Dan Fick, David Pope Honored by RTCA

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America has honored Dan Fick with its RTCA Community Service Award and David Pope with its RTCA White Horse Award.

Fick has served in leadership positions with numerous organizations, including The Jockey Club, American Quarter Horse Association, various state racing commissions, Winners Federation, Groom Elite, Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, and many others. He was instrumental in establishing the Racing Officials Accreditation Program.

With decades of service to the chaplaincy, Fick has helped to craft the organization. He served on the RTCA National Board as President and now has reached Director Emeritus status with the organization. Most recently, he served as the Council President for the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy.

David Pope was honored with the chaplaincy's White Horse Award, which recognizes heroes in the horse racing industry. Pope responded to a Facebook post from Shawhan Place Farm manager Matt Koch, who had learned that a friend and fellow marine he had served with, Chris Kilpatrick, was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. After attending a church service where the message was about “meaningful giving,” Pope took the initial step to see if he might be a match. At each stage of testing, it was confirmed that Pope was indeed a perfect match. So, in the fall of 2022, he made the decision to donate his kidney to a total stranger. It was a successful operation, and both men are doing well today.