Thoroughbred Incentive Program

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Humberger Toggle Menu Previous Post manhattan striker Manhattan Striker By: Alexis Arbaugh September 27, 2024 Success Stories Tags:accredited aftercare, CANTER, CANTER Michigan, Eventing, hunter jumper, Retired Racehorse Project, RRP TIP, TAKE2, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Incentive Program “This has been a life-changing experience for my daughter and has shaped her in more ways beyond just in the saddle,” shared Sara Anderson. Sara Anderson and her 11-year-old daughter, Anna Huard, were searching for a horse that could become a long-term equine partner and compete in the 2018 Retired Racehorse Project (RRP). They turned to CANTER Michigan because it offered potential adopters the chance to meet and ride horses before adoption. Upon their visit, they were introduced to Manhattan Striker by CANTER Michigan’s head trainer, Jennifer Blades. Manhattan Striker, an Australian-bred black Thoroughbred gelding, had raced 23 times and earned $39,750 in Hong Kong. After his racing career ended, he was part of a group of 12 horses donated to CANTER Michigan. When Sara and Anna first met Manhattan Striker, he wasn’t the warm and affectionate horse he is today. His paperwork from the track noted that he cribbed, stall-walked, and had a generally grumpy attitude. The barn staff at Willowbrooke Farm, the facility where he was housed, had to be cautious when handling him. Despite these quirks, Sara described him as having a “serious and quiet demeanor,” which soon proved to be a great match for Anna’s personality. Manhattan Striker quickly bonded with Anna, taking an immediate liking to her. Sara observed that he seemed solid and balanced under saddle, and Anna saw potential for a long-term partnership. Although he remained grumpy during grooming, once he came home, he stopped cribbing and stall-walking altogether. He soon became sweet and affectionate with Anna and the other children at the barn. His temperament mellowed so much that he even became a suitable turnout companion for weanlings. Anna had ambitious goals for herself and Manhattan Striker, affectionately known as “Manny.” She wanted a versatile partner she could train to compete in multiple disciplines and develop a close bond with. Manny exceeded her expectations. “The retraining process was interesting,” Sara recalled. Manny wasn’t overly hot and adapted quickly to everything he was asked to do. Their goal was to enter the 2018 RRP, and Sara allowed Anna to take the lead in his training. While Manny initially lacked a lead change, he mastered it after just one lesson. “He’s been great for my daughter because she’s been able to teach him things, and he responds and learns the way you hope they will,” Sara said. Manny always tries his best and doesn’t hold a grudge if Anna makes a mistake. Through their journey together, Anna learned the value of patience and building a solid foundation with her horse. At horse shows, Manny was a dream. “No AM lounge, no hard schooling. No trainer rides, no perfect prep or ear plugs.  He doesn’t even wear a martingale to mess with. Goes in a simple rubber D.  He doesn’t need to see the ring before going into a class.  Light warmup, a few jumps, and in he goes,” Sara wrote. Manny was also easy to load and handle at shows, and Anna could braid and prep him herself. Screenshot Although Manny isn’t the best mover, making it tough to place in hack classes, he shines as a jumper. He thrives in equitation and medal classes, excelling at technical tracks, halts, and counter-cantering. “He’s able to take the harder courses and do all the fun things,” Sara said. Anna and Manny successfully competed in the Hunter division at the 2018 RRP. They continued training and later competed in local 2’6″ Hunter classes. For a change of pace, they also enjoyed eventing. In 2022 and 2023, the pair competed in the Take2 Thoroughbred divisions and the 15-17 equitation division with notable success. Anna and Manny were named the 2023 Overall Top Junior Rider in the Take2 Hunter division and placed 9th in the Take2 Finals. “We’re also thankful for Thoroughbred-specific opportunities like the RRP, Take2, and TIP, which give kids like mine a supportive community,” Sara wrote. Manny has surpassed all the goals Anna set for him, and they have formed a strong bond along the way. Looking ahead to 2024, they plan to continue competing in the Take2 Hunter divisions and enter more equitation and medal classes during Anna’s final junior year. This past July, Anna and Manny were selected to participate in the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Emerging Athletes Program at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana, where Manny stood out as the only Thoroughbred.   Share This Article   Do you have a success story that you would like to share? Submit your experience with an accredited organization here: Success Story Submission

