Past News and Updates
June 5, 2010LOPE Makes Front Page of Statesman!
Austin's local newspaper, the Austin-American Statesman, ran a big story on LOPE that made the front page. And the online version features a slideshow of images and a wonderful video of the ranch. Read the full article »
June 4, 2010New LOPE Horsemanship DVD Now Available!
As part of our educational mission, LOPE has just released a new 3+ hour horsemanship DVD with Tom Curtin. Retraining Racehorses: Back to the Basics demonstrates key horsemanship principles to help racehorses adapt to new careers. Horsemanship DVD page »
May 7, 2010Lynn Contributes Guest Post to NYT Racing Blog
Lynn was invited to contribute a guest post about Beyond the Homestretch to the New York Times' racing blog, The Rail. This was great exposure for LOPE and the book. Please check it out and post a comment. Read post »
April 12, 2010LOPE Book a Finalist for Prestigious Award!
LOPE is very excited to announce that Beyond the Homestretch was selected as a finalist for the prestigious Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award. The award is presented annually for the best book published about an aspect of the Thoroughbred industry. The winner will be announced on April 23 in Lexington, KY. Learn more »
March 22, 2010Support the Spring Book Tour
Lynn Reardon, LOPE founder and author of Beyond the Homestretch, is heading on a spring book tour to promote the book and LOPE. The tour begins March 30 with stops in Kentucky, Arizona and New Mexico. If you're local to any of the events, please come on out to show your support for LOPE and ex-racehorses! Tour dates and details »
March 22, 2010Annual LOPE Benefit Horse Show Set for June 5
Texas Horse Enthusiasts Forum Board members are sponsoring a benefit horse show for LOPE for the fourth straight year – this time in San Marcos. It's a fun show for all levels of riders, and a great event for families. There are many types of classes for English and Western riders of all levels. Learn more »
January 13, 2010Bloodhorse Review of Beyond the Homestretch
Beyond the Homestretch, by LOPE executive director Lynn Reardon, was recently reviewed on the Bloodhorse.com. Read review »
December 10, 2009Dallas NPR "Think" Radio Interview
LOPE executive director Lynn Reardon was interviewed for a full hour in the studio by Krys Boyd for Dallas NPR's (KERA) Think radio program. Download the MP3 file or get it on iTunes »
November 21, 2009First Book Signing a Huge Success
The first book signing event for Beyond the Homestretch was a HUGE success. It was held at BookPeople in Austin on Thursday, November 19. By the end of evening, BookPeople's original inventory of 40 copies had sold out completely – plus an additional 25 copies provided by the author. Over 60 people attended the event – and it was covered by local media (Jim Swift of KXAN News in Austin). See photos »
November 1, 2009Beyond the Homestretch Now Available!
Beyond the Homestretch tells the stories of many memorable LOPE horses and what they taught author and LOPE executive director, Lynn Reardon. A portion of proceeds will directly support LOPE. Get your copy »
October 16, 2009New Trailer for LOPE Book
Watch the new book trailer for Beyond the Homestretch: What I've Learned from Saving Racehorses. Like a movie trailer, the book trailer provides a quick sense of the book's content and tone. The book will be in stores in early November, so if you enjoy the trailer please share the link with your friends to help LOPE spread the word. A portion of book proceeds will directly support LOPE. Watch now »
October 10, 2009Congratulations to Bonjurnose!
Congratulations to Bonjurnose, the injured gelding in Oklahoma for whom we sent the Urgent Placement Alert email. He found a terrific new home with Jan in North Texas. Best of luck to Jan and Bonjurnose!
July 9, 2009LOPE "Retraining Racehorses" DVD Project
LOPE will be filming a DVD this October on Retraining Racehorses featuring western horsemanship guru, Tom Curtin. Several ex-racehorses will be featured in the DVD. We plan to show how different types of ex-racers adapt to being restarted under saddle. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more »
June 21, 2009New LOPE Book Coming Soon!
