What It Was
On August 30, 2026, Hockey For Horses brought together Central Ohio D League players and Adult Learn to Play participants for the inaugural Beer League Derby Playoff at Chiller North in Lewis Center, Ohio.
The event featured a four-game, three-team tournament. After a round-robin stage, the top two teams advanced to the championship game.
The tournament was highlighted by the Beer League Derby, where nine players in full hockey gear raced around the ice aboard repurposed hockey sticks transformed into horses. Each racer represented one of the tournament teams and competed for charity glory in a celebration that brought hockey and horse racing together in a way that was competitive, memorable and just a little bit ridiculous.
The event benefited New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, an organization dedicated to rehabilitating, retraining and rehoming retired Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses. Hockey For Horses was proud to support that mission while raising awareness of the continuing need for responsible equine aftercare.