Lara Knight vaulting on Rob’s Rock (Photo by Sarah K. Andrew)
WESTPORT, CT – September 27, 2014 – The EQUUS Foundation will serve as the title sponsor of America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred Contest, the feature event of the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover: A Marketplace and National Symposium, October 4 and 5 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.
“This partnership with EQUUS Foundation is a great honor for us,” said RRP President Steuart Pittman. “EQUUS Foundation has created a network of very powerful and innovative institutions within the horse industry that collaborate in ways that truly benefit and celebrate horses. Animal Planet is one of those institutions, and we look forward to doing our part in mobilizing the voices of horse people to win the Animal Planet R.O.A.R. Matching Campaign on behalf of horses.”
Ten Thoroughbred ex-racehorses trained in ten riding disciplines will compete for the title and $10,000 in prize money. Online followers will vote for their favorite contestant from September 25-28 and again during the event itself. Hall of Fame Jockey Chris McCarron, America’s first female jockey Diane Crump, and Hall of Fame show rider and leading Maryland racing trainer Rodney Jenkins will comment on the performances and question the trainers about their methods. The event can be viewed via live stream at Bloodhorse.com.
The contestants represent the sports of dressage (Nuno Santos with Now and Then), eventing (Phillip Dutton with Icabad Crane), foxhunting (Christy Clagett with Saba Rock), show jumpers (Armand Leone and New Vocations with Discreet Dancer), show hunters (Bev Strauss and Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue with D’Sauvage), polo (Juan Carlos Gonzalez and Marisa Bianchi with It’s A Little Chilli), ranch work (Dale Simanton with Rikim), barrels and western dressage (Patrick King with Pookie’s Princess), steeplechase (Jazz Napravnik with So Outspoken), and Pony Club (Hannah Gilhool with Mad Bomber).
“We wholeheartedly support the Retired Racehorse Project’s efforts to increase the demand for retired Thoroughbred racehorses and welcome the opportunity to help build public awareness through our sponsorship of the America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred Contest,” said EQUUS Foundation President Lynn Coakley.
For more information on the America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred Contest, click here.
About EQUUS Foundation
The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, enabling the therapeutic use of horses for those in need, fostering the horse-human bond, and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.
About Retired Racehorse Project
The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) works to facilitate placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in the marketplace and inspiring an army of equestrians to provide the training that secures their futures. RRP offers online directories, educational resources, and public events including the Thoroughbred Makeover: A Marketplace and National Symposium on the first weekend of October at Pimlico Race Course. www.retiredracehorseproject.org.
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