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Old Friends Celebrates Stakes Named For Catlaunch, ‘The Pride Of Ohio Racing’

On Sept. 24, Thistledown will host the sixth running of the $75,000 Catlaunch Stakes, a 1-1/16-mile race on the dirt for Thoroughbreds 3-years-old and up for accredited Ohio foals. The contest is scheduled as the seventh race on the card with a 3:50 post time.

Without question, Catlaunch was a fan favorite at Ohio racetracks when he competed, and, as stated on the Old Friends website, he was “the pride of Ohio racing.”

In his career Catlaunch ran in 108 races, with 106 of them at three main Ohio racetracks: Beulah, Thistledown, and River Downs (now Belterra Park). In those 106 races in Ohio, he won 40 times, finished second 22 times, third 15 times, and earned $1,122,309. In addition, he was also a versatile horse, as he won at distances from six furlongs to 1-1/4 miles.

In his 11-year racing career, Catlaunch earned numerous season-ending Ohio Awards. He was a three-time Ohio Horse of the Year (2008, 2010, and 2011), five-time Ohio Champion Handicap Champion (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011), four-time Ohio Accredited Male Champion (2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011), and Champion Sprinter (2011).

Catlaunch was retired after his final race on Sept. 8. 2013, and arrived at Old Friends in January of 2014. He enjoyed more than four years of retirement at Old Friends before he was euthanized on May 4, 2018 due to chronic neurologic disease.

The post Old Friends Celebrates Stakes Named For Catlaunch, ‘The Pride Of Ohio Racing’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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EQUUS Foundation Awards Over $500,000 In Grants In 2020

The EQUUS Foundation announced today the award of over $500,000 in grants, including awards of new and gently used riding apparel, valued at $240,000, to individual riders in need, scholastic riding programs, pony clubs, equestrian camp programs and equine charities through The Rider's Closet program.

Primary support is awarded to equine charities nationwide that save and re-home increasing numbers of horses from abuse, neglect, and slaughter and charities that partner with horses to improve the well-being of people through the Foundation's Transparency Awards program. The EQUUS Foundation awarded small grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to 160 charities that earned the EQUUS Foundation Guardian Seal of Transparency by completing the EQUUS Foundation's comprehensive and unique verification process.

EQUUS Foundation Horse Whisperers are a select group of donors who have an extraordinary kinship with horses. The EQUUS Foundation Board of Directors selects those charities from among the grant recipients that best align with the interests of the Horse Whisperers to be recognized with a Horse Whisperer Award.

2019 EQUUS Foundation Grant Awards

“Through engaging passionate supporters, collaboration, and maximizing the talents of equine charities nationwide, we will be able to ensure a humane and sustainable environment for America's horses now and in the future,” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.

Horse Whisperer Perpetual Awards

Michele E. Arnhold Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2008 by the family of Michele E. Arnhold in memory of her life-long passion, her pursuit of excellence, and her commitment and contribution to the equestrian sport.
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Old Lyme, CT

Daniel D. Barkan Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2013 by the family of Daniel D. Barkan, a quiet philanthropist and gentleman, in memory of his life-long love of horses.
Brook Hill Farm, Forest, VA

Horse Whisperer Annual Awards

Emma and Georgina Bloomberg Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2019 in honor of Emma and Georgina Bloomberg.
Omega Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Airville, PA

Gore Family Memorial Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2020 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of the Gore Family's commitment to equine rescue and equine assisted activities and therapies.
Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Inc., Dover Plains, NY
Saving Horses, Inc., Encinitas, CA

Jackson Family Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2020 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of the Jackson Family's commitment to horse welfare.
Gerda's Equine Rescue, Inc., West Townshend, VT
The Equus Effect, Sharon, CT

Mighty Nice Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2018 by Caroline Moran in recognition of 2017 Horse Stars Hall of Fame Inductee Mighty Nice owned by HnD Group, which was formed in memory of the late Bruce Duchossois, who owned Mighty Nice before his passing in 2014.
Secretariat Center, Lexington, KY

Newstead Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2019 by the EQUUS Foundation in recognition of the long-standing dedication of the Newstead Foundation and the Firestone Family to safeguarding of comfort and dignity of horses throughout their lives.
Project Horse Empowerment Center, Great Falls, VA
Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center, Aldie, VA

Richard L. Parish Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2014 by the family of Richard L. Parish in recognition of his leadership and dedication for over 45 years to the causes supported by the Richard Laurence Parish Foundation.
Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding, John's Island, SC
Green Chimneys Children's Services, Brewster, NY
Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement, Salem, CT

Lafitte De Muze Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2018 by Cheryl Olsten in the name of her horse, Lafitte De Muze, to protect America's horses at risk for abuse and neglect, and to inspire others who experience the joy of horses to help ensure that all horses live in comfort and with dignity throughout their lives.
Colorado Horse Rescue, Longmont, CO
This Old Horse, Inc., Hastings, MN

Split Rock Farm/Bobbie & Derek Braun Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2020 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of dedication of the Braun Family and Split Rock Farm to powerful impact of horses in our lives.
Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc., Petaluma, CA

Weisberg Family Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2018 by the Weisberg Family Foundation, a private philanthropic organization with a passion for serving horses, children and veterans.
Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, Inc (SMART), Bradenton, FL
Horsepower, Inc., High Point, NC

Grant recipients from the last three years can be viewed here.

