The New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society is pleased to announce the finalists for the 100-Day Trainer Challenge. Four trainers and four horses have been selected.

New Stride’s 100-Day Trainer Challenge will showcase four Thoroughbred ex-racehorses as they transition into new careers. New Stride will promote their journey throughout the 100-days and educate the public on the athleticism and intelligence of the breed as well as their suitability as a sport horse and useful riding horse. The Challenge will culminate with a Thoroughbred Showcase at Thunderbird Show Park on October 4, 2014. The end goal is placement of the five horses into permanent homes through a private sale.

“Thoroughbreds are such an incredibly versatile breed,” said Bill Randall, President of New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society. “Our Challenge will show the public what these horses are capable of doing, ultimately promoting ownership of Thoroughbreds and helping to transition more horses into new careers.”

Trainer Finalists

Estelle Baker, Vancouver, BC – Estelle has been riding and competing for 20 years. She has competed to NZ Level 3 Dressage, show jumping, training level eventing, and has hunted full-wire. Estelle works with young horses and focuses on making them fun all-rounders before focusing on a specific discipline.

Alicia Harper, Mission, BC – Alicia owns a training facility in Mission where she teaches Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Western. Alicia has over 20 years of riding experience in many disciplines. Alicia is a certified Equine Canada Competition Coach and has sat on the Board of Horse Council BC.

Rayme McMahon, Langley, BC – Rayme is a 62 year-old dressage coach with over 45 years’ experience of riding, competing, coaching and breeding. Rayme has retrained multiple ex-racehorses that have gone on to become trail riding horses, jumpers, grand prix dressage, and one that carried a junior rider to team gold in the 2010 BC summer games.

Keelly Reggelsen, Armstrong, BC – Keelly has a training program in the beautiful Okanagan Valley and coaches riders of various levels to excel competitively in Hunter, Jumper, Dressage, 3 Day Event, and Pleasure. She has experience starting yearlings for the track, finishing second level dressage prospects, and working up to 1.20m jumpers.

Margaret Woloschuk – Ladner, BC – Margaret comes from a background of Eventing, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper. She has a training program where she focuses on coaching and training all breeds of horses. She specializes in developing young and green horses for their first experiences in the show ring.

Horse finalists

Almost Time – 8 year-old BC bred gelding sired by Finality out of Vainglorious by Cutlass Reality. Almost Time had 24 starts including 10 wins and earnings of over $360,000.

Lend Me an Ear – 12-year old BC bred gelding by Humpty’s Hoedown by Golden Degree out of Golden Reserve. He had 45 starts and earnings of over $71,000.

Remembering When – 5 year-old BC bred mare sired by Sungold out of Down Memory Lane by Maudlin. She has 15 starts under her belt.

Svana – 3 year-old BC bred filly sired by Alybro out of Hansa out of Travelling Victor.

Trick of the North – 13-year old BC bred gelding sired by Western Trick out of Remarkable Gal by Regal Remark. Trick of the North had 74 starts and is a Grade 3 stakes winner with earnings of $460,000.

Details about the Challenge can be found here.