This year’s Thoroughbreds For All event will once again host a presentation by The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) to recognize and award the riders who will be competing at Rolex on registered Thoroughbreds. The remainder of the evening will consist of educational and entertaining sessions about selecting and working with off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) in addition to a delicious Southern meal.
Other presenters at this year’s event include international high-performance dressage rider, trainer, coach and clinician Reese Koffler-Stanfield; world-class colt trainer and winner of both the 2014 Kentucky Reining Cup and the 2014 All-American Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Reining Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship; and Laine Ashker, a four-time competitor at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.
“For the fourth year in a row, T.I.P. will be presenting an award to the highest placing Thoroughbred at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event,” said Kristin Leshney, legal associate for The Jockey Club and coordinator of T.I.P. “Thoroughbreds For All gives us the opportunity to recognize all of the riders who have chosen to represent the versatile Thoroughbred at the highest level of equestrian competition.”
“New Vocations is thrilled to once again host this wonderful event that not only showcases the Thoroughbreds in our program but also promotes the retraining of these athletes into a variety of new careers,” said New Vocations Program Director Anna Ford. “We have a great evening planned with a diverse group of highly qualified riders who want to share their knowledge of working with Thoroughbreds.”
“The most exciting thing about the Rolex Three-Day Event for Thoroughbred lovers is that horses bred to race compete and win against horses bred for eventing,” said Retired Racehorse Project President Steuart Pittman. “Bringing the riders of these horses together with their fans and The Jockey Club is a great way to recognize their achievement. We truly do have the stars lined up for this year’s event.”
Last year’s event drew more than 600 people from more than 20 states. This year’s event aims to draw an even larger crowd. Sponsored by AmWest Entertainment, Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program and Wild Aire Farm, the evening festivities start at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24, in the covered arena at the New Vocations Facility at West Wind Farm, 4787 Haley Rd., Lexington, KY 40516.
All sessions will be moderated by Steuart Pittman and Anna Ford. The event will take place just 15 miles from the Kentucky Horse Park. Tickets are limited to 600 and are available for purchase online at https://eventbrite.com/event/15518199352 for $35 each. Proceeds from the event will benefit New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and Retired Racehorse Project. Both are 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program
Founded in 1992, New Vocations has become the largest racehorse adoption program in the country and has facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. The program’s mission is to rehab, retrain and rehome retired racehorses. In 2014, the program took in over 450 retired racehorses. Working directly with owners and trainers who need aftercare for horses leaving the track, the program currently receives horses from more than 30 racetracks. New Vocations has a sound adoption system that is proven to move a large number of horses in a relatively short period of time. The program focuses on adoption rather than retirement, believing that each horse deserves to have an individual home and purpose. For more information visit www.newvocations.org.
Retired Racehorse Project
Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) works to facilitate placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in the marketplace and inspiring an army of equestrians to provide the training that secures their futures. RRP programs include educational resources, programs at major horse expos, the Bloodline Brag, the Retired Racehorse Resource Directory, and current listings of some 200 horses available for sale or adoption. RRP’s Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park on October 23-25 will feature 300 horses being trained for up to nine months in 10 disciplines competing for a projected $100,000 in cash and prizes. For more information visit www.retiredracehorseproject.org.
The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms, among others. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com. Created and announced in October 2011, The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) recognizes and rewards the versatility of the Thoroughbred through sponsorship of Thoroughbred classes and high point awards at sanctioned horse shows, two annual awards and year end Performance Awards. In addition to the complete schedule of T.I.P.-sponsored shows, other information about the program is available on the T.I.P. website. Those interested in T.I.P. can follow the program at facebook.com/tjctip.
