Author Archives: Bonnie

May 5th, 2012 is the Kentucky Derby, and After the Races is holding its very first Derby party!

Like last time, the event will be held at Barnaby’s in West Chester, PA. For those who were at our last event, this will be held in a larger space, with better drinks and food. There will be an open bar that includes ANY type of beer available (draft, tap, bottles, etc), as well as house wines, well liquor, as well as MINT JULEPS!

Bring your best Derby hat as we will be having several hat contests! Also come prepared to wager on your best Derby pick, compete for raffles, and have a great time sharing the Derby experience with a group of fellow Thoroughbred enthusiasts. This is a day to celebrate the horse that is an OTTB. They come from high trainers and low and have the biggest hearts of all horses in this writer’s opinion.

Tickets for the event will cost $60 and you will be given free raffle tickets for EVERY item you bring with you to donate to our cause. We are looking for small items, from leftover medications (in date, please), first aid supplies, trash bags, halters, leads, to saddle pads. They can be gently used or new and all items will be used and appreciated by our 12 horses in rehab and retraining.

To order tickets and for more information, click here!

The past two months at After the Races have been busy and exciting! In January alone we were able to find homes for four of our horses, some who were long-time residents. No Stone Unturned (a.k.a. “Rocky”) was a horse who we had for over six months recovering from a broken pastern which we fused for him.  He was a long shot as far as chances for recovery but he not only made it but came sound and eager for a job! He is now living with Samantha in New Holland, PA where he is an all-around pleasure mount and best friend. She has been riding him as well as playing games on the ground and recently started working on introducing him to driving! He is very lucky to have found her and we can’t wait to hear more about his adventures!

Along with Rocky we had long-timer Elector (a.k.a. “Lexi”) who was with us for 7 months recovering from a broken sesamoid. Lexi went on to live with Bob and Shawn and their family mere miles from our new location in Nottingham. There he is being spoiled and loved on and they hope he will be a lifelong companion and riding horse for their family.

We also found homes for Sue the Attorney and Call Me Lonesome. Sue the Attorney went to live with Justyne in Red Lion, PA where she was intended to be Justyne’s new mount but ended up getting “stolen” by Justyne’s husband Dave! Dave plans to enjoy her both on trails and as a paper chase mount and Justyne has since gone on to adopt another OTTB for herself!  Call Me Lonesome was only with us briefly and went to live with new owner Meg in Bucks County where he will hopefully become her next dressage mount.

As I write this we are in February and have already found homes for: Our Shady Lady, Jesdarand, Peaceful Meadow, and Long Island Duck. Shade recently moved to North Carolina with new owner Kimberly where she will be a hunter-jumper and hopefully lifelong riding partner Kimberly will share countless memories with. Jesdarand moved to Maryland with new owner Susannah who is spoiling her and loving her to pieces. Jesdarand will be a pleasure mount and hopefully lifelong buddy for Susannah who hopes to start taking lessons with her in the new future. Peaceful Meadow was never on our farm, but we helped a local Steeplechase trainer place her with Justyne (who also has Sue the Attorney), and Long Island Duck just left for Dover, PA where he will be in the loving care of Haley and her family and friends!

Also at this moment we have C’est la Fleet and Flight to Eden both pending adoption as well as serious interest in Singapore Girl. Please keep them all in mind as they head to their new homes and thank you for your continued support! 

After the Races has moved to a new location in Nottingham, Pennsylvania. Our new facility includes a 16 stall barn with heated tack room, hot/cold wash stall and great lighting. There are 5 separate pastures, a round pen, and a cute little area we hope to turn into a bit of a ring. We are very excited about the possibilities and the potential it has to be a safe, convenient farm for rehabbing a variety of racing related injuries.

If you would like to help us in our move and as we settle in we have updated our wishlist on the “How to Help” page but items that are most needed include shelves/hooks for organizing and a 4-wheeler or small ATV. Donations can be made and assigned to these as well!

November was an exciting month for us with four horses adopted. Contesa and Muskwa went to a great home in NC where Contesa will be used for breeding and Muskwa for lessons. Shade went to a great home where she will be used for trail riding and camping trips and all kinds of fun adventures, and Silky was adopted by a 12 year old who hopes to use her in western games and riding!

We have several nice horses who have come to us recently. Several 3 year old fillies who are beautiful, a 3 year old grey gelding, and a 6 year old chestnut gelding all of which have no limitations. We also acquired a sweet older gelding who is 9 years old and recovering from an old bowed tendon.

All in all we’re hoping December will be another great month. Please consider us if thinking about contributing in honor of a friend or family member for the holidays. But most of all consider us if you are looking for your next horse or know someone who is looking. OTTBs are beautiful, versatile riding partners with a work ethic that is unsurpassed by any other. And these guys are in need of great homes!

First, a big THANK YOU to all who participated in our first big fundraiser at Barnaby’s in West Chester. I wanted to thank specifically all those who donated items or gift certificates for the raffles including: Braided Love (horse hair jewelry), Longhorn Steakhouse, TGI Fridays, Applebees, On the Border, Kolb’s Dairy, as well as individuals who donated items or time including Pam, Farah, Kate, and Chelsea.

The event was a huge success and in a matter of a few hours we were able to raise nearly $2,700 with nearly 70 attendees. This money is going to vet bills for the horses who are in more intensive rehab programs, as well as the day to day needs. It will pay for one month’s entire supply of grain and hay as well! Job very well done!

Adoptions have also been active this month, with three horses being adopted so far this month including Indy Knight, Our Shady Lady, and Dazzling Reality. Indy and “Houdini” are doing great in their new homes and Shade is patiently awaiting transport to her new farm and they could not be going to better people. Indy will be a trail horse and riding partner. Dazzling Reality will be a trail and pleasure mount, and Shade will be used in English lessons and learn to ride in parades and other exciting events at Valley Forge Military Academy where her new owner and rider attends school.

Also, after several months borrowing a horse trailer from a board member, we finally acquired one of our own. The 1994 Glick horse trailer was practically given to us by Karen and Jay in Pottstown and is a godsend. The trailer is in good shape and we are very happy to have it. We are currently looking for someone who does bodywork to repaint it in exchange for a logo on the horse trailer. Please contact us if interested.

Thank you all again. We still have many great horses in need of homes and hope to have some more good news soon!

Bonnie

Order tickets here! Just Follow the Instructions!