Hats off to Old Friends and new ambassadors

Abigail Gentry on her New Vocations OTTB Bridlemeup is one of 16 Ambassadors to the charity.

Abigail Gentry on her New Vocations OTTB Bridlemeup is one of 16 Ambassadors to the charity.

New Vocations taps ambassadors

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced the names of 16 ambassadors of the Thoroughbred and Standardbred re-homing organization to represent and promote the successful horse charity.

The individual equestrians who adopted ex-racehorses from the program will be asked to blog about their experiences as they participate in a wide range of disciplines with their equine partner, including dressage, eventing, hunter/jumpers, endurance, saddleseat, and driving.

The shows, the events, and all other activities that the 16 ambassadors participate in will help spread the good word about the ex-racehorse sport horse, and the New Vocations program, says New Vocations Program Director Anna Ford.

“On any given day we have over 70 horses in our program needing a new home, so it’s crucial that we continue to seek ways to educate the public about our program and the versatility of retired racehorses,” Ford says. “We are extremely pleased to have 16 highly qualified equestrians promote racehorse adoptions in their chosen discipline this year.”

The New Vocations Thoroughbred Ambassadors are: Jill Stowe and Dundee; Laura Vorwerk and Sam P; Alexandra Gainer and Gone Ballistic; Peggy O’Neill and Patty Wagon; Abigail Gentry and both Bridlemeup and Chanttoomuch; Laura Norton and Angel’s Tune; Mary McDonald and Russian Ally; Monica Vollmer and Yankee Wonder; and Nicole Schimweg and Tina H.

The New Vocations Standardbred Ambassadors are: Jenna Mock and Ukase Hanover; Amanda Munson and Studs Hooligan; Anne Houle and Lucky NZ; Chris Glover and Silver Match; Debra Schiff and All American Legacy; Patricia Clark and East Meets West; and Bev Patterson and Inglorious Barnard.

Each ambassador will be responsible for promoting New Vocations at various events and shows throughout the year by handing out program literature, displaying banners, and wearing New Vocations apparel. Ambassadors will also have their own individual blog page on the New Vocations website where they can post about their show experiences as well as share photos and fun video clips taken at the events.

Leading jockey Rosie Napravnik poses with Geri, the hat and the horse.The hat is the final auction piece for the 5th annual Hats off for Old Friends fundraiser.

Leading jockey Rosie Napravnik poses with Geri, the hat and the horse.The hat is the final auction piece for the 5th annual Hats Off for the Horses fundraiser.

Hats Off for Old Friends

Leading jockey Rosie Napravnik, a board member of Old Friends Equine, caps off the run up to the Kentucky Derby by modeling a stunning chapeau currently being auctioned for Old Friend’s annual Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby.

To date, haute couture hat fashions crafted by Massachusetts-based milliner Sally Faith Steinmann, of Maggie Mae Designs® have raised more than $20,000 for the Kentucky-based horse charity.

This year’s auction took on added glamor and charm when the svelte Napravnik agreed to model auction hats, while posing next to former racehorses who inspired the artist in some way.

The last hat available in the six-month auction is the “Geri,” a scarlet red confection inspired by 22-year-old chestnut ex-racehorse Geri, a retiree at Old Friends.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Old Friends has joined with acclaimed milliner Steinmann to auction six handcrafted Kentucky Derby hats, each inspired by one of the non-profit organization’s 125 retired racehorses.

Bidding on “The Geri” runs April 1-11th. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.

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