No grey area for Geneva Searle’s QOTT Showjumping goals

By Andrew Smith

She is the former racehorse who would fall asleep in the barriers before the jump, but Grey Opinion is certainly not dozing off in her post-racing career in showjumping.

The former galloper and rider Geneva Searle will be alert and awake in this month’s Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Program Showjumping Showcase at the Royal Queensland Show.

One of the nation’s most lucrative showjumping events for retired racehorses, the event returns to the Ekka on Sunday, August 9 and Monday, August 10, as part of the showjumping competition schedule.

Eighteen-year-old Geneva and Grey Opinion will line up on the Sunday in the 1.05m class, a category the duo have competed in over the last two years.

While they have not enjoyed top-level success in that arena so far, the pair have been in the money in eventing since the horse the family calls “Penny” returned to their Kilcoy property in 2020.

Geneva’s grandfather – former Kilcoy Race Club president Conway Searle - bred the thoroughbred by Legal Opinion from Madison M’Lassie.

Racing 23 times, the grey mare’s only win was under trainer Bill Baker at Ipswich in March 2016, before being retired in September of that year.

Geneva’s mother Monique explained how Grey Opinion’s nature had made her perfect for a post-racing life.

“She used to fall asleep in the barriers, which was a good sign for us for retraining,” Monique explained.

“It means that she was very quiet, so that's why she came home, and we thought she was perfect for retraining, eventing and showjumping.

“When she first came home, we gave her a few weeks off, and then we put her on the lunge to see if she could jump, and she wasn't very good at jumping to start with, and then we worked out that she needed shoes and pads.

“I took her to Tamworth for her first competition after six weeks of training, and from then on she hasn't looked back.

“She became a keeper on the truck and always came home with the money every event we took her to.”

The then-14-year-old Geneva and Grey Opinion enjoyed instant success in 2021, winning the Equestrian Queensland EvA80, Lowest Accrued Penalties for a Junior Rider and Eventing Queensland Encouragement Award.

The pair also took out the Queensland Junior EvA95 Rider and Horse of the Year in 2022, and have represented and captained Queensland at the Interschool National Championships.

Geneva was glowing in her praise for the 14-year-old mare’s competitive spirit and cheeky nature.

“She's won at States, she's placed at Nationals, she's constantly winning in eventing or just placing, so I don't think I can count how many times she's been incredible for me,” Geneva said.

“Everyone knows her as the cranky mare, and you don't really want to be stabled next to her, she's not a big fan of other horses, but she's really a sweetheart.

“She loves kisses, she loves her treats, and she loves pats on her face - last time we went to the Ekka we had kids swarming around her.

“She's been known in our family as an escape artist, she's gotten out of her stable a couple of times, and she's raided $100 worth of treats that she ate in one day.

“But we always just come out laughing because it's just Penny, it’s just her.

“Growing up and learning to ride on her, I would put her in terrible spots to fences, and she would just keep going and keep trying for me, so I couldn't ask for a better horse.”

The duo have been enjoying some solid form heading into the Ekka competition, picking up a placing at the recent Festival of Showjumping in Caboolture and earning a reserve spot for the 2027 Magic Millions QOTT Cup Final.

At the 2024 Ekka, they finished 10th in the 1.05m class, and 15^th in the 2025 event.

Geneva said their recent form and the thoroughbred’s relaxed attitude had her confident of improving their finishing position in 2026.

“The atmosphere is quite big, and for her to just go in and be blasé, and not caring about the show rings on one side of her and the rides on the other side, she was still incredible,” Geneva said.

“I’d probably say my first year competing at the Ekka was better than my time last year - I came straight from an eventing competition, so probably didn't give her the best lead-up to it.

“But she still tried her heart out for me, and I just messed up a line into one of the fences, and she just had a rail down.

“She still placed in the top half, and I was still so incredibly happy for her.

“I guess everyone hopes for a clear round and a place - I just want to go and try my best, and whatever she does, I'll be happy with it.”

Once again, $50,000 in prize money will be up for grabs in the 1.20m class in this year’s QOTT Program Showjumping Showcase.

The 1.05m class will see an additional $25,000 available, with both categories paying down to 30th place.

Geneva said the events were an important way to showcase the versatility of retired racehorses to the general public, with crowds packing out the Main Arena for the competition.

“The Ekka is a staple for Queensland, and racing is one of Queensland’s biggest livelihoods, and to see that the horses have a life after racing is phenomenal,” Geneva said.

“This event just shows that retired racehorses can put on a good showjumping competition, and you don't need the expensive warmbloods to still compete and do well, and it’s a fun time to watch.

“There's still stereotypes of how off-the-tracks are difficult, and they don't make the best showjumpers.

“But just having these classes where they can show and perform - without being against the horses that are purposely bred for it - just shows that they can do more than just race.

“Penny has been a much better showjumper and eventer than she was as a racehorse, and putting the money into it and into retraining these OTT horses has helped so many of them have a new life after racing.”

They will be up against some stiff competition with last year’s winner of the QOTT Showjumping Showcase 1.05m class, Hugh Buchanan and It’s Bandito, again entered for the event.

2025 winner Koko Story will line up in the 1.20m class with Olivia Hewitt-Toms in the saddle, along with 2024 champion Makaylah Fenwick who will compete with recent Magic Millions QOTT Cup Final qualifying victor The Garret.

“It’s definitely very good for the sport, for Racing Queensland and for off-the-track horses,” Monique said.

“There's a lot of off-the-track events now, and we always have Penny on the truck for those classes because they allow us to compete on an even playing field.

“Thoroughbreds obviously aren't bred to jump, it’s not their first breeding purpose, so for them to come back and be able to compete against each other, I think that is definitely a plus for racing and the thoroughbreds for their future.”

The QOTT Program Showjumping Showcase will commence at 2pm on Sunday, August 9 in the Main Arena.

Click here to view the RNA competition schedules.

Click here for more information on the QOTT Program.