–Tournament to be held on Opening Weekend of the 2011 Del Mar Racing Season–

In support of providing funding for the rehabilitation, retraining and/or retirement of Thoroughbred horses that have raced in California, CARMA will be hosting their 4th annual charity Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, Poker in Paradise, on Saturday, July 23, at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel at 6pm.

CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) is a charitable 501 (c)(3) organization formed to assist Thoroughbred rehabilitation and retirement organizations that facilitate the care and retraining of horses who raced in California and whose racing careers have ended. CARMA ensures the racehorses have retirement options by managing and disbursing funds to qualified retirement facilities caring for such horses.

In support of CARMA’s efforts, attendees of the Poker in Paradise event will enjoy a laid back tropical paradise theme along with heavy appetizers.  Guests will mix and mingle with industry elite, including racehorse owners, trainers and jockeys.

“We are extremely proud of the work we’ve done for the horses in our racing community and look forward to the support at this year’s Poker in Paradise event to enable us to continue our work,” said CARMA Board Chair Madeline Auerbach. “The CARMA program has been a proven success in terms of dollars raised and most importantly in the tangible results seen at our benefitting farms and facilities where the horses live. I’ve seen firsthand that the money is being put to good use.”

Individual poker players enter into the Texas Hold ‘Em style tournament with a $200 donation. Poker players are encouraged to bring guests to attend and enjoy the event.  Corporate tables for 8 players are available for a $3,000 donation. Additional donation opportunities will be available through on-site opportunity drawings. Register for the event by July 1st and receive a complimentary Clubhouse Pass valid any single day of 2011 Del Mar Meet.

CARMA is funded by individual donations and by their work with the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) to adopt a rule allowing for a 0.3 percent deduction from purses to help fund equine retirement.  This deduction, one owners can opt-out of, is used to help support equine retirement farms and other non-profit programs that care for and retrain retired Thoroughbred racehorses.   To date, CARMA has received support from 80 percent of horse owners.

Since its inception in 2008, CARMA has granted $728,810 which has provided care to hundreds of Thoroughbreds that participated in California races at some point in their career. Over 80 percent of the funds raised by the organization are utilized in the day-to-day care of these horses.

Tickets for the Poker in Paradise event are now available at www.carma4horses.org. For questions please call (626) 574-6622 or email info@CARMA4horses.org. The Del Mar Hilton hotel is located at 15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, California 92014.  Attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

Comments: Comments Off

Comments are closed.

« Lucinda Mandella Named CARMA Executive Director

http://www.carma4horses.org/archives/poker-in-paradise-set-for-july-23-2011

He exited 1-for-1 and a happy camper.

Price ($10.40), appropriately named, thundered down the stretch under jockey Joe Talamo to become a two-time winner at the seaside oval.

“He’s a great horse,” said Zucker, who has nine horses under his care. “He has his problems, but he does love Del Mar. I love horses that come from behind.”

A 5-year-old gelding, Price was making only his sixth career start. He is now 3-for-6. He won a 6 1/2-furlong race last September at Del Mar.

Zucker was overjoyed with the victory.

“I love this place,” he said. “I love it even more now. Everybody is shaking.

“Look at this crowd and the buzz that is going on here. This place is like no other place. The Kentucky Derby might (have) it going on, but they ain’t got the ocean right next door. There’s no place prettier than Del Mar.”

The “other” rider

Kayla Stra, not the more-heralded Chantal Sutherland, became the first female jockey to win a race at the meet when she guided King Ledley ($18) to victory in the second race.

The win broke a two-year losing streak for trainer Gus Headley, who last had a winner in April 2009.

“I had confidence before the race,” said Stra, who won her sixth race of the year. “I’m always positive. He had a shot, but I didn’t say anything.

“It worked out well. I had to go a little sooner than I wanted in the stretch.

“It’s nice to win on opening day.”

Sutherland later scored her first Del Mar winner when she guided Mentidoso ($38.40) to victory in the sixth race for Washington-based trainer and former jockey Vann Belvoir.

