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Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
LEXINGTON, Ky. –Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance hosted its fifth annual Calendar Photo Contest this year. Twelve winning photos of Thoroughbreds were selected to be featured in the 2026 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Calendar. All photos feature a registered Thoroughbred that is either in residence at or has been rehomed by a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization. Each winner will receive Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance branded merchandise and a copy of the calendar. Out of the twelve winners, the grand prize winner was selected to be featured on the cover of the calendar and will receive a Tipperary helmet of their choice, sponsored by Tipperary Equestrian.
The grand prize and cover feature winner of the calendar is Sara Ruggerone. The photo, titled “Best Friends” captures OTTB Centerofattention and her best friend Apollo, both permanent residents at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization located in Paso Robles, California. Redwings is annually home to 70 to 85 horses of all breeds, some of which receive permanent sanctuary care and some of which are rehabilitated and prepared for a suitable adoptive home.
The winning photographs are:
- January: “Winter Whispers” photographed by Scott Purdum and submitted by Grace Purdum, featuring Chosen Moon at Hope for Horses.
- February: “Best Friends” photographed by Deb Hofstetter and submitted by Sara Ruggerone, featuring Centerofattention at Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
- March: “Fostering Idaho” photographed by Matthew Chew and submitted by Candace Chew, featuring Point Breeze and London Follies at Champions Retreat.
- April: “My Pot of Gold” photographed by Lani Dake and submitted by Lani Dake, featuring Dancing Bella, rehomed by Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga.
- May: “Dressage at Lone Tree” photographed by Aleshia Snyder and submitted by Heather Rowan, featuring Lamartine (BRZ), rehomed by CANTER Michigan.
- June: “This is Why” photographed by Michelle Horgan and submitted by Jaime Douglas, featuring Glacier Express at New Beginnings Thoroughbreds.
- July: “Splendor in the Grass” photographed by Len Armer and submitted by Karen Wagner, featuring Major Deegan at Equine Advocates.
- August: “The Astral Rascal” photographed by Sheri Knauer and submitted by Laura Otten, featuring The Astral Rascal, rehomed by Thoroughbred Retirement, Rehabilitation, and Careers.
- September: “Lava Mud Pots” photographed by Laura Battles and submitted by Laura Battles, featuring Lava Man at Old Friends Equine Retirement.
- October: “Sailing Through Summer” photographed by Hallie Burden and submitted by Joy Nakrin, featuring Enduring Honor, rehomed by Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption Program.
- November: “Establishing Ties” photographed by Rebecca Lazarus and submitted by Hannah Ong, featuring The Other Chad, rehomed by Thoroughbred Placement Resources.
- December: “Viracocha” photographed by Carlos Orellana and submitted by Caitlin Dever, featuring Viracocha, rehomed by LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society.
Over 475 photographs were submitted to this year’s calendar photo contest. Along with the primary winners, 41 additional photos were chosen to be featured in the calendar as honorable mentions. A total of 275 Thoroughbreds are featured in the calendar, representing 59 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organizations and participating in many equestrian disciplines including: Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, Eventing, Western Riding, Fox Hunting, Sensory Training, Equine Assisted Therapy, and horses in retirement.
“Congratulations to all our Photo Contest winners, and thank you to everyone who participated in the contest,” said Catherine Flowers, Data Director & Office Manager, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “It is heartwarming each year to receive so many photos of Thoroughbreds connecting with humans and excelling in their second careers. This is why ensuring the fate of our industry’s horses is so crucial – because they give us everything and deserve everything in return.”
The 2026 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Calendar will be available for pre-sale during the month of October with a donation of $20. The calendars will then be available starting on December 1, 2025 with every online donation of $50 or more. Donors may opt to receive a calendar by noting “2026 Calendar” in the comment field of the online donation form. Calendars will be available on a first come first served basis, until the inventory is depleted. Donations can be made at: thoroughbredaftercare.org/donation_now
