This week, I received an interesting news release that I would like to share with you regarding a brand new organization called the Thoroughbred Horse Show Association. I have also included information about three upcoming retired Thoroughbred charity events, so be sure to check them out!
As always, I welcome any thoughts you may have about this post. Also, remember to email me any future “Beyond the Blinkers” story ideas you might have. Thanks!
A group of Central Kentuckians interested in creating opportunities to showcase the talent and competitive spirit of Thoroughbreds off the racetrack has created the Thoroughbred Horse Show Association. The association is working to develop shows exclusively for Thoroughbreds to give them valuable show experience while helping rescue organizations place Thoroughbreds in new homes. THSA members will be able to follow these horses in the shows because the horses must be entered using their registered names with The Jockey Club.
![]()
.jpg)
“Adopting Thoroughbreds after they race is a significant issue and will become even more important if race-day medication is ended and additional racehorses need to find second careers,” said THSA founder Jan Roehl of Lexington in a statement. “Our logo of a horse jumping out of a paddock symbolizes these horses are not ready to retire.”
Shows are geared for Thoroughbreds just starting their show careers with entry-level divisions in multiple disciplines, including dressage, combined training, hunter/jumper, suitability for hunting and competitive trail riding. THSA already has scheduled shows in 2012 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington for Oct. 6-7 and April 14-15 and is working with rescue organizations and others to hold additional shows next year.
“Thoroughbreds off the track make very talented show horses, but they first need experience to develop their abilities and be seen by trainers who can take them to the next level,” said Roehl, who has spent much of her life working with Thoroughbreds in the show ring and on the racetrack.
Because Thoroughbreds that compete in THSA or affiliated shows must be entered using their registered name with The Jockey Club, THSA members will be able to follow the second careers of horses they admired at the racetrack with e-mail notifications.
“This is a great feature of THSA membership,” Roehl said. “Many of us would like to keep up with horses after their racing careers end and they become show horses. More often than not, Thoroughbreds off the track don't show under their registered names, so there hasn't been an easy way to follow them.”
.jpg)
THSA founder Jan Roehl
Roehl said THSA is a membership-driven community designed to connect Thoroughbred owners to a large group of like-minded people who care about the future of these horses. The association's annual membership of $300 will finance shows and promote Thoroughbred adoption. THSA has launched a website at http://tbhorseshow.org where people may learn more and join the association.
Joining Roehl in THSA is John “Pray” Prather, a veteran event coordinator and manager. Prather is a board member for Equestrian Events Inc., the governing body of the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, and is on the board of Blue Grass Farms Charities. He was the main stadium manager at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Upcoming events:
-
Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY has partnered with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Lexington’s Nick Ryan’s Saloon to proudly present “Hall of Fame Day at Old Friends” on Monday, Oct. 17.
The event will kick off at 3pm at Old Friends, 1841 Paynes Depot Road in Georgetown, with an observance for the three great Thoroughbred Champions who have been laid to rest at the farm’s official Hall of Fame Cemetery: Skip Away, Noor, and Precisionist.
The afternoon will be highlighted by tours of the farm and visits with many of the stars of the turf now retired at Old Friends.
Hall of Fame Day continues with an evening soiree (6 p.m.) at Nick Ryan’s Saloon, located at 157 West Jefferson Street in Lexington.
Tickets to Nick Ryan’s are $50 and include a BBQ buffet, drinks, live music, and many special guests; reservations can be made by calling (502) 863-1775.
The event will feature the following:
• $1,000 Stakes Class sponsored by: A. Condurso & P. DiCosmo
• Thoroughbreds competing in more than 36 classes
• Meet/greet a ReRun resident
• Equine products
• Tasty eats and treats
• Boutique shops
• Arts /crafts/ jewelry/books
• Pumpkin carving
• Cider stand
• Free kids crafts and tattoo’s
• Raffles and Prizes
• Pet supplies and K-9 Adoptions
For more information about this event contact:
General questions--Laurie Lane 732-521-1370
rerunnj@comcast.net
Dressage—Suzanne Deforne 732—586-7677
qzee30@hotmail.com
Sponsorship & vendor--Tatiana Verenicin-Chan 609-977-3409 tatiana333@optimum.net
Find ReRun on the web at www.rerun.org
-
Also taking place on Sunday, Oct. 23 will be After the Finish Line’s sixth annual “
Race for the Rescues”(
www.racefortherescues.org). The road race and fun walk event will be held at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. The organization’s goal is to raise $15,000 to help support Thoroughbred horses that are no longer able to race or breed.
To make a tax-deductible donation to sponsor After the Finish Line president/founder Dawen Mellen online:
1. Go to www.racefortherescues.org
2. Click on Sponsor Participant
3. Type in DAWN MELLEN and hit search.
4. Click on DAWN MELLEN when it comes up. The rest is self-explanatory.
To make a tax-deductible donation to Mellen’s race use your Paypal account or mail your donation to:
After the Finish Line
10153 Riverside Drive, Ste. 397
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
How to join Mellen’s team, AFTER THE FINISH LINE:
1. Go to www.racefortherescues.org
2. Click on Register Here
3. Click I Agree
4. Click Join A Team then go to the box near the bottom that says “join an existing Team” scroll until the name AFTER THE FINISH LINE comes up and click on it. The rest is self-explanatory.
For additional information visit, visit www.afterthefinishline.org, www.therescuetrain.org and www.racefortherescues.org. View some of the once forgotten horses that were saved, rehabilitated, and are being cared for until they are adopted.
