2014 White Horse Awards Slated For October 30 – Photos by Terry Miller
On October 30th, three deserving individuals will be recognized by the Race Track Chaplaincy of America at the 12th Annual White Horse Awards Luncheon. The luncheon is held each year in conjunction with the Breeders’ Cup World Championship.
Jockey Rodolfo Arvizu will receive the 2014 White Horse Award for his selfless effort to rescue fellow jockey, Anne von Rosen, at Turf Paradise this past March. The award is given annually to a person in any facet of horse racing who is judged to have performed the most heroic act on behalf of human or horse.
On March 11, 2014 Jockey Anne von Rosen was pulling her horse, Panchita Bonita, into the backstretch following a 400 yd. quarter horse race. The horse suddenly collapsed, knocking von Rosen unconscious and trapping her underneath the horse with her foot caught in the stirrup. Jockey Rodolfo Arvizu was behind her when the accident occurred and immediately jumped off his mount to release her foot and prevent the horse from rolling onto her. Jockey Anne von Rosen’s life may have likely been saved by Arvizu’s quick response, but unfortunately von Rosen was left paralyzed from the waist down. The latest updates of von Rosen share that she is in good spirits and has returned to Germany to continue her recovery at home with her family.
The Community Service and Tribute to Excellence Awards may be newcomers to the White Horse Awards Luncheon over the past few years, but they are equally as notable.
The Community Service Award will be presented to Chaplain Nicholas Salios who has made significant contributions to the welfare of racetrack chaplaincy ministries through his involvement and participation in RTCA within a multitude of capacities for more than 30 years.
The Tribute to Excellence is a posthumous award presented to an individual who in their lifetime, exhibited outstanding initiative, inspiration, benevolence, and/or leadership which produced significant results directly benefiting those working in the horse racing industry.
This year’s Tribute to Excellence Award is being bestowed upon the late Jeff Coady and will be presented to his wife Nelda Coady. Jeff spent most of his life as a photographer on racetracks across the country. Jeff and his wife supported the ministry at Oaklawn Park tirelessly. Chaplain Rich Heffington from Oaklawn summed it up with this statement, “It was truly Jeff’s heart to help those in the horse racing industry any way he could.”
We offer our sincere congratulations to each of our award recipients. The awards will be presented at this year’s White Horse Awards Luncheon which will take place at the Derby Restaurant in Arcadia, on Thursday, October 30.
