Shout Out! «

Thank You and So Long

September 12, 2012 at 10:17 amCategory:Shout Out!

For over six years the human behind the personality of Merry Horses has been creating interactive venues for equine rescuers to interact, pool their resources and generally find new ways to connect with each other as well as the public. From creating a massive social network for equine advocacy, to a Facebook page that pools and disseminates posts for rescues and advocacy groups clear through to a professionally designed and published book that lists “Whos Who in Equine Advocacy”.

The time has come for me to step away from these enormous projects and get back to work in areas where my positivity seems to have greater impact: my art. Of course I won’t be giving up my work with equine advocacy entirely. Not by any means. I’ll just be redirecting my efforts in less public, more targeted ways. Some will pop up as select creative offerings in my online shop at HappyArt.com wth proceeds clearly earmarked for different equine (and other) animal rescues.

I want to thank everyone who got on board with these many projects and helped them succeed for as long as they did. I will continue to work quietly behind the scenes making this world a better, safer place for equines and all animals.

Thank you. Good Bye!

–Marti McGinnis

“Merry Horses”

Thoroughbred Horse Show – Inaugural Event

March 9, 2012 at 10:41 amCategory:Feel Good Stories | Shout Out!

Hunter Jumper Classes

Coming to the Kentucky Horse Park next month is a wonderful new opportunity for ‘retired’ race horses to strut their stuff out in public. Organized by the Thoroughbred Horse Show Association, this fun new event will showcase the versatility of this amazing breed in a variety of classes.

The Thoroughbred Horse Show Association was created to develop horse shows exclusively for Thoroughbreds that are registered with The Jockey Club. These shows are designed to showcase Thoroughbreds in their second careers.

The Classes

The first scheduled show is for April 14 and 15th, with a second due to take place October 6 and 7. While there will be an emphasis on Hunter Jumper classes, there are also two class categories that will reach out and appeal to a broad base of thoroughbred horse lovers:
In Hand Showmanship and Suitability

The TB "in hand"

Competitors will be judged on how well he or she exhibits the horse to its best advantage, with additional scoring for the grooming and presentation of both horse and handler. The horse’s soundness, muscling, and balance count and the ability of the handler to control the horses body and mind are taken into consideration. In Showmanship the handler stands on the horses opposite side of the judge to give the judge a clear view of the horse. For conformation classes, horses will be judged on correctness, balance, and conformation and the handler remains on near side.
Introduction to Competitive Trail Riding Obstacle
Horse and riders will have a start time and will be sent out on the course in groups of 3 or 4. Riders may choose their group. The course will be 6 to 8 miles, around the Kentucky Horse Park with 6 obstacles and may include crossing water, walking over a log, backing up, passing through hay bales, and side passing.

The Fun Goes On

Competitors are not required to be members of the association, but they must enter Thoroughbreds using the horse’s registered name with The Jockey Club. With this information, a list of horses competing in our shows and affiliated shows will be made available to association members. As a result, owners, breeders, trainers, rescue organizations, and fans will be able to follow the second careers of horses they admired at the racetrack. More info on all the classes available here.

About The Show Creators

Jan Roehl has worked with Thoroughbreds and has been involved in horse shows for most of her life. She spent 20 years competing in combined training and several years working on the racetrack. She has extensive experience working with riders with disabilities as well as creating shows. Call or email her for more information on this wonderfully worthwhile series! jan@tbhorseshow.org, (859) 421-8710.

John Prather has a resume chock full of equine and equestrian event experience as well. In 2010, John was the main stadium manager at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. His duties included planning, security, traffic control, trade fair, and patron logistics. He was the point of contact for the 700 volunteers working in the stadium and oversaw the scheduling and management for the event. He can be reached at john@tbhorseshow.org or (859) 421-8710.

Find them on Facebook.

Good News for TBs

November 5, 2011 at 10:31 amCategory:Shout Out!

In honor of today’s Breeders’ Cup races being held in Louisville, KY I just wanted to get a shout out to all the good folks who have stepped up and done right by these gorgeous athletes. There are more retirement organizations than ever, more retraining and rehoming programs than ever and an increasing awareness of what can happen to the ones that retire.

The work isn’t done but it’s an excellent uplifting start. Today as we all enjoy watching some of the swiftest horses in the land compete mightily for the amusement of we onlookers let’s wish them all safe journeys and job security! If you like this would be an awesome time to send a donation to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation – especially if you win some money or if one of the competitors has won your heart.

Need a face on it? Then send some money to Michael Blowen of Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky. They specialize in retired stallions. Because of how big masculine equines act – these dudes are especially difficult to rehome. Michael gives ‘em each their own paddock to keep them safe from each other’s natural instincts to fight. Tricky business.

And there’s The Second Race? Here’s an organization that connects retired thoroughbreds out in southern California with new homes. Thoroughbreds come into this world for our entertainment, folks like Mr. Blowen and Sharla Sanders out west help them retire or get re-employed with the dignity we all assume each one enjoys. In fact many end up in far unhappier situations. But thanks to small donations that can really add up – more and more move on just the way we all hope they will!