$20,000 TAKE2 FINALS TO BE HELD AT KENTUCKY NATIONAL
Top 5 in the TAKE2 Divisions at the Kentucky National
Earn Wild Card Spots in the Finals
The $20,000 TAKE2 Hunter & Jumper Finals will take place at the Kentucky National Horse Show, Sept. 20-24, 2023, at the Kentucky Horse Park in the heart of Thoroughbred country in Lexington. The Finals, open to qualified 2023 TAKE2 Thoroughbred League members competing in the TAKE2-affiliated Hunter and Jumper Divisions nationwide, will award $10,000 in prize money each in the TAKE2 Hunter and Jumper Divisions. The entry fee for the TAKE2 Finals will be waived.
“We want to say thank you to all of the horse show managers and League members who so enthusiastically shared their suggestions with us,” said TAKE2 Executive Director Andy Belfiore. “One of the most gratifying aspects of our program is being part of the community of Thoroughbred lovers who are as passionate about the breed and as dedicated to helping retired racehorses as we are. We had many wonderful venues under consideration. Timing and location were certainly a factor in the decision-making, and Suzanne Mayo and the Kentucky National have been great partners and supporters for many years.
“Ultimately, we could think of no better place to showcase our amazing Thoroughbred Hunters and Jumpers than the Bluegrass State.”
Kentucky National Horse Show Manager J. P. Bordeleau remarked, “We are excited to see the TAKE2 Thoroughbreds come to Kentucky for their Finals. It’s a perfect fit for the State and for the Kentucky National Horse Show to be able to showcase the best Thoroughbreds in the country.”
“The Kentucky Horse Park was actually created to honor the legacy of breeding wonderful horses, and it offers a superior venue in which to showcase Thoroughbreds who are successful show horses in the Hunter and Jumper Divisions,” added Kentucky National organizer Suzanne Mayo. “Both the Jumper and Hunter finals will occupy a showcase slot in our show schedule. Having a ‘no entry fee’ Invitational Finals helps make this event accessible to everyone.
“The Kentucky National is looking forward to welcoming all the TAKE2 owners, riders and trainers to Kentucky. Stabling and entry information will be available via our website by May 1 at www.thekentuckynational.com.”
The top 40 high-point Hunters and Jumpers in the TAKE2 League from around the country will be invited to the Finals, and the top five finishers in each division at the Kentucky National will automatically earn Wild Card berths.
In order to be eligible for the TAKE2 Hunter and Jumper Finals and Year-End Awards, horses must be enrolled in the TAKE2 Thoroughbred League by the end of the 2022 season. Enrollment is $50 for the season, which runs from Aug. 29, 2022 through Aug. 27, 2023. Click here to register your Thoroughbred in the League.
The inspiration of the late Rick Violette, the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program was launched through a partnership of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) and the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. (NYTB) in 2012, with the goal of creating more opportunities and making it easier to find new homes for retired racehorses. TAKE2 sponsors awards and prize money in Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper divisions and supports Thoroughbred aftercare initiatives across the country. The program expanded quickly, from eight shows in three states in its first year to more than 400 horse shows in 23 states in 2022. The TAKE2 Thoroughbred League, started in 2015, will offer $10,000 in year-end awards in addition to the Finals.
“Our focus since the start has been the welfare and promotion of retired racehorses,”TAKE2 President Rick Schosberg said. “Those of us who have worked with Thoroughbreds all our lives appreciate their talent and heart and versatility, and we share that appreciation with our partners in the show horse community. Working together through TAKE2, we have been able to raise awareness and expand second career paths for the horses leaving the racetrack. The TAKE2 Finals will help us bring our message to an even wider audience.”
