The Jockey Membership Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.)  introduced Oct. 14 the recipients of its two non-competition awards, the T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the 12 months Award and the T.I.P. Younger Rider of the 12 months Award, for 2024.

The Thoroughbred of the 12 months Award acknowledges a Thoroughbred that has excelled in a non-competitive profession, corresponding to equine-assisted remedy or police work, and features a $5,000 grant to the non-profit group related to the horse or, if no group is related to the horse, to a horse-related charity chosen by The Jockey Membership.

The 2024 Thoroughbred of the 12 months is Rockaway. Registered with The Jockey Membership as Rockaway Park. Rockaway is a 14-year-old gelding that retired from the racetrack in 2014 and was initially used as a lesson horse. In 2019, Rockaway started his profession as a police horse for Coral Gables Police Division the place he has grow to be a loyal associate to Officer Ashley Sheran. They’ve served collectively because the Coral Gables Mounted Unit for happening 10 years and are additionally members of the Honor Guard. Rockaway is a loyal and liked member of the Coral Gables group, even being pictured on the duvet of town’s journal! Rockaway has participated in companies such because the Fallen Officer Memorial Service, which he has been part of for the final 5 years, in addition to attending particular occasions such because the presentation of colours for the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park in 2021. Rockaway has additionally been recognized to hold the American flag for opening ceremonies on the Davie Professional Rodeo a number of occasions a 12 months. Rockaway Park (Rockport Harbor—Actually Quick) was bred in Kentucky by Machmer Corridor and raced 10 occasions, inserting in third as soon as and profitable $3,496.

“We’re honored that Rockaway has been chosen for this recognition in his submit racing profession. In reinstating the presence of a police horse for our division after virtually a century, he has been grow to be a rare group policing asset,” mentioned Ofc. Ashley Sheran. “When patrolling, Rockaway gives the division a vantage level for topic recognition, and a robust seen presence that serves as a deterrence to legal exercise. Rockaway and his Coral Gables Police Division household, thanks!”

The younger rider award, which acknowledges riders 18 or youthful (as of January 1, 2024) who personal or lease a Thoroughbred to be used in 4-H, Pony Membership, or different actions, has been awarded to Madison Hightower and Ashlyn Tate.

Hightower is 14 and owns Completely satisfied Go Fortunate, registered title Class Taking place (Hap—Class Promise), a 17-year-old gelding bred in Virginia by Mede Cahaba Steady & Stud LLC that ran unplaced in three begins at each Laurel Park and Colonial Downs. Hightower aspires to at some point compete within the Olympics, so her plans are to allocate the award in the direction of classes with Julio Mendoza, a 2024 Olympic dressage rider and coach.

One factor Hightower wish to accomplish this 12 months is competing in FEI Youngsters’s on the Nationwide Championships at Lamplight in Chicago. “This has been a dream of mine from the second I began coaching with Completely satisfied,” mentioned Madison. Hightower is totally dedicated to her equine associate! She says, “Simply as Completely satisfied beforehand evented after which looked for his new goal, I discovered my goal in my partnership with him. I’ll proceed to dedicate my life to caring for him and rising with him each out and in of the ring. It’s my hope that different younger riders who see our story will take into account a Thoroughbred for his or her equestrian journey.”

Tate, who turns 16 in October, owns Pansy (Silver Prepare—Aquatint), a 2014 mare bred in Pennsylvania by Elizabeth R. Houghton that retired from the observe in 2020 after 48 begins with 5 wins, 5 seconds, and 12 thirds, incomes $180,464. Tate plans on utilizing the award to attend occasions and academic alternatives to additional her involvement with horses.

Tate and Pansy are unstoppable! They certified for each Nationwide Junior Excessive Finals Rodeo in addition to Nationwide Excessive College Finals Rodeo and have held the state championship for heading in staff roping for 2 years in a row. “The rationale for my success is Pansy, she might not be the standard rodeo mount, however nonetheless to today, she proves herself in opposition to completed barrel and pole horses daily!” Tate says, “Every day, I push myself to remain in keeping with my objectives with a view to dwell life to the fullest. The T.I.P. Younger Rider of the 12 months Award will assist my ambitions in each means attainable due to the extraordinary alternatives it is going to carry!”

Created and introduced in October 2011, T.I.P. acknowledges and rewards the flexibility of the Thoroughbred by way of sponsorship of Thoroughbred courses and excessive level awards at sanctioned horse reveals, year-end efficiency awards, a leisure driving program, and non-competition awards. Extra details about T.I.P. is out there at tjctip.com and on the T.I.P. Fb web page at fb.com/tjctip.

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