Making The Unthinkable Happen

By Abby Delucyk

Para-Dressage rider, Simone Salter made the unthinkable happen with Team Thoroughbred graduate Vegas Vic after competing in the Riding For The Disabled competition just two weeks after purchasing him.

Haven ridden since she was 8 years old, Tamworth-based Simone became a para-rider after she was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease. Despite this, Simone has continued to pursue her love of riding and is now a qualified Dressage coach and judge.

In need of a new competition horse, Simone reached out to Alec at Belltrees Retraining Farm after previously purchasing an OTTB through the Team Thoroughbred rehoming program at Belltrees.

The handsome Vegas Vic caught the eye of Simone when she first visited the farm.

“I needed to find a horse that had the right temperament and trainability. Alec knew exactly what I was looking for and suggested Vic,” Simone explained.

“Vegas Vic has a very cool, calm and collected demeanor which I love. He doesn’t like leaving his friends very much but other than that he is an easy horse to ride.”

This duo wasted no time and got straight into their training.

Simone rode Vic every day for a week before she floated him down to Sydney where they participated in an Equine Pathway Clinic. Their trip to Sydney was extended where they competed in the Riding For The Disabled NSW Championships.

“I was supposed to compete with another horse, but we had an accident and missed out on the qualifiers with him. I needed a horse to fill in the gaps and Vegas Vic was the answer.”

And the duo soared, taking home lots of ribbons.

“Everyone thought I was crazy. We made such a good connection to be able to do what we have done in the past two weeks,” Simone recalled.

With their success fast-tracked, Simone and Vegas Vic set their sights on the upcoming Equimillion competition.

“We are also attempting to qualify for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics which is a long process but that is where we are heading,” Simone concluded.

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