The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation ("TERF") Trustees are pleased to announce the 2017 grant recipients and the addition of Michael McMahon, Wendy Moon and Anita Motion to the trustees of TERF.
The total grant awards for 2017 are $103,385, bringing TERF's charitable grants to $530,455 since June of 2010. Approximately a dozen non-profit organizations educating our next generation of equine practitioners, educating the public as to the value of off-the-track Thoroughbreds and researching equines biggest health threats, received the grants this year.
The TERF endowment has grown to over $2.3 million, allowing the Foundation to award in excess of $100,000 each grant cycle ensuring there will be grants available to deserving charities related to education, research and activities improving the quality of life and welfare of horses, in perpetuity.
"A talented board of trustees to oversee the endowment and the grant-making activities isn't always easy to find and engage, so adding board talent in the equine industry is an important task for any charity," said Herb Moelis, Co-Chair of TERF, "TERF is very pleased to welcome Michael McMahon, Wendy Moon and Anita Motion to the board to assist in the important board functions."
Mr. McMahon is a partner in McMahon and Hill Bloodstock LLC, a successful bloodstock agency which he founded in 2001. In the 16 years since, the firm's loyal customers have raced, bred and sold 228 stakes horses including 71 graded stakes horses. While pinhooking and breeding have been the hall mark of McMahon's experience in the horse business, McMahon and Hill also is known for "Bourbon Lane Stable" a zero mark-up partnership open to the racing public and for Pinhook Bourbon a successful small batch KY bourbon available in a growing number of states.
Mr. McMahon is currently the Secretary of TOBA and the President of Thoroughbred Charities of America. Mike is married to Dr. Natanya Nieman DVM and the couple have two children, Madison and Aidan. The McMahons live on WinStar Farm, where Natanya is the resident veterinarian and they operate their own neighboring farm, Spruce Lane, also in Versailles, Ky. Mike's family operates McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds just outside of Saratoga Springs, NY.
Wendy Moon grew up in the cattle industry and was introduced to the Thoroughbred business at the tender age of 16, prepping yearlings at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club before becoming a trainer in Northern California and Washington State. Wendy wrote for the Blood-Horse, Thoroughbred Record and Thoroughbred of California while serving as the latter's Northern California liaison and was part of the original staff of Thoroughbred Times.
Wendy moved East to Chesapeake City, Maryland and developed and managed Muirfield
East a 350+ acre Thoroughbred Farm for the Levy Family until the farm was sold in 1999. Wendy now owns and operates Moonscape Solutions, a custom bookkeeping and payroll service specializing in but not limited to, the equine industry.
Anita Motion has been in perpetual motion as the wife of Graham Motion, trainer of the Kentucky Derby favorite Irish War Cry. Whether in a hat on the frontside of Churchill Downs or in boots on the backside Anita strives to give back to horses every day.
One can follow Anita on her social media platforms where she uses great photos and tweets to advocate a variety of Thoroughbred aftercare programs. Anita and Graham use their high profile in the industry to shine a bright light on the successes of transitioned equine athletes to new careers after Thoroughbred racing.
Anita added her delight at joining the trustees of TERF, Anita added her delight at joining the trustees of TERF. "I'm happy to be part of an organization that promotes our industry."
TERF trustees are also happy---to have Michael, Wendy, and Anita on board as passionate advocates for the horses, equine education and the research striving to keep our equine athletes sound and thriving.
To submit a grant application for consideration to the TERF Board, please visit http://terf.info/grant-application/ and complete the application by April 1st of the application year.
