Trotter - Standardbred Roadster Foundation is proud to announce its official launch as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the Roadster show horse discipline as a rewarding second career option for off-the-track Standardbred racehorses. Founded in 2024, the foundation aims to highlight the athleticism and versatility of Standardbreds, ensuring these remarkable athletes receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve after their racing careers.

The foundation’s mission is to create a supportive and vibrant community that fosters the transition and welfare of Standardbred racehorses into their second careers as Roadster show horses. By showcasing their talents in the show ring, Trotter aims to reduce the number of unwanted racehorses and encourage the adoption of these incredible animals.

Key Initiatives:

• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with industry leaders, trainers and equestrian organizations to create a network of support and resources for transitioning Standardbreds. This includes raising prize money for the USTA Off the Track Series Championship. There has been $5,000 in prize money secured for this year’s USTA Off the Track Series Championship.
• Educational Support: Offering resources to educate owners, trainers and the public about the benefits and process of transitioning Standardbreds to Roadster competitions.
• USTA Off the Track Series: Supporting the second career of off-the-track Standardbreds through Roadster competitions. This series provides a platform for Standardbreds to shine and thrive as a second career.
• Matchmaking: Interested participants will be given resources to find potential retired Standardbreds looking for a new career as a Roadster show horse.

“We believe in the potential of every Standardbred racehorse to excel in a second career,” said Duncan Huyler and Darlene Porter, founders of Trotter - Standardbred Roadster Foundation. “Our goal is to raise awareness about the Roadster discipline and create opportunities for these horses to thrive in new roles, ensuring their welfare and continued success.”

The foundation invites horse enthusiasts, trainers and supporters to join them in their mission so that together, they can create a brighter future for off-the-track Standardbreds, celebrating their resilience and versatility.

For more information about Trotter - Standardbred Roadster Foundation, visit trotter-srf.org or contact the organization at trottersrf@gmail.com or 1-845-239-3939.

The United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) recently announced that Barbara Goodman Manilow has agreed to sponsor the UPHA Open Gate Learning Center program at the 2024 Kentucky State Fair World's Championship Horse Show. The Center is an on-site study and learning center for young equestrians competing at the World's Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Ky.

The center provides academic support to equestrian student-athletes, grades 5-12, who are away from their local schools while exhibiting at competitions. Students can stay abreast of their academic requirements in the center's structured learning environment. The center is supervised by a professional teacher who provides basic academic support such as clarification of assignments, proofreading work, proctoring tests, and answering students' questions. The center will work with teachers from the student's school to help guide the student's academic activities while absent. The center can receive assignments, PowerPoint notes, outlines, etc. from teachers throughout the competition.

The center is available to students beginning Monday, August 19 through Saturday, August 24. The program is free to youth who are current members of UPHA; participation is offered for a $200 fee to non-members. Students must complete an application before the show to participate. Space is limited; applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

The application deadline is Friday, August 9, 2024.

If you have any questions, contact Debbie Murphy at 804-366-9455 or email opengatelearningcenter@gmail.com

The application can be found here.

The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) yesterday released results of a survey around its new championship horse show, which will debut in 2025.

“The announcement of the new show and survey has generated excitement and optimism for the industry,” said David Mount, ASHBA Executive Director. “More than 1,300 individuals responded to the survey, which is an outstanding indicator of the level of interest.”

Highlights from the survey include:

• 26% of the respondents want the show to be held in Kentucky, with 24% in the central part of the country, and 22% in the Midwest.
  35% of the respondents want the show to be held in September, with 34% in October.
  The majority of the respondents felt it was important for the show to be held at an equine focused facility, with permanent stalls, and multiple show rings.
  Specific facilities suggested include the World Equestrian Center (Ocala), OKC Fairgrounds (Oklahoma City), Kentucky Horse Park (Lexington), and the Kentucky Exposition Center (Louisville).
  The majority of the respondents felt it was important to have good on-site hospitality at the show and good hotels near the show.
  The respondents want to see the addition of Masters classes, Walk Trot Pleasure 12 and Under, Junior Exhibitor Hunter Country Pleasure, Five Gaited Country Pleasure and Open Park Pleasure classes at the show.

“Survey respondents welcome the opportunity for a show run by us, citing a desire for a more inclusive and innovative event that showcases our amazing breed in order to grow,” says Allen Bosworth, ASHBA President.

The New Championship Horse Show Survey results can be found HERE.

“We used the data received from the survey to draft a Request for Proposal that has been sent to seven facilities,” said Smith Lilly, co-chair of the New Championship Horse Show Exploratory Committee.

Those facilities include the American Royal (Kansas City), Expo Square (Tulsa), Indiana State Fairgrounds (Indianapolis), Kentucky Exposition Center (Louisville), Kentucky Horse Park (Lexington), OKC Fairgrounds (Oklahoma City), and the World Equestrian Center (Ocala).

“The Request for Proposals are due back July 31, and we will conduct site visits as part of our due diligence,” said Joe O’Brien, co-chair of the New Championship Horse Show Exploratory Committee. “We hope to announce the location for the new show by the end of September.”

The Request for Proposal can be found HERE.

As always, ASHBA will keep its members informed as details become available.

The American Saddlebred Museum is pleased to announce a special event in Shelbyville, Ky., on Friday, August 2 at 11:30 a.m. This event will be held at the historic Wakefield-Scearce at 525 Washington Street, in downtown Shelbyville. 

This fun, casual afternoon will feature lunch, style show by Glasscock and an exciting silent auction, followed by a panel discussion about the American Saddlebred in Shelby County. 

Event updates and ticket information is available on the Museum’s website at asbmuseum.org.  

The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) announced today the creation of a New Horse Show Exploratory Committee, led by co-chairs Smith Lilly and Joe O’Brien, whose purpose is to create an exciting new championship horse show in 2025 for the show horse industry, owned by the industry. The new horse show will be organized under a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

“For many years, the question has been asked, ‘Why don’t we create our own show?’,” said Allen Bosworth, president of the ASHBA Board of Directors. “The time to answer that question is here, and the answer is, ‘2025 can’t get here fast enough!’”

“This one-of-a-kind show experience will be designed to showcase the beauty, athleticism, and versatility of the show breeds and foster the growth of passionate enthusiasts committed to these breeds for generations to come,” Lilly said. “We will celebrate excellence in horsemanship as we build this show on the pillars of innovation, hospitality, integrity and safety.”

“In order to produce the world’s greatest championship horse show experience, it’s vital that we listen to our owners, exhibitors and trainers – not just now, but always,” O’Brien said. “To that end, we need your help. Your input is important in helping create a show that our industry has long desired and deserved.”

ASHBA is asking industry members to fill out the new championship horse show survey, provided below. The deadline to submit feedback is June 20, and your feedback will be kept anonymous.

“The committee members will use your feedback as guidance for creating the new show, said David Mount, executive director of ASHBA. “We also plan to conduct town halls at horse shows later this summer and this fall. If you have an idea for the show after the survey deadline, please email it to competitions@saddlebred.com.”

ASHBA is also planning to have a contest to name the new show – details will be announced soon.

New Championship Horse Show Survey

Horse Show Exploratory Committee Members