Around the track

The start of the fourth race was delayed when the starting gate was placed at 5 1/2 furlongs instead of 5 furlongs. The mistake was discovered as the horses were approaching the gate. First-time starter Weemissfrankie ($9) won the race in impressive fashion and likely will be pointed for the Del Mar Debutante.

A field of seven was drawn for Saturday’s Grade I Eddie Read Handicap. Heading the list of entrants are Acclamation and Caracortado, who were selected for Del Mar’s first head-to-head bet, which will have a 10 percent takeout.

A whopping $348,428 was bet into the new 50-cent Players Pick Five on the first five races of the card. The pick five features a low takeout of 14 percent and no consolation payoff like Hollywood Park. Wednesday’s winning payoff was $14,267.50. The lowest payoff in the sequence was $9 (Weemissfrankie).

Call staff writer Jeff Nahill at 760-740-3550 or email nctnahill@aol.com. Staff writer Christopher Hadorn contributed to this report.

Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/sports/equestrian/racing/article_aabd75e5-82dc-5727-a792-c900b95e0b7d.html#ixzz1SiGj8lBN

DEBUTS AS PREMIER SUMMER EVENT

Governor and First Lady Beshear, State Officials & VIPs of Horse World Attended Launch Party

Lexington, KY – Internationally acclaimed Tenor Anthony Kearns brought guests of the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion to a rumbling applause after his impressive performance for the first-ever “A Night at the Pavilion: A Tribute to Kentucky’s Horses.” The event, hosted by the Equine Health and Welfare Alliance, Inc. (EHWA), was held on Sunday evening, July 10 – just two days before the summer yearling sale.

The evening’s emcee was Michael Blowen, of Old Friends Equine, an organization that provides “at-risk” race horses with a dignified retirement.  In addition to Kearns’ talents, guests were treated to a special Bourbon tasting featuring Kentucky’s signature distilleries: Jim Beam, Four Roses, Maker’s Mark, and Heaven Hill.

During the program, First Lady Jane Beshear provided brief remarks and introduced Mr. Kearns to the audience of V.I.P. guests. Before his performance, Kearns thanked the First Lady for her commitment and congratulated EHWA founding member Dr. Frank Marcum on “his efforts to found, build and grow an organization like EHWA.”

“EHWA did a fantastic job hosting last Sunday’s reception, from organizing the Kentucky Bourbon tasting to showcasing the amazingly talented Anthony Kearns. I know that their organization will make a profoundly positive impact on Kentucky’s horse industry,” said Mrs. Beshear.

“This event truly surpassed my expectations in every way. I’m thrilled that so many people came out to support our cause, and I hope that our efforts today will aid in our mission of providing horses with a better life,” said Dr. Marcum.

During the program, Governor Steve Beshear honored Kearns with the distinguished title of “Kentucky Colonel” – the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky which honors recipients for their contributions and special achievements. Designated as Kentucky’s ambassadors of good will and fellowship around the world, past recipients include President Lyndon B. Johnson, former English Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Betty White, and Mohammed Ali.

“Anthony Kearns represents what this award is all about. Throughout his career, he’s given back to his community as a musical ambassador throughout the world,” said Gov. Beshear.

“I’m honored to support this wonderful cause which recognizes the needs of these beautiful animals. In addition to my love of horses, Kentucky reminds me of the green grass of Ireland and I was pleased to support EHWA through my music and songs,” said Kearns.

(continued)

Accompanied by pianist Edward Arthur of Purdue University, Kearns’ eclectic repertoire included Irish music, classical and Broadway favorites and a bit of opera: “La Donna è Mobile” by Giuseppe Verdi, “Ave Maria” by composer Charles-Francois Gounod, the beautiful love song from the North of Ireland, “My Lagan Love,” with lyrics by Joseph Campbell, “Younger than Springtime” from the popular musical South Pacific by Richard Rodgers, and the Mexican song, “Granada,” by Agustín Lara, covered by artists Mario Lanza and Frank Sinatra.

