Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation to Hold Open Barn at Correctional Facility
Sunday, April 26, 2015, 10-2
“Adopt a Thoroughbred Day”
Del. Peter Farrell to Make Presentation
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at James River will be holding an Open Barn at the James River Work Center on Sunday, April 26, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be a program recognizing the participants at noon. The event is open to the public.
Among the honored guests will be Del. Peter Farrell, who will be presenting a resolution of commendation by the Virginia General Assembly to officials of the TRF. Visitors will be able to tour the facilities and meet the horses and their caretakers. The TRF and the men will honor the sponsors of the horses with the planting of a tree.
The TRF, which is the oldest and largest equine sanctuary of its kind in the world, saves Thoroughbreds no longer able to compete on the track from possible abuse neglect and slaughter. The TRF-James River operates in partnership with the Department of Corrections a rehabilitation and re-entry program for non-violent offenders using rescued ex-racehorses that are housed at the facility – one of the TRF’s 10 Second Chances programs nationally.
The local chapter was established in 2007 and currently maintains about 20 horses, most of which are available for adoption or sponsorship. More than 60 men have graduated from the six-month training program in equine management. Many have gone on to successful careers in the horse industry. Others have taken the professionalism and maturity they have gained in the program and applied it to other fields.
James River Work Center is located at State Farm, Virginia, on Route 6 (Patterson Avenue) approximately 11 miles west of the intersection of Rt. 6 and Rt. 288. Look for banner on the south side of Rt. 6 just west of Crozier, VA.
For more information, email statefarmhorses@AOL.com. Additional information, including directions, can be found at www.jamesriverhorses.org.
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Robin Traywick Williams