Tasracing Off the Track

21/01/2026

🌟New Coach Alert 🌟 - Welcome on board Liz Elliott of Leslie Vale.

Born in Holland and growing up working on a dairy farm, is where Liz’s love of horses began at age 12, and particularly on a pony named Freddy. By her teens Liz was working in riding schools, show-jumping stables and with stallions, travelling throughout Holland as a groom and earning her first instructor qualifications.

In 1981, a holiday to Canada changed Liz’s life when she met her soon to be husband, and soon after moved to Tasmania. Since then, horses have remained at the centre of Liz’s life — from riding schools, preparing thoroughbreds for the yearling sales, to coaching at Pony Clubs, a role proudly held for over 35 years.

Later establishing her own riding school at Leslie Vale, teaching riders aged 3 to 77 across all disciplines. Liz also breaks in and schools' horses, coach competition riders, runs holiday camps, mentor new coaches as a Coach Educator, and has been Chief Coach at Huntingfield Pony Club for over 20 years, including coaching Tasmanian teams at State and National level.

Liz feels incredibly fortunate to have made a career out of what began as a childhood passion, working outdoors with wonderful horses and people. Liz is excited to continue this journey and looks forward to her partnership with the Off The Track program, supporting both horses and riders toward positive, confident outcomes.

20/01/2026

15/01/2026

🎉 Welcome Our New Approved Coaches – Kristy & Tara from Valor Park! 🎉

We’re excited to welcome Kristy and Tara from Valor Park as our newest Approved Coaches, bringing their expertise to the North West region of the state.

Kristy, Managing Owner of Valor Park, balances her time between her career as a Paramedic and running the equestrian centre. Horses—especially Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs)—are at the heart of Kristy’s passion. She is deeply committed to helping these horses transition into fulfilling second careers, whether that’s endurance riding, showjumping, eventing, dressage, or simply enjoying relaxed trail rides. Kristy has a strong appreciation for the rehabilitation process and the rewarding journey of working with OTTBs.

Alongside her is Tara, Manager of Valor Park Equestrian Centre. With 49 years of experience in the equine industry, Tara grew up on the mainland surrounded by influential mentors who helped shape her training and professional path. Her extensive knowledge spans dressage, eventing, showjumping, and hacking competitions. Tara is passionate about the versatility of the OTTB and firmly believes in the incredible potential these horses have when given the right education and training.

Please join us in welcoming Kristy and Tara to the Approved Coach network! 🐎✨

12/01/2026

🌟 Dodges Ferry All Breeds Show 🌟

The weather did not disappoint, and the beautiful display of horses did not disappoint.

Well done to Dodges Ferry Horse Riding Club for a well-run show - where the OTT's were out in force in the beautiful sun to show how amazing these horses are.

Well done to all competitors.

Our NON-professional photographer and Off The Track Team Member Amanda, was there to capture the smiles of all those competing with their Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds.

21/12/2025

🌟 Ever wondered what it’s really like to work in the racing industry?
Our School Holiday Racing Internship Program is back, and this time we’re running two full internships across the state!

Join us to step behind the scenes of Thoroughbred, Harness and Greyhound racing and experience the industry from the inside out.

Successful applicants will:
🐎 Gain hands-on horse (and dog) handling skills
🏇 Meet professional jockeys, drivers, trainers and industry staff
🏁 Explore stables, kennels, race-day operations and key racing facilities
🤝 Build real connections across all three racing codes

📍Internship Locations & Dates:
• Spreyton (Devonport Racecourse): 12–16 January 2026
• Brighton (Brighton Training Centre): 19–23 January 2026

✨ Open to anyone aged 15 years and over
✨ Limited places in each location
👉 Apply here: https://tasracing.com.au/.../tasracing-internship-program

14/12/2025

🎄✨ Let’s Spread the Christmas Cheer! ✨🎄

We’d love to see your best OTT Horsey Christmas photos! 🐴🎅
Dress them up, snap a festive moment, and share the joy with our community.

📸 The photo with the MOST likes will win an Off The Track Cap & Keyring 🎁

🗓 Winner announced Friday 19th December
So get liking, and let’s celebrate our Christmas OTT beauties together! ❤️🎄

✨ Happy snapping & happy holidays! ✨

10/12/2025

🌟 Welcome to Our New Approved Coach — Charley Freeman! 🌟

We’re excited to introduce Charley to the Off The Track coaching team - Northern Tas!

