Ali Nilforushan is supporting off-the-track Thoroughbreds by offering free entries for Thoroughbreds and young horses at his Temecula Valley National Horse Show series. The series run by Nilforushan Equisport Events is a three-week circuit held at Galway Downs in Temecula, California, on April 18-22, May 23-27 and May 30-June 3.
“For many years there was a Thoroughbred on the podium in just about every Olympic Games, and I know they are still out there, and they can be had for nothing,” said Nilforushan. “My goal is to provide a show atmosphere for the kids who are not from a financial background where they can buy whatever horse they want. I hope that we can cultivate this new way of thinking of going to get a Thoroughbred, training it and bringing it through the ranks. This gives the horses a second career and gives our kids who can’t keep up with some of the rest a chance to show and compete.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Helping race-retired Thoroughbreds and young horses is a cause near to the hearts of Nilforushan and his wife Francie Nilforushan, the duo behind the upcoming horse show series. Oakmont Ranch, a major player in Thoroughbred rehabilitation and training in Southern California, is partnering with show management to bring OTTB and young horse divisions to the show. By offering competitive opportunities at a reduced cost, younger horses will have a chance to gain valuable experience in a show ring, while ensuring that owners and riders don’t have to break the bank in doing so.
“For years, Oakmont Ranch has been rehabilitating and training Thoroughbreds, some of which return to the racetrack and some of which find a new career in the hunter/jumper world,” said Gary Broad, owner of Oakmont Ranch. “We have developed our own program for retraining OTTBs geared toward amateur riders, and immediately recognized the opportunity that the Nilforushans’ show series brought to these horses and their riders. We feel it is so important to foster the Thoroughbred industry and hope that by reducing show fees more of these young horses will have a chance to get in the ring.”
