Maintaining the Social License? NZTR Welfare Fund

[Chief Stipe]

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Dear Stakeholders,

With the third quarter now completed, this edition of the 1% Newsletter will update you on the welfare levy spend during February – April 2024.

As of 30^th April, the spend of the 1% fund for the current season was $617,314.89, with $210,405.33 of this allocated during the third quarter. The season allocation is $908,000.

The largest portion of the spend in the third quarter ($89,165.83) was for sponsorship dedicated to showcasing thoroughbred versatility. Incentivising the use of thoroughbreds in a variety of equestrian disciplines continues to be a priority as we work to make thoroughbreds the sport horse breed of choice and create demand for our product in their lives after racing.

It is important we support thoroughbreds in their second career from the grassroots up, not just targeting the higher levels of competition that a limited number of riders aspire to, or combinations are capable of.

The second largest portion ($53,537.02) was allocated to the Acknowledged Re-trainers network as we continue to support the network and horses under their care. We visited three of the South Island Re-trainers in April, which was invaluable to get an understanding of some of the challenges the network is facing.

As with other companion animals, the cost of living is impacting the sport horse world. This is reflected in the price people are willing to pay for horses and also the time taken to sell and rehome them. We can only do our best to navigate this challenge as it is a difficult problem to solve. This is why we feel it is important to continue to celebrate our wonderful relationship with thoroughbreds and tell the success stories around them performing in their second careers.

This quarter we have celebrated the success of two Windsor Park-bred thoroughbreds. 11yo New Elegance placed first of 138 combinations in the global rankings for the Dressage World Challenge Senior 1 class with a score of 74.68%. Artist, who with rider Monica Spencer is in line for selection in the Paris Olympic Eventing team, recently finished seventh in the Kentucky 4* and named the best performing thoroughbred at the event.

It is also important to continue with our commitment sharing facts and figures to the general public to improve education and engagement around our sport.

As always, do not hesitate to contact either myself or Tracey if you have any feedback or would like to share a story of your thoroughbred in their second career.

You can contact us at thoroughbredwelfare@nztr.co.nz

Justine Sclater
NZTR Head of Welfare and Sustainability

 

 

Expenditure

 

 

Acknowledged Retrainers Funding

 

$53,337.02 was allocated to Acknowledged Re-trainers in the third quarter (YTD = $163,286.27).

85 thoroughbreds completed their education with an NZTR Acknowledged Re-trainer during the third quarter.

$34803.37 of the allocation went towards the Leg Up Grant, which covers initial costs when horses do not meet minimum standards on arrival.

If trainers and owners commit to ensuring horses leave their stable recently shod, in good working condition and with worming and dental treatments up to date then the amount spent on the Leg Up Grant can be redirected to other areas.

It is imperative that the NZTR Acknowledge Re-trainers network remains a viable education and rehoming service as the skill set and experience of these riders make sure thoroughbreds get the best opportunity to transition successfully into their second career.

Note that in this quarter the Lesson Scheme has been recoded to the Acknowledged Re-trainer's budget.

Photo Credit: Pin Oaks 

 

Second Career Sponsorship

 

 

TiES

This quarter $89,165.83 was allocated to showcasing off the track thoroughbreds through sponsorship (YTD = $180,923.69)

This is reflective of the importance of incentivising thoroughbreds in equestrian sports to ensure we create a demand for them as the sport horse of choice.

Of this spend $34,477.71 was allocated to sponsoring the Thoroughbreds in Sport Series (TiES) run in partnership with Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ).

The showjumping, show hunter, dressage, and para dressage TiES awards were presented at the Land Rover Horse of the Year show in Hastings. Winston Peters attended the ceremony and awarded the prizes.

The following TiES Series winners were:

Accumulator Dressage/Para-Dressage winner – Alpha Tauri (Chloe Cann) Raise The Flag x Missy’s Filly, placed
Race name: Deebeewiththestars. Breeder: M J & P G Crooks Trainer: Ross Beckett

Accumulator Jumping Winner – Grassendale Enzo (Luce and Sofia Williams) Reliable Man x Kaarera, unplaced
Race name: Boom Boom Basil. Breeder: GS Racing Ltd Trainer: Chris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley

Accumulator Show Hunter Winner – Volonte II (Kylie Lyndens) Raise The Flag x Volonte, winner
Race name: Dontputyafootinit, Breeder M J Crooks, Trainer: Sophie Price

TiES Futurity Series North Island Final – Miss Eves (Isabelle Jameson)
Indy King x Max Facta, unplaced
Race Name Li’l Miss Eves  Breeder: E D Foreman & A J Kearns, Trainer: Kevin Gray

In addition, Quinn Coutts on Mini Cooper G won the TiES Love Racing Jumping Futurity Series South Island Final. Mini Coooper G is a 6yo gelding by Power out of Lemon Honey. He was bred by J Coutts and was unraced.

