.

Right - Jan Pike leads Pinky back to the stables, but Catherie Shelley seems to have got the "wheely walker" bogged in a hole!

It is all good  ... and we are very happy that Australia can be proud of it's commitment to horse welfare and responsible ownership.  Thanks

Horse Talk TV - CROP appreciates your interest as it is all part of building the network of volunteers, supports and friends of thoroughbred horses on the racetrack and as wonderful riding horses as well.