When the lights go on at Equestricon in Saratoga Springs, New York, in August, the landmark racing convention will be the site of the largest single gathering of accredited organizations in the history of America’s Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), according to the organizers. The TAA is the ‘Official Charity Partner’ of Equestricon — the first international racing convention, fan festival and trade show.
“We couldn’t be more excited about being so closely aligned with this forward-thinking, innovative industry effort,” said TAA Operations Consultant Stacie Clark Rogers. “Aftercare has emerged as the pre-eminent issue tied to the future of our industry, and the team at Equestricon realizes that.”
The general session for the inaugural convention will take place on Monday, August 14 and Tuesday, August 15, at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Tentatively scheduled to appear in the Equestricon ‘Aftercare Hub’ in the main convention hall are 20 TAA-accredited aftercare groups from all over the United States.
Two dedicated panels
Equestricon attendees will also be able to learn more about the subject through two dedicated aftercare panels, presented by TAA: Aftercare Pathways, and Stories: OTTB (Off-track Thoroughbred) Successes.
“I am so honored to participate in the success stories panel,” said Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility with farms located in Georgetown, Kentucky, and in Greenfield Center, New York.
“Thoroughbreds are the most athletic and willing equines, capable of succeeding in any discipline, not just racing, and this is a great opportunity for fans to see the full gamut of options available to them after the racetrack. The formation of the TAA is perhaps the most effective change in racing today.”
Joining Blowen on the panel will be ReRun Inc.’s Lisa Molly, Herringswell Stables’ Anita Motion, and trainer Rick Violette. Diana Pikulski will represent the Saratoga Springs-based Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) on the Aftercare Pathways panel, which will be moderated by Gulfstream Park’s Acacia Courtney.
Organizers of Equestricon indicated that more announcements regarding support for TAA were forthcoming. For additional information on the aftercare programming scheduled for Equestricon, and to purchase tickets for the convention, visit equestricon.com.
TAA-accredited aftercare charities scheduled to participate at Equestricon
After the Races
Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue
CANTER California
Equine Advocates Inc.
Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program
Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds
Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue
Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center
MidAtlantic Horse Rescue
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program
Old Friends Equine Retirement: Dream Chase Farm
R.A.C.E. Fund, Inc.
ReRun, Inc: Breezy Meadows
Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Inc.
Second Stride, Inc.
South Jersey Thoroughbred Rescue - French Hill Farm
Square Peg Foundation
The Foxie G Foundation
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
War Horses at Rose Bower