The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) today announced the recipients of its two non-competition awards for 2013: the T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award and the T.I.P. Young Rider of the Year Award.

The Thoroughbred of the Year Award recognizes a Thoroughbred that has excelled in a non-competitive career, such as equine-assisted therapy or police work.

This year’s recipient is Loveable Rascal, aka Rascal, an 11-year-old therapy horse from Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He has been a therapy horse for six years.

Rascal was bred by former governor of Kentucky, Brereton C. Jones’ Airdrie Stud. When Rascal left the racetrack he became a successful hunter/jumper, but after an injury, he was donated as a therapy horse, where he excelled because of his patience and easy-going attitude.

“Rascal is one of those horses that not only knows he is helping riders, he wants to,” said Jinene Studinski, Equine Director at Fieldstone Farm in their Horse of the Year Application. “Through Rascal’s generous heart and instinct to serve, children with autism and Down Syndrome have said their first words. Adults with multiple sclerosis and children with neurological disorders have improved balance and gained strength. Some have even taken their first steps after riding him. High school students and military veterans have found hope and strength. Rascal is an amazing horse that reaches people of all ages and with all kinds of challenges and helps them become stronger physically and emotionally so they can better cope with daily life.”

The young rider award, which recognizes a rider 18 or under who owns or leases a Thoroughbred for use in 4-H, Pony Club or other activities, was split among four riders, Chloe Bellerive, Madison Shaughnessy, Natalie Roberts, and Annise Montplaisir.

Bellerive is 14 and has been riding since she was 2. She is involved in various horse activities both mounted and educational, including 4-H, FFA, and USHJA, and is an ambassador for Thoroughbreds.

“Everywhere we go, after I exit the rings, someone always asks me about his breeding, and I very proudly state he is a Thoroughbred and an ex-racehorse that I was very lucky to find,” said Bellerive.

Her horse, Lemon Twister, aka Atlas, raced four times with one win and earnings of $16,320.

Bellerive, who is from Keedysville, Md., plans to use her T.I.P. award funds for training and to help promote Thoroughbreds in their second careers.

Madison Shaughnessy, an 18-year-old from Niangua, Mo., rescued her horse MissGuided from Forget Me Now Horse Rescue, where Shaughnessy was a volunteer.

MissGuided, aka Missy, had 16 starts and earned more than $22,000. “This horse has inspired me and changed my outlook on life in so many different ways,” said Shaughnessy.

Shaughnessy plans to use her T.I.P. award funds to help pay for her education at William Woods University, where she plans to pursue a path in the horse industry.

Roberts, an 18-year-old from Winters, Calif. Her horse, Cece, aka Comcord, was a challenge to ride when Roberts first got her. “Cece was a very difficult horse when she first came off the track; however, many of her behavioral issues were caused by physical pain related to management practices that were easily corrected,” said Roberts.

Because of what she learned from Cece, Roberts plans to use her T.I.P. award to help pay for her education. She plans to study biochemisty and molecular biology at University of California, Davis, to prepare for veterinary school.

Montplaisir met her horse, Cyclone Larry, aka Larry, when she was working as a Racehorse Ambassador at the North Dakota Horse Park. “On race days, I would stand by the front gates near a corral that held an off-the-track Thoroughbred,” said Montplaisir. “The goal was to promote the adoption of off-the-track Thoroughbreds and increase the popularity of horse racing.”

Montplaisir, who is 18 and lives in Moorhead, Minn., plans to use her T.I.P. award funds to help pay for her education at North Dakota State University. Her goal is to work in the horse racing industry.

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. For more information about T.I.P., please visit tjctip.com.

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 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, among others. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.