Edited Press Release
The TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program will now recognize the results and count the points earned by TAKE2 Thoroughbred League members competing in the rated Thoroughbred Hunter and Thoroughbred Jumper Divisions at all USEF horse shows. This rule change will be retroactive to the beginning of the current TAKE2 season, which kicked off on August 29, 2022, and runs through August 27, 2023.
“When we started TAKE2, we required the USEF-rated horse shows to complete an application to affiliate with our program,” TAKE2 Executive Director Andy Belfiore explained. “Unfortunately, there were horse shows that offered the rated Thoroughbred Divisions but did not submit the application and as a result, we had League members who missed out on points. We felt it was in the best interest of our League members, and would best help us fulfill our mission of promoting second careers for retired racehorses, if we modified our rules, discontinuing the application requirement and expanding the TAKE2 network.”
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary in 2022, TAKE2 has grown from just a handful of horse shows in three states to more than 400 horse shows nationwide. The program was created by the late Rick Violette Jr., then president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), in 2012 to put the spotlight on the success of Thoroughbreds in the show ring.
“Rick would be overwhelmed by the support TAKE2 has received not only from the racing industry, but also from the many Thoroughbred lovers in the sport horse world,” Belfiore said, adding, “We encourage horse shows to brand the rated Thoroughbred Divisions as TAKE2, so we can continue to raise awareness and create second career opportunities for retired racehorses.”
NYTHA partnered with the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. (NYTB) in 2012 to launch the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program, with the goal of creating more second career opportunities and making it easier to find new homes for retired racehorses. TAKE2 sponsors awards and prize money in Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper divisions and supports Thoroughbred aftercare initiatives nationwide. To date, more than 2,000 Thoroughbreds have participated in the TAKE2 Program. A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, TAKE2 is co-funded by members of the Thoroughbred industry around the country: NYTHA, NYTB, New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund; Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Associations in Illinois (through Galloping Out), Maryland (through Beyond the Wire), and Pennsylvania (through Turning for Home); and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company. TAKE2 is a 2022 TCA grantee. For more information, or to join the TAKE2 Thoroughbred League, go to www.take2tbreds.com.
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