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Karin once again stayed in Eureka with artists Ann White and Robert Serpa and enjoyed all that Eureka and the surrounding area has to offer. Ann had adopted Summer Scuffle a couple of years ago and the lady is doing quite well in the cool redwood climate.
All of the Neigh Savers volunteers wore new shirts especially designed and obtained just for the day. Big neigh of thanks to Chief Volunteer Carolina Marlin for handling this item and so much more that could never fit in a recap. Once up at the clubhouse guests were able to check in and get drinks at the bar manned by Neigh Savers volunteers of the day Ryan and Scott Bullen (son & husband of newly elected Board Director Leah Bullen who helped coordinate the event with Founder Karin Wagner and at her day job is Vice President-Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors which is the retirement-investment arm of Wells Fargo Bank). Before lunch was served guests could relax in the clubhouse or outside at covered tables around the Olympic sized swimming pool and look over the 41 raffle items that included dinners at local restaurants, spa packages, food baskets, wine and beer packs, horse cookies and animal themed gift baskets, tickets to Universal Studios, and many one of a kind hand made art objects including a magnificent hand carved horse head jewelry box donated by Joe Simmons. We also had a silent auction that included an original painting of Zenyatta-Blame crossing the finish line at the 2009 Breeder’s Cup, an abstract watercolor glycee of a horse’s head, a signed and numbered black-white print of Curlin and a collograph created by Mendocino artist Ann White. Lunch was catered by Kinder’s Meats which is well known in this area for their delicious BBQ and meats. We feasted on BBQ steak, chicken and ribs along with potato salad, fruit salad, Caesar salad, baked beans and rolls with plenty of Kinder’s special BBQ sauces on the side. While lunch was being served we were entertained by littledog2, a five member band that donated their services to Neigh Savers for the afternoon. Known as the East Bay’s premier classic rock and adult alternative party band they delivered an infectious playlist that had everyone rocking along with them. Dessert had been coordinated by Neigh Savers volunteer Julia French and turned out to be an awesome display of the culinary talents of our organization. Many volunteers had donated their favorite recipes and we had a huge assortment of desserts including the very unique martini cupcakes made by volunteer Shelby McCoy. Other fantastic desserts included cheesecake, brownie cupcake bites, Meyer Lemon cake, apple pie, assorted decorated cupcakes and cookies, European fruit torte, apple strudel, oatmeal cranberry white chocolate chip cookies and a special chocolate-white Neigh Savers cake to commemorate the day. After the raffle and silent auctions most people started heading home but many of the volunteers stayed and relaxed in the pool while the band played on for us as the sun started setting. It was such a peaceful and serene afternoon we really didn’t want it to end but unfortunately reality hit and we had to rouse ourselves for the cleanup that awaited us. We hope all that attended had a wonderful time. We had a great time hosting you and hope to see you all back, with hopefully a few additional friends, for our 2nd Annual Fun in the Sun BBQ next year. A huge Neigh of thanks to all of our guests and all of the volunteers that helped, contributed and showed up for us on a very important day!!! On behalf of Neigh Savers Foundation, the Board of Directors and especially all of the 30 horses in our care and sponsorship.....THANK YOU! Karin Wagner, CEO & Founder, Neigh Savers Foundation, Inc.
Highlights of the trip were horseback rides in both Cabo and Mazatlan and particularly zip lining in Puerto Vallharta. Nicole's husband Rick is in a wheel chair and the guides carried him up switchbacks and steep trails so he could also experience the thrill of flying.
Such a good time was had by all that Southern California Area Director Nicole has pledged to put another trip together next year. Bon voyage!!
Paddington Station is a full service english boarding and training facility located in beautiful Mendocino County, California,
only 100 miles north of San Francisco. Paddington Station offers riding lessons in dressage and eventing, specializing with adult
amateur riders and the young rider who wants to learn correctly and safely in an informal environment.
Boarding and training are also offered. Neigh Savers currently has seven horses at Paddington Station as it is ideally suited for retirees
and has pasture boarding with shelters, corrals and box stalls. In the summer riding camps for children and adults are offered for weekend
or week-long getaways. Neigh Savers Karin, Marilyn and Tammy recently served as week long camp counselors.
Paddington Station has 75 acres of irrigated pastures, a dressage arena, covered arena and a cross country course.