$1700 was paid to the Royal Agricultural Society for the Thoroughbred Showing Class Awards presented at Horse of the Year.

Richard Otto and Surrey (High Chaparral x Makybe Diva) won the NZTR Ridden Thoroughbred Show Horse class while Sue Reynolds and Manhatten (Skilled x Oh What A Song) took out the top honours in the Show Horse Accumulator Series.

Levert (Roc de Cambes x Quest for Fame), ridden by Brea Walker, competing at the Central Districts NZTR Horse Trial who won the 1* class and was also awarded the NZTR prize for top placed TB in his class.

$500 was spent sponsoring the Eventing Central Districts Horse Trial event giving NZTR naming rights of the event. The event was well supported by riders with thoroughbreds and the best performed thoroughbred prizes (printed dress rugs) were very appreciated by those awarded them. Nine competitors reached out to NZTR to express their appreciation for these prizes. 

The Rode To Champs, held by the New Zealand Pony Club Association, was supported with Best Performed Thoroughbred awards in three classes with printed dress rugs and merchandise supplied.

AnnaRehab

$5,380 was allocated towards non-athletic sponsorship in the third quarter. This included the continued sponsorship of AnnaRehab who held a variety of events and continued with their programmes. During the third quarter they hosted the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust followed by an hour of teaching around first aide for horses. They also hosted two Probus groups and continued with their Gateway programme and Stand Tall anti-bullying programme.

Living Legends

$1630 went towards the transport of the horses to Te Rapa’s Living Legends Day this quarter. Racegoers interacted with the impressive lineup that included Gingernuts, Mufhasa and Seachange who proved very popular.

Xcellent parading at the 2024 Legends Day at Te Rapa. 

Welfare Assistance

$2,499.97 was allocated to MPI, SPCA and rescue groups during the third quarter (YTD = $9,292.88).

This supported seven horses currently in the care of the SPCA and closed out the costs of one horse who has been successfully adopted. NZTR supports the recovery of thoroughbreds seized or surrendered to the SPCA. This covers vet visits, blood tests, farrier fees, worming, dental procedures and agistment for a 12-week period. In most cases this enables to the horse to improve to a condition where they can be adopted out by the SPCA.

As it is winter, it is reasonable to expect this spend to increase in the final quarter. It is of note the horses in need of support are often those kept by owners on small blocks of land that rely on pasture-based feeding which is affected by seasonal weather conditions.

This money is a worthwhile spend and we have several good news stories of horses we have provided assistance to that have then been successfully rehomed.

 

 

 

Equine Research

 

 

$7,148.64 was allocated to research in the third quarter (YTD = $45,306.08).

During this quarter we have worked on a strategic plan for independent research for welfare initiatives. We are looking at several research projects which hold relevance. Focusing on validated research will improve outcomes for horses which is our ultimate goal.

 

 

 

Horse Ambulance

$49,978.66 was allocated to the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust during the third quarter (YTD = $144,881.14)

To date this season a horse ambulance has been deployed 65 times for a thoroughbred in racing, breeding, or off the track. They are safely transported to an equine veterinary practice for specialist care, giving them the best chance of recovery and eventually returning home.

A horse ambulance will have been on track at over 530 Thoroughbred race meetings and trials and harness race meetings this season by the end of June.

The Trust has also attended 25 self-funding equestrian events and demonstrations. It also attended the Byerley Park Open Farms Day to build awareness of its role in the thoroughbred industry and was a partner charity with Windsor Park Stud’s Rugby, Racing, and Beer yearling sale at Riccarton Park.

NZTR funded the Horse Ambulance to be present at both the Land Rover Horse of the Year and the NZ Polo Open to ensure the horse ambulance was available for the well-being of all competing equine athletes.

Though racing industry stakeholders are generous supporters of the Trust's work to protect the well-being of its equine athletes, to ensure its long-term future, the charity needs to continue raising funds to supplement the racing codes' funding of the direct operating costs.

