The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program's Thoroughbred of the Year is a horse who works with those suffering from mental illness and trauma – honoring the memory of his late trainer. The gelding now known as Bruce, registered with The Jockey Club as Disruption, resides at Second Chance Ranch in Spokane, Wash., and is the recipient of this T.I.P. award, which honors Thoroughbreds in non-competitive careers, such as equine-assisted therapy or police work. Second Chance Ranch, which will receive a $5,000 grant as part of the award, is a sanctuary for horses who serve in an equine-facilitated psychotherapy program. The program, an alternative to traditional talk therapy, serves both military families and youth programs for those coping with various degrees of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, with a focus on suicide prevention, anti-bullying, and substance abuse. While racing, Disruption won 5 of 16 starts and earned $100,925. The Florida-bred Street Boss gelding finished second in the 2013 Auburn Handicap at Emerald Downs in Washington for Heidi Nelson’s Nelson Family Racing while then under the care of trainer Blaine Wright. He was transferred to trainer Monique Snowden during a subsequent layoff of more than a year, and came out firing for his new conditioner, winning an allowance-optional claiming race, finishing third in the 2014 Mt. Rainier Handicap, and then starting in Emerald’s signature race, the Grade 3 Longacres Mile. He won two other races for Snowden. Disruption was one of the top earners for Snowden, who conditioned multiple stakes winners. Nelson was one of her primary clients, and the duo teamed up on The Chili Man, who gained national attention when he rolled by 11 1/2 lengths in his debut on June 26, 2016. On July 17, the 2-year-old gelding was sent away favored in the Emerald Express Stakes, but suffered a catastrophic injury. Overnight, Snowden evidently jumped to her death from a local bridge. She was 37. Friends told the Herald of Everett, Wash., that the trainer had also struggled with depression after her mother's earlier cancer diagnosis and death. “These horses were her life,” husband Dennis Snowden, also a trainer, told the Herald. “She loved them. It was always more about the horses for her than it was about the money. She fell in love with every horse she was involved with.” Disruption was retired following Snowden's death, and Nelson called Second Chance Ranch seeking a home for the gelding, with the opportunity for him to participate in suicide-prevention programs a fortuitous coincidence. The gelding, now 9, has worked in the mental-health therapy program, as well as an equine-art program, which encourages children to express themselves creatively. He also has traveled locally to spend several semesters as part of the Washington State University Equestrian Team, where he has helped beginners learn how to ride. “Wherever this multi-tasking equine is, he knows exactly what to do,” Katie Merwick, executive director of Second Chance Ranch, said in a release distributed by T.I.P. “A common skill among Thoroughbreds is that they read people well. It is no coincidence that this magnificent equine became an ambassador for Thoroughbreds, demonstrating the exceptional healing abilities that horses have on humans. “Bruce is a product of Monique Snowden’s superb equestrian skill,” Merwick continued. “She adored this horse. All of the horses she trained and whose lives she touched were shown respect and fair leadership. They, in turn, gave their best for her. Bruce learned empathy, compassion, and a desire to connect with people because of Monique. She was deeply emotional, and horses relate to that – it’s why they are so successful as ‘therapists.’ The greatest way to honor Monique is to have her beloved horse help others coping with depression and mental-health struggles. Her voice is being heard through the actions of this horse.” T.I.P. also on Tuesday announced its young rider awards, which recognize riders age 18 or younger who own or lease a Thoroughbred for use in 4-H, Pony Club, or other activities. This year’s awards went to Megan Grace Farnsworth, 14, Alexa McVoy, 18, and Claudia Rudder, 18 – all three of whom plan to use the award grants to continue their education, and two of whom plan to also serve in the mental-health field. McVoy  leases her Thoroughbred jumper from Out Side In, an organization that provides equine-assisted psychotherapy to those who have been victims of trauma or suffered from other issues. She plans to obtain a master’s degree in social work to become a psychotherapist who uses Thoroughbreds to counsel at-risk youth and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Ridder, who volunteers at camps for children who have experienced abuse, poverty, or mental illness, would also like to become involved with equine-assisted therapy.