New Vocations Graduates Honored with 2019 T.I.P. Performance Awards

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New Vocations is pleased to announce that 16 graduates participated in The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) year-end performance awards. To participate, Thoroughbred owners self-report points accumulated at horse shows in each T.I.P. awards category during a 12-month span.

In 2019, there were 630 Thoroughbreds competing in over 12,500 T.I.P. classes; winners of first through sixth in 16 categories received ribbons, money and a variety of prizes, including custom Horseware coolers, halters, keychains and apparel. Categories include Dressage, Endurance/Obstacle/Trail, English Pleasure, Equitation, Eventing/Combined Test, General, Halter, Hunter, Jumper, Western, three Green OTTB divisions, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Adoptee and State Bred Awards.

Of all 16 New Vocations horses participating, Nickelacross (pictured above), adopted by Michelle Hannan of Ohio, was the highest-placed graduate and reserve Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Adoptee Award. He was also the Champion High Central Hunter.

With 39 starts and career earnings of nearly $33,000, the 2007 gelding raced at Hawthorne before being retired by Ronny and Mary Ann Bridges of Sauganash Stables. He spent just 55 days in the program before being adopted by Michelle.

Dubbed “Gemini,” the sweet red horse truly is a star in the showring. His first show ever was the 2014 New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park, which can be an overwhelming venue for some horses--but not Gemini, who came home Reserve Champion in the Crossrails division!

I am so grateful to New Vocations for connecting me with Gemini,” says Michelle. “Since his adoption in 2013, it has been a joy to have such a sweet, smart, talented and versatile horse in our family. A typical Thoroughbred overachiever, Gemini puts his whole heart and considerable athletic ability into any task, whether competing in the three-foot hunters or in Jolly Ball tug-of-war tournaments with his pasture mates.”

“I'm honored to have the opportunity to own this exceptional horse, and I'm so pleased that he received the T.I.P. Performance award for the Hunter High Central division. It is encouraging to see the resurgence of the Thoroughbred in the hunter/jumper disciplines, and I'm grateful to the Thoroughbred Incentive Program for showcasing these amazing athletes.”

Other New Vocations award winners include:

A Hotty At Noon, owned by Michelle Hannan (shown under Nosey Parker); 5th place TAA Adoptee Award
Cassius C. (shown under Donatello), owned by Victoria Zimmerman; Reserve Champion in Novice Central Eventing
Kulik Lodge (shown under Kool Cat), owned by Brooke Schafer and ridden by Tay Weinold; Reserve Intermediate Central Jumper
Make the Point, owned by Cathy Sanders, Champion in Western Dressage
Mr. Conductor (shown as Maestro), owned by Kara Corpman; Reserve Champion First Level Central Dressage
Truley Quick (shown under Truely Tyme), owned by Vicki Markowski; First Level East Dressage Champion; sixth place TAA Adoptee Awards; 6th place California-bred State Award

Also participating were:

Abstention, owned by Amanda Schroeder
City Never Sleeps, owned by Kora Schroeder
Dream for More, owned by Tatia Heleski
Hot Tin Roof, owned by Kara Corpman
One Brave Warrior, owned by Nicole Russo
Pink Magic, owned by Meg McTiver
Two Down One to Go (shown under In High Demand), owned by Abigail Kaplan
Unnamed 2015 out of Spokeswoman (shown under Oyster Bay), owned by Caroline Anderson
X Max, owned by Richard Sanders

The complete list of winners and participants is available at tjctip.com/PerformanceAwardsWinners.

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About New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program: Founded in 1992, New Vocations has grown into the largest racehorse adoption program in the country. Its mission to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retired Thoroughbreds and Standardbred racehorses has led to the placement of over 7,000 individuals, with 500 retirees entering the program each year. With facilities in Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, New Vocations serves over 40 racetracks, working directly with owners and trainers in need of aftercare options. www.newvocations.org