Letter To The Editor: Amplify Has Become The National Youth Arm Of The U.S. Industry

[Wandering Eyes]

When Amplify Horse Racing was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2020, our goal was to engage youth with the Thoroughbred industry. As 2024 draws to a close, I reflect with immense pride on how Amplify isn't just engaging youth with the Thoroughbred industry-we have become the national youth arm of the U.S. industry.

By the end of the year, Amplify will have directly reached over 28,000 individuals through classroom lessons, events, interactive activations, and conference presentations.

We recently wrapped up one of our busiest programming weekends of the year, hosting a “Thoroughbred Discovery Day” in Lexington for 4-H students from eight different states, conducting a multitude of behind-the-scenes industry visits for our 2024 mentee award winners, and capped it off with an end-of-year student networking event that fostered connections with industry professionals and got them thinking about careers in horse racing.

And we're not done yet-one more high school career fair and a symposium presentation remain on the calendar. This year Amplify:

• Hosted student programming in Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, and New York;
• Welcomed 20 mentees into our mentorship program, helping them forge meaningful paths into the industry;
• Presented to over 20 student groups, inspiring countless young minds to explore careers in our industry;
• Was represented at five conferences across five states, delivering impactful presentations at three;
• Participated in various high school career fairs in Lexington to introduce students to career opportunities in Thoroughbred racing;
• Launched a mentoring partnership with the Horse Racing Women's Summit;
• Hosted activations at BreyerFest, United States Pony Clubs Championships, and with the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup, directly connecting youth from around the country with the Thoroughbred industry.

None of this would have been possible without the backing of key industry supporters, including Breeders' Cup, Churchill Downs, Godolphin, Keeneland, The Jockey Club, and nonprofit partners like Horse Country and the KEEP Foundation. These organizations have demonstrated a shared commitment to developing the next generation of horsemen and horsewomen.

Amplify has positioned itself as the feeder program for our industry's workforce, ownership, and fan base. However, as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we can only continue this vital work with sustained support from industry stakeholders.

Looking ahead, Amplify aims to expand its presence to at least 10 states by 2028. To achieve this vision, we've launched the Amplify Impact Campaign to create more localized opportunities for youth to engage with the industry and access valuable resources. Campaign goals include enhancing educational programs through curriculum creation and implementation, the development of a mobile education unit to bring interactive equine educational experiences to communities nationwide, and expanding outreach by facilitating the development of regional chapters and partnerships.

Amplify is proud to lead the way in connecting youth to horses by way of the Thoroughbred industry, through education, mentorship, and career pathways. Together, we can ensure a vibrant future for horse racing by investing in the next generation. I invite the entire Thoroughbred industry to join us in this mission to amplify horse racing's impact among youth.

Annise Montplaisir
Executive Director, Amplify Horse Racing

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