FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEXINGTON, KY — Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance hosted its fourth annual Calendar Photo Contest this year. Twelve winning photos of Thoroughbreds were selected to be featured in the 2025 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Calendar, sponsored by Churchill Downs Foundation. Entries were accepted from June 26 to July 31. All photos feature a registered Thoroughbred that is either in residence at or has been rehomed by a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization. Each winner will receive Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance branded merchandise and a copy of the calendar. Out of the twelve winners, the grand prize winner was selected to be featured on the cover of the calendar and will receive a Tipperary helmet of their choice, sponsored by Tipperary Equestrian.

The grand prize and cover feature winner of the calendar is Isabella Norrid. The photo, titled “A Gentle Touch” captures a young boy with Autism, Nolan Conrad, sharing a touching moment with Thoroughbred Appealing Alex. Appealing Alex serves as an equine therapist at Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH), a PATH Premier Therapeutic Riding Center. Central Kentucky Riding for Hope is a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization, located in Lexington, Kentucky. Established in 1981, CKRH is a nonprofit organization that serves as a Therapeutic Riding Center and a Fayette County Public School. Their mission is to improve the quality of life and health of individuals with special physical, cognitive, or behavioral needs through equine-assisted activities and therapies.

The winning photographs are:

• January: “Aurora Borealis” photographed and submitted by Jenn Marquis, featuring Moonshine Bay and Crossing the Line (NZ) at Down the Stretch Ranch.
• February: “Sunshine and Smiles” photographed and submitted by Andrea Gustafson, featuring Frosted Temptation and Stun Gun, who were both retrained and rehomed by Bowmen Second Chance Thoroughbred Adoption.
• March: “Being Seen” photographed and submitted by Joell Dunlap, featuring Fravel, who is currently a therapy horse at Square Peg Foundation.
• April: “Grazing Lineup” photographed and submitted by Ann Cheek, featuring Exciting Bucket, Play Book, Sweet Ambition, and Jo Jo’s Gypsy, who are residents at Our Mims Retirement Haven.
• May: “A Gentle Touch” photographed by Mark Mahan and submitted by Isabella Norrid, featuring Appealing Alex, who resides at Central Kentucky Riding for Hope as an equine therapist.
• June: “Criss-Cross” photographed by Julia Richter (Jules Richter Photography) and submitted by Kara Corpman, featuring Hot Tin Roof, who was retrained and rehomed by New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program.
• July: “Diamond Junior and Jolene” photographed by Kylea Daugherty and submitted by Beverly Strauss, featuring Diamond Junior, who is available for adoption at MidAtlantic Horse Rescue.
• August: “Kansas Sunshine” photographed and submitted by Hillerie Hedberg, featuring Scott Pond, who was adopted from Second Stride.
• September: “Jumping into a Second Career” photographed and submitted by Addyson Cole, featuring Theheatofthenight who is in retraining at Second Wind Thoroughbred Project.
• October: “My Best Friend” photographed by Erin Berkery and submitted by Amy Luyster, featuring Holy Moses, who was retrained and rehomed by Secretariat Center.
• November: “Reminiscence” photographed and submitted by Sandra Pratt Silva, featuring Hi Time Ruler, who was adopted from Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
• December: “Happy Holidays” photographed by Maria Stockinger and submitted by Jenna Stockinger, featuring Long Awaited Guest, who was adopted from This Old Horse.

236 photographs were submitted to this year’s calendar photo contest. Along with the primary winners, 40 additional photos were chosen to be featured in the calendar as honorable mentions. A total of 57 Thoroughbreds are featured in the calendar, representing 37 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organizations and participating in many equestrian disciplines including: Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, Eventing, Western Riding, Fox Hunting, Sensory Training, Equine Assisted Therapy, and horses in retirement.

“The Churchill Downs Foundation is dedicated to supporting the health, safety and welfare of our equine athletes,” said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations, Churchill Downs Incorporated. “The horses featured in the 2025 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance calendar highlight the versatility and intelligence both on and off the racetrack.”

The 2025 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Calendar, sponsored by Churchill Downs Foundation, will be available for a $20 pre-sale for the month of October 2025. The calendars will then be available starting on December 1, 2025 with every online donation of $50 or more made during the month of December. Donors may opt to receive a calendar by noting “2025 Calendar” in the comment field of the online donation form. Calendars will be available on a first come first served basis, until the inventory is depleted. Donations can be made at: thoroughbredaftercare.org/donation_now