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TRF Elects Three New Board Members

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has announced the election of Anita Motion, John B. Cannie, Esq., and Sarah Stein to the organization’s Board of Directors. The TRF Board provides leadership for carrying out the Foundation’s mission to save Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter.

“On behalf of the TRF Board of Directors, I warmly welcome Anita, John and Sarah” shared Patrick H. Mackay, Chairman of the Board. “Each of them is a valuable addition to the TRF’s leadership. We appreciate the diversity and perspective they each bring to the organization. Their experience and backgrounds will most certainly strengthen our Board.”

Anita Motion was born in Colchester, England. After a career as an exercise rider in England and France where she specialized in the early training of young Thoroughbreds, she emigrated to the U.S. with her future husband Graham. Her riding career ended after a back injury, so she now concentrates on the business aspect of Herringswell Stables.

“I am thrilled to join the board of an organization that is very close to my heart and looking forward to becoming more involved.” said Motion. “I am very impressed with the direction the TRF has gone in the last few years and I am proud to add my name to the foundation that takes a lead role in Thoroughbred retirement and lifelong care.”

Sarah Stein resides in Baltimore, Md. and is an accomplished horsewoman. She grew up riding and showing horses and has long been involved with training and riding steeplechase horses and foxhunters. She managed Green Spring Valley Hunt Club Stables from 2000-2009 and earned a degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling in 2014. She was the Program Manager for the TRF Second Chances Program in Sykesville, Md. from 2016-2020.

“I am honored to be a part of an organization that not only serves horses, but also serves people,” Stein said. “I have seen the profound impact the horses have had on the participants of the Second Chances Programs. I look forward to being a part of expanding the ways in which TRF can reach and change more people’s lives.”

John B. Cannie, Esq. is an attorney with the Law Office of Snyder, Kiley, Toohey, Corbett & Cox, LLP in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He and his wife Brooke reside in Saratoga, are both passionate about horses and have spent many years around the Thoroughbred industry. Her family has been involved in Thoroughbred racing for generations; her father is Billy Badget and her stepfather is Mark Henning. John earned his law degree at the University of Kentucky College of Law.

“Horses and horse racing have been a lifelong source of joy for me and my family,” Cannie said. “Joining the TRF Board enables me to return some of that joy to the equine athletes who have worked so hard to support this industry and deserve a long, safe and happy retirement from the racetrack.”

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California-Based TRF Second Chances Program Celebrates First Anniversary

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, ten student/inmates began a new semester at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Equine Care Program at the Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP) at Coalinga, California.

There was no better way to celebrate its one-year anniversary.

“The four groups that made this happen – the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, the (California) Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, West Hills College and Harris Farms – worked extremely well together,” said Heidi Richards, whose work with the Equine Care Program earned her the CDCR's 2020 Corrections Officer of the Year Award. “We had 30 student/inmates in the first class, and 28 were certified. We are very excited about how successful the program is.”

The Equine Care Program at PVSP opened Oct. 16, 2019 and coincided with the prison's 25th anniversary celebration. The program is an extension of the TRF's Second Chances/Groom Elite Program that began in 1983 at the Wallkill State Correctional Facility near New Paltz, NY. Former racehorses enjoy a tranquil sanctuary home at Second Chances, which is now offered at prisons in New York, California, Kentucky, Florida, Illinois and South Carolina. In return, the horses provide hands-on vocational instruction in horse care as well as lessons in mutual respect, compassion, responsibility, and trust.

In collaboration with West Hills College, PVSP's Equine Care Program is a two-semester course that, at conclusion, not only certifies its participants to work at entry level jobs within the racing industry but gives them six transferable college credits. The program at this minimum-security facility is offered to student/inmates within five years of parole.

The fledgling program managed to hold strong despite the turmoil of 2020.

“Our biggest concern was the pandemic,” said Richards, who also is the West Hills College instructor for the program. “But our COVID-19 numbers were low enough to open the program this semester. Warden Scott Frauenheim and everyone here did a great job in maintaining the program. They kept testing everyone at the gate and, additionally, the staff was tested every 10 days. They were really on top of it.”

