Courtesy New Vocations
Get your reservation for our annual Kentucky Derby seminar now! Details Here
New Vocations Press
Lexington, Ky. – New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is excited to host its 9th Annual Open Barn & BBQ, presented by Seidman Stables, LLC on Thursday, April 23rd from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at their Lexington, KY, facility at Mereworth Farm. This year’s event is free and open to the public.
The Open Barn & BBQ—held concurrently with the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, taking place at the Kentucky Horse Park—will feature educational seminars along with the chance to meet adoptable horses while touring the facility.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to New Vocations at Mereworth Farm,” said Anna Ford, Executive Director. “Our Open Barn & BBQ is a free, public event and a great opportunity to showcase our adoptable horses, offer inspiring demonstrations, and share the stories of these incredible equine athletes.”
Guests can expect an interactive educational program featuring live demos on the following topics:
- “From Racehorse to Sport Horse: Building Confidence Over Fences” – by Emily Hamel, Professional 5* Eventer
- “Encouraging Balance and Connection Through Cavaletti Work” – by Professional Eventer and Kentucky Native, Megan Edwards
Jen Roytz—owner of Brownstead Farm, author of the Paulick Report’s “OTTB Training Toolkit” column and an OTTB owner and rider—will moderate the sessions.
In addition, guests will enjoy live music from The Ranahans, a variety of food trucks and a boutique cash bar featuring the event’s signature cocktails, a Maker’s Mark Stablehand Smash and a Tito’s Photo Finish, as well as other selections from Jackson Family Wines.
Guests can also bid on a variety of items and experiences, including an authentic horseshoe worn by Man o’War, an Arizona ranch riding trip, private Thoroughbred horse farm tours, and horse racing memorabilia in the always-popular silent auction, featuring handmade artisan items and a wide variety of equine-themed gifts. The auction is now live and will end at 8:30 PM on April 23rd. All proceeds from the auction will go directly to support New Vocations’ mission to rehab, retrain and rehome retired racehorses.
Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. with the first demo starting at 5:15 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public, although reservations are recommended and can be made by visiting https://barnandbbq26.wedoauctions.com Proceeds from the event will benefit New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
