Laurelville, OH — The Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA) announced that grants totaling $50,000 have been distributed to STA Aftercare Organizations that have successfully achieved accreditation in 2022.

The STA is pleased to announce the newest accredited organizations, Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program (NY) and This Old Horse (MN and WI), which join Sunshine Horses (NY), Future for Standardbreds (ME) and New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program (FL, KY, LA, NY, OH, PA). Additional details can be found here.

“We are incredibly proud to add Purple Haze and This Old Horse to the stable of STA-accredited organizations,” said Jennifer Daniels, STA administrator. “Organization accreditation is the first step toward sustainable aftercare; we’re excited to celebrate these two fantastic nonprofits and give donors confidence that their charitable contributions to the STA are making an impact.”

Created in 2018 to recognize and assist nonprofit entities focused on acquiring, rehabilitating, training and rehoming Standardbred racehorses, the STA awarded its first accreditation status and financial grant in 2020. Since then, $150,000 has been gifted to charities that have achieved accreditation. Accredited organizations are also eligible for additional grant opportunities that become available throughout the year.

The STA Spring Grant, given in conjunction with the awarding of 2022 accreditation status, rewards organizations that have successfully met or exceeded all application criteria and that 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.

The STA is supported by equine enthusiasts from every facet of harness racing, including trainers, owners, breeders, racetracks, sales companies and others. Interested in learning how you can support the STA? Click here.

The next application window for STA accreditation will open on July 15. More details can be found on the STA website.

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.