Page 21 - AEF-AlbertaBits_Winter-2025

Photo left:
supplied
Photo right:
Strathmore, 2024.
Photo by
Mary Reimers
Photography
I quarter horses, it’s 12). Outside of the equine world,
f you have a retiring standardbred racehorse
in Alberta, there’s one person you want to meet:
misconceptions abound around what post-race life
Kathy Sunberg.
looks like. But the vast majority go on to have two,
The placement coordinator at Performance
even three or four, different careers.
Standardbreds, a non-profit organization dedicated
“All three breeds are bred for athleticism,” says
to promoting the breed in careers after the track,
Julie Brewster, coordinator of racetrack programs at
Sunberg retrains horses to prepare them for new jobs.
Olds College and manager of backstretch development
“She’s the main driving force in Alberta for
with Horse Racing Alberta. “You’re starting out with a
trying to help these guys find new homes and find
blank slate that’s incredibly athletic and really smart.”
new careers,” says Chelsea Chase, chairperson of
Coach and veterinary technician Jenn Smart
the organization.
concurs. “Thoroughbreds are bred to be athletes, bred
While standardbreds are just one breed
to do a job,” she says. “They’re bred for long distances.
of racehorse who harness race — all will face
They’re very athletic, brave and have good hearts.”
retirement eventually, whether they’re young and
Standardbreds, for one, can switch gears to
simply not suited for racing or older and at the
dressage, barrel racing or becoming a trail horse, to
end of their career (for standardbreds, the cut-
name just a few possibilities.
off age for racing is 14, but for thoroughbred and
“They have a lot going for them,” Sunberg says.
Photo supplied
albertaequestrian.com 21