Virginia Thoroughbred Project to replace Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at Montpelier

DECEMBER 23, 2019 – James Madison’s Montpelier is pleased to announce that it has formed a partnership with the newly formed Virginia Thoroughbred Project to be located on the grounds at Montpelier which were previously occupied by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. In an agreement reached between the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, James Madison’s Montpelier and the Virginia Thoroughbred Project (VTP), the new entity will adopt all the 41 retired Thoroughbred horses residing at Montpelier, and the current staff will continue in their present roles as employees of the VTP.

VTP farm manger Crystal Wever (L) and board president Sue Hart (R).

The VTP was incorporated in the state of Virginia effect October 25, 2019, and is filing the necessary paperwork to apply for a 501c3 status as a non-profit. All parties involved are extremely satisfied with this arrangement as it has many advantages for all involved; mainly the horses, many advanced in age, who are able to remain on the beautiful grounds of Montpelier where most of them have been for a number of years. Additionally, the staff, headed by farm manger Crystal Wever, has been together for several years and have a solid, well established, cooperative working relationship which will continue as a unit under the new entity. The new board has many directors who were on the previous TRF supervisory committee and bring a great deal of experience to this new endeavor.

The above advantages, plus the high level of cooperation and goodwill between Montpelier and the VTP, will result in the best of all worlds for the horses. Their integration into the greater entity of Montpelier and the importance of the horse in the history of Montpelier is the focus of this collaboration.

The intended goal of the VTP is to provide the highest possible standard of care for former racehorses in the commonwealth of Virginia. To that end, the Montpelier Foundation is accepting donations earmarked for the VTP under its 501c3 until the pending 501c3 status is confirmed for the VTP. Additionally, Montpelier is providing assistance in transferring responsibilities from the national TRF umbrella to the new VTP board. This assistance has been a keystone in our being able to form the new foundation. Without the help of management at Montpelier and the mentoring of Arthur Bryant who has acted as a liaison between the three groups, this project would never have reached fruition. The VTP board and staff is grateful to both for their unwavering assistance through the entire transition.

For more information, please contact VTP president Sue Hart at sjh58@hotmail.com.