Archives by date

You are browsing the site archives by date.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) kicks off its annual hay drive.

Donate hay; enter to win an iPad mini

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation officially launched its annual TRF Hay Drive on Friday, February 19. Started in 2008, the annual TRF Hay Drive campaign is essential to help the TRF meet its annual hay costs of more than $200,000. This year, the theme “Hay! It’s what’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner.” has already taken off with an early challenge grant. Longtime supporter and board member Carl Domino set up the $2,500 match that was met in days. “We call it the Domino Effect,” said Diana Pikulski, TRF’s Director of External Affairs. “It was great to have such a successful launch […]

Will Wilson, a former inmate with the James River Work Center in Virginia, shares a moment with Hap's Online. Today, Wilson is a professional farrier. Photo by Karen Ryan

TRF horses, inmates grace the silver screen

A prisoner/horse program that has mended hearts and reshaped lives, and is featured in an independent film narrated by Vanessa Redgrave, will be shown next month in a screening aimed at enlightening viewers to the healing gifts of rescue animals. The Wound and the Gift, a cinematic creation inspired by a Japanese fable, which depicts trust and relationships with rescue animals, will be screened March 13 at 4 p.m. at the Ashland Theater in Ashland, Va. Tickets are $10, and proceeds benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at James River. Directed by Linda Hoaglund and filmed by award winning cinematographer Kirsten […]

War Emblem takes a stroll at Old Friends. Photo © Rick Capone

War Emblem, 17, gelded; USDA regs cited

Following the decision to castrate 17-year-old multiple graded stakes winner and Eclipse Award 2002 Champion 3 Year Old Colt War Emblem, Michael Blowen of Old Friends Kentucky released a statement explaining the reason the older champion was gelded. Citing USDA requirements concerning the disease Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM), and failed efforts to extract a sample from the great horse— who was recently imported back to the U.S. from Japan, and was required by law to be tested, Blowen explains in this statement the efforts made on behalf of the champion: “When a stallion is imported into the United States from […]