Kearns invited the audience to join him for a rendition of “Funiculi, Funiculà” by Italian journalist Peppino Turco, and “God Bless America,” which received a standing ovation.

VIPs from Kentucky’s horse community turned out for the event including Kentucky Horse Racing Commission members Ned Bonnie and John Ward (trainer of 2001 Kentucky Derby Winner Monarchos), Thoroughbred trainer Kenneth McPeek (the 14^th ranked trainer in North America), and the famed Jockey Jean Cruguet, as well as Craig and Holly Banderoff of Denali Stud. Other special attendants were state legislators Sen. Robin Webb, Sen. Damon Thayer, Rep. Tom McKee, Rep. Susan Westrom, and Rep. Sannie Overly.

Proceeds from the event benefitted EHWA, a Lexington, KY-nonprofit organization whose goal is to develop and maintain a comprehensive network of education, research and support for the basic needs of all horses that allows them a life of dignity.

Mr. Kearns will be performing in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 6, 2011 as part of a tour to promote his new PBS special, “Hallelujah Broadway.” On August 18, he will star in the Emerald City Opera production of Die Fledermaus in Steamboat Springs, CO. He recently performed at the Centennial Celebration of the late President Ronald Reagan in New Orleans, at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  In June, he starred as the lead tenor, “Don Ottavio,” in the opera Don Giovanni, at the Lismore Opera Festival. Kearns, who has an international solo career in addition to his work with The Irish Tenors, has 11 CDs to his credit and is a member of The Recording Academy (“The GRAMMYs”).

For more information about Kentucky’s signature Bourbon industry, please visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

For information about the Equine Health and Welfare Alliance (EHWA), contact Dr. Frank Marcum at 859.227.0879 or visit www.equinehealthandwelfare.org.   For more information or to request an interview with tenor Anthony Kearns, contact Kirsten Fedewa at 202.365.6936, or visit www.anthonykearnsmusic.com.

# # # #

Credit – Doug Prather

As nearly half the United States is battling extreme summer temperatures, many horse owners are struggling to help their horses adjust, stay healthy, and remain comfortable. TheHorse.com caught up with Nancy Loving, DVM, an equine practitioner in Boulder, Colo., to find out what the most important things to consider are when caring for horses in extreme heat.

When dealing with hot temperatures, Loving said the most important thing an owner can do is provide his or her horse with plenty of fresh water.

“Clean water should always be available; an average horse needs five to seven gallons of water per day in cool weather, while in hot weather, requirements for maintenance and to compensate for losses in sweat may prompt intake of 20 gallons or more per day,” she explained. “Horses in a herd should have access to a couple of water tanks spaced a distance apart so dominant horses don’t prevent a thirsty, more timid horse from drinking.

Adding an electrolyte supplement to your horse’s diet could help keep him drinking and restore the electrolyte balances disrupted by sweating, and horses should have access to a salt block or receive a daily salt supplement (no more than a tablespoon per day) to allow them to meet their dietary sodium chloride requirements.

Additionally, she added that for a horse that doesn’t drink well, offering a watery gruel of a supplement (such as a complete feed pellets) rather than feeding them dry can help increase the horse’s water intake.

Insects are another concern that accompany increasing temperatures, Loving said.

“Hot weather brings insects so don’t forget to use fly sheets, insect repellant, and during active insect times of day, it can help to bring your horse into the barn and use fans to create air flow that foils the ability of flying insects to hover around your horse,” she added, as many biting flies are poor fliers.

Loving also encouraged owners to provide their turned out horses “with a stand of shade trees or a loafing shed (run-in shed) with good ventilation. Having areas to get out of the direct sun offers respite, particularly if they have air circulation, also wards off the insects.

“In hot and humid climates your horse might appreciate being hosed down with cool water,” she added.

One concern many horse owners have in hot temperatures is heat stress, but Loving explained that this ailment typically affects horses in hard work rather than those lounging in a pasture.

