news

The officers and board members of Saddlebred Rescue, Inc. have announced a new naming award for those clubs and their horse shows that have kept Saddlebred Rescue as one of their key charities consistently over its history. These clubs have advertised the rescue in print and social media, held special designated classes or special fundraisers, and coordinated with Saddlebred Rescue to provide educational materials to its membership.

These efforts have contributed significantly each year to support the Saddlebred Rescue mission. All of these clubs received recognition at the 10th Anniversary of Saddlebred Rescue at the 2016 Louisville Brunch and Auction.

The clubs honored this year as Rescue Partners are Central States and their show Central States Benefit Horse Show under the leadership of Lynn McCallister. This show covers the Kansas/Missouri area and is held each year at the American Royal facility in Kansas City.

Next are two shows in Delaware, Ohio, held at the local county fairgrounds. The Delaware Riding Club's Delaware Charity Spring Horse Show is co-chaired by Lynn Snowden and Julee O'Reilly, and the Twin Rivers Charity Horse Show, managed under the leadership of Leslie Backus. Both of these events are part of the Tri State Horse Shows Association, a recent supporter of the rescue.

TASHA, the Texas American Saddlebred Association, located in the Houston area, has for many years supported the rescue as its charity for both its spring show and its year-end holiday show in early December. The rescue works with President Kelly McQuerry and the board to provide promotional and educational products to support fundraising activities at their events. In addition, many of their members have been and continue to be supporters.

Nealia McCracken, operations manager at the rescue, noted that it is the commitment and enthusiasm of these organizations, their horse shows, and their members, that keep her moving forward. "We value that professionals, owners and enthusiasts in the horse show industry understand what we are doing, how we run our program and the level of resources it takes that makes their continuing support that more special to the rescue," she says.

In the best interests of the horses, the rescue takes ownership of every horse, and puts it through rehab and an evaluation program before the horse is deemed ready for adoption. Each horse has its own special program so the adoption is the best match possible, and Saddlebred Rescue's commitment to every horse does not stop there. If for any reason an adopter can no longer keep a horse, that horse must be returned to the Rescue. That was a commitment made in the program from the very beginning.

With more than 1,200 saves, rescues, and placements to date, Saddlebred Rescue has a multitude of success stories that were only made possible by the hundreds of donations and supporters across the country. It is these Rescue Partners who keep the organization moving forward week after week.

-- via Saddlebred Rescue Inc.