all in Aftercare

Laura Otten had previously owned an off-the-track Thoroughbred and always intended to return to riding and horse ownership. Over the years, she had followed several aftercare organizations, hoping to adopt another Thoroughbred someday. When the COVID-19 pandemic happened, it unexpectedly accelerated those plans. Otten began actively searching for her next horse, specifically a gelding suited for pleasure riding and low-level Eventing.

The average Thoroughbred has the potential lifespan of 25-35 years. If the horse races from age 2 to 4, he or she then has another 20-30 years beyond that, a whole other lifetime which for some could be spent as a stallion/broodmare or as a paddock pet for a loving owner. Beyond the racetrack or a backyard paddock is the show ring, another venue for the Thoroughbred to show off their athleticism and work ethic in partnership with riders of all ages and levels.

For Michele Enck, finding another heart horse was something she never expected to happen again. Enck is Maryland-based and currently works for The Maryland Jockey Club as the stakes coordinator, recently promoted from her role as horse identifier.

A few years ago, while working in her office at Pimlico, Jessica Hammond stopped by Enck’s window. Hammond serves as executive director for Beyond the Wire, a program designed to facilitate safe and enriching placements for retired Maryland-based racehorses.

Walter S. Robertson, Jr., president of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, announced today the inauguration of a new strategic plan for the organization, broadening the scope of its activities, enhancing its sustainability, and developing new partnerships toward encouraging use of Thoroughbreds beyond their racing and breeding years.

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) announced Jan. 27 that it has approved more than 8,000 awards and classes at more than 1,600 shows in 42 states and five Canadian provinces for 2026.

Awards are available for multiple disciplines, including eventing, dressage, Western and English pleasure, ranch horse, hunter/jumper, competitive trail, barrel racing, polo, and polocrosse. A full calendar of shows offering awards is available at: tjctip.com/CalendarOfEvents and will be updated as show dates are confirmed.

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