Neigh Savers participates in Humane Lobby Day, Sacramento, April 8, 2010
Neigh Savers CEO & Founder Karin Wagner participated in Humane Lobby Day in at the Sacramento State Capitol building
that was jointly hosted by the Humane Society and the
ASPCA. We met with our congressional district senator and assembly representative to brief them about animal related issues that were coming up
for votes. Among the issues were animal fur labeling (AB 1556), Animal Cruelty and Neglect Act (AB 2012), a resolution to prevent the Department of
Fish and Game to issue unlimited licenses to hound and hunt black bears (from the current threshold of 1,700) and of course, our most compelling issue that being
equine slaughter. (SJR 22) California Support for Congressional Action to Prevent Equine Cruelty, attempts to take on the killer buyers' deceptive
loopholes in the law with respect to transporting equines out of state and across borders into Mexico and Canada for slaughter.
In 1998 California voters overwhelmingly approved a ban on the slaughter of California horses for human consumption but
because transport across state and international lines remains legal, California horses continue to be transported and sold out of state.
We cannot assure protection of our horses and are dependent on the passage of a federal ban to stop this cruelty. There are documents that you can
access by clicking below that outline the myths and facts of equine slaughter.
We spoke with State Senator Mark deSaulnier personally and he was very supportive
as was the legislative aide for district Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan. Both of these California representatives have an excellent voting record for animal rights.
Over 100 people attended the summit, all meeting with senators and assembly representatives in their individual districts. It was a very full but ultimately
useful and results driven day.
CARMA Honors Neigh Savers for Second Consecutive Year, December 2009
Neigh Savers was honored along with 11 other rescues on December 26, 2009 by the California Retirement Management Account Foundation (CARMA). The majority of the funding went to the three major rescues that run dedicated retirement facilities. However, we were honored to be included for the second consecutive year. We will quote directly from the news release:
“We are extremely proud of the work we have done over the past 12 months,” said Madeline Auerbach, a program founder who chairs the CARMA Board. “These funds will help buy much needed hay, feed and medications, etc. Hopefully, this will give a financial cushion to each of the charities. Not only has the CARMA program proven to be successful in terms of dollars raised, we’re able to see a tangible difference at the farms and facilities where the horses live. As we go out and visit organizations throughout the year, our directors are seeing the money put to work.”
Neigh Savers looks forward to continuing rehabilitating, retraining, and rehoming Off-Track Thouroughbreds in 2010. Shown proudly displaying the Neigh Savers’ grant check from CARMA are Mike von Disterlo, Owner, Kimberlee Farms and Karin Wagner, Founder, Neigh Savers.
Neigh Savers at Golden Gate Fields - May 17, 2009 Neigh Savers held a fundraiser at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday, May 17th. While not a success measured by dollars a few trainers stopped by and we did make several new NS friends that joined our mailing list. We also connected with jockeys Russell Baze and Frank Alvarado who signed hats and our new logo imprinted T-Shirts. Thank you Neigh Savers volunteers Kristin, Diane, Matt and Heidi for giving up your Sunday to help the horses.
Neigh Savers Attends CARMA’s Racehorse Retirement Roundtable On April 8, 2009 at Santa Anita Park, CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) held it’s first ever roundtable that invited equine rescues from all over California to participate in an open discussion with respect to Assessment of Current Retirement Facilities, Second Careers for Racehorses, Moving Thoroughbreds Off-Track and Partnership Opportunities. All the major retirement facilities were represented along with others that also serve our thoroughbreds. It was the first time we had all been in the same room. Some of us had only known each other through emails and phone calls so it was rewarding to finally meet in person. The meeting was chaired by Madeline Auerbach, Chair of CARMA along with Directors Jan Hawthorne and Marsha Naify as well as Lucinda Mandella, Director of Owner Services for the TOC. Although no decisions were reached many introductions and topics were discussed. It is the intent of CARMA to provide networking between the rescues for resources and more open communication. Neigh Savers were represented by Board Directors Chris Willmon and Lynda House, CEO & Founder Karin Wagner and Southern California Area Director Nicole Rawnsley.