“Heat stress is typically a concern for horses exercising in rigorous athletic pursuits (such as distance riding, speed and/or sprint events) in hot and humid weather,” she said. “Light riding isn’t likely to bring on a state of heat stress, unless there are extenuating circumstances like extreme heat and humidity and/or over-riding for the conditions of the day.”

Loving explained that horses that sweat for prolonged periods are more at risk of heat stress due to the effects of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances along with internal heat generated by the working muscles during physical exertions.

“If you think you horse is experiencing heat stress, strip off his tack and equipment,” she explained. “Take a rectal temperature to determine the extent of internal heating–rectal temperatures higher than 103.5⁰F (about 39.8⁰C) indicate heat stress.”

Loving advised, “Move the horse out of the direct sun when possible. Immediately soak the horse down with cool water, scraping it away and applying it continuously — this cooling process should stop once the chest feels cool to the touch and/or rectal temperature drops below 103.5⁰F.”

She cautioned to be mindful of too rapid cooling, as in some cases, this can lead to muscle cramping. She suggested interspersing periodic walks for five to 10 minutes in order to allow for the release of heat from inside the horse’s muscles.

With some careful consideration and help from their owners, most horses should adjust to the warmer temperatures without much problem. If you have concerns about how your horse is handling the heat, your veterinarian will be able to help you pinpoint and resolve the problem.

Additional Hot Weather Horse Care Resources:
Coping With the Heat
Stay Cool: Helping Horses Adjust in Extreme Heat
Heat Stress Prevention
20 Hot Weather Trailering Tips
Cool Aid: Beating the Heat With Working Horses
Equine Heat Tolerance Parameters Examined in Study
‘Soapy’ Protein in Horse Sweat Evolved to Dissipate Heat
Fact Sheet: Electrolytes
Fact Sheet: Anhidrosis in Horses
Book Excerpt: Summer Heat Too Hot to Handle?
Special Report: Conditioning Through the Seasons: Spring and Summer
Ask The Vet: Summer Horse Housing: Barn or Pasture with Shade?

Disclaimer: Seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.

The retirement checkoff program was implemented in 2009 with proceeds benefiting the retirement, retraining, and adoption efforts of Thoroughbred Charities of America and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Proceeds are directed to TCA’s Thoroughbred re-training and adoption initiatives and to TRF’s vocational training programs with retired Thoroughbreds at correctional facilities.

Until now, those contributions did not qualify as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

“By making checkoff contributions at the time of foal registration tax deductible, we are giving owners and breeders yet another good reason to support these important Thoroughbred charities,” Jockey Club president and chief operating officer James Gagliano said in a July 11 statement.

The retirement checkoff program is administered by The Jockey Club. Thoroughbred owners and breeders have the option of selecting one of four graduated amounts–$25, $50, $75, or $100–to be designated for the aftercare programs, or they can fill in the amount of their choice on the application for foal registration.

The Jockey Club said donors can direct their contributions toward one or both of the aftercare organizations and will receive written receipts acknowledging their tax deductible contributions from the organization receiving the donations.

The Jockey Club, through its commercial subsidiaries, has supplemented checkoff contributions with an annual donation of $100,000 to each organization and, with its donations in 2011, will have contributed $300,000 to each.

Ireland’s champion jump jockey suffered a crushed vertebra and torn ligament in his neck following a first-flight fall from the Michael Hourigan-trained Friendly Society in the Race Club at The Malton Handicap Hurdle.

His sister, and agent, Jennifer said on Wednesday: “Ruby will be out of action until probably the Listowel festival in September. He went to the University Hospital in Cork this morning and they discovered that he had crushed a vertebra in his neck and had also torn a ligament off a vertebra.

“He is out of hospital and has a collar around his neck.”  Walsh had walked away from the fall and initially reported himself “a bit stiff but otherwise fine.”

