The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation Preserves the Legacy of “World Famous Sam Thompson”
Today, we are Educating Our Veterans Live with special guests: President and CEO of The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation (STMF), Mrs. Laura Joiner and TVG Network Talent and STMF Board Member, Mr. Dave Weaver who will shed light upon Sam Thompson’s Horse Racing Career Accomplishments and his “World Famous impact” on the lives of many in the industry he touched and helped to inspire. The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation was created to provide education, health, and welfare to those in need in the Horse Racing Industry on behalf of our beloved Legend, Sam Thompson. Unfortunately, Sam Thompson was injured and passed away on Christmas Day in 2008. Sam Thompson always wanted to help others, therefore, he donated organs so life so others could live. As a Fallen Rider, he still lives.
The STMF Board Members, Sponsors, Partners, and Volunteers’ collective mission is to provide recognition via Scholarships and Awards, and special events such as golf tournaments and annual auctions in Sam Thompson’s honor. As with any competitive sport, there are costs, risks, wins, losses, positives, teamwork, international wealth, care, and compassion associated with business and a plethora of outcomes.
In this show, we scratch the surface about the introduction to understanding the sport of horse racing as a whole, the regiment of the racers, how horses are bred, industry terminologies, dangers in racing, betting and research, and why it is so important that The Sam Thompson Foundation and its goals are progressing well in the eighth year of existence. We learn from the testimony of Laura Joiner’s life and as a youth in horse racing to present, Laura shares how she started and ultimately became President of an organization that supports the families and Jockeys, the backstretch, and more while raising a family with her husband, Cody Joiner of Circle CJ Racing. Laura is engaged and committed to her role and ability to deal with the day-to-day charitable business and event planning that contributes to the success of The Sam Thompson Foundation.
STMF Board Member and long-time, industry Network Talent and subject matter expert, Dave Weaver, converted visits with his dad growing up to the Los Alamitos Race Course into a memorable career and his love for horse racing led him to a friendship with Sam Thompson. Dave launched his career from writing and research into a role at TVG Network where he is broadcasting to date. Dave knows the ins and outs of horse racing and he places his bet from the standpoint of entertainment admitting he has “lost his pants” yet has also won big collaborating with friends on the “Pick Six” and more. Dave shares compelling highlights of his experiences working with veterans and in interviewing Sam Thompson himself during his career wins.
Most notably, Dave will always cherish a round of golf and shooting pool with Sam. He sharpens his game by preparing research as he reports live from the racetracks around the world with his broad knowledge and key voice. Helping injured parties, families, and awardees over the years with the STMF mission at hand has been a reward that Sam Thompson in spirit can appreciate and with the Christmas Holiday and the Pandemic in full swing, nothing can stop The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation from flourishing and planning their upcoming 2021 Auction at Oklahoma City with safe social distancing in the mix.
It is a fascinating to learn from Mrs. Laura Joiner as President of STMF first hand about the sport from the yearling to the stage of a stallion “being broke” and the processes in the barn to the jockey in the saddle. “The welcome to everyone to enjoy a future “STMF Day at the Races with Veterans” is surely an outing to look forward to”, commented Host Christina R. Silva. Discovering new ways for fellow Disabled American Veterans to adapt and overcome is easy with guests Laura Joiner and Dave Weaver and their team of loyal Board Members. We look forward to planning an event in honor of the U.S. Armed Forces members in collaboration with https://www.Camies2Civies.org and The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation once the pandemic subsides. We plan to host the outing at one of their favorite tracks in the world, The Los Alamitos Race Course located in Los Alamitos, CA adjacent to the Joint Forces Training Base https://www.losalamitos.com/.
We learned that horse racing creates resilience in the elements at the barn among the beautifully cared for quarter horses, on the track, and in the TVG Network set. Horse Racing is exciting and exhilarating, a true art form as the horses run races with their top-tier training, care, skilled jockeys, and showmanship. Horse racing grosses billions of dollars per year and is a world of its own. For a lifetime, the sport gives enthusiasts, owners, and athletes the opportunity to join in, adapt, and overcome whether it be from following their favorite jockey, betting on favorite horse’s names to winning or losing picks to spectating with their family and watching races from any destination via https://www.TVG.com.
Everyone must acknowledge the risks versus rewards of the sport of horse racing as well and there are professionals on hand from the trainers, to veterinarians, legendary jockeys, counselors, and family to help us through unexpected accidents that may occur. If you are involved or are interested in the sport or any activity, always remember to study first, ask a mentor, go online and familiarize yourself first and then decide if you will participate. It is always good to seek and investigate all of your options with care and we are sharing our testimonials with no endorsement intended nor implied. Thank you.
TVG Network coverage brings us into the horse racing arena with clarity and high definition and tells the up close and personal stories of the Jockeys, Trainers, Industry Icons, and statistics combined. Dave Weaver of TVG Network has over twenty-one years of broadcasting expertise and the industry of horse racing and his history of works include riveting interviews with the greats, countless stories of big winnings, and memorable insights from talks with renowned Mr. Bob Baffert, Hall of Fame Trainer of The 2015 and 2018 Triple Crown Winners, “American Pharoah” and “Justify”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Baffert
Laura Joiner and Dave Weaver agree that their love for the horse racing industry is empathetic and compassionate including the highest standards of regard for the quarter horses and thoroughbreds. Their endearment and fond memories of Sam Thompson now affords The Sam Thompson Foundation the opportunity to give back through education and events to remember. Dave shares his story about the meaning of being a dedicated board member and working with fellow board members that he considers family. Laura shares that The Sam Thompson Foundation is a close-knit team that pulls together during the holidays as every Christmas reminds them of Sam’s passing. In short, it is only possible for us to continue moving forward and growing each year because of our hardworking team of volunteers generous donors, and sponsors. “We are thankful that we are able to yield scholarships, awards, and to host events, especially in such an unprecedented year. The Joiner Family and everyone remembers the legacy of Sam Thompson on the track before, during, and after races with humility and pride.”
We are thankful to receive an overarching introduction to the world of horse racing with two experts in the industry that are American Patriots with a philanthropic heart. Laura Joiner and Dave Weaver remember Sam Thompson’s infectious personality when he was racing his horses over the years and they covet the final evening he raced his final race; his smile still captivated worldwide audiences then the same way it does in his memory right now. It was in the Spirit of the Christmas Season at Los Alamitos Race Track that he succumbed to injuries that caused the donation of his organs and his final wishes to come to pass on December 25, 2008.
Let’s meet, salute, and marvel at our Fallen Rider and World Famous Sam Thompson:
The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation’s successes include the promotion of safety, proper training, and continuing education. Each year, The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation captures the smiles in honor Sam Thompson who gave of himself to fellow jockeys, fans, friends, and the whole world of horse racing affiliates which still creates and maintains life-long relationships. Horse Racing is a form of entertainment that perpetuates excitement, knowledge, expertise, opportunity, relaxation, hard work, ethics, and more. To become involved, nominate a recipient, and to support the worthy causes that are part of the Mission and Vision of The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation visit: https://samthompsonfoundation.org/donate/ and https://samthompsonfoundation.org/nominate-a-recipient/ respectively.