New Vocations TB show on tap for weekend

Past Champion Greycliffe and Danielle Duryea

More than 140 horse-and-rider teams are expected to converge upon the sprawling Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio this weekend to compete in the ninth annual New Vocations Charity Horse Show.

With temperatures expected to soar to 100 degrees, the event is expected to be hot- hot-hot, says Anna Ford, program director for New Vocations.

And she’s not just talking temperature. She’s talking excitement, pride, and the added support of the Jockey Club, which is officially sponsoring 15 Thoroughbred classes!

The Jockey Club has distributed funds through its new Thoroughbred Incentive Program, to support New Vocations annual show.

And the contribution adds one more level of excitement to the already vibrant, heavily sponsored event, Ford says.

“New Vocations has always offered cash and prizes for its shows, but, on the whole, I think the Jockey Club program will have a huge impact on the (nationwide) Thoroughbred (Sporthorse),” Ford says. “We always offer great prizes, huge ribbons, and a beautiful tack trunk to the grand-prize winners.”

Bright Poppy and Lisa Molloy at past show

The Jockey Club sponsorship adds to the growing network of sponsors helping to boost awareness of Thoroughbred Sporthorses through the New Vocations shows, she adds.

This year’s key sponsors include the Ohio HPBA, Whitehorse Stables, James and Anita Cauley, Homewrecker Racing, Eisaman Equine Services and 100% Racing, according to a New Vocations press release.

Thoroughbreds competing this weekend will have a shot at winning extra prizes, including coolers, saddle pads, and halters, Ford says.

And although the weather promises to be warm, the vast show grounds boasts plenty of breathing-room, with five roomy arenas, and one grassy one, she says.

“There’s so much room we can offer jumpers in one arena and dressage in another, and it all works really well,” Ford says. “We also have a lot of crossover, with jumpers doing dressage tests as well.”

The two-day event is an opportunity to highlight the individual achievement of each ex-racehorse Thoroughbred, and to bask in the 20 years of success New Vocations has enjoyed in helping horses.

Boasting six facilities in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, the nonprofit serves more than 40 racetracks. Last year alone, some 429 horses were successfully adopted into new homes. And, they are on track to meet those numbers again this year, Ford says.

Bayou Brass and Sarah Coleman at past show

And there’s nothing like a horse show, with horse and rider beautifully turned out, to highlight all that hard work.

“It’s such a joy to see so many retired racehorses competing at the same venue,” Ford states in a press release.

“The show is a great way to spread awareness as spectators and competitors see, firsthand, the diverse attributes Thoroughbreds have to offer.”