What is HERO?

Harness Education & Rehoming Opportunities (HERO) is a rehoming and re-educating programme designed to showcase the standardbred breed to the wider equine industry.

HERO is established in Canterbury, Southland, and the northern region.

HERO was initially launched in Australia in July 2015 as a joint initiative of Harness Racing Victoria and the State Government via the Victorian Racing Industry Fund. HERO promotes life after racing options for retired Standardbreds, with an emphasis on developing positive pathways for horses exiting the competitive environment and encouraging industry participants to factor retirement into their day-to-day welfare programmes.

Horses are selected for HERO based on age, temperament, conformation, and soundness. These horses are then placed with a HERO educator. They will begin the process of a thorough education including ground and ridden work. HERO horses will be schooled to a high level and will be participating in a range of different disciplines to highlight their versatility.

Upon completion of their education the HERO horse will then be offered for sale with all proceeds returning to the HERO programme.

We are a part of a fantastic industry where life after racing is a priority. We have many current re-homers doing a brilliant job with our off the track racehorses. Our aim at HERO is to raise awareness of the unharnessed potential of the standardbred horse as both a pleasure and competitive mount. Horses entered in the HERO programme will be deregistered from racing and registered as a hack only.