By Lauren Maruskin
When the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announced the five candidates for their prestigious Horse of The Year honor, not many could have predicted that a horse plucked from a slaughterhouse would wind up on the ballot. Jamaica, a 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood competing in driving competitions, literally went from slaughter pen to superstar.
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| Rescued horse, Jamaica, shares a moment with his owner, Chester Weber.© Johnny Robb |
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Jamaica's fairytale story started ten years ago when he found himself standing in a killer buyer's pen, slated for slaughter. When the dealer who had planned to kill him noticed the horse had developed a case of ringworm, he decided the horse was unfit to be slaughtered for human consumption and decided to sell the horse.
A Belgian carriage driver recognized the horse's potential and purchased Jamaica for his business. While Jamaica proved to be a natural at pulling a carriage, he did not enjoy the down time associated with his job. Happiest at work, Jamaica didn't enjoy standing still for passengers to load and unload. His owner decided to sell him and he was purchased by his current owner, Chester Weber, who trained Jamaica for his four-in-hand driving team.
Under Weber's tutelage, Jamaica has excelled, racking up the numerous awards and accomplishments that led to him being nominated and chosen for Horse of the Year. Weber plans to donate the prize—a year's worth of feed—to a local horse rescue organization.
Jamaica's story is just one example of many horses who have been saved at the eleventh hour from slaughter and gone on to do great things. His journey from slaughter pen to celebrated horse illustrates how the success of every horse is closely linked to his owner's ability to appropriately match him with the right job.
"I think that with horses, it's important to continue to have hope—whether it's a misunderstood horse or an ex-racehorse. Because they are not unlike people; some of us come from humble beginnings, or complex starts. If you can have hope, be fair, and find an appropriate job for them, the horse can succeed," said Weber.
While horse rescue organizations across the country work tirelessly to save horses like Jamaica from slaughter, abuse and neglect, thousands of American horses are still shipped across our borders each week, where they are brutally slaughtered for human consumption. Given a second chance, the majority of these horses could have gone on to lead productive, happy lives.
Approximately 100,000 American horses were sent to horrific deaths in foreign slaughter plants last year. How many of these horses could have gone on to be like Jamaica? If for no other reason, Jamaica, and other horses like him, are living, breathing examples of why we need to pass anti-slaughter legislation. The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009 (H.R. 503) would not only prohibit equine slaughter plants from opening in the U.S., but it would also make it illegal to ship our country's horses across American boarders for slaughter.
