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Appalachian Trainer Face Off

Trainers Changing the Lives of Adoptable Horses from Appalachia in a National Competition

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Category: Trainers and Horses

  • Trainers and Horses

Cavin Graham and Jose Cuervo

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 17, 2020

PRO Division – Cavin Graham Jose – REG. TWH Gelding, 14 years old, 14.2hh est…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Samara Manich and Jumbalaya

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

PRO Division – Samara Manich Jumbalaya – BLM Mustang Mare, 14 years, 15.2hh est #HOPTEAMJUMBALAYA…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Pro: Randy Mcstoots and Zazu

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

PRO Division – Randy Mcstoots Zazu – Appalachian Brumby Paint Gelding (Stock Type), 5 years…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Brenda Hanson and Cameron

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

PRO Division – Brenda Hanson Cameron – 4 year old QH Gelding, 15hh #HOPTEAMCAMERON –…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Emma Karnes and Juliette

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 17, 2020

Showcase Division – Emma Karnes Juliette “JULES” – 7+ Year old Morgan Mare, 14.1hh est…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Zoe Labillois and River Dance

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

PRO Division – Zoe Labillois River Dance – Curly Mare, 4 years old, 14.2hh est…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Karla Switzer and Choctaw

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

PRO Division – Karla Switzer Choctaw – 5 year old Gelding Mustang cross, 15hh est…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Douglas Owens and Jefferson

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 8, 2020

PRO Division – Douglas Owens Jefferson QH X Mustang Gelding 4 years old 14.3hh –…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Adam Black and Andy

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 8, 2020

Showcase Division – Adam Black Andy – Mule (Haffie X) 7-10 years old gelding 14.1hh…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Michelle Harris and Chip

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 8, 2020

PRO Division – Michelle Harris Chip – 4 year old Stock/ Quarter Horse type Gelding…

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  • Trainers and Horses

JerRick Corder and Sargent

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

PRO Division – JerRick Corder Sargent – 4-5 year old Gaited Gelding, 15hh est #HOPTEAMSARGENT…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Zoe Hickman and Mirabeth

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

PRO Division – Zoe Hickman Mirabeth – Belgian Mare #HOPTEAMMIRABETH – follow her journey using…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Allyson Davis and Voo Doo

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

Showcase Division – Allyson Davis Voo Doo – BLM Mustang Mare, 4 years old, 14.3hh…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Dallas Schleg and Galileo

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020

PRO Division – Dallas Schleg Galileo – BLM Mustang Gelding #HOPTEAMGALILEO Vote for this team…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Kady Yost and Kahuna

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

AM Division – Kady Yost Kahuna – Paint Gelding, 7 years old, 14.2hh #HOPTEAMKAHUNA –…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Daniel Clower and Jolene

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020July 7, 2020

AM Division – Daniel Clower Joey – Paint Mare, 14.3hh est, 8 years old #HOPTEAMJoey…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Jamie Cupp and Alaska

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

AM Division – Jamie Cupp Alaska – 11+ year old QH Cross Mare, 14.3hh est…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Sasha LaBillois and Fawn

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

AM Division – Sasha LaBillois Fawn – 16 year old Dun Mare, Possible QH x…

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  • Trainers and Horses

McKayla Chevalier and Hank

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

AM Division – McKayla Chevalier Hank – 7 year old TWH Gelding, 14.2hh est #HOPTEAMHANK…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Abigail Kephart and Amy

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

AM Division – Abigail Kephart Amy – OTTB Mare, Reg. name is One Eyed Amy.…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Elizabeth Beck and Hamilton

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

AM Division – Elizabeth Beck Hamilton – 5 year old Paint X Mustang Gelding #HOPTEAMHAMILTON…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Abby Blair and Pico

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

AM Division – Abby Blair Pico – 12 year old Morgan X Mare, 14.2hh est…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Rachel Dicken and Carmin

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

AM Division – Rachel Dicken Carmin – Quarab Reg. Mare, 3 years old, 14.3hh est…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Aubrey Pyles and Seamus

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

PRO Division – Aubrey Pyles Seamus – Grade TB Gelding, 16.1hh est, 5 years old…

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  • Trainers and Horses

Karen Chubon and Grady

  • by clairelopacki
  • Posted on May 17, 2020June 9, 2020

AM Division – Karen Chubon Grady – Connemara X Gelding, 10 years old, 15hh est…

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Thank you, Marshall County, WV for doing the right thing quickly yesterday.
Ketchup, Mustang and the Appalachian Brumby
You still have time to apply!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eRpNaL3YWY

Incredible, Living Saving Innovation

Operating in one of the nation’s most economically challenged regions, Heart of Phoenix found through necessity there was a need to create innovative ways to get a large number of horses trained and adopted each year on a small budget. Our answer to this was the Appalachian Trainer Face Off, a training competition that began in 2017.

The ATFO currently is the largest equine event in West Virginia, hosting over 1,000 people in attendance over the course of the 3 day August event each year.

This event has helped make a rescue organization an equine leader in our state.

The ATFO horses previously without much hope of adoption for 100 days with trainers from May through August.

Many of the horses are rounded up entirely unhandled. Trainers apply and go through a screening process, and horses are vetted and cleared beforehand. These horsemen and women work with their horses to offer accomplished, willing equine partners up for adoption and document their process strategically on social media. The photos, stories and videos required create a vested interest by the public in the success of each horse, trainer and the “ATFO.”

Trainers then compete for 3 days in August to showcase all they have accomplished with their horses. In the end, the trainers showcase their skills, horses gain training, and most go into approved adoptive homes in an auction format event the end where fees went as high as  $13,000, as of 2020.

Adopters are pre-approved and adopted through adoption agreements.

There are prize packages made possible by the ASPCA and other sponsors. Nationally known clinicians, such a Josh Lyons, Michael Lyons and Patrick King have stepped up as judges. We also have a nice array of vendors.

The Appalachian Trainer Face Off has seen remarkable numbers of equines into homes with solid foundations under them, proven the value of the adoptable horses and highlighted excellent trainers.

The trainers leave the event with a new partnership with the us, as well, that continues to give back through the months and years after each event ends.  They also happily market their adoption horses and the organization standing behind them, which helps further cement Heart of Phoenix as a worthwhile part of the horse industry in Appalachia.  It helps the public realize considering adoption first makes a lot of sense.

Like many of the things we do here in Appalachia, we wanted to make sure this event offered a return in a multitude of ways, so while the primary goals are training and adoption of horses, additional benefits are increasing our name recognition across the area, gaining training partners that last once the event ends each year and making adoption extremely mainstream within the horse community.

 

Heart of Phoenix believes when faced with uncommon adversity, you should try to not only make sure all efforts create a great deal of impact, but that we also need to make certain we are tackling multiple issues at once. We have found the Appalachian Trainer Face Off has accomplished so many things that leads to better view of what horse rescue means, what adoption should look like and how the horse industry can help us help horses in a meaningful way.

About Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue

Heart of Phoenix is a partner of the Right Horse Initiative. Starting in 2009 and founding formally in 2012, “HOP” was the only rescue in the state of West Virginia for many years and is now the leading equine organization of any kind there. They believe in “working together to improve the lives of horses in transition through a dialogue of kindness and respect.” They collaborate with dozens and dozens of trainers across this country to make more horses adoptable. There efforts help shatter any stigma and reframe the conversation around equine adoption in order to massively increase horse adoption in the United States.

To learn more, visit www.wvhorserescue.org.

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Contact Us

equinerescue@live.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbN3-LAovkQ

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