The Maker's Mark Secretariat Center is a non profit facility located in the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. We are dedicated to reschooling, and showcasing the athleticism of the off track Thoroughbred so that they can go on and become ambassadors for the breed in second careers. We are also committed to educating the public about these wonderful horses: We welcome visitors of all ages, interns, and volunters . This blog publicizes unofficial updates on our horses and our programs. For more information, visit www,secretariatcenter.org or www.facebook.com/makersmarksecretariatcenter








Saturday, February 7, 2009

Letter From Our Director

Hello everyone!
Here is a letter that our director Susanna Thomas wrote for our first monthly e-newsletter (which will be sent out next week sometime) re-capping 2008 and giving an overview for our plans for 09:

Welcome to Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center’s new e-newsletter! What a successful year 2008 was for the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington!

Thanks to the Horse Centered® ReSchooling program implemented this spring:
  1. We had 20 horses adopted and 8 fostered for a total of 28 horses finding loving homes this year! The average adoption fee per horse was a respectable $1450.
  2. We took in horses from six different rescue agencies as well as, the TRF and horses directly from owners and trainers.
  3. We started an internship program for students from area colleges and universities as well as a volunteer certification program for the public at large.
  4. Our training sessions were open daily to the public throughout the Kentucky Horse Park season. Every Saturday we were busy with interactive demonstrations for visitors.

We were busy in the office too:
  1. We restructured our website, initiated a blog, now have Face Book address, and have videos of our horses posted on YouTube.
  2. We completed a marketing study to help position us in 2009 and for the upcoming World Equestrian Games. Our goal is to make ourselves a major attraction to the Horse Park as the showcase site the in the United States for the reschooling of off the track Thoroughbreds.
  3. We have a proposal for a documentary film about the TRF-MMCS and are now seeking funding for production in 2009.
  4. We are looking at a variety of fundraising venues for 2010, from sponsorships to marketing the MMSC name and Horse Centered ReSchooling program.
  5. We also established an advisory committee.

This spring we plan to:
· Start a training library
· Begin a lesson program
· Initiate a regular rostrum of lectures at the MMSC with TB experts
· Develop a line of merchandise for sale.
· Put the details of our marketing study into play.

Big plans, yes, which we think we can achieve by setting one small realistic goal after the next. We would love to hear your thoughts and would welcome any suggestions or advice. After all, this is your flagship facility for the retraining of the off the track Thoroughbred, and for heralding to the public at large the value of the Thoroughbred horse. With your support, we can surely make it the best that it can be.

We’re off!
All best,
Susanna Thomas Director
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