By Tammy Knox
The Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA) is built on service. They provide many different types of assistance, from sulky insurance to health benefits. They have assisted many of the county fairs over the years with funding to improve and enhance the racing programs. Some of these grants have helped purchase track equipment, resurface tracks and even build and improve barns.
But the ISA Grant Program extends way beyond the basics. The program is in place to extend a helping hand to those in need, a service that makes them a good community partner as well as place a good light on the Standardbred industry with organizations associated with equine businesses.
Three of the ISA directors oversee all grants submitted for review. Jacob Smith, chairman of the grants committee, Chad Gooding and Dennis Petty work hard to ensure that all requests are thoroughly researched. Requests come in from all different types of organizations and at all different levels of support.
The following organizations received ISA Grants for 2018:
Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources – Greenfield
Equi Venture Riding Inc. – Kokomo
LoveWay – Middlebury
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program – Laura, Ohio
Reins To Recovery, Inc. – Seymour
The following is an excerpt from a recent thank you letter sent to the ISA Office.
Dear Friends of LoveWay,
Thanks to you, eight-year-old Carmen, who has suffered from Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), will continue to ride. This unfortunate condition causes her to suffer paralysis, tremors, decreased mobility, slurred speech and decreased coordination. These are only a few of her daily challenges, but according to her mother, Carmen has shown substantial improvement in balance, speech, swallowing and eating. And, best of all, Carmen absolutely loves to come to LoveWay. This is just one of the many stories we hear every day at LoveWay.
Over 250 riders with special needs came through our doors in 2017. The vast majority of our riders, 91 percent of them, need scholarship assistance in order to participate. It’s a thoughtful donation like yours that has enabled LoveWay to provide scholarships for almost 50 years. Your generosity brings these riders joy, along with the benefits of cognitive, physical, emotional and social growth.