The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which encourages the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon completion of careers in racing or breeding, today announced the creation of a Youth Ambassador Program.

The T.I.P. Youth Ambassador Program is offered on an annual basis to 12 young riders (18 and under) who own or lease a Thoroughbred and have actively participated in T.I.P.-sponsored shows, classes or award programs. A Youth Ambassador represents T.I.P. and the Thoroughbred breed at his or her local barn, shows, competitions, or at any other activities he or she may participate in.

This year’s ambassadors are Amber Longreen (Pennsylvania), Calista Plante (Maryland), Calvary Fielden (Florida), Caroline Kingsbury (Maryland), Chloe Bellerive (Maryland), Dalton Furkis (Michigan), Ella Sciog (Florida), Emily Zuercher (Florida), Gabriela Ortiz (Texas), Katie Hanson (Georgia), Rebecca O’Neill (Alberta), and Teri Simone (Ontario).

These young riders are from across the United States and Canada. Each of them has competed in T.I.P.-sponsored shows or award programs and competes in an array of disciplines from hunter/jumpers to eventing to dressage. These successful young horsemen represent the best of T.I.P. to the rest of the equestrian world. Read more about the ambassadors and their horses on the Youth Ambassador page on tjctip.com.

Created and announced in October 2011, T.I.P. recognizes and rewards the versatility of the Thoroughbred through sponsorship of Thoroughbred classes and high point awards at sanctioned horse shows, performance awards, and non-competition awards. Additional information about T.I.P. is available at tjctip.com and on the T.I.P. Facebook page at facebook.com/tjctip.

The Youth Ambassador Program is designed to expand awareness of the Thoroughbred Incentive Program and the versatility of the Thoroughbred.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.