Texas Champions Honored With Video

The Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) has released a video honoring its 2020 Texas Champion racehorses as well as its human award winners. Under normal circumstances, an in-person awards ceremony would be held, but the continuing COVID-19 pandemic forced officials to cancel those plans.

“While we are disappointed in not having an awards ceremony this year, we are proud of the accomplishments of Texas-breds and Texas horsemen last year, and we are pleased to honor them with this video,” said Mary Ruyle, executive director of the TTA. “Congratulations go out to all the award winners.”

In addition to the equine honorees, businessman and philanthropist Jim 'Mattress Mack' McIngvale and Joe Straus, Jr., the co-founder of Retama Park in San Antonio, were presented with the T.I. 'Pops' Harkins Award for lifetime achievement.

The Allen Bogan Memorial Award for TTA member of the year was awarded to Bill Tracy, currently the farm manager at Eureka Thoroughbred Farm in Fredericksburg, TX, and to publicist Martha Claussen.

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New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show Raises $150,000

After an uncertain, challenging and virtual 2020, the New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show, Presented by Iris Smith Stables, LLC, returned to an in-person competition and raised a record-breaking $150,000 in sponsorships. All proceeds from the event will go directly to support New Vocations' efforts to rehab, retrain and rehome retiring racehorses.

The 18th annual show—held for the first time at Highfields Event Center, in Aiken, SC, Sept. 3-5—was an exciting and successful return to live events for New Vocations after a quiet past 18 months due to COVID-19. The competition brought together nearly 100 Thoroughbreds from 10 different states to compete in a variety of disciplines including dressage, hunter, jumper, Western and pleasure classes.

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“We were thrilled that we were able to far surpass our goal of raising $100,000 through the support of our generous long-term and new sponsors,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations Thoroughbred Program Director. “The new venue meant that we were able to put on a more intimate event, which allowed exhibitors extra opportunities to connect and share their love for Thoroughbreds. It was so rewarding to look across four competition arenas full of horses knowing that while they have rich racing bloodlines and histories, they now have new skills, new careers, and new purposes.”

Show highlights included:

  • Winner of the War Horse W/T/C was Bail Bondsman, shown by Karen Morgan. Bail Bondsman, a 2009 Kentucky-bred gelding by Bellamy Road, raced 44 times and earned $106,499
  • Winner of the Open Hunter Derby was Blame it on Texas, shown by Elisabeth Demars. Blame it on Texas, a 2012 Kentucky-bred gelding by Blame, raced 12 times and earned $12,788
  • Winner of the Open Jumper Stake was Ballerino, shown by Susan Sisco. Ballerino, a 2008 Florida-bred gelding by Lido Place (CHI), raced 15 times and earned $38,709
  • Winner of the Dressage High Score was Big Iron, shown by junior rider Mayela Salazar. Big Iron, a 2015 son of Caleb's Posse, raced 29 times and earned $65,281

At the show's inaugural exhibitor party, New Vocations also handed out several special awards recognizing:

  • The Thoroughbred that earned the most money racing: Two Notch Road, $536,193
  • The most recently raced Thoroughbred: Jammin Jamie, 6/28/2021
  • The Thoroughbred with the most starts: Mind Magic, 58 starts
  • The youngest Thoroughbred competing: Jammin Jamie, 2/20/2018
  • The oldest Thoroughbred competing: Bold Estela, 3/22/1994
  • The Thoroughbred sold for the highest auction price: Ditka, $500,000

The groups that traveled the farthest to compete: horses and riders from Sugar Creek Equinapy, in Harrisonville, MO, and North Country Horses, in Gansevoort, NY, hauled 974 miles and 956 miles, respectively.

“We were so glad to, once again, be able to celebrate the Thoroughbred with a weekend full of competition, fun and horses,” Ford said. “We're excited to get started on plans for what we hope can be an even better 2022 event.”

Read more here.

