Thoroughbred ex-racehorses converged on the Kentucky Horse Park to show off their new disciplines. Photo by Megan Stapley and courtesy Jen Roytz
Retired Racehorse Project (RRP), a nonprofit organization that promotes off-track Thoroughbreds for multiple equestrian sports, today opened an online application for participation in the 2016 Thoroughbred Makeover.
The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium will take place October 27-30 at the Kentucky Horse Park. It features competition in freestyle, eventing, barrel racing, dressage, polo, show jumping, working ranch, show hunter, field hunter, and competitive trail, with prize money of $100,000 including a $10,000 America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred prize and a $5,000 Thoroughbred Ambassador Award. The event also includes educational demonstrations, seminars, a Makeover Horse Sale, and a Sponsor Fair.
The Makeover process begins today with a four-week application period in which professionals, amateurs, and juniors who can demonstrate competence in at least one of the ten disciplines submit an application to include competition highlights, references, and videos of their riding skills. Applications close January 31 and selections will be announced in mid-February.
Each trainer must select a Thoroughbred that raced or had a published work after October 1, 2014, and that did not begin training for a second career before the start of 2016. Some trainers will already have horses identified and others will begin a search after they are approved.
Trainers can contract with owners or acquire the horse themselves. Retired Racehorse Project does not take ownership of horses.
Just one of many riders and Thoroughbreds competing in October at the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. Photo by Megan Stapley and courtesy Jen Roytz
Owners can choose to keep their horses at the end of the process or offer them for sale. The Makeover Horse Sale is not an auction, but an opportunity for buyers and sellers to do business in a setting that allows trial rides, pre-purchase exams, and observation of horses in competition.
Owners are encouraged to price their horses based on estimated market value and screen potential buyers. Sale contracts must include notification of resale and anti-slaughter provisions.
Racing owners who want their eligible horses entered in the event may seek out trainers and encourage them to apply or list horses as “Makeover Eligible” in the online Horse Listings at RetiredRacehorseProject.org.
Steuart Pittman, standing, takes a look at Solidify, a recent competitor.
Many of the horses in last year’s Makeover came from racing partnerships that believe in the value of good training to secure the futures of their horses after racing.
2016 Thoroughbred Makeover Rules and Information sets forth additional eligibility criteria and rules. It is published online with the application form.
“Last year’s Makeover created what was described as ‘a run on retired racehorses’ at about this time of year,” said RRP founder and president Steuart Pittman. “It comes as a shock and a thrill to folks at the tracks when they discover that their retiring horses are no longer what the industry calls ‘unwanted horses.’
“With increased demand comes higher prices, giving racing owners an incentive to retire horses sound and taking pressure off of aftercare facilities so that they can help the horses in most need. That’s why we do this.”
Retired Racehorse Project encourages both sellers and buyers of these horses to utilize its online and printed Retired Racehorse Resource Directory, listing 300 farms, organizations, and racetracks with guidelines for “acquiring, selling, placing, and serving the off-track Thoroughbred.” RRP also offers a highly trafficked online listing service in which hundreds of these horses are marketed each month.
Contact: Steuart Pittman, President Retired Racehorse Project (RRP)
410-507-3351 / Steuart@retiredracehorseproject.org
Important Links:
Thoroughbred Makeover Rules and Information
Thoroughbred Makeover Trainer Application
RRP Horse Listings
RRP Resource Directory
Results and Information from 2015 TCA Thoroughbred Makeover
Become an RRP Member
Ever since I was 16 I have been buying off the track thoroughbreds and retraining them to be Jumpers and event horses. Everyone of them have turned out to be wonderful. One went on to carry a young lady to the finals in the McClay class in Madison Square Garden, another one became the Indiana State Champion in Open Jumping, and another became a very successful event Horse. It takes time and patience but it is very rewarding for both you and the horse. Thank you for developing this program to give these horses the attention they deserve
Hi, I have an OTTB that last raced in July of 2015. I would like more information please.
Alicia: Please click the links at the end of the story. You’ll find all the information you need!
I have worked with many Arabian racehorses, and trained them to be endurance horses, Dressage horses, and some ranch versatility. Many Thoroughbreds can make excellent trail horses and endurance horses, it just depends on their build.
Please email about your training of Arab racehorses.