About Charley:
🐎 Charley spent three years training with double Olympic gold medallist Gillian Rolton.
🏅 She has evented up to 3-star level, competing at both the Melbourne International and Australian International Three-Day Events on OTT Thoroughbreds she produced herself.
🐴 Currently, Charley campaigns a team of four OTT horses in eventing and show jumping.
🏇 With 25 years of experience producing horses after racing—and time spent working in racing stables—she brings a wealth of knowledge to riders and their OTT partners.
💛 Charley is passionate about the versatility of off-the-track horses and looks forward to helping riders develop and enjoy their OTT journey.

📅 Availability:
Available most weekdays, with weekend appointments upon request.

🚗 Travel:
Charley can travel to clients’ homes (with suitable facilities) around the Westbury, Longford and Launceston areas or coach at hired arenas. She also regularly coaches at Birralee Pony Club Grounds.

Please join us in giving Charley a warm welcome! 🌟

05/12/2025

𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙨 – “𝘾𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝”

Tarnya and her mare Camilla Stride (Carmen) have been having a wonderful time out and about. Tarnya, who has been having lessons with our Approved Coach, Jo McFarlane, decided to attend Scottsdale Show earlier in November. Tarnya took the attitude of not expecting anything and had the most enjoyable day.

Tarnya says “She is the perfect package for me. Even though we are learning together, her sweet nature, and willingness to give anything a go, has helped boost my confidence in so many ways. Carmen is the first standardbred I have owned, but I cannot rate the breed highly enough!”

Carmen showed that unflappable nature of the Standardbred and Tarnya says they had a fabulous time at the show, considering it was their first ‘big’ outing, Carmen was so settled and relaxed, and they had a great time.

“𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙏𝙖𝙨𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣, 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚”

03/12/2025

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙖 𝘽𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙗𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙡𝙮 𝘿𝙞𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙨 – “𝘼 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙖 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙”

Lisa and Prickles are affectionately know around the area and in particular the Hunt Club scene – we asked Lisa, how did their relationship start?

I was training an off the track with Kylie Baker when I asked her if she knew of something suitable for my husband to hunt. Kylie didn’t say anything to me however a few days later I received a phone call from Kirstin Paterson she advised that Kylie had suggested we discuss if her horse Prickly Diamonds would be suitable. We drove to Campbelltown for a look and brought him home 😊
One of his first outings was to the beach; we headed off with 2 horses for me to discover I didn’t have a saddle, not keen to ride the “tricky” chestnut mare without one, Jamie gave me his and hopped on Prickles ba****ck.
Jamie hunted him, describing him as one of the best horses he’s hunted (he doesn’t pull just gets into a rhythm and stays there). After a shoulder reconstruction Jamie wasn’t as keen to ride. Prickles or Mr Prickles as he is affectionately called became my hunter, eventer and everything else (he’s been to pony club, games, dressage, trail rides). He has been consistently reliable; his jumping has continued to improve.
2023 was his first win of the Champion Senior Hunter at Westbury Show, our 2nd win in 2024 he literally carried me around as I was unwell. This year he is looking the best he has ever looked and the 3rd win was a bit emotional. My daughter Ange used the famous quote “a champion becomes a legend”!!😊

Lisa’s words: “I’ve been blessed to have a good horse and the support of my family and friends. He just lowered his energy level to mine and looked after me”

What more would you want from and OTT – well done on all your achievements Lisa and Prickles and thank you for sharing your story.

03/12/2025

🎉 We Love a Milestone Worth Celebrating! 🎉

As a special token of acknowledgement, we at Off The Track want to celebrate you and your OTT horse when you complete your Ten (10) lessons with one of our Approved Coaches. Hitting that 10-lesson mark is a fantastic achievement—and to say “Well Done!” you’ll receive your very own OTT Lesson Graduate Keyring! 🔑🐎

Every milestone with your OTT horse deserves recognition. Starting December this year, once you complete your ten lessons, your coach will submit a notification and this little gift will be on its way to you.

So… Well done—and let’s get those ten lessons rolling! 🙌💙🐴