LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (LOPE), a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) accredited charity, announces a significant milestone in its educational outreach programs. In the first five months of 2025 alone, LOPE has served over 1,000 students and teachers across Texas through the organization's innovative Horse Wise® curriculum, putting the program on track to reach 1,200 participants by summer's end.
This achievement represents a dramatic acceleration of LOPE's educational impact. Over the past three years, the program has reached nearly 1,600 total participants, with 2025 already accounting for the majority of that engagement in just five months.
"What we're seeing is the racing industry's greatest asset — our horses — continuing to serve and inspire long after their track careers end," said Lynn Reardon, LOPE's Executive Director. "These warhorses are proving that Thoroughbreds' intelligence, athleticism, and heart translate beautifully into educational settings, creating powerful learning experiences that traditional classrooms often cannot replicate."
From Track Champions to Classroom Heroes
LOPE's educational program transforms retired racehorses into teaching partners for STEM and ELA subjects through the Horse Wise® curriculum, licensed exclusively to the organization. The program serves diverse audiences from preschoolers to veterinary school graduates, with formats ranging from intensive one-on-one vocational internships to large-scale student assemblies.
The horses' natural ability to demonstrate concepts like adaptation, resilience, and finding new purpose resonates particularly well with students. "When a student works alongside a 1,200-pound former athlete who has successfully transitioned from the intensity of racing to the patience required for education, they're witnessing real-world examples of growth and second chances," Reardon explained.
Expanding Beyond Student Programs
This summer marks a significant evolution in LOPE's mission with the launch of professional development programs for educators. The organization's inaugural 5-day continuing education internship for local high school teachers offers professional development credits while introducing educators to innovative curriculum approaches developed through LOPE's decade of field experience.
Elementary teacher workshops are being planned for the Austin and Houston areas, expanding the program's reach to support educators across multiple grade levels and regions. These teacher-focused initiatives represent an investment in educational innovation that will ultimately impact countless students as educators bring fresh approaches back to their classrooms.
Geographic Impact Across Texas
LOPE's educational reach spans from Houston to San Antonio to Austin, making horse-assisted learning accessible across Central and South Texas. Programs are delivered in various settings including traditional classroom visits, community outreach events at racetracks, and intensive on-site experiences at LOPE's Driftwood facility.
The organization's versatility allows it to serve diverse educational needs, from single classroom presentations to full student body assemblies accommodating hundreds of participants.
Racing Industry Leadership in Aftercare
As a TAA-accredited organization, LOPE represents the racing industry's commitment to comprehensive aftercare that extends far beyond basic rescue and rehabilitation. The organization's educational programs demonstrate how retired racehorses can continue contributing meaningfully to society while finding fulfilling second careers.
"Our horses embody the racing industry's values of excellence, determination, and heart," said Reardon. "Through education, they're helping build the next generation while showing the public that the racing community truly cares about our horses' entire lifecycles."
LOPE's mission focuses specifically on senior ex-racehorses and those with special needs, providing them with purposeful second careers while inspiring youth through horsemanship and veterinary education. The organization operates from a farm facility in Driftwood, Texas, where nine retired Thoroughbreds serve as educational ambassadors.
Supporting the Next Generation
All educational programs are offered free to public schools and teachers, made possible through sponsor support and donations from racing industry stakeholders who recognize the value of positive public engagement. The programs serve as powerful ambassadors for the racing industry, showcasing Thoroughbreds' versatility and the community's commitment to horse welfare.
For racing industry professionals interested in supporting educational initiatives that benefit both horses and youth, LOPE offers various sponsorship opportunities that directly impact program delivery and expansion.
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the organization that produced the release.