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Generazios, Bongard, Cannizzo To Be Honored By NYTB

Prominent regional owner/breeders Patricia and the late Frank Generazio and the recently deceased Ellen Bongard will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in the New York-bred program, officials at the New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) announced Monday. Former NYTB Executive Director Jeffrey Cannizzo will also receive a special award for his exemplary service to the organization.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors, we are proud to honor each of these noteworthy individuals for their contributions and service to the New York racing and breeding industry,” said NYTB President Tom Gallo. “Each one of them has made significant efforts as owners, breeders and administratively helping to make New York the best and most lucrative state-bred program in the country.”

The honorees will be recognized at the NYTB's annual awards event, to be held virtually Monday, Apr. 5, at www.NYTBAwards.com. New York-bred divisional champion and the state-bred Horse of the Year will also be announced at the ceremonies.

Patricia and Frank Generazio, who passed away at the age of 91 last November, have campaigned the likes of Disco Partner, Discreet Marq, Pure Sensation and Presious Passion, to name a few of their standouts.

“We've always been big supporters of the New York-bred program and will continue to breed in New York year-round,” said Patricia Generazio. “Frank always selected our breedings, and he loved the New York-bred program. I'm very thankful and appreciative to receive this award on behalf of both of us. His loss still hurts and our stable will be reduced substantially, but we already have many Disco Partner babies and we will continue to have a presence in New York.”

Disco Partner stands at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, NY.

Bongard, who died last December at the age of 77, was the daughter of the late attorney Bertram F. Bongard, who played a key role in the formation of the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Bongard and her sister Barbara owned Rojan Farms in Pine Plains, NY, before moving to Northumberland near Saratoga Springs.

“She would definitely appreciate this,” said Barbara Bongard. “She's certainly done a lot for the New York-bred program. I like to say our father started our family's influential success in the industry and Ellen took the reins and continued on. We're thankful she's receiving this recognition.”

Cannizzo served as the NYTB executive director for nearly 13 years before leaving that position to join the New York Racing Association.

“New York's breeding industry has flourished in recent times and I feel very fortunate to have played a small role in that success story,” said Cannizzo. “I'd like to thank the NYTB Board of Directors for their commitment to those working every single day on the 250 farms throughout New York. The success of the state-bred program comes with the tireless efforts of so many stakeholders.”

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Nominations Open For The Right Horse Initiative’s Good People For Good Horses Awards

The Right Horse Initiative strongly believes that great work deserves to be recognized and celebrated. From the veterinarians, farriers, volunteers and trainers to the incredible storytellers who help spread the word about equine adoption, it takes a network of support to help each horse find a wonderful home. The second annual Good People for Good Horses Awards will recognize these hardworking members of the equine community who dedicate their time and talents to helping horses in transition.

“The Good People for Good Horses Awards is an opportunity to acknowledge those working tirelessly to care for horses in need and help them find loving homes,” said Christie Schulte Kappert, Program Director of The Right Horse Initiative. “We look forward to celebrating the unwavering dedication of these individuals across the country who, despite a challenging year, continue to step up for horses in transition.”

The Right Horse Initiative invites all members of the horse community to nominate one or more U.S.-based individuals or organizations in the following six categories for a Good People for Good Horses Award:

  • Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician*
  • Trainer
  • Volunteer
  • Farrier
  • Community Partner (such as a riding club, event center, boarding barn, etc.)
  • Wild Card (anyone else—such as member of the media, photographer, advocate, social media influencer, fundraiser or staff member)

*A total of three awards will be given in the Veterinarian/Veterinary Technician category based on geographical location in Western, Central and Eastern regions of the United States.

A committee of reviewers from The Right Horse Initiative will review submissions and recommend winners based on subjective criteria.  Awards will be given based upon the nominee's contributions to equine adoption efforts and the success and impact of the organization they serve. Nominations are due no later than December 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST with winners announced the week of January 25, 2021.

earn more and submit your nominations here.

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