The first full year of operations for The Horse Fund was highly successful on multiple levels. Not only did we facilitate safe and secure retirements for a number of thoroughbreds, we also shared updates on many retirees, as well as surpassed our fundraising goals. Let’s take a moment and look at each of those categories in review.

Retirements

In 2022, we assisted in the retirement of 14 Wasabi Ventures Stables (WVS) horses. Nine of these retirements were initiated by Wasabi. Of those nine, we made charitable donations to five aftercare organizations, with whom the horses were placed. The other four retirements incurred no fees.

In July we made our first private purchase of a former WVS horse, which we then retired. This purchase was followed by four more purchases through the end of the year, making a grand total of five purchases.

Updates

We published 45 articles on our website last year. Of those articles, we had 33 updates on retirements, private purchases, and retirees. We also posted 5 interviews with aftercare organizations. The remainder of our articles were promotional items for The Horse Fund, including upcoming events and other interesting tidbits.

Fundraising

The best way to describe our fundraising in 2022 is amazing! Although our auctions and Shamrock Kid Day celebrations raised slightly less than anticipated, our 12 Days of Giving campaign raised three times the anticipated amount. What played a huge role in this achievement was the generosity of three matching donors with amounts of $3,000, $2,000, and $1,500, as well another donor who gave $100 for each of the 12 days. All three goals were met and exceeded, for a grand total of $13,163.57 raised. This generosity will assist us in continuing to privately purchase former WVS horses who are ready to be retired.

In Review

Last year truly was a success on all levels. In 2023 as we continue to track these horses, both before and after retirement, we hope to make a greater impact in the world of thoroughbred aftercare. We want not only to educate others on the importance of aftercare but also to inspire other horse ownership groups to take a more proactive stance.

To take a peek at the fourteen retirees of 2022, please click here.

Through great sadness came great generosity, as well as the final bit of inspiration needed to build this charitable organization.

Are you familiar with the story of Shamrock Kid? You can click here to learn about Shamrock Kid and the amazing community at Wasabi Ventures Stables. The very short story is that the untimely loss of this horse inspired a large portion of the community at WVS to make generous donations to aftercare. Building on this sense of community and charity, we have found a special way to honor Shamrock Kid.

Rather than just feeling sad on the anniversary of Shamrock Kid’s passing, we have decided to turn this date into an annual day of celebration. To commemorate this horse and WVS’s commitment to aftercare, we are now marking March 17th as Shamrock Kid Day. Starting this year, we will be collecting funds to help secure the safe retirement of other WVS thoroughbreds. Although we will still miss Shamrock, we are hoping to turn sadness into generosity once again.

To add some fun into this day of fundraising, we have created a commemorative shot glass. Those who donate fifty dollars or more to The Horse Fund will receive one of these specially created glasses. Donations will be accepted prior to March 17th, especially if you would like to have the glass in time to celebrate the day.

We will forever hold Shamrock Kid in a special place in our hearts. Let’s make his memory burn even brighter by continuing to turn our grief into generosity.

To make a donation, please click here. Please add “Shamrock Kid” in the message box.

We are excited to announce that The Horse Fund is now included in the list of accepted charities at Amazon Smile. When you shop at Amazon, you can make a donation to our charity, at no extra cost to you.

You can take advantage of this donation option with one simple step. Just click this link, and choose “Start shopping”. When you make a purchase, a small donation will be added to The Horse Fund’s account. There are no extra charges or fees for you; the donation comes out of the regular purchase price.

With every purchase you make, you will be helping fund the safe retirement of thoroughbreds, while also getting the items you need. This definitely will make us smile.

Last week, I was once again amazed by the Wasabi Ventures Stables club members and their commitment to aftercare. On Giving Tuesday, I made a post in our community channel on Slack, naming several charitable, thoroughbred-centric organizations, who they might want to support that day. I also mentioned that The Horse Fund would be glad to accept donations as well.

Within minutes I had received several donations. Shortly thereafter, I received a message from a club member, offering to match $500 in donations. Knowing the nature of our club, I guessed we would raise $1,000 that day, as our club would want to meet that goal.

Or surpass it. . .

We did reach $1,000. . .in two hours. Another club member offered to match the next $500 in donations, which was reached in another two and a half hours. The outpouring of donations continued throughout the day and overnight. By the time Giving Tuesday had ended, we had raised over $4,000. 

I know that the WVS community believes in aftercare, and I have now witnessed many instances of generous donations. However, the actions on Giving Tuesday went above and beyond what I imagined possible. I know that there are many worthy charities, in the world of thoroughbreds and elsewhere. The Horse Fund is not the only group that wants to be supported. And yet, our club gave generously and continuously to this charitable organization.

Truly appreciative

Every day I am grateful that I am able to combine my passion for animals with a charitable initiative to create happy retirements for our horses. On a day like Giving Tuesday, I am humbled and honored to do this in partnership with a community, whose generous nature seems to know no bounds. 

As I wrote a thank you to each donor, I knew it didn’t fully capture how appreciative I am. Instances, such as these, make my heart swell with pride and have me dancing in my office. To all who participated, please know that my thanks were heartfelt and genuine.

I am proud to be the executive director of The Horse Fund and to have the Wasabi Ventures Stables community at my side.