National Day of Service Benefits Neigh Savers' Horses In conjunction with President Obama's inauguration and Martin Luther King Day, the Obama team put together a National Day of Service on Monday, January 19, 2009. There were over 10,000 service events scheduled all over the country. Neigh Savers participated as well by holding a four hour Donation Drive. We asked people to drop off used tack items, grooming supplies, horse blankets, medical supplies and/or cash donations. The event was quite successful and we collected western and english riding saddles, a much needed very large horse blanket, woolen riding blankets, dressage pads, halters, bridles, lead ropes, grooming supplies and cash donations.
Neigh Savers Honored by CARMA Neigh Savers was honored along with six other equine based charities on opening day at Santa Anita Park, December 26, 2008 by CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) in front of a crowd totaling over 33,000 attendees. These were the first grants ever awarded by the non-profit organization founded with the help of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and spear headed by chair Madeline Auerbach, herself a prominent horse owner. CARMA, a 501 (c) (3) corporation, has established a 12-member Board of Directors that includes Marsha Naify as vice chair, Santa Anita president Ron Charles, racetrack announcer Trevor Denman, trainers Doug O'Neill and John Sadler, owner Samantha Siegel, and Hall of Fame former jockey Gary Stevens. CARMA has rallied the states Thoroughbred owners to spearhead efforts to raise funds for California organizations that house or retrain former racehorses. Beginning in mid-July, with the start of the Del Mar meeting in the south and the Santa Rosa meeting in the north, owners are donating 0.3% of their purse earnings to CARMA automatically through the paymaster. In addition CARMA has held fund raisers such as the "Poker Tournament" at Del Mar and a sale of DVD's commemorating the history of Bay Meadows that brought in well over $100,000 in donations. "The horses have got to have performed on California tracks," Auerbach said. "They do not have to be California-breds, but they must have raced in California." CEO & Founder, Karin Wagner was in the Winner's Circle along with Director Ingrid Nuernberg to partake of the over $150,000 awarded in grants. Because Neigh Savers is not a per se retirement facility but rather an adoption facilitator our grant share was very small and based on only 4 horses. The majority of funding went to three other foundations but we feel it is an important start in being recognized. Ms. Auerbach mentioned that the criteria and By-Laws of CARMA may change for calendar 2009. This may open the door for larger funding for organizations such as Neigh Savers that are facilitors rather than having an established physical retirement facility. 
CARMA honoring Neigh Savers in the winners circle at Santa Anita Showcased Trainer - Nick Sloan - Golden Gate Fields In a time where the racing industry is at a crossroads and many associated with it have been vilified by the press and public alike there are a number of unsung heroes that go about their business in a caring and ethical fashion every single day. One of these people is trainer Nick Sloan who is based at Golden Gate Fields. Although Nick has only a handful of horses stabled at his barn his training statistics and his horses stand head over heels above the average. Nick's horses are exceptionally well cared for, rested, fit and most of all steroid and drug free. Nick understands that the playing field is not a level one and even so stands behind his convictions that drugs do not make the athlete. Based on his success alone it is a wonder that so few trainers have not voluntarily begun to draw back on their drug regimen. In addition to his steroid free policy Nick also understands the mental state of his athletes and what can often happen when they are confined almost 24/7 to an 8 x 10 stall. Therefore, Nick allows his horses to be turned out a few times for a couple of weeks a year just so "they can be horses." Nick feels that a short refresher does nothing to compromise their physical conditioning and they actually come back to training stronger and more focused.
Neigh Savers sends out a HUGE NEIGH OF APPRECIATION to Nick Sloan and his philosophy and
would hope that more owners will begin to stand behind trainers like Nick who exude such
integrity on all levels of this sport. Nick also supports equine retirement and
makes sure all of his horses are sent to good homes after the finish line. Nick is
actively seeking new clients at this time and can be contacted at (707) 294-9448 or (707)
226-9191. November 8, 2008 - Neigh Savers Foundation holds its second annual Board Meeting in the Golden Gate Fields Turf Club November 28, 2007 - CHRB Medication Committee Meeting Neigh Savers CEO & Founder Karin Wagner participates in conference held at UC Davis Veterinary School November 4, 2007 - Neigh Savers Foundation holds its first annual Board Meeting at the Bay Meadows Race Track in the Owner-Trainer Lounge September 26, 2007 - Neigh Savers certified by the IRS as a nonprofit through 6-30-11 August 27, 2007 - Neigh Savers launches official website July 13, 2007 - Neigh Savers incorporated as a California 501 (c)(3) non-profit
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