Warden Frauenheim, who will retire on Friday (October 30) after 26 years of state service and the last seven as PVSP's warden added: “I am proud and honored to have been the first Warden with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to start an Equine Care Program. I am grateful to provide a unique rehabilitative program that helps incarcerated people follow a new path in their lives. Although COVID-19 placed a hold on Pleasant Valley's Equine Program, Pleasant Valley State Prison has commenced with the program and its college courses. The Pleasant Valley Equine Program just completed its first year of program, and I foresee many more successful years to come.”

Presently, the student/inmates are working with two former racehorses. Michael the Man, a 13-year-old Kentucky-bred who had 60 races and earned $197,724 from a record of 11-8-9 and California-bred Slycy, who is also 13, earned $230,606 and posted a record of 14-10-7 from 52 starts.

The horses live on the Equine Care Program's two-acre facility that student/inmates built and help maintain in addition to their work with the animals.

A CDCV grant of $300,766 was secured last year with the help of the West Hills Community College District to fund the Equine Care Program at Pleasant Valley State Prison until 2022.

“It is hard to believe that the program is only a year old with all that Heidi has accomplished,” said TRF Executive Director Pat Stickney. “We are incredibly grateful to all the groups that came together to launch this Equine Care Program which, under Heidi's leadership, will continue to have such a positive impact on the graduates and the horses for years to come.”

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TRF Launches ’20 Hay Drive Challenge with $60K Matched Donation

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) announced the launch of its 2020 Hay Drive challenge–Hay, Oats and Water with a $60,000 matching gift from the Santulli Family Foundation. The Santulli’s will match every dollar donated to the TRF up to $60,000 for this campaign. The TRF’s goal for the 2020 Hay Drive is $120,000 to cover the cost of hay for hundreds of former racehorses. The TRF is in its 37th year of providing sanctuary, retirement and second chances for Thoroughbreds no longer able to compete on the racetrack. The campaign will be conducted by direct mail, email and social media as well as one-on-one donation requests.

“Hay is one of our largest horse care expenses and the most important element of a horse’s diet, particularly in the winter.” says Jennifer Stevens, Director of Development at the TRF.

With the help of the Santulli Family Foundation, the TRF had its most successful Hay Drive to date in 2019.

“The Santulli’s are longtime supporters of the TRF having funded several areas of need for the organization throughout the years. We are immensely grateful for their contributions to the TRF and the Thoroughbred aftercare effort,” said Patricia Stickney, TRF Executive Director. “Their generous gift will not only help our horses but inspire others to do the same.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit https://www.trfinc.org/haydrive/

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Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Launches 2020 Hay Drive With $60,000 Matching Gift

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) has received a $60,000 matching gift from the Santulli Family Foundation to launch the 2020 Hay Drive challenge–Hay, Oats and Water. The Santulli's will match every dollar donated to the TRF up to $60,000 for this campaign. The TRF's goal for the 2020 Hay Drive is $120,000 to cover the cost of hay for the hundreds of former racehorses currently in their care.

The TRF Hay Drive is one of the most important campaigns for the organization, now in its 37th year of providing sanctuary, retirement and second chances for Thoroughbreds no longer able to compete on the racetrack. The campaign will be conducted by direct mail, email and social media as well as one-on-one donation requests.

“Hay is one of our largest horse care expenses and the most important element of a horse's diet, particularly in the winter.” says Jennifer Stevens, Director of Development at the TRF.

Last year, with the help of the Santulli Family Foundation, the TRF had its most successful Hay Drive to date and the organization is hopeful that this year's response will equal or surpass last year's campaign.

“The Santulli's are longtime supporters of the TRF having funded several areas of need for the organization throughout the years. We are immensely grateful for their contributions to the TRF and the Thoroughbred aftercare effort.” said Patricia Stickney, TRF Executive Director. “Their generous gift will not only help our horses but inspire others to do the same.”

To give to the Hay Drive please visit the TRF giving page here: https://www.trfinc.org/haydrive/

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