Marysville, OH – New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced their new partnership with Gallop On whose mission is to provide equestrian and educational opportunities to underprivileged young riders while providing rehabilitation, retraining and a safe environment for retired and non-competitive Thoroughbred racehorses.

Founded in 2011 Gallop On has seen both students and retired racehorses excel through the program’s efforts.  The young riders are trained in all aspects of equine management, horsemanship, and a variety of riding disciplines as well as given the opportunity to compete in equestrian events.  The retired Thoroughbreds have received quality training and have competed successfully in eventing, dressage, hunter/jumpers, and foxhunting.

“As a Master of Foxhounds and Huntsman of twenty-five years, I have purchased many Thoroughbreds off the track to train as field hunters” explained Heidi Van de Motter, Director of the Gallop On program.  “Several years ago with my hunter getting up in years I went to New Vocations to adopt his successor.  With Hunt members dwindling due to age and young horse enthusiasts at my door step, I saw the need for a program. Seven adopted New Vocations horses later, Gallop On was launched with amazingly talented horses serving dedicated and talented, young riders. We are forever thankful for the support of the New Vocations Team.”

“New Vocations has had the privilege of working with Heidi Van de Motter, for several years now and we are honored to be working with her program on a formalized basis” shared New Vocations Program Director Anna Ford. “The partnership is a natural fit as Gallop On shares a similar mission and philosophy in working with retired racehorses as New Vocations.  Her program even takes it a step further and invests in the lives of teens through working with the horses.”

With the new partnership the Gallop On program will serve as a New Vocations facility in northeastern Ohio.  The partnership will help us better serve the horses in northern Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia as the facility is located between Thistledown Racino and the new location for Beulah Park and is just over an hour from Mountaineer Race Track. 

The Gallop On partnership comes as a part of New Vocations continuous endeavor to expand their efforts. There are several other partnerships that will be announced this year.  One of New Vocations’ main goals in the New Year is to continue to expand their efforts in Lexington, KY.  Their facility at West Wind Farm is at full capacity so the program is exploring new avenues to keep up with the growing number of horses in need of their services. In 2013 the program took in over 400 retired racehorses and the number is expected to increase in 2014.