Beyond the Homestretch tells the stories of many memorable LOPE horses and what they taught author and LOPE executive director, Lynn Reardon. The book will be available in November at bookstores everywhere (and for pre-order now on Amazon). A portion of proceeds will directly support LOPE. Learn more »
May 13, 20092009 Benefit Horse Show a Big Success
The third-annual LOPE Benefit Horse Show was a big success, with over $8600 raised! We'd like to thank everyone who came out to support LOPE at the show, with an extra big appreciation to Chrissy and JD Fink of Lazy F Ponies, Kristi Boyd of Trinity Hill Farm, Judy Marchman, Equine Express (our arena sponsors) and Diamond F Arena for providing such a wonderful venue. View photos »
May 4, 2009Cowgirl Life Radio Interview
Listen to an interview with LOPE executive director, Lynn Reardon, on Cowgirl Life Radio. Listen now »
April 14, 20092009 Benefit Horse Show on May 9!
The 2009 Third-Annual LOPE Benefit Horse Show will be held Saturday, May 9 at Diamond F Arena in Seguin, Texas. It's a fun show for all levels of riders, and a great event for families. There are many types of classes for English and Western riders of all levels. Full details »
March 13, 2009Ray Hunt, 1929 - 2009
Ray was a holdover from another era, when horses were valued partners in the rugged work of large scale cattle ranching. His imposing height and sardonic humor belied his gray hair – Ray was an impressive physical presence on camera. In his clinic tapes, he barked at the riders, recited poetry, squinted off into the horizon and gentled every equine rogue, no matter how wild or crazy. Read more on the LOPE blog »
January 8, 2009Silent Auction for Wooden Phone Painting
LOPE will have a booth at the Texas Thoroughbred Association's annual conference this weekend in Dallas! As part of our exhibit, we will be holding a silent auction for one special item: a custom pastel painting of Wooden Phone, donated by the artist, Gail Finger. The painting is beautifully framed and shows Wooden Phone winning a $500,000 stakes race. With frame, the painting measures 30.5" by 41" – a very large and lovely piece of equine artwork!
Click here for a detailed view of painting and frame.
If you won't be attending the conference and would like to place a silent auction bid on the painting, please call Lynn at 512-565-1824. The auction will end Saturday, January 10, at 5pm.
January 4, 2009Holiday Online Auction a Big Success
The annual Holiday Online Auction was a big success, raising $4500 in support of LOPE! We'd like to thank all of the bidders and especially the item donors: Phil Leckinger, Jerry Hardin, Key Ranch and Judy Siracusa for the stallion seasons; Judy Marchman for the prints and posters; Joanna Zeller Quentin for the exclusive LOPE print; Debbie Lavalee for the dressage lessons; Angela Guy for the photography session; and Eponaire for the racing bridle. Our next auction will take place in the spring as part of the annual LOPE Benefit Horse Show.
December 17, 2008Holiday Online Auction Now Open
The annual LOPE Holiday Auction is now open online. Items include very select stallion seasons (including Special Rate and Tinners Way) from Key Ranch, custom art by Joanna Zeller Quentin (pictured here), quality tack and special racing memorabilia. This year we are experimenting with the LOPE blog as our auction platform, with bids made as comments.
December 17, 2008LOPE Launches Redesigned Website
We hope you like the new look of our site – it's the first redesign since LOPE was founded in 2003. In the last five years LOPE has grown so much, and we wanted the new site to reflect this. In addition to better recognizing our generous sponsors and Founders, we wanted the site to be easier to navigate and fun to explore. We have much more planned for the site in 2009.
December 1, 2008LOPE Founders Circle Nearly Complete
LOPE would like to welcome our 9th Founder – Sue Littlefield & Joseph DiQuinzio. When complete, the Founders Circle will consist of ten special donors, each contributing $8000 annually to provide the foundation for LOPE's ongoing programs.
