Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance hosted its third annual Calendar Photo Contest this year. Twelve winning photos of Thoroughbreds have been selected to be featured in the 2024 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Calendar, sponsored by Repole Stable. Entries were accepted from June 1 to June 30. All photos feature a registered Thoroughbred that is either in residence at or was rehomed by a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization. Each winner will receive a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance swag bag and a copy of the calendar.
Out of the twelve winners, the grand prize winner was selected to be featured on the cover of the calendar and will receive a Tipperary 9300 Ultra Helmet, sponsored by Tipperary Equestrian.
The grand prize winner and cover feature of the calendar is Ann Cheek. The photo, titled 'Sunrise,' captures an early morning sunrise over the sanctuary mares at Our Mims Retirement Haven in Kentucky. Thoroughbreds featured in the photo include Theheartofdixie, Kidnap Katie, and Sweet Ambition. Our Mims Retirement Haven is a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization, located in Paris, Kentucky. Established in 2004, this nonprofit organization serves as a sanctuary for a handful of permanently retired Thoroughbreds. Fans from all 50 states and over 20 countries have visited Our Mims. Visitors are welcome by appointment to meet the Haven's residents.
The winning photographs chosen are:
- January: 'Snowy Sunset,' photographed by Madison Mavaare and submitted by Tatia Heleski, featuring Unnamed Dream '16 aka Dream for More, who was adopted from New Vocations.
- February: 'Training with My Girl,' photographed and submitted by Robin Doniger, featuring Sebas Ranger, who was retrained and rehomed by Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation.
- March: 'A Lucky Day,' photographed and submitted by Trace Deaton, featuring Sun King, who resides at Old Friends.
- April: 'Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow,' photographed and submitted by Laura Hempleman, featuring Cowboy Tim, who was retrained and rehomed by CANTER California.
- May: 'Eventing Dreams,' photographed by Ian Woodley and submitted by Abigail Dinwoodie, featuring Hushin' Russian, who was adopted from LongRun Thoroughbred Adoption Society.
- June: 'Beach Day,' photographed by Darrell Caudill and submitted by Chelsea Burris, featuring Bundledlike Bernie, who was adopted from Friends of Ferdinand.
- July: 'A Veteran Leading a Veteran,' photographed and submitted by Brittaney Bragg, featuring Ellie Be Dancing, who resides at Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue.
- August: 'Ranch Life,' photographed and submitted by Dan McCanna, featuring So Lucky and Administer, who reside at Down the Stretch Ranch.
- September: 'Sunrise,' photographed and submitted by Ann Cheek, featuring Theheartofdixie, Kidnap Katie, and Sweet Ambition, who reside at Our Mims Retirement Haven.
- October: 'Happy Halloween,' photographed by Bryan Middleton and submitted by Roxanne Ellingsworth, featuring Witt Way, who was adopted from LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers.
- November: 'Field Hunters,' photographed by Jessica McPherson Photography and submitted by Kelsey Kreutzer, featuring Lonesome Pine, who was adopted from Second Stride.
- December: 'What a Wonderful World,' photographed by Taylor Spaude and submitted by Megan Waelti, featuring Tiger's Tip, who was adopted from Secretariat Center.
This year's calendar contest received submissions totaling nearly 200 photographs. Along with the primary winners, additional photos were chosen to be featured in the calendar as honorable mentions. A total of 49 photographs were chosen to be included in the calendar. Featured photographs represented 29 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organizations, and displayed horses participating in over 13 equestrian disciplines including: Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, Eventing, Ranch Work, Barrel Racing, Roping, Endurance, Field Hunter, Liberty, Archery, Equine-Assisted Therapy, Pleasure, and horses in retirement.
“We are thrilled to feature the talents of these Thoroughbreds from various disciplines and accredited organizations in the 2024 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Calendar,” stated Samantha Smith, Director of Marketing & Communications, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Repole Stable for sponsoring the calendar and to Tipperary Equestrian for their generous prize sponsorship. Congratulations to all our winners, and we extend our appreciation to everyone who submitted entries. We received a diverse array of stunning photographs and eagerly anticipate sharing them on social media throughout the year, as well as featuring them in the calendar.”
The 2024 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Calendar, sponsored by Repole Stable, will be available beginning on Giving Tuesday, which is set for Tuesday, November 28, 2023. With every online donation of $100 or more made between November 28 to December 31, donors may opt to receive a calendar by noting “2024 Calendar” in the comment field on the donation form. Calendars will be available on a first come first served basis, until inventory is depleted. Donations can be made at: thoroughbredaftercare.org/donation_now
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