United States Eventing Association

The TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program Inc., which debuted in Florida in 2013, will hold three times as many classes in the Sunshine State this year. The Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, set for Jan. 8-Mar. 30, will offer eight weeks of TAKE2 Hunter and Jumper classes (Weeks I, II, IV, V, VII, VIII, X and XI), and the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in Ocala, FL, scheduled for Jan. 15-Mar. 24, will host four weeks of TAKE2 Hunter classes (Weeks V, VI, VIII and IX) in 2014.

“HITS is very happy to be part of the TAKE2 Thoroughbred program,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “As a horseman, I am thrilled to see the Thoroughbred returning to the show ring; as a show manager, I am pleased to be part of a program that embraces both the exhibitor and the horse show. This series is just what the exhibitors are looking for, with year-end awards that reward them for all their hard work throughout the season.”

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) partnered with the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. (NYTB) in 2012 to establish the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program Inc. Open to raced and unraced Thoroughbreds, the program sponsors prize money and year-end awards for restricted hunter and jumper classes nationwide. TAKE2 classes were offered at more than 50 A- and AA-rated horse shows in 18 states and 10 of the 12 U.S. Equestrian Federation zones in 2013, with more than 250 Thoroughbreds competing. The schedule is expected to include more than 75 weeks in 2014. The program is designed to highlight the success of Thoroughbreds as show horses, thereby creating more opportunities for retiring racehorses in need of second careers. It is supported by Thoroughbred organizations across the U.S.

“When we came up with the TAKE2 concept, we were not sure how it would be received by the hunter/jumper world,” NYTHA President Rick Violette Jr. said. “We were cautiously optimistic, but the response has far exceeded our expectations. With the help of enthusiastic show managers and generous Thoroughbred organizations across the country, we grew from just a handful of shows in three states our first year to more than 50 shows in 18 states in 2013, and the program will expand again this year. People are recognizing the value of the Thoroughbred in the show ring; that’s going to make it ever easier to find homes for our retired racehorses, which has always been our goal.”

For more information, go to www.take2tbreds.com or follow TAKE2 on Facebook and Twitter.