Thoroughbred Charities of America is pleased to announce that 11-year-old Leo Bangura is the winner of the inaugural TCA Youth Essay Contest.



The contest was open to recipients of services, volunteers, supporters or any one, 18 years of age or younger, that has been impacted by an organization that received a grant from TCA in 2013. To participate, contestants submitted an essay containing a minimum of 300 words and a maximum of 600 words, describing how a TCA grantee charity has affected his or her life.

Essays were judged by select TCA board members and staff of Blood-Horse Publications on numerous criteria including the presence of a compelling and passionate argument, grammar, vocabulary and style, neatness and adherence to contest rules.

Bangura wrote about his experience as a volunteer with Thoroughbred Placement Resources (TPR), a Thoroughbred aftercare facility in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. TPR will receive a grant of $1,000 for Bangura’s winning essay.

“We are thrilled to learn about Leo’s experience with TPR and off-the-track Thoroughbreds,” said Erin Crady Executive Director of TCA. “We greatly appreciate the work of organizations like TPR and volunteers like Leo that work tirelessly to ensure a better life for Thoroughbreds.”

Read Leo’s essay here.

Congratulations, Leo!