TAKE2

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, and New York Racing Association (NYRA) have partnered with the TAKE2 Program to donate $20,000 in prize money for two Thoroughbred Classics. The first $10,000 TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter Classic will be held on the morning of Friday, July 10, at the Saratoga Women in Business Spectacular, and the second on the morning of Friday, August 14, at the Saratoga Summer Horse Show. In addition to the prize money, the winners of the two Classics each will...

With the encouragement of Sergio de Sousa from Hidden Brook Farm and Carrie Brogden from Machmer Hall, a group of 17 Thoroughbred industry stakeholders have pledged to donate a total of $35,000 in prize money for a series of TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper Classics at the Kentucky Horse Shows and Split Rock Jumping Tour in 2026. The 20 TAKE2 Classics, offering $1,750 in prize money each, will be held at 10 horse shows at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, between May and September. The TAKE2 Classics sponsors...

A newly created $25,000 Thoroughbred Hunter Derby will make its debut at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show in Virginia in early June and replace the recent Upperville Thoroughbred Hunter Classic, the planners of the event said via a press release on their website Dec. 31. The Derby will take place Tuesday, June 2 and reflects a growing, industry-wide effort to expand opportunities for Thoroughbreds at recognized horse shows. In recent years, trainers, owners and Thoroughbred advocates have worked to elevate the visibility and competitiveness of the breed in hunter...

If anyone understands the talent and versatility of the Thoroughbred it is Anne Kursinski. A five-time member of the U.S. Olympic team and two-time Olympic (team) silver medalist, Kursinski has amassed a resume that would make most equine professionals blush. In addition to her Olympic efforts, the California native was also a member of 47 Nations Cup teams, and three World Equestrian Games teams. "I started on Thoroughbreds," explained Kursinski of her longstanding relationship to the breed. "I am originally from Pasadena, California. Most of the horses when I was...

Since Down Broadway became the first horse to transition to a second career via New York's TAKE THE LEAD Thoroughbred Retirement Program, the organization has contributed better than $2 million to accredited aftercare organizations, and by year's end, the total will be over $2.3 million. TAKE THE LEAD's partner program, TAKE2, has now distributed more than $1 million in prize money and awards to Thoroughbreds competing at recognized hunter/jumper shows across the country. "We could not have accomplished so much on the path that Rick Violette started us on more...

Honoring retired trainer Rick Schosberg, the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund will hold a 'Salute to Thoroughbred Aftercare' from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Sept. 10 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, the fund said in a Friday release. Besides honoring Schosberg, who has exerted a positive influence over aftercare organizations TAKE2 and Take The Lead, attendees will watch the trailer for the documentary "Off Track: Fate of a Racehorse" and hear from the film's director, John Wager.

Edited Press Release The TAKE2 Thoroughbred League announced today new 2024 awards worth a total of $6,000 in recognition of Junior and Amateur Riders who compete in the TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper divisions nationwide. The high-point Amateur Rider in each division of the TAKE2 League standings will earn a $1,000 bonus, while the leading Junior Rider will earn a $500 bonus. In addition, the top-finishing Amateur and Junior in each division of the TAKE2 Finals will be awarded $1,000 and $500, respectively. "Amateurs and Juniors ride head-to-head with Professionals...

For Andrea Cerofolini, the love of the horse was ignited later in life. But his passion for the Thoroughbred has taken center stage over the past decade, highlighted by an ever-deepening involvement with off-the-track race horses. "When I'm on a Thoroughbred, I feel like I am flying on a cloud," Cerofolini said. "I just don't feel that way on other types of horses. It's just magical." Through his connection with the Thoroughbred, Cerofolini became involved with TAKE2, a non-profit committed to promoting and developing second careers for racehorses following their...

Just shy of its goal of raising $100,000 in celebration of the Program's 10th Anniversary, TAKE2 received a holiday gift of $25,000 from the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund (NYSTBDF), pushing the campaign across the finish line. A total of $117,744 was raised during the 10 months of the drive. "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made a contribution, and blown away by the generosity of the Fund," said TAKE2 Executive Director Andy Belfiore. "Our Program is a labor of love, and it means the world...

The TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program will recognize the results and count the points earned by TAKE2 Thoroughbred League members competing in the rated Thoroughbred Hunter and Thoroughbred Jumper Divisions at all USEF horse shows. This rule change will be retroactive to the beginning of the current TAKE2 season, which kicked off Aug. 29, 2022, and runs through Aug. 27, 2023. "When we started TAKE2, we required the USEF-rated horse shows to complete an application to affiliate with our program," TAKE2 Executive Director Andy Belfiore explained. "Unfortunately, there were horse...

A total of 35 horses from 14 states participated in the $20,000 TAKE2 Hunter and Jumper Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park Sunday during the Kentucky National Horse Show. In a repeat of last year's results, MVP took the TAKE2 Hunter Final and Riley captured the TAKE2 Jumper Final. "It's so much fun to see the Thoroughbreds from all over the country competing," MVP's owner/rider Tess Fortune said. "This is my third year doing the Finals, and I have a great time every year." MVP raced briefly without success under...

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF), an offshoot of Thoroughbred Charities of America established to provide focused funding for equine education and research, has provided funding to the tune of $4,000 for an aftercare education program and for its generosity, has been recognized as 'TAKE2 Donor of the Month' for August. TAKE2 set a goal of raising $10,000 a month for 10 months in honor of its milestone 10th anniversary this year. With the generous help of previous 'Donors of the Month' Len Green and the Green Group, TAKE2...