Anne Russek didn’t run the inaugural Thoroughbred Celebration in June just like any other horse show. She made sure the focus was on the horses and their successful transition to their new lives.

As each horse entered the ring, the announcer read a short biography for the spectators—the name of the horse, his or her bloodlines and what was significant about that heritage. The owners of the horses added stories about how they acquired the OTTBs.