Monticello, NY — Aid to the Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA) is coming from the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) in the form of a $15,000 contribution. Alan Schwartz and Joe Faraldo, who conduct the NAADA events at Monticello and Yonkers Raceways, respectively, collect the members’ entry fees for use as charitable contributions.

Recognizing the valuable work done by the STA, Schwartz and Faraldo selected the STA as the recipient of fees that have not yet been awarded.

“Since there are many, many entities administering horse welfare retirement programs there seemed to be a real need to have a central clearinghouse to make sure that funding is distributed to entities meeting established criteria,” said Schwartz. “We think STA is such a much-needed clearinghouse.”

Their website states that STA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to accredit, inspect and award grants to approved organizations that acquire, rehabilitate, train and re-home Standardbreds. Funding is generated across the spectrum of the Standardbred industry, including regulatory agencies, horsemen’s groups, tracks, sales companies, farms, and individuals who participate as trainers, drivers, owners, and breeders.

According to Faraldo, the U.S. Trotting Association’s chairman, the USTA provided seed money to help get STA off the ground and recently had discussions about providing additional funding as well as creating opportunities for members to opt in to making donations through certain business transactions with the USTA.

“The USTA can’t do it all, as this must be an industry-wide effort where costs are shared amongst all of us who have responsibility for one or more horses and can appreciate the magnitude of such an undertaking,” said Faraldo. “It is just too big for any one entity to properly fund. STA should be the vehicle through which contributions flow to those entities that earn accreditation to best ensure that the money to care for our horses is well spent.”

“The NAADA members are very proud of the work STA is doing as far as that accreditation, and wanted to help in our small way,” said NAADA member and USTA Director Joe Pennacchio. “We hope others will recognize the importance of STA’s work, as have we in the amateur ranks have done, and pitch in.”

Donations to the STA can be made by check to Standardbred Transition Alliance, P.O. Box 377, Laurelville, OH 43135 or by visiting the donation page on their website by clicking here.