New England amateur drivers donate to Standardbred Transition Alliance

Yonkers, NY — At the May 6 Board of Directors meeting, the Standardbred Owners Association of New York (SOA) unanimously approved the motion made by director Ray Schnittker to donate $7,500 to the Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA). The STA is a non-profit organization with Federal 501(c) (3) status whose mission is to accredit, inspect and award grants to approved organizations that acquire, rehabilitate, train and re-home Standardbreds. SOA President Joe Faraldo said, “Our action today is in furtherance of our collective belief that the best way to ensure that we are funding the best possible aftercare facilities is to donate either to the STA or directly to STA-accredited entities. We are happy to help and make this donation with full confidence that the funding will be used appropriately.” STA President David Reid stated, “On behalf of our entire board, we sincerely appreciate the SOA of New York’s support and generous donation to the STA, which will help fund our accredited facilities to provide aftercare.” Funding for the STA is generated across the spectrum of the Standardbred industry, including regulatory agencies, horsemen’s groups, tracks, sales companies, farms, and individuals who participate as trainers, drivers, owners, and breeders. The STA provides partial funding to groups serving Standardbreds, ensuring donor confidence by examining the equine care and business practices of groups applying for accreditation.  It is expected that the accreditation process will also assist groups in developing sustainable policies and programs.

Columbus, OH — At the 2022 U.S. Trotting Association annual meeting in March, the USTA directors overwhelmingly voted to increase the fee for horse transfers by $5 starting on June 1, 2022, with all of the additional revenue earmarked to provide financial support for the Standardbred Transition Alliance.  The STA is an industry-led charitable 501(c)(3) organization established in 2018 to advance the scope of Standardbred aftercare. The STA mission is to inspect, accredit and award grants to approved organizations that acquire, rehabilitate, train and rehome Standardbred horses. “The fee increase for transfers is another example of the USTA’s support of aftercare for the horses that make harness racing possible,” said USTA Executive Vice President and CEO Mike Tanner. “It is critical for our industry to support the STA and this is an excellent way for USTA members to assist with that.” Funding is generated across the spectrum of the Standardbred industry, including regulatory agencies, horsemen’s groups, tracks, sales companies, farms, and individuals who participate as trainers, drivers, owners, and breeders. “Developing a consistent, broad-based stream of financial support for the STA has been the board’s goal from the very beginning,” said STA President David Reid. “We greatly appreciate this new source of funding that should generate more than $100,000 annually to help us support accredited organizations providing essential aftercare for our Standardbreds.” The STA provides partial funding to groups serving Standardbreds, ensuring donor confidence by examining the equine care and business practices of groups applying for accreditation. “The STA is dedicated to raising money for the care, retraining and rehoming of racehorses once they leave the racetrack, and then disbursing those funds to inspected and accredited 501(c)(3) Standardbred aftercare organizations,” added Tanner. “That last part is crucial, because in a field that is largely unregulated, it is imperative that donors have confidence that their money is being put to its highest and best purpose.” In 2021, there were 23,313 horse transfers, including 5,183 from claims made in races, which would have resulted in $116,565 for the STA if this program had been in place. To learn more about how to transfer horse ownership, click here .

Oxford, NY — We are honored to be accredited by the Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA). We thank STA for recognizing our program and for their financial support. We see this as validation that our non-profit is doing all it can to operate in a fiscally sound and transparent way. This should be the goal of every public charity, and having the chance to prove our merit by meeting the STA’s accreditation standards was one we gladly welcomed. Having an accreditation program that inspects and monitors adoption programs is important to ensure horses are receiving exemplary care while being safely and professionally transitioned into new homes. Not only does it give our directors, staff and volunteers the positive encouragement that we are adhering to best practices in every sector, it also gives our supporters confidence their money is being used in the most beneficial way to help establish a better racehorse aftercare network. As we worked through the application we found the STA’s accreditation and inspection process to be clearly outlined in the application materials and direction was available when needed. The paperwork was labor intensive, as you’d expect with sharing all facets of your charitable business and horse management practices. While each program is different the document requirements remain essentially the same. After the application was submitted there was a physical inspection of the horses in our care and the farm itself. Another component of the inspection was a review of the professional ethics in our organization displayed both generally and in our promotion and publicity efforts. We (PHSAP) feel strongly that the best way to showcase how wonderful our breed is and to attract quality adopters is in conducting ourselves with the utmost honesty. We pride ourselves on being straightforward, honest and always available to provide support services for our horses and their new families. In closing, we are gratified that Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program has met all STA standards for accreditation and we look forward to renewing our application next year! We invite anyone to come to the farm for a visit, or contact us with any donation questions or adoption inquiries. 