Walsh has been dogged by injury in the past 18 months. He was sidelined for lengthy spells, first with a badly broken arm sustained in a fall from Celestial Halo at Aintree in April 2010 and subsequently with a broken leg suffered in a fall at Down Royal in November, which kept him out of the saddle until shortly before this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

The Equine Health and Welfare Alliance, a group of veterinarians dedicated to equines, held its first fundraiser at Fasig-Tipton pavilion Sunday night (July 10). The featured performer was Anthony Kearns, internationally acclaimed founder of the Irish Tenors and fresh from performances honoring former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. He drew standing ovations throughout his engaging performance which included a wide-ranging repertoire – from classic opera to Danny Boy and God Bless America.

His impassioned performance and his passion for horses drew praise from the audience.

“The Irish and Kentuckians share a love of the horse,” he said. “I grew up with horses . . .I have owned the back leg of a racehorse (explaining he once participated in a horse ownership group) . . .I am happy to support this good cause.”

Dwayne Marcum, a veterinarian and one of the founders of the nonprofit group, spoke about the need to assure quality of life for all animals, “particularly horses who give us so much.”

Kentucky’s First Lady, Jane Beshear, also addressed the group. She told her of life-long love of horses, of the good, loving care her own horses receive – “the kind of care every horse deserves.” She urged support of groups like the Equine Health and Welfare Alliance that are dedicated to the welfare of the horse – the heart of “Kentucky’s signature industry.”

See www.anthonykearnsmusic.com and www.equinehealthandwelfare.org for more information.

Photos by Judy Clabes

http://www.kyforward.com/

The primary goals of the Equine Health and Welfare Alliance (EHWA) are:

1. To enhance the education available today on the proper and humane care and management of horses, and to perpetuate that education into the future to all of those who care for horses.
2. To create a voluntary accreditation program for rescue and retirement facilities (and their personnel) and to establish set standards of care.
3. To raise and oversee distribution of funds to better the lives of horses today through benevolence and tomorrow through approved research.
4. To provide a model for equine health, care, and welfare standards for organizations throughout the United States.

EHWA believes that by developing and maintaining a comprehensive network that provides education, research, and support for the basic needs of all horses that all horses will be allowed to live and die with dignity.

In order to fulfill these goals the EHWA will:

• Campaign to secure perpetual, sustainable funding that will provide long-term financing for responsible equine health, care, and welfare education and programs.
• Develop and implement voluntary accreditation programs that include education for caretakers and standards for rescue and retirement operations.
• Assist in developing regional triage centers designed to care for horses in need and prepare them for new careers.
• Support qualified research focused on equine health and welfare.
• Provide financial assistance and support of projects deemed appropriate by the Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Council.
• Offer support to the equine industry operations in times of crisis or emergency.
• Provide expertise for those seeking meaningful statutory reform securing the health and welfare of the horse.

All who share in these visions are welcome as members of the EHWA. We encourage you to not only donate funds to support these much-needed advances, but also to volunteer your time and expertise in making these efforts become reality as soon as possible.

EHWA has a core membership of veterinarians who understand the importance of humane care for all animals, including horses. They realize that every day horses wait for us to do the right thing. Will today be the day you help?

For more information contact EHWA at 859-227-0879; visit http://www.equinehealthandwelfare.org/, info@equinehealthandwelfare.org

, or donate at http://www.equinehealthandwelfare.org/donate-now/ehwa-donation-wall.

Taking care of horses–It’s the right thing to do!

Triple Group One winner Ambitious Dragon was crowned Horse of the Year for the 2010/2011 season at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Champion Awards presentation ceremony during the final race meeting of the season at Sha Tin racecourse today (July 10). The four-year-old gelding also claimed the titles of Champion Middle-distance Horse and The Most Improved Horse. In addition, he was voted Most Popular Horse of the Year by members of the public.

The battle for the trainer’s premiership was no doubt the most attractive aspect of the season finale. John Moore, who was still two winners behind the leader Tony Cruz at the start of today’s races, dramatically captured four wins between Race 6 and 10 to surpass Cruz by 74 wins in total against the latter’s 72, regaining the Champion Trainer title for the first time since the 1994/95 season.