Wendy Thompson, CPA, cgma “I’ve got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.” ~Thomas Carlyle

Thoroughbred Athletes in Guthrie, Oklahoma, is the first and only all thoroughbred retraining program in the state. Not only does the program find new careers for retired racehorses, but it also prevents the horses from becoming neglected, starved or slaughtered. In 2014, Thoroughbred Athletes was invited

to participate in the 2015 Battle of the X’s, a competition that judges trainers on their ability to retrain a retired racehorse in 120 days. The Thoroughbred Athletes executive director asked Wendy Thompson, CPA, CGMA, to be their representative in the competition. “I was extremely honored to be chosen over

other trainers in the area,” Thompson said. “I knew it would be extremely tough and I would have to give it 100 percent.” Thompson, a mother of two and a manager

of transportation accounting with Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, accepted the challenge and devoted her remaining free time to, Miss Zanjero, a rescue horse that was purchased for $550 dollars at the Jones Livestock Auction. “Miss Zanjero was a tall, skinny mare that

had been rescued from a local auction, which is used by kill buyers to ship horses to Mexico for slaughter,” Thompson said. “Although she was malnourished and sick, I could tell she was a beautiful horse.” Thompson brought Miss Zanjero to her

home training facility on Nov. 22, 2014. For the next four months, she woke up at 5:00 a.m. every morning, trained the horse until 7:00 a.m. and rushed to get to work by 8:00 a.m. After work, Thompson hurried home to get any

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additional training accomplished before dark. “I was determined to show everybody what

a wonderful horse someone had thrown away,” Thompson said. On March 22, 2015, Thompson entered

the Battle of the X’s competition ring in a cart pulled by Miss Zanjero. After a few laps, Thompson saddled her and jumped a course of fences. After the competition, the two were announced as champions of the 2015 Battle of the X’s and winners of the top $10,000 prize. Miss Zanjero was then auctioned off for $7,500, which benefitted Thoroughbred Athletes. “Through [Thompson’s] hard work, she was

able to save the horse from slaughter,” said Shane Wharton, CPA, executive vice president of accounting and administration with Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores in Oklahoma City. “She is a compassionate person with a competitive spirit.” Thompson, an OSCPA member for two

years, serves on the OSCPA’s Accounting Careers Committee. She is also a member of the United Way of Central Oklahoma Emerging Leaders and the Young Professionals in Energy. Additionally, Thompson is treasurer for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Oklahoma and a Junior Achievement volunteer. “Wendy has been a dedicated professional

for Love’s and is a committed volunteer and supporter of her community,” Wharton said. “She represents the profession in a way that makes me proud.”

Wendy’s Trail mix If I weren’t a CPA, I would be: A horse trainer

One thing on my bucket list is: To see orca whales in the wild

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you have? An elephant

What is your personal theme song? “Roar” by Katy Perry