Page 15 - 2021 TAA Magazine

that we might not have ever threatened,” Strauss said. “It nizations After The Races, New ties. Virginia-based Brook Hill
thought of. So, if we can really gives me a sense of confidence. I Vocations, and ReRun reported Farm shared the success of a
get this community active and feel like I can reach out to differ- record adoption rates. After new project, which has local
involved I think it’s really going ent programs to get insight, sharing their successes during senior citizens work with the
to benefit everybody, especially whereas in a non-TAA group, a committee meeting, Strauss, organization’s horses.
the horses.” I don’t feel the same way. I’m along with other TAA orga- “We were all a bit taken aback
Fundraising is a competi- hoping that the other organiza- nizations, were persuaded to by it, but it’s really successful
tive game. Previously, many tions feel that way, too.” start hosting their own virtual for Brook Hill,” Strauss said.
TAA organizations felt sharing The year 2020 challenged adoptions. “It’s been a good source of fund-
methods and ideas with one Thoroughbred aftercare non- “Given that After The Races ing and community engage-
another could leave their fund- profits like never before, and and New Vocations were ment for them, which is critical.
ing streams vulnerable. Now, many struggled with the logis- successfully adopting out It made everyone think about
the TAA’s ability to fundraise tics of continuing to operate at horses where the people did not how we could incorporate that
within the industry on behalf the same capacity. Adoptions come to ride, we decided to give into our own programs.”
of organizations has relieved are a fundamental component it a shot and it worked really Whether it’s sharing ideas,
some of their financial burden. for a majority of TAA-accred- well,” Strauss said. “Collabora- advice, support, or trailer rides,
As a result, organizations are ited organizations, and without tion gave us the courage to say, the benefits of being a part of
focused on what really matters being able to hold in-person ‘Okay, we can do this too,’ and the TAA’s community of accred-
– helping more Thoroughbreds. appointments with potential step outside our comfort zone.” ited organizations is endless. If a
“I feel like I can trust the other adopters, organizations needed More so, the monthly commit- pandemic has taught us anything,
TAA organizations and we can to find a solution. tee meetings inspired organiza- it’s that teamwork doesn’t just
discuss issues and successes Without personally meeting tions to think outside the box help us survive, but provides the
without feeling necessarily adopters, TAA-accredited orga- to engage their local communi- allies we need to thrive.