 

 

Graeme Amies and Tracey Oakes with the Horse Ambulance at the Land Rover Horse of the Year.  Photo credit: NZHAT

 

 

Population Analysis and Traceability

 

 

$4,744.27 was allocated to traceability in the third quarter (YTD = $40,539.75)

We are collating and developing reports to manage our population of horses during breeding, racing and retirement.

The focus is on the 2020 foal crop and any inactive horses from 2020 onwards to ensure we have data that is as up to date as possible.

It has been pleasing to see a greater uptake of completion of SR24 forms and we are making a concerted effort to contact those who are not completing their paperwork which leaves gaps in the traceability of thoroughbreds.

 

 

Communication and Education

 

$3,330.94 was allocated to Communication and Education during the third quarter (YTD = $33,085.08).

During this period, we produced a 1% update and an edition of the Thoroughbred Welfare Advocate which was well-received and is meeting its purpose of bridging the gap between the thoroughbred and equestrian communities.

Some of this spend also went on purchasing professional photos of thoroughbreds out competing to be used online and in print publication.

We are continuing to promote thoroughbreds in as many equestrian disciplines as possible by telling their stories to showcase their versatility to the public and other equestrians.

$1242.33 of the allocation for the third quarter was spent sponsoring the Companion Animal NZ ISES Conference held 14-16 March. It was the first time this had been held in New Zealand and was an exciting opportunity to host international experts who presented the latest research that supported the conference theme “A Good Life For Horses.”

This theme is central to NZTR’s welfare strategy - ensuring our Thoroughbreds have positive and rewarding experiences enabling them to have a “good life” so they can thrive and can perform to the best of their natural abilities, no matter what stage of their career they are in.

 

 

Equine Crematorium

$200,000 from the 1% reserve fund has gone towards supporting the development of the Equine Crematorium.

When owning any animal there are responsibilities and at times difficult decisions that need to be made around humane euthanasia. As such, providing a dignified end of life is at the forefront of our industry responsibility to our thoroughbreds.

The welfare fund holds a ‘reserve’ and this, along with other industry stakeholders, have supported the building of the first dedicated Equine Crematorium. This will provide the means and opportunity for a dignified end of life for our horses and ensure responsible carcass disposal.

It will operate under The Rural Guardian Trust which has been approved for charitable status. A large portion of profit will be reinvested into equine initiatives and research.

 

Your feedback is always welcome. Please email Justine Sclater at Justine.sclater@nztr.co.nz.

[curious]

Doing a good job with limited resources I think.

[Chief Stipe]

20 minutes ago, curious said:

Doing a good job with limited resources I think.

I guess a $1m doesn't go far.  $200k spent on a crematorium?  Will you pay for the service?

[Freda]

57 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

I guess a $1m doesn't go far.  $200k spent on a crematorium?  Will you pay for the service?

A very much needed option. 

[curious]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

I guess a $1m doesn't go far.  $200k spent on a crematorium?  Will you pay for the service?

Yes. Will you?

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, curious said:

Yes. Will you?

Nope.  But I come from a farming background.

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Freda said:

A very much needed option. 

Why?

[curious]

37 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Nope.  But I come from a farming background.

So do I.

[Freda]

9 hours ago, curious said:

So do I.

And me, partially...family farms, work experience....I travelled to Oamaru races on one occasion with a transport company, on the way back we stopped off at a 'facility' out the back of Timaru to drop off a hapless animal.

Open 44 gallon drums of blood sat outside, several horses, a goat with a broken leg and a few scraggy sheep were picking their way around rolls of wire netting in a fenced area [ couldn't call it a paddock]  and this thoroughbred was offloaded and shoved in with them.

I used to go possum shooting with mates on the Coast in behind Inchbonnie, and deer shooting with another friend around Mt Thomas.  I can assure you, Chief, I'm not sentimental or unrealistic but the horror I saw at Timaru that day made me sick.

A dedicated facility for horses is long overdue.

Recently, a young re-homer came under the radar of some woke wankers because she had a number of horses on her property that were deemed ' too light in condition'.  

Feeding them was costing her a fortune but she wasn't getting any assistance to do that.

They were not suitable for rehoming but was apparently having real trouble getting permission to put them down.

Not all horses - or dogs - are suitable to be sport horses or pets.

[Chief Stipe]

You realise this isn't a free service.  There will be significant costs involved for the owners using the service.  Hopefully it is their choice not the Trainers passing on the costs.  I daresay the service is provided from the Waikato region.  Will South Island customers be subsidised?

