Off-the-track Thoroughbred In The Fast Lane is “a legend in many circles”. From his 46-start race career in South Australia with Kerrie Van Tijn, to his new life on the Victorian riding club circuit with Sue Johnston, ‘Rocket’ has captured many hearts.
It’s no surprise that Sue Johnston’s equine partner is an off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTT). Her family had racehorses and her husband is currently a trainer, so she has always had Thoroughbreds throughout her life and has long been a fan of the breed. “I have mainly had and ridden Thoroughbreds for pleasure and in HRCAV competitions, and am a huge fan of their versatility, athleticism, and willing attitude to equestrian pursuits and disciplines,” she says.
Sue and Rocket have been competing together for two and a half years, building a strong bond that has seen them excel in a wide range of HRCAV disciplines, including navigation rides, showing, three-phase working equitation and dressage. “Rocket is so kind and willing, he’ll try anything,” says Sue of the horse she refers to as “Mr Reliable”.
A VERSATILE THOROUGHBRED
Rocket’s introduction to competition in 2022 was via navigation rides – a discipline in which teams of two riders complete a fixed route of 15-25 kilometres, often through bush trails.
Sue has long competed in the discipline with all her horses, as it gives them great exposure to different environments and is a good way to get to know them and build trust. It was a beneficial introduction to HRCAV competition life for Rocket, and following his first season he was the top-ranked HRCAV navigation ride horse based on points accumulated from competitions throughout the year.
Sue and Rocket completed their first dressage test in March 2022, and since then have been steadily working their way through the grades. Last year they worked hard at the discipline with wins and placings and reached HRCAV Level 2. “Rocket has had stunning movement from the start, but he needed to build his strength up – and also had to learn how to slow down!” laughs Sue.
The pair have enjoyed the new HRCAV sport of Three-Phase Working Equitation, which involves dressage, an obstacle course marked on style, and then a timed obstacle course. “He loves the phase against the clock!” notes Sue, adding that Rocket’s only drawback is being 17 hands and very leggy. “It’s hard to reach when you’re opening and closing gates or picking up flags!” she laughs.
While Sue doesn’t consider herself a “showy”, she’s enjoyed taking Rocket to shows and says that with his movement and looks, he’s a natural show horse. Outside of the HRCAV arena, the dynamic duo has also camped in the high country and worked with cattle, both of which Rocket took in his stride. There’s no doubt he exemplifies the versatility of the Thoroughbred.
In 2023, Rocket’s success and versatility was recognised when he was named Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria (HRCAV) Off The Track Horse of the Year. “He’s a bit of a legend in many circles – one of those now being HRCAV!” says Sue of her equine partner, adding that just recently he received another HRCAV Best Performed OTT award.
At just 11 years old, Rocket has many years of riding ahead of him and beyond that, a forever home in his retirement with Sue.
As for their future goals, Sue is keen to focus on the dressage and progress through the levels. “I’ve ridden all my life, but I’m learning this dressage stuff later in life… and I’m having a lot of fun with it. I think Rocket will go quite far.” With para dressage rider Dianne Barnes – who represented Australia at the 2022 World Equestrian Games – as their coach, they certainly have the right eyes on the ground to help them succeed.
BEGAN WITH A PHONE CALL
The circumstances that led to Sue and Rocket’s special partnership has made the success they’ve shared together all the more meaningful.
Sue was in ICU and already had three horses in her paddock when she received a call asking whether she could look after her friend’s heart horse. Kerrie Van Tijn was a South Australian racehorse trainer who’d just received a dream job offer in New South Wales and, unable to take Rocket with her, she wondered whether Sue would consider him as her next riding horse.
Rocket and Kerrie had a long-standing partnership. Kerrie purchased the striking bay at the yearling sales, and he had spent his entire racing career with her. Racing as In The Fast Lane (by Good Journey), Rocket had 46 starts for eight wins and 13 placings, and raced until he was eight. In fact, when Kerrie called Sue, he’d raced and placed the previous week – but that would turn out to be his final start.
A beloved part of Kerrie’s family, she almost turned down her dream job at the thought of parting with Rocket. There was no thought given to the possibility of continuing his racing career with another trainer; only the perfect home with long-time family friend Sue would be an acceptable outcome.
“He arrived early 2021 very fit and all muscle, making his 17hh frame and long legs look even taller,” recalls Sue of the horse’s arrival. Rocket settled in quickly, and Sue says she soon realised why Kerrie was so fond of him. “He had a wonderful nature, and his personality and expressions were notable.”
Not able to walk initially following her stint in ICU, Sue gave Rocket some downtime in the paddock and then once she was back on her feet, she began bringing him in daily to establish a routine.
“I increased his feed for some weight gain, then a bit of lungeing and the next thing I knew, I was riding him on the arena. He was such a remarkable mover with lovely natural paces, even though he had no idea where, or how, to put down those long legs,” she laughs.
As part of his race training, Kerrie had taken Rocket to the beach and out trail riding, so he’d had a great education. “It really helps when trainers do a lot with them; it helps them with racing as they are not so burnt out mentally, and then it also helps in their second careers,” explains Sue.
Just as the pair were starting to trust each other, Sue had another unfortunate ICU stay. Luckily Kerrie’s daughter, Lauren, worked nearby in the racing industry and was able to continue Rocket’s re-education until Sue could retake the reins.
KERRIE’S LEGACY
“Kerrie’s ever-present smile
and positive attitude will
always be looking over
whatever Rocket and I do.”
Back in the saddle, Sue and Rocket’s competition career had just gotten underway on the HRCAV navigation ride circuit in 2022 when tragedy struck. Involved in a vehicle accident, Kerrie Van Tijn sadly passed away – far too young, and with so much left to offer this world.
Her memorial was held at Morphettville Racecourse where Rocket won many of his races, and the big screens at the winning post were filled with photos of Kerrie and her beloved horse. “Kerrie’s ever-present smile and positive attitude will always be looking over whatever Rocket and I do, and I will never forget the circumstances that led to him becoming part of my life,” says Sue.
Today, Kerrie’s mother Jenny is Rocket’s number one fan, while her daughter Lauren is a firm part of the horse’s expanding fan club. Kerrie would no doubt have been proud to see how Sue and Rocket have progressed together in recent times, and their successes in the competition arena are testament to not only Sue’s training – but also the wonderful foundations that Kerrie bestowed on Rocket during his career on the track. EQ
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