Fast class pacer Onedin Hustler has been retired and is to spend his days grazing in a paddock at Meadows in the Adelaide Hills or being ridden through the nearby picturesque Kuipto Forest.
Owner Paul Nobes and trainer Lance Holberton made the recent decision that the now 12-year-old had given his all on the track and, while healthy, deserved a life of luxury.
Through his job with the Magic Millions company, Holberton was contacted by Kate McDonnell whose own story and love of horses is inspirational.
O’Donnell, 29, is a paraplegic, consigned to a wheelchair 10 years in a fall from a horse.
“I love riding,” O’Donnell said.
“I made a promise to Paul and Lance that Onedin Hustler would be spoilt for the rest of his life.
“I met him for the first time during the Royal Show when he was doing exhibition races and it was love at first sight – he is brilliant.”
O’Donnell picked up Onedin Hustler last Saturday and took him back to his new retirement home and reported the gelding settled in perfectly.
Despite her confinement, O’Donnell still loves her horses and rides as often as she can.
“I was injured in a freak accident at Happy Valley about 10 years ago,” she said.
“A horse bolted and tried to go through a narrow opening, and at the time I thought it was not going to end well.”
The then 18-year-old went head first over the horse and knew she was in trouble as she landed flat on her back and told someone who rushed to her aid that she couldn’t feel her legs.
Within six months, and now in a wheelchair, O’Donnell wanted to go back riding and started the proves through the excellent Riding For Disabled.
Her father has now installed a hydraulic lifter in stables on their Meadows property so the horse lover can get aboard and continue riding.
“Part of the fun will be teaching him to get use to saddle but he appears an intelligent horse and I’m not expecting any trouble.
“I’m looking forward to take him out for a ride through the Kuipto Forest which is an amazing way to be with nature.”
Holberton said he was delighted Onedin Hustler had found an amazing new life.
“Paul and I agreed he had nothing left to prove,” Holberton said.
“He is still in good condition and we didn’t want him to race for the sake of racing because he has been a wonderful horse for us and he deserves a quality post-race life.”
Onedin Hustler had 221 starts for 24 wins, 20 seconds and 24 thirds earning $214,694 in stakes with a best mile rate of 1:53.5.
He raced in Melbourne and Sydney and his best win since returning to South Australia was the 2015 Victor Harbor Cup.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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