Breanna Moore and Raines Gammon achieved early success in their debut participation in the TAKE2 Junior Rider Program, organised by Thoroughbred Charities of America. Moore led the Hunter division of the TAKE2 Thoroughbred League, while Gammon topped the Jumper division as the highest-scoring Junior Rider.
This year, in addition to awarding trophies to champions and saddle pads to the top five in each division, the program introduced a $500 prize for the highest-scoring Junior Riders.
"Congratulations to Breanna and Raines for earning top honours in their respective categories," said Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA. "We're delighted to continue supporting TAKE2 as they offer incentives for Hunter and Jumper riders to choose Thoroughbreds as their next mount. TAKE2 effectively showcases the versatility of former racehorses and the success they can achieve post-racing."
Moore, riding 8-year-old Nickel Ride (registered as Candy Major by The Jockey Club), accumulated 950 points this season. She placed fourth overall in the 2024 TAKE2 Thoroughbred League Hunter Standings and secured Reserve Champion among 23 competitors in the $10,000 TAKE2 Hunter Finals at the Kentucky National Horse Show on September 22. Nickel Ride, a $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale graduate, was adopted in 2019 from New Vocations by Jamie Barkau and later purchased by the mother-daughter duo Brooke and Breanna Moore.
"It's been an incredible experience," Moore said of her first year with TAKE2. "It's great to have that Thoroughbred connection and to show that they can remain competitive after their racing careers."
Gammon, riding the seasoned The Girl Next Door (registered as A P Jet Stream), topped the Junior Jumpers with 316 points, outpacing her closest competitor by 118 points. The 14-year-old Maryland native started riding 'Dinky' in October 2023. Leased from West Coast trainer Patty Arnett, the 21-year-old mare stands just over 14 hands.
"It took me some time to figure her out because she's very opinionated," Gammon said of the New York-bred mare. "She knows her job and loves doing it, but I had to learn how to ride and work with her."
Launched in 2018 in collaboration with TCA, the TAKE2 Junior Rider Award honours young riders competing on Thoroughbreds in TAKE2-affiliated Hunter and Jumper classes across the country. Additionally, all enrolled riders who compete in TAKE2 classes are eligible for a drawing to win a $1,000 scholarship grant, which can be applied toward higher education expenses in the U.S.
Riders are eligible for the TAKE2 Junior Rider Program until the season in which they turn 18.
"Since teaming up with TCA, the program has grown each year, with more young riders excited to work with Thoroughbreds," said TAKE2 Executive Director Andy Belfiore. "Congratulations to Breanna, Raines, and all of our Junior Riders."