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Supporters
About the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program
FLTAP has been around since 2004. Trigger Happy Jill was the horse who started it all. She was pulled out of an auction on her way to an unknown destination, and her tattoo number was traced back to the Finger Lakes. From then on, there were to be no more retired race horses sent to be slaughtered from the Finger Lakes; at least not if FLTAP could help it. Many trainers and owners donate their retired race horses to FLTAP, knowing that the horse is in excellent hands and will end up in a good home.
Since 2004 over 300 horses have been donated and placed into new, approved homes. Each year the number of donated and adopted horses grows, and this year, 2008, we expect 125 horses to come through our doors! FLTAP operates from the Purple Haze Center in Farmington New York, right at the race track. They are the first racetrack ever to have an adoption Facility on the grounds. They hope to set an example for all other racetracks around the country, because it is very much needed.
The Purple Haze adoption center has been up and running since November 2007. In a beautiful 16 box stall barn, put together by grants and donations, FLTAP is prospering. The lifestyle of a racehorse is all these equines’ know. Having an in-between facility where they can relax, recuperate(if need be), and learn how to be a horse again, is critical to the transition they must make in order to learn a new career and lead a successful life. Some may never be ridden again, due to injuries, and some go on to be wonderful athletes in other sports like jumping, dressage, polo, eventing, and don’t forget about the wonderful pleasure horse.
The turnout has been highly successful! Everyone that steps through the doors is just astonished by the cause, the effort, and the program. FLTAP’s volunteer list has over 100 names! And it is only growing longer everyday. Everybody wants to help out this great cause.
This is only the beginning of a beautiful story to come. More horses are being adopted as each month passes. So if you’re looking for a new horse, maybe you want to get back into riding, or maybe you just want to fill that empty stall in your barn, come out to The Purple Haze Center and check out the horses. You could fill a void in your life, and save an animal’s life all at the same time.
Read about the history of the Purple Haze Center
- FLTAP's adoption barn:
And they’re off!
FLTAP Hits the Ground Running in 2008
The desire and vision of a few very determined individuals to start a Thoroughbred adoption program has become a reality at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. In 2007 The Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program (FLTAP) took the shape of a formal and very credible Thoroughbred adoption program. FLTAP obtained 501(c)3 certification in May of 2006, paving the way for tax deductible donations which include not only the donated Thoroughbreds, but supplies, equipment, services, and (still very much needed) cash. Since the initial inception in early 2005, nearly 300 Thoroughbreds have found new homes and new careers through FLTAP.
Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack is the first Thoroughbred racetrack in the United States to open an in-house adoption program, dedicated to the retraining and adoption of its retired racehorses. Ground breaking for the “adoption barn” took place in late June of 2007. The barn was not quite complete by late September due to unexpected funding and construction delays. However, the barn was completed enough to host the annual dinner and auction, and give supporters a glimpse of things to come. Read the rest of the article online.
Read on to find out how to get your very own Moneigh
CALLING All New York State Thoroughbred Stallions
Supernational, the artist, with SUNY Cobleskill intern Carly Tangney,
Treasurer Phyllis Shetron, Program & Facility Manager Kerri Gaffney
and Fundraising Chairperson Kim Donsaleer
The Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program (FLTAP), the first racetrack in-house program for retraining and adoption of retired Thoroughbreds, is partnering with Rerun in the creation and sale of Moneighs.
What is a Moneigh? A Moneigh is a framed painting painted and signed by a Thoroughbred artist. These original equine masterpieces are sold to the public with the proceeds benefiting Rerun. Some very famous and fast Thoroughbreds have painted Moneigh Masterpieces. Some of these famous masters include Smarty Jones, Point Given, and Funny Cide, just to name a few. In fact, the sale of Moneighs is Reruns most popular and profitable fundraiser. Read the rest of the article online.
Thoroughbred Adoption Program Received the 2007 AAEP Equine Welfare Award
As published in The Horse on December 3, 2007
The Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program (FLTAP) in Farmington, N.Y., is the 2007 recipient of the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Equine Welfare Award, the Lavin Cup. Named for AAEP Past President A. Gary Lavin, VMD, the award is presented to a non-veterinary individual or organization that has demonstrated exceptional compassion or developed and enforced rules and guidelines for the welfare of the horse. The award will be presented on Dec. 4 2007 during the AAEP’s 53rd Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla.
The FLTAP is dedicated to finding homes for former racehorses. Racetrack veterinarian Margaret Ohlinger, DVM, trainer Phyllis Shetron, and horse owner Valerie Morrison, together with management from Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, founded the program in 2005. It is the first Thoroughbred adoption facility in the country to be run as a collaborative effort between racetrack management and horsemen. They have since found new homes for more than 100 former racehorses and are currently fundraising for the construction of a new barn to house retirees before adoption.
Previous recipients of the Lavin Cup include the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Inc., the American Quarter Horse Association, the California Horse Racing Board and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the Thoroughbred Charities of America, and Days End Farm Horse Rescue.