Lexington, KY – New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is pleased to partner with The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. to launch an educational challenge designed to give Pony Club members an opportunity to adopt retired racehorses. Participants in the Challenge will showcase their horse management and riding skills learned through Pony Club while providing qualified homes and new careers for retired racehorses.

“By bringing together two organizations that are leaders in their fields, we will be able to provide an educational, incentive-based competition for Pony Club members that will ultimately increase the number of retired racehorses being moved into second careers. We feel very strongly that this program will help educate the public on how much these horses have to offer once they leave the track while providing a wonderful opportunity for Pony Club members to experience equine ownership,” said Anna Ford, Thoroughbred Program Director for New Vocations.

“We are thrilled to partner with New Vocations to give Pony Club members this unique training and ownership opportunity. Education and horsemanship is synonymous with Pony Club, so what better way for members to utilize their Pony Club knowledge? We look forward to seeing a preview of the Challenge at USPC Festival 2017,” said Teresa Woods, Pony Club Executive Director.

The New Vocations Pony Club Challenge was made possible through a grant provided by the WaterShed Animal Fund. For the Challenge, New Vocations will provide up to 50 free, retired racehorses, along with a $1,800 stipend, to eligible and pre-approved Pony Club members. These Pony Club members will compete for $10,000 in cash and prizes at the 2018 USPC Championships East in dressage, eventing, games, polocrosse, show jumping or western disciplines.

About The Right Horse Initiative

The Right Horse Initiative is a collective of industry professionals and equine welfare advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition through a dialogue of kindness and respect. Through collaboration with over 40 industry and adoption partners, The Right Horse is able to innovate new and better adoption standards and practices. Together, the goal is to shatter the stigma and reframe the conversation around equine adoption in order to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To learn more, visit www.therighthorse.org.

About New Vocations

New Vocations first opened its doors to retired racehorses in 1992. Starting with a single farm in Dayton, Ohio, the program has grown to six facilities in Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Serving over 40 racetracks, the program works directly with owners and trainers in need of aftercare for their horses. New Vocations leads the nation in racehorse adoptions, taking in over 450 horses a year. The focus is on adoption verses retirement as the solution for a large number of horses leaving the track. Through education and adoption, each horse gets a purpose and a home.

About Pony Club

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (Pony Club) was founded in 1954 as a nonprofit national youth organization to teach riding and horsemanship through a formal educational program. There are approximately 9,000 Pony Club members in over 600 clubs and riding centers throughout the country. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including several of our Olympic team members, business professionals, government leaders and career military officers, have roots in Pony Club. Youth members range in age from as young as 4 through age 25. Pony Club also offers educational opportunities to a growing number of adults through Horsemasters membership.