Saturday evening (July 31), Harrah’s Hoosier Park will play host to the second annual Empire of Hope night. The purpose of the evening is to help raise awareness, and dollars, for racehorse aftercare. All funds raised tonight (July 30) and Saturday at Hoosier Park will benefit the Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA). Still in its infancy, the STA is slowly growing in the mission of assisting with the relocation, rehabilitation and repurpose of retired standardbreds. STA president David Reid said he is satisfied with the progress, but not content.  “We are in our second year of accrediting facilities. The mission is going steadily forward,” Reid said. “The placements for the first year were satisfying, but obviously we know we are a young organization. The main goal is that the heart is in the right spot for aftercare. I think the awareness level has increased. We are just continuing to grow at a slow pace, but at a steady pace.” A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the STA was created with a mission to accredit, inspect and award grants to organizations that work to re-home or transition standardbreds once their careers are complete. Reid said that to date three organizations have been accredited. Jennifer Daniels, STA administrator, said that over the last year and a half, 138 standardbreds have received transition services from STA accredited aftercare organizations. “I know that may sound small, but it is somewhere to start and build from. When you gauge success, sometimes you have to be realistic about it. It is going to be a steady, slow growth. Awareness is being raised, but it needs to be raised much more,” Reid said of the placements. “I think the industry has definitely embraced it, but I think we need to reach more tentacles of the industry. What people do like is the accreditation process adds validity and donor confidence. I think we need to continue to do that. I think the accreditation and oversight validates facilities, which makes the donors’ confidence even greater.” Events such as Hoosier Park’s Empire of Hope are one of the vehicles that can be used to reach those tentacles of the industry. More importantly, it serves as a grassroots effort that is critically important to building STA awareness. “This movement has to be grassroots. It’s nothing that can be handed down from on high. It has to happen at the track level. That’s where the community builds,” said Daniels, who joined STA in November 2019. “I just returned from The Meadows, where the MSOA put on a great charity event Wednesday night. The local events are more tangible. When you see or personally know the horses that are retiring, it becomes real. When you’re raising money at the local level, and you know that your contributions are helping horses that you see every day, that is tangible and real and that’s how the movement grows. It’s great to say that we’ve done this at a national level, made a secure collection point for donations, now we need to work to build the aftercare community at the track level.” Daniels said that one of the unexpected outcomes of the accreditation process is the “bird’s eye” view afforded and seeing areas where the STA could be of greater service to industry organizations. She noted that in some instances, bottlenecks have been identified where the STA can partner with an organization to address ongoing challenges through grants or other means. A case in point centers around paperwork needed for a racehorse transitioning away from racing. This is an area where Daniels sees the STA playing a crucial role in the future, both in education and execution. “The STA accredited aftercare organizations ask that a horse arrives with the USTA transfer of ownership, the pleasure horse registration, and Full Circle enrollment already completed. If that hasn’t happened, it really burdens a program to have to go and chase those things down, to ask for a coggins and a health certificate,” she said. “If those things are done by the owner or trainer before a horse is sent to a program, it lifts a huge administrative burden from these charity organizations that are often running on office volunteers. The STA is stepping into a more active role with that, owner education. A lot of people would do the right thing, in terms of providing a placement ready horse, with pleasure horse conversion and health paperwork in order, if they knew the steps to take. And if they knew there was a place to turn to ask some of these questions. What are best practices for transitioning a horse when they are done racing?” Saturday’s Empire of Hope event will go a long way in creating awareness for aftercare and the STA-accredited organizations, but it will also generate needed funding. The first edition in 2019 brought in $32,000 for STA. Reid continues to beat the drum for ways to generate a more constant stream of funding that can be utilized. He is in favor of a small fractional fee for transactions, borrowing from what takes place in thoroughbred racing while not creating a significant financial burden. “In the thoroughbred model, every time a breeder registers a foal, there is a certain amount of money earmarked to aftercare. I’ve always been a believer that if you are bringing an animal into this world, you bear some responsibility at a low, fractional cost basis,” Reid noted. “I think it’s the responsibility of the entire industry, of all participants, to participate and contribute toward aftercare. A catch driver, whether he has a million dollar year or a $100,000 year, it’s not that much that is going to change a person’s life. Everyone knows my feelings on that.” While Reid pursues that avenue, Daniels said there are other areas that need to be explored further, including in-kind donations from industry participants. “The harness community has big hearts and they like to give, but they like to give close to home,” she said. “That’s why the Empire of Hope event is so powerful. You really see horsemen coming together and that sense of community. They want to take care of their own.” Since the STA launched three years ago, the mission has not changed. However, through accreditation and grant cycles, Daniels has witnessed how the organization can serve as a valuable resource, and she is excited for the opportunity. “I’m not overwhelmed by it at all. I love it. I love that we have an organization now where you can point to the STA for transitioning best practices and advice. Before no one really had ownership of this area in its entirety, not the horseman’s groups, the USTA or the adoption programs. Everyone did a little, or a lot, but there were still gaps that really weren’t anyone’s job to do. But the STA is perfectly situated,” she said. “Again, with that bird’s eye view of what’s happening within the accredited programs, how the horses transition and how they are returned. We’ve got a great partnership with the USTA, and those gaps that we have been jointly able to identify, I think the STA is that missing link. It is the bridge to all the areas we couldn’t quite get access to before. I think it’s exciting.”

