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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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  • 2020 ATFO: Learn More
    • The 2020 Appalachian Trainer Face Off is gearing up to be Massive!
    • Partner & Submit A horse for the Appalachian Trainer Face Off
  • About THE FACE OFF
    • Heart of Phoenix
    • 2019 ATFO Photos
    • 2018 Event Photos
  • Become a FACE OFF Trainer in 2020
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2020 Face Off Horses

Adopt an ATFO Horse
  • Trainers and Horses

Become a FACE OFF Trainer in 2020

  • Trainers and Horses

Partner & Submit A horse for the Appalachian Trainer Face Off

  • by T. Creamer
  • Posted on March 3, 2020March 3, 2020

While we have accepted horses from owners in need and other rescues since the inception,…

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  • Trainers and Horses

2020 ATFO: Learn More

  • by T. Creamer
  • Posted on September 6, 2019February 7, 2020

With over 1,000 attendees and over 30 adoptable horses last year, we have updated the…

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  • Trainers and Horses

2019 ATFO Photos

  • by T. Creamer
  • Posted on September 6, 2019September 6, 2019

We had so many talented photographers at the EVENT this year! Mindblowing! https://creatememoriesbyanett.pixieset.com/atfo/jessicahero/ Click the…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Treya: An ATFO Mare in Training with Whispering Pines Horsemanship

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Mare Breed:  Morgan & Grade Mix Coat: Dunn Height:  14.2hh Foal…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Santiago: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Seth Adkins

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Gelding Breed:  S/A Mustang Coat: Bay Height: 15hh  Foal Year: 2013 Fee: ATFO…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Dinah: An ATFO Mare in Training with Sunni Bell Stables

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex: Mare  Breed: Grade & Quarter Horse Mix Coat: Dunn Height:  Foal Year:  Fee: ATFO…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Forester: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Krys Paskiet

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Gelding Breed:  Morgan & Friesian Mix Coat: Bay Height:  Foal Year: 1999…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Pandora: An ATFO Mare in Training with Aubrey of Adkins Quarter Horses

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Mare Breed:  Paint/Pinto Coat: Paint Height:  15hh Foal Year:  Fee: ATFO Participant…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Caspian: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Aubrey of Adkins Quarter Horses

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex: Gelding Breed:  Morgan & Grade Mix Coat: Bay Height:  14hh Foal Year: …

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Phineas: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Smoke Rise Ranch

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Gelding Breed:  Gaited & Rocky Mountain Horse Mix Coat: Chestnut/Sorrel Height: …

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Odyssey: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Jessica Deering

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Gelding Breed:  Draft & Quarter Horse Mix Coat: Black Height:  13.2hh…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Declan: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Ivy’s Glide Gait

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Gelding Breed:  Morgan & Saddlebred Mix Coat: Chestnut/Sorrel Height:  15hh Foal…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Ayla: An ATFO Mare in Training with Nelson Detweiler

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Mare Breed:  Arabian & Quarter Horse Mix Coat: Chestnut/Sorrel Height:  Foal…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Eden: An ATFO Mare in Training with Kaylynn Mollohan

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Mare Breed:  Arabian Coat: Gray Height:  14.2hh Foal Year:  Fee: ATFO Participant…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Mercury: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Ashley Chaffin

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Gelding Breed:  Tennessee Walking Horse & Grade Mix Coat: Dapple Grey…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Zerrin: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Susan of Sunday Stables

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:  Gelding Breed:  Rocky Mountain Horse & Morgan Mix Coat: Dunn Height:  14.2hh…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Whistler: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Erin of Legacy Sport Horses

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:  Gelding Breed:  Tennessee Walker Horse Coat: Gray Height: 16hh Foal Year: 2007-2009 Fee: ATFO Participant…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Hero: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Jessica of Wild at Heart Horsemanship

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Gelding Breed:  Hackney/Brumby Type Coat: Bay Height: 13.3hh Foal Year: 2014 Fee: ATFO Participant…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Hamilton: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Ashley of BA Farm Works

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Gelding Breed:  Mustang Mix Coat: Bay Height: 14.2hh Foal Year: 2016 Fee: ATFO Participant…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Minka: An ATFO Mare in Training with Kaylynn Mollohan

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   Mare Breed:  Quarter Horse Coat: Dunn Height: 15hh Foal Year: 2007 Fee: ATFO Participant…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Ravin: An ATFO Mare in Training with Labyrinth Training Center

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   MareBreed:  Friesian Sport HorseCoat: Black Height:  15hh Foal Year: 2004Fee: ATFO Participant Location: Labyrinth…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Macaroni: An ATFO Mare in Training with Ivy of Ivy’s Glide Gait

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:   MareBreed:  Tennessee Walking HorseCoat: Palomino Height:  16hh EST Foal Year: 2009Fee: ATFO Participant Location:…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Cherry: An ATFO Mare in Training with Devin Young-Massart

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex: MareBreed: Quarter Horse Cross Coat: Chestnut/Sorrel Height: 15hh Foal Year: 2013Fee: ATFO Participant Location:…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Koda: An ATFO Gelding in Training with Eric of Circle P – Natural Horsemanship, Training & Colt Starting

  • by Holley Dennison
  • Posted on July 17, 2019July 17, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex: GeldingBreed: MorganCoat: Chestnut/Sorrel Height:  14.3-15hh est Foal Year: N/AFee: ATFO Participant Location: Circle P…

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  • 2019 Adoptable Horse

Adopt Leila: An ATFO Mare in Training With Olivia Noone

  • by casperfinn191
  • Posted on July 16, 2019

“SPECS” on this Horse Sex:  MareBreed: Reg. ArabianCoat: Chestnut Height: 14.1hh est Foal Year: 2013Fee: ATFO Participant Location: Olivia Noone Leila is…

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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 2019 ATFO closed as the largest equine event in West Virginia, with over 1,000 people in attendance of the full two days of the competition.  This event has helped make a rescue organization an equine leader in our state.

The event partners horses previously without much hope of adoption for 100 days with trainers from May through August yearly. 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 range from $600 to $8,000. Adopters are pre-approved and adopted through adoption agreements.

There are prize packages made possible by the ASPCA, Buckeye Nutrition, Excel Supplements and other equine 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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equinerescue@live.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbN3-LAovkQ

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