Are you and your retired racehorse eligible for FREE lessons?

The Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Subsidised Lessons Program enables new owners of retired racehorses access to instruction and tailored support to optimise racehorse aftercare and ensure positive welfare outcomes for Queensland’s retired racehorses.

Following a very successful first 12 months of the Subsidised Lessons Program, QOTT has expanded the eligibility criteria to allow even more retired racehorses to participate. The timeframe for horses to have retired from racing, race training and/or breeding has now been extended to 18 months. In addition, participants can now apply to participate on multiple retired racehorses, should they own more than one horse.

Lessons can cover a variety of areas, including horse and rider education and training, as well as equestrian activities. Participants are responsible for negotiating the content of the lessons with their QOTT Approved Coach. This holistic approach has proven to be a huge part of the program’s success in its first year of operation, with the feedback received from participants being unequivocally positive.

 “I honestly did not expect to get so much support, increased knowledge, and experience. I am over the moon with the results I have achieved.” Petra Westgaard, 2021 Graduate.

Participants are eligible for ten free lessons, which are awarded through a voucher system. Approved applicants select their preferred coach from a list of 37 QOTT Approved Coaches, who are all Equestrian Australia Accredited Coaches and are located across Queensland.

“It made the decision to take on an OTT feel more supported. I was initially hesitant to take a Thoroughbred straight off the track, but this program made me feel like the retraining would be much more manageable.” Bethany van Barnevel, 2021 Graduate.

A horse is deemed eligible to participate in the Subsidised Lessons Program if the horse:

a)      is a Thoroughbred or Standardbred that has been, or is eligible to be, registered for thoroughbred racing or harness racing in Australia; and

b)      a decision has been made not to race the horse, or the horse has retired directly from racing, race training and/or breeding within the last eighteen (18) months; and

c)      the horse is one of the below:

    i.  was bred in Queensland but was unraced; or

    ii. has started in an official barrier trial or race in Queensland, and was domiciled in Queensland at the time of its retirement; or

    iii. is a retired broodmare or stallion and was domiciled in Queensland at the time of its retirement.

To find out more about the Subsidised Lessons Program and to access the online application form, please visit Here

If you are a Level One, Two or Three Equestrian Australia Accredited Coach and you are interested in becoming a QOTT Approved Coach, please email [email protected] to obtain an application form.

For further information on the Queensland Off-The-Track Program, please visit HERE or follow QOTT on Facebook