Thoroughbred aftercare programme launched by The Howden Way – City AM

Monday 23 December 2024 6:07 pm

THOROUGHBRED Aftercare Programme’s (TAP) launch on the Howden Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot Racecourse is the newest evolution within the vital funding made into eventing by David Howden.  Additional to the launch of The Howden Means in Might 2022, which affords coaching and alternatives to riders of all ages and talents, TAP has a transparent and concise mission; to allow extra racehorses to dwell a rewarding life after they retire from racing.  The programme affords a nationwide assist framework for anybody taking up an ex-racehorse to make sure a easy transition from racehorse to driving horse with their new aggressive, or non-competitive rider.

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Funded by David Howden, CEO and Founding father of Howden and Founder and President of Cornbury Home Horse Trials, The Howden Means is comprised of three areas: The Howden Means Expertise Academy, The Howden Means Younger Horse Academy and The Howden Means Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme.

By way of TAP, those that have taken on an ex-racehorse can entry a complete instructional programme that delivers assist to match aspirations.  The programme will help riders to know their horse, progress by the transitional phases of racehorse to driving horse together with lunging, hacking, education and, whether it is their ambition, to develop by to a self-discipline particular competitors construction.

With an estimated 35,000 former racehorses within the UK alone, and on common 7,000 horses retiring from British racing every year, TAP will deal with the proper re-training of those horses to allow them to go on to develop into profitable driving horses. Because of the widespread misconceptions that folks typically have about thoroughbreds, riders could also be reluctant to take one on. TAP will assist break down these misconceptions by training, giving individuals the boldness and assist required to tackle an ex-racehorse.  TAP will probably be an incredible industry-wide drive for good by guaranteeing ex-racehorses may have the possibility to step into their future lives as seamlessly as attainable. 

David Howden mentioned: “As somebody who’s obsessed with horse racing, I see it as very important that I’m supporting the game in any manner I can. By making a nationwide, freely accessible assist programme that additionally consists of 2,000 subsidised coaching periods a yr, I hope we are going to see extra horses go away racing protected within the information that their pathway to changing into a driving horse will probably be as easy and stress free as attainable.”

Helena Flynn, Programme Director Horse Welfare Board, commented: ‘’We’re delighted to see stakeholders coming collectively to assist this very important initiative. Congratulations to David and his crew for growing such essential work. This programme represents a big step ahead in guaranteeing that ex-racehorse’s transition efficiently into fulfilling and rewarding lives with their new homeowners and riders. It’s inspiring to see the {industry} unite for the welfare and future of those unbelievable animals.”

David Catlow, Managing Director of Retraining of Racehorses, mentioned: “Supporting the retraining of former racehorses is an important step in guaranteeing they transition efficiently into second careers and lead fulfilling lives past the racecourse. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme is a unbelievable addition to the panorama and enhances RoR’s established initiatives in training, competitions, recommendation, and neighborhood assist. This programme highlights David Howden’s unwavering dedication to the welfare of racehorses, and we applaud the numerous effort and funding behind its growth.”

Along with Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, ex-racehorses competing inside the Eventing atmosphere have a brand new competitors to deal with.  Cornbury Home Horse Trials, along with Jayne McGivern of Sprint Grange Stud have introduced a brand new class with a primary prize of £45,000 which is able to run for the primary time in 2025.