Anderson, IN – On Saturday (July 31) Harrah’s Hoosier Park will host the second annual Empire of Hope day. Empire of Hope is a day dedicated to raising funds for the after care of retired racehorses, with all proceeds directly benefitting the Standardbred Transition Alliance to assist efforts to relocate, rehabilitate and repurpose retired standardbred racehorses. “Standardbreds “lay it on the line” every time they race,” said Vice President and General Manager of Racing, Rick Moore. “Whether a veteran racehorse or a high caliber stakes horse, these horses give their all whenever they line up behind the starting gate. Now it is time for us to “lay it on the line” for them; to raise funds to ensure they have loving homes or even second careers to go to after their racing days are over.” “I encourage everyone to join us on Empire of Hope Night to celebrate these great animals and contribute monetarily towards the after-care that they have most deservedly earned.” This year’s event at Harrah’s Hoosier Park will take place on Saturday, July 31 and is one of the highlights on the racing calendar. Through a variety of promotions, donations, and activities, Harrah’s Hoosier Park will work to raise awareness and funding to assist in the mission. Racing fans attending the event will have the opportunity to make contributions and learn more about aftercare efforts.  Beginning at 10am on Friday, July 30, guests can donate $5 at the Caesars Reward Center in the casino, and in turn receive $5 free slot play or race wagering through Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s Give $5, Get $5 promotion. The Give $5, Get $5 promotion will continue Saturday at both Caesars Rewards centers on property from 10am-10pm. On Saturday, July 31, guests who donate $5 to the Standardbred Transition Alliance will receive a mystery voucher. The mystery vouchers will vary in worth, with the top prize being $100. The mystery vouchers will be available to the first 100 Caesars Rewards Members who donate beginning at 5:30pm at Trackside Caesars Rewards. On Friday and Saturday, guests may also purchase an official Empire of Hope T-shirt for a minimum donation of $10 at the Harrah’s Hoosier Park Program Stand. T-shirts will be sold while supplies last. Racing fans are encouraged to wear their Empire of Hope T-shirts to the event. Also, located throughout the property are official Empire of Hope donations boxes. Guests are encouraged to donate cash, coins or Tito Tickets into the donation boxes. Drivers, trainers, and owners racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park are also giving back by committing a percentage of their nightly racing earnings to support the Empire of Hope cause. In addition, the Track Kitchen will be hosting a charity cookout on Saturday, July 31 from 11am-4pm at the Horseshoe Café on the backside. For a donation of $10, Harrah’s Hoosier Park horsemen can enjoy a BBQ lunch and drink with all proceeds benefitting Empire of Hope. Saturday, July 31 will also mark the second Family Fun Saturday of the season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Hedgehog Hannah will have an exotic animal show in the front paddock from 6-9 p.m. along with face painters and temporary tattoo artists for children. The evening will also feature a live DJ on the track apron along with food trucks and a beer garden. All proceeds from the evening’s charitable activities will be earmarked for the Standardbred Transition Alliance who will provide grants in funding of 501(c)(3) groups serving Standardbreds and ensure they utilize best practices for equine care and financial management through an accreditation process.

Plainville, MA – On Sunday (July 25) Plainridge Park will host the $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot and as part of Spirit Day’s race card that offers over $500,00 in total purses. The tenth race of the day has been named for the Standardbred Transition Alliance in an effort to draw attention to the mission and important work this organization does towards training new skills and re-homing retired Standardbreds. And to show how much spirit the racing community in Massachusetts has about making sure every retired Standardbred finds a career after racing, Plainridge Park, the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts, the Harness Horseman’s Association of New England and the New England Amateur Harness Drivers Club have partnered to make a direct donation of $3,500 to the STA. Donations will also be accepted from any attending horsemen or fans who wish to contribute during the day of racing at Plainridge and those will be forwarded along with the check from the track. The Standardbred Transition Alliance is a non-profit organization with federal 501(c)(3) status whose mission is to accredit, inspect and award grants to approved organizations that acquire, rehabilitate, train and re-home Standardbreds. Funding is generated across the spectrum of the Standardbred industry, including regulatory agencies, horsemen’s groups, tracks, sales companies, farms, and individuals who participate as trainers, drivers, owners, and breeders. The $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot is on Sunday (July 25) with post time for the first race set at 2 p.m. The card is also highlighted with the $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace and the $50,900 Bert Beckwith Memorial Pace and with total purses totaling in excess of $500,000, it’s the biggest day of harness racing in Massachusetts this year.