California Retirement Management Account
TOC Members:
As a fellow horse owner, I know we have more than a few things in common. For instance, we very much appreciate that racing celebrates the beauty and skill of the thoroughbred horse, and find little more joyous and exciting than standing in the winners circle after our horse's number is posted on the tote board as the winner. It really doesn't make much difference if it's a $l0,000 claimer or a stakes winner. As owners, we all derive such pleasure from our horses! It's also comforting to know that when their racing days are done, so many horses go on to useful and productive second careers. Some will go on to the breeding shed, others will bring joy to their new owners as therapy horses, or hunter jumpers, or will be part of some other rewarding recreational use. For a small percentage of horses however, there is no other career available. Their temperament may not be suitable or they may have sustained injuries which preclude them from other uses. These horses deserve our support just as they did when they were racing. Most owners act responsibly and recognize their obligation to provide care for their animals after their racing days are done. There are, however, some horses who "slip between the cracks," particularly those that are not serviceable and are ignored, or worse. It is for these latter horses that CARMA was formed, and for which there is a need for your support. These charitable contributions will be used to help defray expenses at qualifying California retirement facilities that apply to CARMA, and which meet our grant requirements. CARMA support will be limited to the care of horses that raced in California. Farms receiving grants must use this money to rehabilitate, feed, provide vet services, and do whatever else is necessary to care for these thoroughbreds. Please remember that CARMA is a voluntary program, meaning owners not interested in so helping may "opt out" of the program simply by instructing the paymaster using the written form they will make available, just as if you were to opt out of paying your trainer automatically. We sincerely hope that TOC members -- even those of you that always care for your animals -- will help to make this a successful program, ensuring that those animals who have been neglected and have no voice to advocate for their care, are cared for in much the same way they were when they raced for our glory. Please keep watching for CARMA sponsored fantastic funding raising events to be announced soon. This cause will be a labor of love for all of us, and we are going to challenge the entire industry -- jockeys, trainers, racetracks, haulers, media, etc. -- to join in the effort to take care of those horses that make California racing so special. I would like to thank the Thoroughbred Owners of California for its support. I recognize that owners nearly always lead the way, so I am proud to be a part of this very special community! Sincerely, Madeline Auerbach CARMA - Chair
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