New Vocations

The 22nd Annual All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show hosted by New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is set for May 30-June 1 at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, SC, the organization announced via press release. The largest annual fundraiser for New Vocations, the event promotes the versatility and adaptability of retired racehorses. Many industry organizations like the various HBPA chapters and individual stables or farms are returning as supporters and sponsors for the event. There will be a variety of classes for Thoroughbreds, including hunter, jumper, combined test, pleasure, in-hand, dressage and...

After the eighth race at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 1, horse owner and philanthropist Ken Freirich will make a $100,000 donation to four Thoroughbred retirement charities to be split evenly amongst them, it was revealed in a joint press release. The four aftercare organizations are New Vocations, Second Stride, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and the Thoroughbred Charities of America. Freirich, who is a part of owner of Kentucky Derby hopeful Sandman via his involvement with West Point Thoroughbreds, will present the check in the winner's circle after the eighth race on...

The finalized dates for The Real Rider Cup (RRC)'s annual charity show jumping competitions have been set for Saturday, June 28 in Lexington, Kentucky and Saturday, Oct. 18 in Fair Hill, Maryland. "We're grateful for the continued enthusiasm and support for our event," said RRC founder Anita Motion. "The breed has given us all so much and we're honored to give back by supporting a variety of aftercare organizations who are making meaningful impacts on post-racing life for Thoroughbreds. I also want to extend my gratitude to the Maryland 5...

New Vocations will host its 8th Annual Open Barn & BBQ, presented by Seidman Stables, on Thursday, Apr. 24 from 4:40 pm to 9pm. The event, which will be held at the program's Lexington, Kentucky facility at Mereworth Farm, will again be free and open to the public. The Open Barn & BBQ--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. "We look forward to welcoming guests to New...

Retired jockey and horse advocate Rosie Napravnik will be on site at Fair Grounds Race Course to spearhead the fifth annual "New Vocations Day at the Races" Feb. 22. A four-time local riding champion who was instrumental in the opening of the New Vocations facility in Covington, Louisiana, Napravnik will join the Fair Grounds' broadcast team to help build awareness, promote success stories, provide adoption options and inspire donations for Thoroughbred aftercare. "I am very proud to be part of the fifth annual New Vocations Day at Fair Grounds," Napravnik...

It was the Christmas present the horses involved didn't deserve, and one that horse racing didn't need. Last month, the Kentucky Humane Society's Equine CARE program rescued 13 horses from a Franklin County farm, including War Envoy, a former stallion and Royal Ascot winner. The news soared around social media and made it onto international news pages Christmas week. "Former Irish-trained one-time champion racehorse found 'starving in a cold mud pen waiting to die' in the US," wrote The Irish News. "Ex-Aidan O'Brien Royal Ascot winner rescued in US from...

New Vocations has launched its 15th annual Breeders' Cup Pledge, in which connections of Breeders' Cup contenders have the opportunity to pledge a percentage of their Championship earnings to support the charity's mission to rehabilitate, retrain, and rehome retired racehorses. The Pledge has raised over $1.1 million towards aftercare since starting in 2009. "We are thrilled to have had so many owners and trainers involved in our Breeders' Cup Pledge over the years," said Anna Ford, New Vocations' Thoroughbred Program Director. "The Pledge offers an easy way for owners and...

In its 21st year, the New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show Presented by Heider Family Stables raised more than $180,000 when it was held May 31-June 2 at Highfields Event Center, the non-profit said in a release Wednesday afternoon. The annual show brought together 179 retired Thoroughbred racehorses from 11 different states with all proceeds going to directly support efforts to rehab, retrain and rehome retiring racehorses. Exhibitors competed in a variety of classes including dressage, hunter, jumper, in-hand, Western and pleasure. New classes this year included a Mini Jumper...

Edited Press Release New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program will host its 21st Annual All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, SC, from May 31-June 2. Heider Family Stables is once again the title sponsor of this year's event. "We're thrilled and honored to have Heider Family Stables as our title sponsor again this year," said New Vocations Thoroughbred Program Director Anna Ford. "Scott and Cindy Heider are long-time supporters of New Vocations, our show and Thoroughbred aftercare in general, and we couldn't be happier to have them...

Retired jockey and horse advocate Rosie Napravnik will be on site at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots to spearhead the fourth annual "New Vocations Day at the Races" Saturday. A four-time local riding champion who was instrumental in the opening of the New Vocations facility in Covington, Louisiana, Napravnik will join host Joe Kristufek on the live feed during the racing day to help build awareness, promote success stories, and inspire donations for Thoroughbred aftercare. "I am thrilled to be part of our fourth annual New Vocation's Day at...

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, whose mission is to rehab, retrain and rehome retired Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, saw 478 horses go through its program in 2023, with 143 horses remaining in the program at the end of the year--a 15% increase from 2022. "I'm very proud of the New Vocations team as they have done a phenomenal job providing much needed aftercare services to a huge number of horses with diverse backgrounds that come from various tracks around the country," said New Vocation's Thoroughbred Program Director Anna Ford. "We serve...

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), represented by their nine racetrack properties, will match all New Vocations Giving Tuesday donations up to $20,000 in support of Thoroughbred and Standardbred aftercare. Giving Tuesday takes place five days after Thanksgiving on Nov. 28. "CDI is pleased to jump start New Vocations' holiday giving campaign with a match donation. The work New Vocations does is vital to both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries," said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations for CDI. "On behalf of Thoroughbred tracks Churchill Downs Racetrack, Colonial Downs, Ellis Park,...