Horse Charity Village added to Festival of the Sun program

At Calder's Festival of the Sun event on Saturday, racehorses take center

stage in seven stakes races worth $1.13 million. But two retired Thoroughbreds

will also get their share of the action when they -- along with nine local

non-profit organizations specializing in equine rehabilitation, retraining, and

placement -- are honored in special Winner's Circle presentations and the Horse

Charity Village.

Returning to the track for the special occasion are Siphon City, a Grade 2

winner who is now a celebrated jumping horse for John and Lisa Hobbs of Hobbs

International Equestrian; and Tossa El Dartay, who trained to be a racehorse at

Calder but never competed, and is now a pleasure horse for a young girl named

Kayleigh Marshall. They are two examples of the many success stories of

Thoroughbreds leaving the track for their post-racing lives to start new

"careers."

Central to these success stories are the non-profit organizations with which

Calder and its parent company, Churchill Downs Inc., work. For example, the Pure

Thoughts Horse & Foal Rescue - Florida Thoroughbred Rehab & Placement Division

in Loxahatchee is dedicated to the rehabilitation, retraining, and placement of

former racehorses. Calder and Pure Thoughts have been partners since March 2009,

working to ensure that those involved with racehorses know there are many

options for Thoroughbreds once their racing careers are over.

To date, Pure Thoughts has taken in more than 100 Thoroughbreds at the end of

their racing careers. These Thoroughbreds have begun their "second careers" as

show horses for children and adults, horses used in therapy programs for abused

children, working horses for police departments, and in riding programs for the

disabled. They have also gone on to perform in other sports and have become pets

and trail horses.

Of these 100 Thoroughbreds, Pure Thoughts has rehabilitated, retrained, and

placed more than 50 of them into their new lives, careers and endeavors. All

horses go with a lifetime contract that allows for them to always return to Pure

Thoughts if need be. This helps to keep them out of harm's way. Currently, Pure

Thoughts has over 60 Thoroughbreds in various stages of rehabilitation and

retraining and several are now available for adoption.

The Florida Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (FHBPA) and its

membership has also given financial support to Pure Thoughts and similar

organizations to support South Florida horse rescue efforts, including the

establishment of the TRAC (Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care) Fund,

whereby .35 percent (roughly one-third of 1 percent) of purses is contributed to

this initiative. Contributions are allocated by committee each year to support

South Florida horse rescue efforts.

At the corporate level, Churchill Downs Inc. has spearheaded the Green

Pastures Program to educate horsemen about the options for retiring their

racehorses, facilitate the donation of retired racehorses to non-profit

organizations, and to raise awareness and funding for the non-profit

organizations with which we work.

In addition to Pure Thoughts, eight other local non-profit organizations will

have displays and horse-related items for sale to raise funds at Calder on

Saturday. While their respective missions may vary, each one of these

organizations focuses on the best interests of horses and the people who love

them. As a partner and supporter, Calder encourages horsemen, Team Members,

guests, and public at large to find out more about the good works of these

organizations and how they may help as well.

·

Bit By Bit Therapeutic Riding Center strives to provide

quality and therapeutic services to the special needs community within South

Florida. Their goal is to help all of their clients become as independent,

strong, and confident as possible through the magic of therapeutic horseback

riding.

·

Children's Foundation For Equine Assisted Therapy, Inc.

(Children's F.E.A.T.) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3

organization whose purpose is to provide equine-oriented activities for children

with varying developmental disabilities.

·

Equus for Humanity is a 501(c)3

organization which provides therapeutic and psychotherapy for special needs kids

through horses.

·

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Ranch is a horse rescue facility with a

"sponsor a horse" program that provides the local community the opportunity to

ride, love, and care for a horse -- all for an affordable sponsorship amount.

The facility has 60 acres of riding space and arenas, and hosts competitive and

fun events year round.

·

The Good Hope Equestrian Training Center (GHETC) has an array

of services for children, youth & adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum

Disorders: therapeutic horseback riding (ages 4&up), companion services (ages

5&up), adult day training (ages 21&up) & supported employment (ages 18&up).

·

Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida

is dedicated to providing therapeutic riding and equine assisted

activities for the handicapped so they may improve physically, mentally and

emotionally.

·

Project Stable is an equestrian and farm program that works

with special-needs children and provides agricultural education to the general

public.

·

South Florida SPCA is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation

and placement of horses and other animals.

The Horse Charity Village will be set up in the paddock at the east end of

the Calder grandstand from noon to 5 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday. Winner's circle

presentations featuring Siphon City, the Equine Health & Wellness Partners and

Tossa El Dartay will take place at approximately 1:35 p.m., 1:59 p.m. and 2:51

p.m., respectively.

The Festival of the Sun is in its 19th year at Calder, featuring seven stakes

races worth $1.13 million, including the finals of the prestigious Florida

Stallion S. Live musical entertainment, outdoor BBQ, and exquisite equine art

displays round out the day's activities.

Admission and parking are free. First race post time is 1:10 p.m. (EDT).