People often ask us how they can get involved in our work. This E News makes it pretty clear, but here is a recap.
Enter your farm, business, or organization into the Retired Racehorse Resource Directory now if you provide a service to at least five Thoroughbred ex-racehorses per year transitioning them to second careers or retirement. The final deadline for entries to be included in the printed version is July 31. The online version will show your entry as soon as we approve it.
Start following the ten teams in America's Most Wanted Thoroughbred Contest and show them your love. Be sure that you have our Facebook page set not only to Like, but also Like As Your Page so you get all the updates. While you are at it, share the posts to your pages and friends. We are at 52,500 fans and know that there are at least 150,000 OTTB owners in America.
Wish you were selected for the Most Wanted Contest? Prove just how good you are by entering the horses you have trained and have available for sale or adoption in our TCA Thoroughbred Marketplace. Thanks to Thoroughbred Charities of America we will showcase horses at all levels of training during the Thoroughbred Makeover at Pimlico October 4-5. Too far to ship, or don't have horses you want to part with? Mark the weekend on your calendar and plan your travel to Baltimore. Hotel and ticket information will be online soon. Plan to be there in time for Friday afternoon caucuses for nonprofits, farms, and show organizers.
If you still want more, look soon for the under-construction volunteer sign up form on our web site. It will include becoming an ambassador for publication and directory distribution, tasks relating to upcoming events, and more.
And then there is money. Some people have asked why RRP needs money when we are not a horse rescue with feed, vet, and farrier bills. We need money because our mission is to educate consumers, serve the farms and organizations that transition the horses to second careers, and ultimately take back the market share that we lost to breeds that invested in promotion. We are a charitable organization, but our strategy is to influence market forces to serve these animals. We do it on a shoe-string budget but have found that it's an arena where professionals really do need to be engaged to get it done right. That costs money. For sponsorship opportunities contact Julie Magruder at Julie@retiredracehorseproject.org. Or click here to donate online.
On the topic of taking back market share in the sport and recreational riding world, I have been asked what happens to the breeds we take it from. The answer is that they will breed fewer horses. They breed when demand in sport and recreation for their horses is strong. In the Thoroughbred industry we breed when purses are up. If we want racehorses recycled into the riding markets we have no choice but to educate and promote to the end users, and to ensure that good trainers are involved in teaching the horses their new jobs. That is why Retired Racehorse Project must succeed. We hope you will join us.
