New Vocations

The 23rd New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show Presented by Heider Family Stables raised over $180,000 to support racehorse aftercare, New Vocations announced Wednesday. Proceeds from the event, which was held May 29-31 at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, SC, went directly towards New Vocations' efforts to rehab, retrain and rehome retiring racehorses. The charity show brought together over 150 exhibitors from a dozen different states, all showcasing the versatility of their off-track Thoroughbreds. The show featured a wide range of classes including hunter, jumper, in-hand, Western and lead line....

Edited Press Release New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is set to host its 23rd Annual All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show from May 29- 31 at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, SC. Proudly returning as title sponsor is Heider Family Stables, a dedicated supporter of the organization's mission and Thoroughbred aftercare. "We've been longtime supporters of New Vocations. Terrific leadership and dedicated individuals who make it happen on a day-to-day basis make it a must-support for us in the Thoroughbred industry," said Scott and Cindy Heider. "It's an important part of our...

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program will host its 9th Annual Open Barn & BBQ, presented by Seidman Stables on Thursday, Apr. 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET at their Lexington facility at Mereworth Farm, the organization said in a Tuesday press release. Free and open to the public, the event--held concurrently with the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, taking place at the Kentucky Horse Park--will feature educational seminars along with the chance to meet adoptable horses while touring the facility. Click here for more information.

Two years ago when the first Poker for Ponies tournament was held, the organizational window was short. Very short. "Our first year John [Stewart] had the idea, I kid you not, he sprung it on me about three weeks or maybe just two weeks before the Kentucky Derby. That was also our first Derby as Resolute Racing. We even had a horse in it that year [Just a Touch]," said Chelsey Stewart, organizer of a Derby week poker tournament with a noble aim. All the proceeds go to Thoroughbred aftercare...

In 2011, I attended the meeting at Belmont Park that launched the creation of the TAA. I'll never forget how passionate Mike Repole was in that meeting as he paced back and forth leading the conversation that no one wanted to lead. One thing everyone agreed upon was that something needed to be done to fund and monitor aftercare. That was a huge accomplishment and pointed the industry in the right direction for both funding and accreditation. However, the goal was for both funding and infrastructure to grow over time,...

The New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program will raise over $100,000 in its 16th Annual Breeders' Cup Pledge, the organization announced Tuesday. This year's results were boosted by two Future Stars Friday winners connected to pledge participants: Ted Noffey (Into Mischief), representing Spendthrift Farm and Todd Pletcher, and Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), representing Coolmore and Partners. Additionally, multiple pledged horses also placed throughout the Breeders' Cup, including Brussels (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Percy's Bar (Upstart), Ground Support (Army Mule), Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), The Lion in Winter (Ire)...

Before we can solve the Thoroughbred aftercare problem, we must first define it--and understand its full scope. For this discussion, aftercare refers to the rehoming, retraining, and retiring of Thoroughbreds who: never make it to the racetrack; are not fast enough to race; have finished their racing careers and lost commercial value; can no longer perform as sport horses; or no longer serve useful breeding purposes. When I first began asking industry insiders what it would truly cost to provide lifetime care for all Thoroughbreds that need it, I could...

New Vocation has launched its 16th annual Breeders' Cup Pledge, giving contenders the opportunity to donate a percentage of their earnings from the championships to support the charity's mission of rehabilitating, retraining, and rehoming retired racehorses. Since its inception in 2009, the pledge has raised more than $1.2 million for aftercare. This year, in conjunction with New Vocations' recently launched Capital Campaign Phase II, participants in the pledge will receive a complimentary personalized brick, which will be placed along the walkway at the organization's Lexington facility. "We are very grateful...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Day on Saturday, honoring organizations and individuals dedicated to retired racehorses, will be staged at Churchill Downs Saturday, Sept. 27, according to a Churchill Downs release. Nine aftercare organizations will be on-site, including Friends of Ferdinand Inc., Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, New Vocations, Old Friends, Second Stride, The Secretariat Center, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Charities of America and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Each organization has shared a special Thoroughbred Aftercare Day ticket link on their social media channels. A portion of each ticket purchased through those links will be...

Edited Press Release New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program has officially launched the Phase 2 Capital Campaign to expand operations at its Lexington, Kentucky facility at Mereworth Farm. In August, construction began on a new barn and office expansion, a project that will enable New Vocations to serve more retired racehorses as they transition into second careers. New Vocations has set a $1-million goal for the campaign, which will cover the expansion costs as well as additional capital improvements to the facility. The campaign was jump-started by a generous $300,000 lead...

The Lexington leg of the Real Rider Cup, held June 28 at New Vocations at Mereworth Farm raised over $57,000 to support Thoroughbred aftercare efforts. The charity show jumping competition brings together personalities from across the breeding and racing industry to increase awareness and raise funds for Beyond the Wire, New Vocations, and the Retired Racehorse Project, with each rider pledging to raise at least $1,000. Kristin VanMeter and Hardesty won the individual competition, and VanMeter's Team Stockplace, which included Gina Gans, Mary Motion, and Avery Wismer, prevailed as the...

The 22nd New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show Presented by Heider Family Stables raised over $184,000, according to a press release from the organization. Proceeds from the event go directly to support New Vocations' efforts to rehab, retrain and rehome retiring racehorses. New Vocations' annual show brought together over 150 retired Thoroughbred racehorses from 14 different states, showcasing the versatility of the breed. Both familiar faces and new exhibitors competed in a variety of classes, including dressage, hunter, jumper, in-hand, Western, and pleasure. New additions to this year's show included...