| Every year, thousands of Thoroughbred racehorses | | | | Thoroughbreds through organizations or shows. |
| find themselves homeless and without purpose due to | | | | Most show circuits have local or regional shows that |
| events in the Thoroughbred racing industry. Some | | | | they organize. This is an excellent opportunity to offer |
| horses are not fast enough, some owners cannot pay | | | | year end awards for the highest ranked Off Track |
| the bills. The fate of many of these horses is uncertain | | | | Thoroughbred in a class series or division. Unlike |
| at best. The fortunate ones find themselves in second | | | | Quarter Horses, Arabians, Appaloosas, and other |
| careers in different horse sports. Thoroughbred | | | | breeds, Thoroughbreds do not have specific breed |
| racehorses make excellent partners for a variety of | | | | shows in which they can compete against their peers. |
| equestrian activities. It is important for event organizers | | | | Offering a year end high point award, such as "the |
| to promote these TBs so that people will be | | | | Highest Dressage Average for an Off-Track |
| encouraged to use them. | | | | Thoroughbred" encourages their owners to compete in |
| Thoroughbred racing is exciting and beautiful to watch. | | | | more shows to achieve this reward. |
| The horses are magnificent and the competition is | | | | Local shows can offer classes for |
| thrilling. Thoroughbreds have been selectively and | | | | Thoroughbreds-only. An example would be a hunter |
| carefully bred for 400 years to perform. These | | | | show that offers a "Thoroughbred Hunter Hack Class". |
| qualities also make them wonderful competition | | | | Additional classes could be offered, and a Grand |
| mounts in a variety of horse sports such as eventing, | | | | Champion and Reserve Champion Thoroughbred |
| dressage, hunters, jumpers, barrel racing, and | | | | could be named at the show's conclusion. High point |
| endurance. Most people, when shopping for a new | | | | awards are a great way to increase participation at a |
| horse, don't think to look at the numerous adoption | | | | show. |
| agencies and other avenues that supply the industry | | | | Offering performance certificates is another positive |
| with off track Thoroughbreds. These horses are | | | | way to promote Thoroughbreds for sport. Year end |
| numerous, plentiful, and affordable. Even better, they | | | | certificates are based on performance, not points. |
| have experience with being handled, loading on trailers, | | | | Examples include "Novice Level - 4 Clean Cross |
| the veterinarian, the farrier, noisy crowds, and other | | | | Country Rounds", "First Level - 4 Scores 60% or |
| various activities. Their young lives have exposed them | | | | higher", or "Schooling Hunter - 15 Clean Rounds". |
| to many different things. With the exception of | | | | Organizations and shows should ask for proof of |
| eventing or competitive endurance, there are few | | | | Jockey Club Registry and a copy of the race record. |
| sports that can begin to duplicate the physical stress a | | | | These records are available from the Jockey Club |
| Thoroughbred has already endured. | | | | Information System and are inexpensive if not free. |
| Part of promoting Thoroughbreds as quality | | | | Proof positive of whether or not a Thoroughbred has |
| competitors is to recognize them as such. There are | | | | raced can be found in whether or not a lip tattoo is |
| many off track Thoroughbreds in active competition, | | | | present. Racing Thoroughbreds are tattooed under |
| but people aren't aware of this unless it is promoted. | | | | their top lip with a code that indicates the year in which |
| And excellent way to bring focus to this is by offering | | | | they were born (represented by a letter) followed by |
| special classes and awards to off track | | | | a number (several digits). |