Howell: The High Maintenance Moniker Is Unfair — And Untrue — For OTTBs

While off-track thoroughbreds (OTTBs) have gained increasing popularity among amateur and professional sport horse riders in recent years, there are still some who avoid them. Allison Howell, a 2016 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover competitor, writes in The Plaid Horse that one of the reasons is that people sometimes perceive the breed to be “high maintenance” which she finds unfair.

All performance horses are high maintenance, Howell says, but she notes that for OTTBs to have homes prepared for their needs and successful second careers, their owners must be honest about the horses themselves – including how they are both similar and dissimilar to other breeds. Retraining a retired racehorse can take a lot of time, effort and talent, but in many ways, they are just like every other breed of horse.

It's not unusual for upper-level athletes to have custom tack, long and involved grooming sessions, alternative therapy treatment and many other methods to keep them feeling their best. Few horses, no matter their breed or discipline, thrive in a heavy training program with just minimum care, Howell says – Thoroughbreds are not the anomaly in this respect.

Yes, it sometimes feels like a fresh off-the-track horse is a ticking time bomb between disasters … but truly: what horse isn't?” she writes. “If you think about all the people you know who have experienced heartache right before a show, clinic or big event, I think you'd find that it happens to every horseman, in every discipline, with every breed.”

Read more at The Plaid Horse.

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TAA Check Presentation From Tampa Bay Downs

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) supporter Tampa Bay Downs will promote aftercare awareness on the undercard of the final day of the Oldsmar, Florida-based race meet. Taking place Sunday, May 2, Race 6 will benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Following the running of the race, a check presentation will be made to the TAA and a TAA blanket and swag bag will go to the winning connections.

In Tampa Bay Downs' Race 6 presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, 10 maiden 3-year-olds are set to go 5 furlongs on the turf at 3:08 PM.

“Tampa Bay Downs is pleased to extend its support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and its ongoing efforts to find new homes and second careers for retired racehorses,” said Margo Flynn, the track's Vice President of Marketing & Publicity.

“The TAA is thrilled to be represented during the finale of Tampa Bay Down's race meet,” said TAA Marketing and Communications Manager Alexandra Kokka. “We're so grateful to have the support of Tampa Bay Downs and only wish we could be there in person to thank them for their donation.”

Out of the TAA's 81 accredited organizations, 14 facilities comprised of 10 organizations are located throughout Florida and work to assist Florida's horsemen. Tampa Bay Downs is committed to financially supporting OTTBs and the TAA.

Read more here.

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The Jockey Club’s T.I.P. Non-Competition Award Applications Now Available

Applications for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program's (T.I.P.'s) two annual awards, the Thoroughbred of the Year Award and the Young Rider of the Year Award, are now available online at tjctip.com. Applications are due June 30, 2021.

The T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award recognizes a Thoroughbred that has excelled in a non-competitive career, such as equine-assisted therapy or police work. The award includes a $5,000 grant to the non-profit organization associated with the horse or, if no organization is associated with the horse, to a horse-related charity chosen by The Jockey Club. To apply for the T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award, owners can apply at tjctip.com/About/TBNCA.

The T.I.P. Young Rider of the Year Award recognizes young riders, 18 or under as of January 1, 2021, who own or lease a Thoroughbred for use in 4-H, Pony Club or other activities. The winner(s) will be determined through an essay contest with a total award of $5,000 that can be applied to the college of their choice or to their participation in an event that furthers their involvement with horses. To apply for the Young Rider of the Year Award, riders should visit tjctip.com/About/TBYPRY.

Thoroughbreds registered with The Jockey Club are eligible for participation in both awards. Horse owners interested in participating in T.I.P. can find more information regarding eligibility and assistance with identification of Thoroughbreds at tjctip.com.

Created and announced in October 2011, T.I.P. recognizes and rewards the versatility of the Thoroughbred through sponsorship of Thoroughbred classes and high point awards at sanctioned horse shows, year-end performance awards, a recreational riding program, and non-competition awards. Additional information about T.I.P. is available at tjctip.com and on the T.I.P. Facebook page at facebook.com/tjctip.

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, directly or through subsidiaries, 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. It founded America's Best Racing (americasbestracing.net), the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing, and in partnership with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, operates OwnerView (ownerview.com), the ownership resource. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.

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Secretariat Center Presents ‘Movie Night Under The Stars’ On June 12

The Secretariat Center is excited to announce its first ever “Movie Night Under the Stars” featuring the movie, Secretariat. Movie night will be located on the front lawn of The Secretariat Center with a statue of the great racehorse in the center of the action. The event will feature free popcorn, family friendly fun, and various giveaways and drawings. Attendees can purchase dinner and dessert on site from local food trucks, an ice cream truck and a beer tent. Guests will have the unique experience of an outdoor movie on a real working horse farm, surrounded by retired racehorses on June 12, 2021, gates open at 6:30 pm.

Tickets will go on sale to the public on May 1st. In order to provide a socially distanced experience tickets are limited to 250 attendees. Tickets are $20 and kids under 10 years of age are $10. Get your tickets, grab a blanket, bring the family, and join us for a movie night under the stars. Sponsorships are available as well. Visit www.secretariatcenter.org for ticket sales and contact Shelley Mann at executivedirector@secretariatcenter.org for sponsorship opportunities.

Shelley Mann, the Secretariat Center's Executive Director, shared her excitement: “This event is a first for us and we hope to raise community awareness and support for the equine industry and aftercare efforts. The racehorse industry is a huge part of Lexington, and Kentucky as a whole. It is important to us to share with the community how these wonderful horses can be cared for and thrive after their racing career. This movie night will be a special, family-friendly event, to bring the community together safely, through horses. We are so excited to host this evening of fun and welcome people to our campus.”

The Secretariat Center was founded in 2004 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization to prepare off-track Thoroughbreds for happy, healthy, and successful post-track careers through rehabilitation and by giving them a broad-based foundation of skills to ensure a harmonious match with their adopters. While advocating for the athleticism and versatility of the American Thoroughbred, The Secretariat Center also seeks to provide educational opportunities through horsemanship.

Located at 4155 Walt Robertson Rd., Lexington, KY in the Kentucky Horse Park, the Secretariat Center showcases adoptable Thoroughbreds and uses its illustrious location to herald the athleticism of this amazing breed by teaching new skill sets to horses of all levels of ability. Visit www.secretariatcenter.org to find your next partner, make a donation or to get involved today.

For more information contact Secretariat Center at (859) 246-3080 or info@secretariatcenter.org.

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