Rescue Horses Receive Free Vaccines; Accepting Applications Now

From an edited press release theHorse.com 1/18/2010

More than 2,500 horses received vaccinations through the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC). Established in December 2008, the UHVRC is now accepting applications for 2010.

Equine rescue and retirement facilities wishing to apply for spring 2010 vaccinations should visit UHVRC.org and submit an application by February 1.

Applications for fall vaccinations must be submitted by August 1.

Equine rescue and retirement facilities must submit a new application each year to be considered. Beginning in 2010 all approved UHVRC vaccine orders will be shipped directly to the supporting AAEP-member veterinarian. The facility will be notified in writing when vaccines are shipped so they can make the appropriate arrangements with their veterinarian.

How to Apply:

• To qualify, equine rescue and retirement facilities must work with an AAEP-member veterinarian to complete and submit an application, facilities checklist and vaccine request form. Facilities must also follow the AAEP Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities and have a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.
• To download an application and the AAEP Care Guidelines or to learn more go to www.UHVRC.org

Two Stories of Not Giving Up--- Hayseed and Sally

I like many of you receive several emails in my in box, messages on my Facebook page, and tweets by the truck load. I would like to say that I pay attention to all; but like most of us I simply don't. However, late this morning an email caught my attention, and well I have to share.


Caballo Press, has a divison called Caballito for their Children's books. Their first published title will be Hayseed's First Race by Sally Shrock. To be published in April, 2010.


Not only is the story of the main character, Hayseed, adorable but there is a lesson in it for children (never give up, love yourself, and don't let the opinions of others shape your own). Hayseed loves himself and even knowing he isn't the best looking horse, or the fanciest enters the same race as the others. A message that can easily and sweetly counteract the message children receive everyday. But more compelling is the story of the author.



Sally is not only deaf, but losing her home to a predatory lender. Sally is on the verge of being homeless if she doesn't quickly find a way to stem the tide. Many in this economy are in the same boat. What makes her story a bit different is that people who barely know her want to step up and help. The goal is to accumulate 50,000 to 100,000 pre-sale orders of her Hayseed's First Race book.


"We are going to do everything in our power to secure Ms. Shrock a large number of pre-orders in an effort to give her an opportunity to buy back her home and at the very least find a home she can move into if she is forced out of her current residence", states Caballo Press' Rudy Alvarado.


An effort to spread the word about Hayseed, the improbable race horse and his creator, Sally has started on Facebook. A fan page called "Save Sally & Hayseed" has been created by Linda Wright. Linda (a friend and fellow Horsenameographer) felt compelled to do what she could to help Ms. Shrock out.



In addition, in helping with a pre-order purchase of the book, a portion of the sale will also benefit Anna House, the non profit childcare center located on the backside of the Belmont Race Track. Caballo Press supports several non profit organizations from the sale of their books.

The Second Race wants to support the cause as well, and encourage a purchase of the book. I have placed my order. http://www.caballopress.com/HayseedBook.html

To read an excerpt from the book, please click on the link below.

http://www.caballopress.com/HAyseedPreviewForHrsnmeogrhrsSecurelLinkXY09785THD/files/NrseNmogrphrsPreview.pdf

The Eclipse Awards and Me?

As I looked out unto the ballroom of the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel before the start of the 39th Annual Eclipse Awards; I said to myself "How did I get here"?

Now, obviously I had driven myself and handed the car keys to the valet, and that the gift of attendance to the Eclipse Award celebration was my Christmas gift from my Mom. What I needed to do was stop and answer the "why" while soaking in the moment.

My return to watching horse racing began around 1999, with the cementing of my passion for it with the Kentucky Derby win of War Emblem a couple years later. I still remember watching War Emblem the almost black colt in the pre-parade, something about him sparked inside me an immediate love for this horse. I knew in watching him that afternoon that he was going to win. When he did in fact win, I whopped louder than anyone else in the restaurant (where I was watching the Derby). I was hooked once again by the beauty, the pageantry, the thrill and the action of Thoroughbred racing.

I regularly went to the track with my Mom, it was a bonding experience for our relationship that had been somewhat distant from time constraints, careers, and my marriage. This was something that the two of us could do together and we did often. My favorite racetrack was (and is) Santa Anita, something about the walking ring, the architecture, and the backdrop of the San Gabriel mountains always made me feel like I was at 'Home'. I don't know another way to express it.

In 2003, I attended with my Mom the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita. Something about that day, made me dream a bigger dream for myself, and I remember saying out loud while starring into the paddock "someday I want to be part of that world". I remember my Mom chuckled and said that this wasn't ever going to happen. I am sure she wasn't laughing at my dream (well she probably was), but the fact that we were not from a racing family, had not the means for a race horse, or any friends in racing how could that come true?.

The following year I began sponsoring an ex-racehorse named Remote Controller at CERF (California Equine Retirement Foundation), and volunteered to assist them with their fundraising including the painting of "art pieces" with famous race horses. At one of the annual golf tournaments I met my good friend, Denise. The first big horse that I painted with on my own for CERF was Lava Man, this was set up through the connection and friendship of Denise, who introduced me to Doug O'Neill. My dream was taking shape in ways I couldn't have begun to have imagined in 2003. I am blessed that my dream is renewed daily.

The PA announcement of "Five minutes before show time, please take your seat", returned my mind to the present. "How"?, I knew the answer thanking War Emblem, Remote Controller, and Denise in my heart.