Laurelville, OH – The Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA) is pleased to announce the successful accreditation of five aftercare organizations for 2024. Through accreditation each of these 501c3 non-profit charities became eligible for 2024 grant funding, including a first round of grant awards totaling $100,000 issued Wednesday (March 6).

The STA Accredited Aftercare Organizations have successfully met or exceeded all application criteria and have adhered to the STA Best Practices guidelines. Applying organizations must demonstrate that they are fiscally sound, with competent staff and a rigorous screening process in place to ensure that Standardbreds being rehomed through their organization have the best chance at a quality career once they retire from racing.

“We are proud and grateful of the many individuals working tirelessly to build a structured and nationally supported approach to Standardbred aftercare.” said STA President Don Marean. “We’re now entering our fifth year of accreditation and have issued $525,000 in financial grants that reward sustainable systems.”

The 2024 STA Accredited Aftercare Organizations are Future for Standardbreds (ME), Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary (OH), New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program (FL, KY, LA, NY, OH, PA), Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program (NY), and Sunshine Horses (NY). Additional details can be found here.

The STA Board made their accreditation recommendations at its February annual meeting. Also in that meeting a new slate of officers was elected, with Don Marean replacing David Reid as president, a position he had held since the program’s inception. Reid remains an officer, joining Moria Fanning and Renee Mancino as vice presidents. Elizabeth Caldwell was elected secretary and Renee Mancino was elected treasurer.

The STA is supported by equine enthusiasts from every facet of harness racing, including trainers, owners, breeders, racetracks, sales companies, and others. To learn how you can support the STA click here.

The STA is an industry-led charitable 501(c)(3) organization established in 2018 to advance the scope of Standardbred aftercare. The STA mission is to inspect, accredit and award grants to approved organizations that acquire, rehabilitate, train, and rehome Standardbred horses. www.standardbredtransition.org.