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Humberger Toggle Menu Previous Post Taking a Leap of Faith Taking a Leap of Faith By: Alexis Arbaugh September 26, 2024 Success Stories Tags:Blue Bloods Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement, Georgia Hunter Jumper Association, hunter jumper, Success story, Thoroughbred Aftercare Allince, Thoroughbred Incentive Program, TIP Photo Credit: Joy Nakrin Joy Nakrin took a huge leap of faith when she adopted a horse sight unseen from Blue Bloods Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement, located in Blanch, North Carolina. Blue Bloods is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-run organization whose mission is to help transition former racehorses from the track to their new homes. One of the organization’s unique qualities is its collaboration with the Equestrian Studies program at Averett University to help market the horses. In 2021, Joy was searching for a trail riding horse who could also be a companion for her “bossy older mare.” She shared with Elizabeth MacDonald, founder of Blue Bloods, that she wanted a horse to enjoy on the farm, one that would get along with her dogs and pig, and, most importantly, be safe for her elderly relatives to handle. “I had no plans or expectations to do more, let alone compete (or win),” Joy wrote. Elizabeth believed that despite Enduring Honor’s two previous failed adoptions, he would be the perfect partner for Joy. “It was worth a try,” Joy wrote when she learned of his story. Enduring Honor, an 8-year-old war horse gelding, had raced 52 times across the United States, earning $156,233 over his career. Joy decided to adopt him sight unseen—without a visit, trial, or video. She “took a leap of faith” and told Elizabeth to “send him to me.” Joy recalls eagerly waiting to meet Enduring Honor as he traveled from North Carolina to Georgia. When the trailer arrived late at night, Joy led him off, and he was calm and gentle, soon becoming the center of her attention. Not long after his arrival, Joy became “completely obsessed” with Enduring Honor, who seemed to thrive on the attention. Enduring Honor quickly won her over with his affectionate personality, enjoying hugs and kisses and always eager to please. He would constantly “ask” what he could do next to earn more praise from Joy. Photo Credit: Hallie Burden Photo Credit: Hallie Burden Photo Credit: Hallie Burden Photo Credit: Hallie Burden Their bond led them to try jumping, which soon progressed to entire courses, bigger jumps, and eventually, competing in shows. In just two years together, Joy and Enduring Honor have earned numerous championships, even against “imported warmbloods that cost twenty times or more than his price, and some piloted by professional riders,” Joy wrote. In 2022, their success included winning the Georgia Hunter Jumper Finals Green Hunter Championship, the Derby, and the Top Amateur Rider award. They also claimed The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) Championship in the 2’ division and the Reserve Championship in the 2’3 division. Joy and Enduring Honor received the Top Amateur Rider award in both T.I.P. Championship divisions. The year 2023 brought even more impressive achievements. They moved up to the 2’9″ division at the T.I.P. Championship and brought home third overall, once again earning the Top Amateur Rider award. They finished the year as champions in mulT.I.P.le divisions, including the Georgia Hunter Jumper Association 2023 Year-End Champion in both the Green Hunter and Thoroughbred Hunter categories. They also won the Georgia Hunter Jumper Association Year-End Reserve Champion Low Adult Hunter title and the United States Hunter Jumper Association Zone 4 Channel 2 Year-End Reserve Champion Low Adult Hunter title. Despite their incredible success in the show ring, Joy is most proud of the bond she shares with Enduring Honor. “He’s always going the extra mile to perform his best and keep me safe,” she wrote. Enduring Honor constantly proves that “Thoroughbred former racehorses can hang with the best.” Joy couldn’t be happier with Enduring Honor as her heart horse and is proud to show the world that off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) deserve a second chance Share This Article Do you have a success story that you would like to share? Submit your experience with an accredited organization here: Success Story Submission

Meet #TAAgrad Wachacha- a spunky grey warhorse that has seen a fair share of excitement in her 15 years of life. But one thing is certain for this mare– all roads lead home to her adopted family.

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program announced Sir Gus, of TAA-accredited Brook Hill Retirement Center for Horses, as the winner of its Thoroughbred of the Year Award.

The well-bred gelding found his calling off the racetrack in the dressage arena thanks to TAA-accredited New Vocations.

Nina Neumann found herself drawn to the string of newly arrived OTTBs in her barn from TAA-accredited CANTER Michigan, especially one in particular named Green Mouse.

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) announced the winners and other placings from its 2019 performance awards program April 16. 

Little Latin Lulu ran three times, never breaking her maiden, before being retired to Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center by her connections.

The New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Show and Thoroughbred Incentive Program Championships held Sept. 6-8, 2019 at the Kentucky Horse Park was a success for TAA grads. TAA-accredited organizations were well represented in numerous disciplines and their horses shined bright competitive classes. The TAA presented High Point awards in four disciplines: dressage, hunter, jumper, and pleasure. Dressage: Little Latin Lulu and Kara Hertz Hertz adopted Little Latin Lulu from the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center in May of 2019. The duo earned first place in both the Intro test A adult amateur and Intro test B adult amateur with scores of 70% and 68%. There were 10 horses from four TAA-accredited organizations competing for the TAA Dressage High Point Award. Hunter: Big City Dancer and Sue Sylvester Sylvester adopted Big City Dancer from the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center in 2012. There were 22 horses from nine TAA-accredited organizations competing for the TAA Hunter High Point Award. Jumper: Kulik Lodge and Taylor Wienold Brooke Schafer adopted Kulik Lodge from the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program in October of 2016. There were four horses from three TAA-accredited organizations competing for the TAA Jumper High Point Award. Pleasure: Frank’s Gift and Victoria Kupets Kupets adopted Frank’s Gift from the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program in May of 2019. There were four horses from two TAA-accredited organizations competing for the TAA Pleasure High Point Award. In total, 12 TAA-accredited organizations were present at the New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Show and TIP Championships. After the Races Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue Friends of Ferdinand Kentucky Equine Adoption Center Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center MidAtlantic Horse Rescue Inc New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program Old Friends ReRun, Inc Second Stride, Inc Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana Congratulations to all of our TAA grads on their success in second careers! Photo: Melissa Bauer-Herzog / Pyrois Media Click here to learn more or sign up for the Thoroughbred Incentive Program.

A strong showing of horses from TAA-accredited organizations will be making their way to the Kentucky Horse Park Sept. 6-8 for the 2019 New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Benefit Show and Thoroughbred Incentive Program Championships.