Olympic rider Amanda Ross partners with four-time G1 winner Cascadian
In an exciting new chapter, former Olympic equestrienne and current Victoria Racing Club ambassador Amanda Ross has been chosen to partner with Cascadian (GB), the recently retired Godolphin champion, as he steps into this next phase of his life as a Flagbearer for the Godolphin Lifetime Care (GLC) program.
Cascadian proudly joins the ranks of other GLC Flagbearers like Kementari, Hartnell and Trekking, capping off his remarkable racing career with an impressive record of 12 wins, 15 placings and four Group One victories.
Much like Cascadian, Amanda Ross boasts a distinguished career in equestrian sports. She represented Australia at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, riding the off-the-track thoroughbred Otto Schumacher in eventing. Her dedication to the sport didn’t stop there; she was also shortlisted for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 on yet another off-the-track thoroughbred, solidifying her status as one of Australian’s most recognised equestrian riders.
Reflecting on her partnership with Cascadian, Amanda shares, “He’s actually blown my expectations out of the water. It’s quite phenomenal when I start listing all the things he can do.” She describes their collaboration as “like working with a professional from another industry. I feel like he knows a lot and I don’t have to explain much. Once he gets it, he’s very professional.”
Amanda’s training approach with Cascadian is holistic, focusing on teaching him how to bend, be flexible and use his body effectively for dressage, show jumping and eventing. “I’m giving him experiences outside the arena, such as trail riding, opening gates and doing pole work and we’ll progress to jumping soon. I want him to express what he enjoys and where his strengths lie, so I’m really excited.”
As a Flagbearer for the Godolphin Lifetime Care program, Cascadian will play a vital role in raising awareness, passion and care for the thoroughbred breed while supporting Godolphin-owned horses as they transition from racing to their post-racing career.
Godolphin Australia Bloodstock Manager Jason Walsh expresses his enthusiasm for Cascadian’s future, stating, “We take pride in showcasing the versatility of thoroughbreds and I can’t think of a better example than Cascadian. He’s the kind of rare animal that whatever he turns his hand to, he will be a success.”
This versatility is precisely what Amanda aims to highlight as she plans to compete Cascadian as an all-rounder in the RV Off The Track (OTT) Series. She’ll delve into disciplines such as showing, dressage and show jumping with the potential for eventing based on his ability.
Together, Amanda and Cascadian are embarking on an exciting journey that emphasises the deep connection between thoroughbred and rider while showcasing the remarkable potential of thoroughbreds in their post-racing careers.
