Hawkesbury pony club riders have showcased the talents of thoroughbreds beyond the racetrack at Equimillion, with one local competitor, Abbie Taylor, bringing home a champion ribbon in the 15-U17 Cup pony club event riding her thoroughbred Kozluca.
The Racing NSW event celebrates the opportunities for retired thoroughbreds to find new homes and sporting careers, giving riders a stage on which to demonstrate their horses’ abilities.
For the Hawkesbury contingent, the outing brought an opportunity to test their skills, demonstrate the partnerships they have developed with their horses and compete alongside fellow pony club riders.
The championship ribbon provided an extra reason to celebrate, putting a local face to Equimillion’s wider message: a thoroughbred’s future can extend well beyond its racing days.
Held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park from October 2 to 5, this year’s event featured dressage, show horse, eventing and show jumping across the long weekend. The program brought together different ways for former racehorses to build a second sporting career.
Racing NSW established Equimillion in 2023, offering at least $1 million in prizemoney exclusively for retired thoroughbred racehorses. From the outset, the competition placed a particular emphasis on amateur competitors and demonstrating the breed’s suitability for life outside racing.
The event has since grown substantially. Racing NSW reported 640 entries for 2026, an increase of 124, or 24 per cent, on the previous year, with more than $1 million again offered in prizemoney. Its focus includes young and amateur riders helping horses establish themselves in a new discipline.
Pony club participation gained additional significance this year through a new partnership between Racing NSW and Pony Club NSW.
Under the agreement, Pony Club NSW became an official Equimillion partner, with dedicated spaces, showcase events and prizemoney opportunities exclusively for pony club riders. The broader partnership includes education about thoroughbred retraining and rehoming, practical industry experience and pathways towards employment through Racing NSW’s Team Thoroughbred Academy.
For young competitors, that connection brings together horse care, riding, and future opportunities. It also highlights the work involved in helping a horse adapt to new expectations after racing.
A successful partnership develops through patient training, consistent handling and an understanding of the individual horse. Competition offers one opportunity to demonstrate that progress, but the preparation begins long before horse and rider enter the arena.
Equimillion also introduced new preparation classes in 2026, using walk-and-trot workouts to provide an accessible starting point for recently retired thoroughbreds beginning their competition journey. Those classes recognise that horses arrive at their second careers with different levels of experience.
For Hawkesbury’s pony club riders, taking part connected their own achievements with that broader celebration of retraining and opportunity.
The local champion ribbon marks a memorable result for Abbie Taylor and Kozluca. It also offers encouragement to other riders working towards their next competition and a reminder that a horse’s achievements can continue in a different arena after its racing career ends.
