L to R: Jeff Cannizzo, Tate Morris, Mrs. Joanne Nielsen (NYRA/Adam Coglianese)
by Sarah Mace
The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) presented its two annual scholarships in the winner’s circle after the second race at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, July 29, which was the seventh annual College Day presented by Toyota at Saratoga Race Course.
Generously established by Mrs. Joanne Nielsen to honor her late husband Gerald A. Nielsen, Sr. and by Mrs. Vivien Malloy to honor her late daughter Debby Malloy Winkler, the $5,000 scholarships recognize a full-time student enrolled in an equine-related course of study at an accredited college or university in New York State. The awards are intended to foster the education and development of individuals who promise to make a positive contribution to the Thoroughbred industry in New York and beyond.
Receiving the 2015 Gerald A. Nielsen, Sr. Scholarship was Tate Morris. Originally from East Lyme, Connecticut, Morris graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Vermont as a Community Entrepreneurship major. After completing his Vet-Med prerequisites at the University of Connecticut, he attended the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and graduated this spring.
Morris now seeks a year-long veterinary internship at either a university or in private practice to continue his education, then hopes to go on to pursue a residency in Equine Surgery or Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation with the ultimate goal of becoming board certified. Professors have described him as a “star” with outstanding personal and professional attributes.
Morris said, “I am truly honored to have been chosen to represent the legacy of Gerald A. Nielsen, Sr., the New York Thoroughbred Breeders and the New York racing industry as a whole. I would like to thank all of those along the way that have made me deserving of this recognition especially the professors, clinicians, and technicians at Cornell-CVM.”
Morris, who still competes on roping teams, added, “With a cow pony background it has been a circuitous route to Thoroughbreds. I have grown to admire their athletic prowess and look forward to a future of challenges in regards to preventing, diagnosing, and treating upper airway disorders and breakdown injuries.”
L to R: Jeff Cannizzo, Courtney O’Connell, Ken Malloy (NYRA/Adam Coglianese)
The Debby Malloy Winkler Scholarship was awarded to Courtney O’Connell, who has just completed three years of course work at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and will begin her clinical rotations in the fall.
A native of Ithaca, New York and graduate of the St. Paul’s School in Concord New Hampshire, O’Connell graduated with a double major in Biology and French from Mount Holyoke College, where she was a Mary Lyon Scholar. An accomplished rider with extensive experience in the world of show horses and Thoroughbreds, O’Connell has worked as a veterinary Student Technician and Research Assistant at Cornell.
Said, O’Connell, “I am very grateful to have won the Debby Malloy Winkler New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Scholarship to help me pursue my veterinary education. I have grown up working with thoroughbreds and I have always admired their athleticism and intelligence. I have learned so much from the thoroughbreds that I have been lucky enough to ride and I look forward to the opportunity to help care for them as a veterinarian.”
Mrs. Malloy’s son Ken represented the family at the presentation ceremony and O’Connell’s father John and sister Isabelle were in attendance.
Previous recipients of the Gerald A. Nielsen, Sr. New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Scholarship:
2012 Jacqueline Pino (read more)
2013 Allison Tuchrello (read more)
2014 Kaitlyn Douglas (read more)
Previous recipients of the Debby Malloy Winkler. New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Scholarship:
2014 Nicolina Foti (read more)
