Fields Nominations Results

Life After Racing Grants

Health and animal welfare is very important to Harness Racing New Zealand, and we consider that: “Every Standardbred horse should be treated with respect, compassion and understanding and shall receive a standard of care which allows them to enjoy a good quality of life while in the racing industry and on retirement.”

Responsible re-homing of Standardbreds is a key consideration for racing internationally. Harness Racing New Zealand is committed to providing as many of our retiring horses as possible with an opportunity to find a home when they retire from the racing industry.

Standardbreds throughout New Zealand have successful careers after racing in many equestrian disciplines including showing, trekking, show jumping, endurance, competitive trail riding, cowboy challenge and eventing, as well as being a pleasure hack and much loved family horse.

Harness Racing New Zealand is proud to introduce their new Life After Racing Grant Scheme. This initiative has been developed to assist and support the rehoming and retraining of Standardbred horses.

Guidelines for Harness Racing New Zealand life after racing grants

To apply for a grant, you must complete the application form that can be downloaded here

Application criteria

Applications will be accepted from rehomer’s of Standardbreds in New Zealand.

The Definition of a Rehomer for the purpose of our Life After Racing Grants Scheme (LARGS) is as follows:

  • Someone who is taking Standardbreds for the purpose of educating and rehoming within a 6-month period. Ideally these Standardbreds will have recently retired from the Racing industry (which includes breeding)
  • You must be actively rehoming Standardbred Horses

This Grant Scheme is not designed for people who own Standardbreds or have brought a Standardbred that may in time rehome this horse.

The Life After Racing Grants Scheme (LARGS) when reviewing your application will consider the following.

  • How long the rehomer has had each horse for.
  • abide by the animal welfare legislation which can be found on our website under Industry Information or here
  • How many Standardbreds are being rehomed.
  • Previous grants the rehomer has accepted.
  • provide sufficient education to the horses so that they can be handled and ridden by a competent novice.
  • Is the rehomer completing all necessary paperwork.
  • What the rehomer is asking the grants committee to cover, which includes the monetary amount

Items that LARGS will consider covering.

  • Feed
  • Hay and baleage
  • Transport Costs

Items that LARGS may consider covering.

  • Dentistry
  • Bodywork
  • Vet Bills
  • Ulcer Treatment
  • Covers
  • Grazing
  • Farrier
  • Deworming

These items listed below will NOT be considered.

  • Structural Items i.e. fencing, stables, shelters and yards
  • Horse equipment or tack
  • Riding equipment or tack

Application Process

Closing dates for applications are midnight on 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, and 31 December in any year. (Notification of Grants takes place by the tenth of the month following)
Applications will be reviewed by the Grants Committee and if the application is successful the grant will be given in the form of vouchers, or HRNZ will pay agreed costs direct.

Send your completed application form to the grant administrator at Harness Racing New Zealand
(full name and details can be found at the bottom of the application form).

 

Successful applicants will be required to acknowledge Harness Racing New Zealand as a supporter, and to be positive about Harness Racing New Zealand and the racing industry in social media.

Industry Information