Nadia and Vanessa Camperlengo founded a unique Thoroughbred organization called Classic Legacy Thoroughbred Aftercare which is run and governed by women. Their Saratoga fundraiser “Lauding Legacy” honored Barbara Livingston and raised significant funds for the Saratoga Police Force Mounted Unit. We caught up with Nadia just after they closed on a new farm in Virginia.
DP: What is the meaning behind the name and the concept of Classic Legacy?
NC: My mother Vanessa Camperlengo and I started Classic Legacy Thoroughbred Aftercare (CLTA) in honor of her mother, my grandmother, who passed away three years ago. Thoroughbreds were her life. A revered owner and breeder, she dedicated her life to the industry. Even when she had nothing – I can distinctly recall her claiming the horses she bred off the track, her horses that she believed were being overworked and overrun. She would miss a rent payment so she could claim her babies back.
Her vigor was matched by her intelligence – she knew every female line. Another fond memory is when her grandchildren would come visit her in Florida – you weren't allowed to come into her room if you didn't know Mr. Prospector's female line. She made her daughters, and then me, study pedigrees relentlessly. Every Sunday since I could remember, she'd call and talk about pedigrees. You could say I started saying “double copy mare” in my sleep!
So now, we've been active ever since. With an all-female board, comprised of myself, my mother, aunts, and close peers, we work in her memory!
DP: What impact do you feel you have made for Thoroughbreds?
NC: Though we've been active for a short amount of time, we believe our impact is vast. And a lot of that comes from our passion and real connection to these incredible creatures. Whether it's one horse or 100–each life counts. I think to the industry, we're showing folks just how personal and important aftercare rescue and overall advocacy is. My aunt, Aleta Overby, our Intake Coordinator, likes to tell the story about the guy on the beach who was surrounded by dying starfish. He was throwing them back when his friend told him that there were too many to make a difference. He held up the starfish in his hand, threw it back into the ocean and said, “It made a difference to that one.” That's what we are.
DP: What is your hope to accomplish or change for Thoroughbreds in the future?
NC: To offer horses a chance to go to the next phase of their lives and careers, if appropriate. The best safeguard for a retired Thoroughbred is being good at their job, whether it is as a show horse, a therapy horse, or simply a pasture horse. Each and every Thoroughbred has a purpose – even if they aren't filling someone's pockets.
DP: Tell us a little bit about your facilities.
NC: We have two farms: one in Louisiana and one in Virginia.
In Louisiana, we're located about an hour north of New Orleans, near the horse community of Folsom. We're on 25 acres with 6 paddocks, 2 pastures, and 17 stalls between two barns. The area's most regarded vet clinic (which is able to do some surgeries) is less than one mile from the farm.
In Virginia, we just closed on a beautiful farm in Norwood, VA (near Nelson County). It has over 100 acres, miles of riding trails, and a nice sized, renovated barn. This is the perfect location for our incoming sanctuary horses.
DP: What is unique or special about Classic Legacy?
NC: I think there's a lot that makes us unique. First, we have an all-female staff and board in a male dominated industry. Secondly, we all have full time jobs, including myself. This is our passion. We don't make a penny. And you know what? We don't want to. It's not the point. A six figure salary doesn't make us want to wake up early before our full time jobs start to work on CLTA. It's because we love it. And we'd be nowhere without these horses!
DP: Give us an overview of a few of the Thoroughbreds currently in re-training with you?
NC: Currently, we have two mares in re-training. First is Nashshinderella. She was abandoned at a training farm by her owner who quit paying bills for his five horses. She's currently being trained for trail riding and therapy work for her future at our sanctuary. She's four years old, very kind and gentle. Second is Bella Atrice. She's an older lady, 18 years old and she has a beautiful pedigree. She's out of the major stakes winner Irish Actress. Bella won almost $200,000 and had a few foals but the last one almost killed her–so her former groom at the racetrack, Ronnie Betor, who'd kept tabs on her all those years after the track, offered to take her on. Ronnie has had her the last couple years, riding her and loving her, but for financial reasons can no longer keep her. She plans to come to our sanctuary with Nash–they'll be good buddies!
We have just successfully rehabbed and rehomed a sweet colt named High Providence who came to us in December with a tendon injury.
DP: Tell us about your recent event at Saratoga honoring Barbara Livingston?
NC: “Lauding Legacy: An Aftercare Celebration” was so successful in large part because of all of the community participation. It would not have been possible without everyone. My mother and I decided that the best way to raise awareness and support aftercare would be through community collaboration. My mother herself worked on the backstretch in the 1970s at Saratoga, so the community is important to us.
We had a 30+ piece silent auction, live music from The Accents, catering from Mazzones, tasting tables from Sagamore Rye Distillery, One With Life Tequila, and Oliva Vineyards. And to really drive home our love for collaboration, we had an aftercare exhibition featuring representatives from Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare (CTA), Long Shadows Farm, Saratoga War Horse, and New Vocations!
We chose to honor photographer Barbara Livingston with our Founder's Award that evening because of her dedication to the industry and aftercare. Presenting her award was Julie Krone, another female trailblazer in the industry. Additionally, Congressman Paul Tonko attended, and gave Barbara a Congressional Award! Barbara was also gracious to host an impromptu book signing for all who purchased her books for a donation.
Proceeds from our event went directly to the Saratoga Mounted Police Force, and their quest to bring a third aftercare horse onto their force! We raised $10,000 for these incredible folks. What was also great about having the Patrol attend was how they greeted guests at the front of the Casino on horseback.
We are thrilled to be hosting yet another “Lauding Legacy” event next summer at the Canfield Casino! We'll be honoring the legacy of Marylou Whitney and raising funds for B.E.S.T.–Backstretch Employee Service Team.
DP: If you could have three wishes for the future of off-track Thoroughbreds, what would they be?
NC: A good job, a good home, and lots of love – all in one place!
For more information, contact Nadia Camperlengo at [email protected].
Diana Pikulski is a partner at Yepsen & Pikulski and the editor of the Thoroughbred Adoption Network.
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