United States Eventing Association

MILLBROOK, N.Y. (June 7, 2013) – Career2, a New York state-wide program created to promote Eventing as a second career for thoroughbred horses, has been suspended for the 2013 competition season due to lack of funding, according to organizers.

Career2 made an extremely successful debut last year, registering more than 250 Thoroughbred horses that competed at U.S. Eventing Association-sanctioned (USEA) competitions across the state from June to September. The program received initial seed funding from the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA).

“Unfortunately, we were not able to secure sufficient funding to run the program this year,” said Louise Meryman, international event rider and co-founder of Career2. “We are all disappointed, especially the event riders who so enthusiastically embraced the program, but we are working diligently to raise money so that the program can resume next year.”

Career2, which costs about $40,000 annually, was created to promote the retraining of thoroughbreds – many of which come off the racetrack – for a second career. Very few of the 25,000 thoroughbred foals born each year go on to successful racing careers, leaving many horses in need of homes and new jobs.

By the time they are three or four – an age other breeds are only beginning to be put into work -- most thoroughbreds have finished their racing careers. “So many thoroughbreds are looking for a second career, since they have long and useful lives ahead of them,” Meryman said.

Eventing, considered the triathalon of equestrian sports because it encompasses the disciplines of dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country jumping, is the perfect match for the breed. The thoroghbred is known for its athleticism, stamina and bravery, all critical characteristics of an Event horse. Roughly a third of all horses in the sport of Eventing are thoroughbreds, and many have enjoyed great success at the highest level of the sport.

“The Career2 program resulted in a greater appreciation and interest in the use of thoroughbreds in the sport of Eventing,” said Career2 co-founder Beth Ledy. “This is a solid accomplishment, but it is only a first step in providing these great equine athletes a chance at a second career.”

Career2 organizers are asking eventers to do what they can to spread the word about the value of the thoroughbred until the program can resume. “We are so very appreciative of the funding we received from NYRA and NYTHA to get this program off the ground and demonstrate the broad interest there is in these horses,” Meryman said. “We are committed to securing the funding that will allow the program to resume in 2014.”