[curious]

4 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

  I daresay the service is provided from the Waikato region.  Will South Island customers be subsidised?

I'd say they'll be planning to add a couple more to make them accessible to as much of the horse population as possible but resources don't allow doing that in one hit. Maybe a partnership with freight companies to move horses there when they have empty spaces?

[Chief Stipe]

42 minutes ago, curious said:

Maybe a partnership with freight companies to move horses there when they have empty spaces?

Yep centralise reality and provide a photo op for the anti-racing brigade.

[Chief Stipe]

7 hours ago, Freda said:

A dedicated facility for horses is long overdue.

Why?

[Chief Stipe]

7 hours ago, Freda said:

They were not suitable for rehoming but was apparently having real trouble getting permission to put them down.

That's a policy decision not a practical decision.

 

[curious]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

That's a policy decision not a practical decision.

 

I think that's Freda's point.

[Freda]

I have to relate a wee story in this context.

When we campaigned horses on the Coast, we used to stay - horses too - at the farm of Ikamatua farmer and trainer Bill Kennedy.

I was privileged to have made the acquaintance of Bill and his wife and children, he was one of the wisest men I have ever met and still I think, in some situations, what would Bill say about this?

As a young and rather green horseperson, with an eventing background initially, I was a bit taken aback, to say the least, to find that Bill would routinely put down his retired racehorses -  unless they were mares he wished to breed from.   After good-naturedly putting up with my objections, he related the following. 

Cynthia and I were going to Greymouth for our weekly shop, he said, and for some reason we went via Blackball.  No idea why, we just did.   On the way, we passed an emaciated horse tethered in the scrub on the side of the road with a chain around its neck.  Cynthia recognised the horse immediately.  I didn't agree with her, but she wouldn't keep quiet about it so we went back the same way. Stopped and had a closer look, found to our horror that it had brands, which showed clearly that it was the Gatekeeper gelding I had given away to a 'good home'.   I got the float, took a pair of boltcutters and went back and picked him up.  Put a rug on him, fed him up and when he looked and felt better, took him down to the cattle yards and shot him.

He looked at me and said, from then on, when the good life is finished, they're finished.  My horses will never know a hungry day or an unkind word.

[Chief Stipe]

4 hours ago, Freda said:

I got the float, took a pair of boltcutters and went back and picked him up.  Put a rug on him, fed him up and when he looked and felt better, took him down to the cattle yards and shot him.

He looked at me and said, from then on, when the good life is finished, they're finished.  My horses will never know a hungry day or an unkind word.

Well done.  I watched an episode of the Australian Zoo last night when I got pissed off with the League.

They had a 24 yr old Zebra who had been at the Zoo for a long time.  His teeth were starting to deteriorate badly and he had started to spit hay out because it was painful to chew.

The decision was made to euthanase him while he still had a decent quality of life.  Sad but practical.  

If he had been on the African Savannah a pack of Lions would have picked him off.

What worries me about Crematorium's and bowing to the theoretical social license protocol is it will only centralise the focus on part of the industry that is no different to other livestock industries.  It won't appease the anti-racing minority but give then another stage to prattle on.

It won't surprise me if NZTR starts buying carbon credits to offset the carbon emissions!!

[curious]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

What worries me about Crematorium's and bowing to the theoretical social license protocol is it will only centralise the focus on part of the industry that is no different to other livestock industries.  It won't appease the anti-racing minority but give then another stage to prattle on.

It won't surprise me if NZTR starts buying carbon credits to offset the carbon emissions!!

They might be better to attend to getting the whip rules sorted? Hopefully, Justine will be advocating for that and we'll hear of some progress in the next missive from Welfare.

[Wingman]

Dovetails nicely into Mr Fish's Q in Exciting Racing topic

[curious]

2 hours ago, Wingman said:

Dovetails nicely into Mr Fish's Q in Exciting Racing topic

Totally unacceptable and unneccesary. Made a superb and very brave performance almost unwatchable and another nail in the coffin of jumps racing as we know it imo.

[Murray Fish]

8 hours ago, curious said:

Totally unacceptable and unneccesary. Made a superb and very brave performance almost unwatchable and another nail in the coffin of jumps racing as we know it imo.

My take as well,  'the purists' are entitled to their views,  but gee, it would be interesting for TAB to have a focus group done on the views of the New Punters that they are targeting to see what they think?

Talking economic realism.  It is easy to track the falling numbers or jumps jockeys and jumping horses in training, what would be the betting re prizemoney?