Relationship Building Key To Second Stride Success

Kim Smith founded Second Stride, Inc., in 2005 to assist horses and people involved in Thoroughbred racing by capitalizing on her vast network of people involved in the industry. The program, which adopts out retired racehorses into second careers, is based out of Moserwood Farm in Crestwood, KY. The program typically has between 15 and 20 horses in its care at one time, reports the Daily Racing Form.

Smith works diligently to make placing horses in the program as easy as possible. Owners retiring horses to the program need not complete the transfer paperwork themselves; the program also takes horses in on very short notice and there is no mandatory monetary donation for horses entering the program, though most owners and trainers will offer one, Smith says.

The goal is to make it easy for those in the industry to do the right thing—and to help as many horses as possible. Smith is very focused on relationship building, knowing that if she takes on a horse that requires extensive rehabilitation, down the road, that same owner may also offer her a sound horse that is retiring that needs no rehab.

Horses accepted into Second Stride need not be recently retired, either; the program accepts broodmares as well as stallions, which are gelded upon entering the program. Assisted by many volunteers, horses are typically adopted quickly; the program has rehomed over 1,000 horses since its inception, placing them in homes all over the country and in a variety of disciplines.

With the increase in Thoroughbred-specific shows and events like the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover, many horses retiring sound are being sold privately. Smith said she wishes more owners and trainers would consider donating their sound horses to nonprofit aftercare organizations. Sound horses can be adopted out for a higher fee than those horses with limited second career options, helping fund the horses that need longer-term care or more rehabilitation before they are rideable and able to be adopted out, she notes,

For more information about Second Stride, Inc., click here.

Auburn University Faculty Clinician Selected As AAEP’s My Vet Rocks Recipient For August

Alfredo Sanchez-Londoño, DVM, MS, DACVIM, associate clinical professor, equine field service, at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in Auburn, AL, has been selected as the August honoree of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) My Vet Rocks Contest, which celebrates the important relationship between veterinarian, owner and horse.

Dr. Sanchez-Londoño was among dozens of AAEP-member veterinarians nominated by horse owners for the award during August. Also recognized for their exemplary care were runners-up Dr. Lynn Gomes-Berkelaar, owner of Performance Equine Veterinary Services in Holly Springs, NC, and Dr. Anne Christopherson, owner of Western Skies Veterinary Services in Morriston, FL.

As co-supervisor of the equine field service, Dr. Sanchez-Londoño works with veterinary students to provide on-the-farm primary and emergency care within a 35-mile radius of the university's J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Universidad de La Salle in Bogata, Colombia, and joined Auburn in April 2019 after 14 years in a similar capacity at Tufts University in Connecticut.

Nominators praised Dr. Sanchez-Londoño's clinical proficiency, communication skills and deep-seated commitment to owner and student education. According to nominator Donna Tommelleo, “His approach to horses, horse owners and all things equine is rooted in constant learning, teaching and compassion. … He is ever the teacher and, just as important, ever the student, always in tune with the latest research and best practice. As a horse owner, you know Alfredo's approach is at the forefront of what's new, what's next and what's best.”

Holly Whitney added, “To say that he always makes himself available to his clients is an understatement. Even if he was not on call, he would still call to speak with me and the veterinarian on duty. Then he would have me send him pictures or videos. … He also created a program in which area farms hosted veterinary students for a weekend to introduce them to species with which they have had little to no previous exposure hoping to someday inspire the next great equine veterinarian.”

“I'm very honored that my clients thought that I provided good service to them and that they decided to nominate me,” said Dr. Sanchez-Londoño. “Although I left Connecticut about 18 months ago, my clients from up there still call and keep me updated on their horses. I enjoy staying in touch with them and appreciate their recognition for this award.”

Dr. Sanchez-Londoño received a prize package from the AAEP and contest sponsor American Regent Animal Health, manufacturer of Adequan i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan). In addition, he is now eligible to win the contest's grand prize, which will be announced later this year in conjunction with the AAEP's Virtual Convention & Trade Show. The grand-prize winner will be selected from the winning entries from each month of the contest, which ran from June through August.