About The Horse Fund
The Horse Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that focuses on the safe and secure retirement of thoroughbreds. As of December 2022, The Horse Fund has assisted in the retirement of seventeen horses, with five of those being privately purchased for retirement. All current and former horses owned by Wasabi Ventures Stables are tracked by Executive Director, Michele Pesula Kuegler.
In addition to this, The Horse Fund educates the public about careers and opportunities for racehorses once their racing careers end. Semi-annual updates are provided on many of the WVS retirees, and interviews with off-track thoroughbred organizations are shared. It is the hope that content such as this will bring more awareness to thoroughbred aftercare.
Our board
Michele Pesula Kuegler – Executive Director
Michele is the Director of Aftercare and Community at Wasabi Ventures Stables. Her role at WV Stables combines her passion for animals with her skills in social media, community building, and networking. In addition to this role, Michele works as a wine educator and food blogger. Basically, her days are filled with horses, wine, food, and the WVS community.
George Adams – Vice President
After a short career as a corporate attorney, George decided to follow his passion and embarked on a career in the Thoroughbred industry in 2012. He established his Housatonic Bloodstock LLC in 2014, which provides pedigree analysis and mating recommendations to clients, as well as assistance identifying and inspecting potential purchases both privately and at auction. He also serves as the Director of Stallions and Breeding for Wasabi Ventures Stables. His prior industry experience included stints at Claiborne Farm, Country Life Farm, and Shug McGaughey.
Jordyn Egan – Secretary
Jordyn Egan is a graduate of the Race Track Industry Program (University of Arizona) and Godolphin Flying Start. She serves as the director of special projects for the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and director of development for the Maryland Horse Foundation. Growing up in Southern California, Jordyn’s early days were spent riding with friends and volunteering at a local therapeutic riding facility. Her passion for horses has not waned and she is grateful to have a fulfilling career in an industry she loves.
Jen Roytz
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Jen Roytz is a marketing and communications specialist based in Central Kentucky with a professional background in Thoroughbred aftercare. Over the past 10 years, Roytz served in the capacities of board member, marketing consultant and for the past four years as executive director of the Retired Racehorse Project, a nonprofit organization that works to increase demand for Thoroughbreds after racing, a role from which she stepped down at the end of 2021. Previously, Jen was the marketing director for Three Chimneys Farm, where she also served as the aftercare liaison for the farm and its clients.
Tom Erisman
Tom Erisman is a CPA and sole practitioner with a small business accounting and consulting practice based in Central Maryland. Tom has clients in various industries and locations in the U.S., as well as U.K. clients with domestic operations. Tom is a lifelong horse racing fan and became a Wasabi Ventures Stables member in early 2017. He closely follows the Wasabi horse band remotely and attends many races in person. Tom has experience with organizing and directing non-profit start-ups, plus he is currently the Contract Accountant for the Charles Town Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association in West Virginia.