The Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) has joined the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) as an industry stakeholder and has pledged its monthly financial support to aid accredited aftercare non-profits in the Sunshine State.
“We take our responsibility seriously to provide care and the opportunity for a new life to our equine athletes who have concluded their racing careers,” said Tom Cannell, treasurer of the Florida HBPA. “Partnering with TAA and their accredited reorganizations will provide us an opportunity to successfully achieve these mutually desired goals.”
Currently the TAA has 10 accredited organizations with facilities in Florida that provide sanctuary, adoption, rehabilitation, and equine-assisted programs. These organizations are: Equestrian Inc., Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation, Final Furlong, Florida TRAC, Hidden Acres
Rescue for Thoroughbreds, Peaceful Ridge Rescue, RVR Horse Rescue, South Florida SPCA, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, and Thoroughbred Retirement of Tampa.
This pledge will also strengthen the efforts of the newly established Gulfstream Park Transition Program, which works with South Florida horsemen to move retiring racehorses off the track and into TAA-accredited facilities.
“Sometimes there are gestures that break through the cluttered gloom of chaos and restore one's hope and faith. The Florida HBPA provided one such gesture during this challenging time,” TAA President John Phillips said. “We are thrilled that the TAA's relationship with the Florida HBPA was significantly reinforced with an ongoing financial pledge.”
The Florida HBPA joins a number of TAA stakeholders in the Sunshine State, including Ocala Breeders' Sales Company, Tampa Bay Downs, Tampa Bay HBPA, Gulfstream Park, and Ocala Stud among others.
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