Next month marks the two year anniversary for my third role, which is at Wasabi Ventures Stables. Conveniently, I just expanded my role there, giving me a double title: Community Evangelist and Director of Aftercare. However, before I delve into these roles, I’m going to transport you with the wayback time machine.

As a child I was not one of those girls who was in love with horses. I didn’t dislike them, but I didn’t read horse novels, take riding lessons, or dream of having my own pony. However, I always was, and am, an animal person. So, my personal menagerie consisted of cats, dogs, tadpoles, chickens, and even lizards. I always enjoyed caring for other living creatures.

Fast forward to about a dozen years ago. I was dating my now-husband, and he asked about taking his and my kids to a racetrack. I told him in no uncertain terms that children shouldn’t hang around a place like that. He then suggested that just he and I go so I could experience a racetrack. Growing up in New Hampshire with parents not interested in the sport, I’d never been. We went to Suffolk Downs, and I found it to be a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

Fast forward again by a handful of years to when my husband began telling me about his dream of building a racing syndicate. I thought it was a good idea, and I was glad to assist in a small way. As he built this business, I had the opportunity to spend time in the barns with our horses, to experience the thrill of being on the rail at the finish line, to stand at the paddock and watch my horses. In short, I fell in love with these magnificent creatures.

In no time, my plan of helping in a small way grew to holding the role of Community Evangelist. I tracked purchases and ordered rewards. I planned events to bring our community together and created contests to strengthen engagement. This allowed me not only to help with the business but to build friendships with many members of our club.

Moving into 2019, I wanted to contribute more to WV Stables and find a way to make it more of an us project. When I thought about my interests and work strengths and combined them with the new contacts I was making, I felt a pull toward aftercare. Almost all people in the Thoroughbred industry are strong advocates for safe and positive placements for horses when they are done racing. For me, it’s become a driving force. After working as racehorses, these animals deserve a good home.

In the coming months, I’ll be launching new programs that not only will help retired Thoroughbreds but also that will encourage our club members to be part of the solution. I am excited to see how much we will be able to do.

I may be a late arrival to the world of horses and racing, but now it’s become a focal part of my life.

To read about Role 2, click here.