The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) and Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) jointly announced today that TCA will be the title sponsor of the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky on October 23-25.
The TCA Thoroughbred Makeover will bring together 350 recently retired Thoroughbred racehorses to compete for more than $100,000 in cash and prizes in ten equestrian disciplines.
“Rekindling the demand for Thoroughbreds in second careers is a necessary element in providing aftercare for racehorses,” said TCA president Dan Rosenberg. “Steuart Pittman and the Retired Racehorse Project have done an outstanding job of increasing demand by showcasing the versatility of the Thoroughbred in so many disciplines. We know Thoroughbreds to be beautiful, courageous, willing, and competitive athletes on the racetrack and it should come as no surprise that they bring the same characteristics to second careers. We are proud of our association with the Retired Racehorse Project and the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover.”
The TCA Thoroughbred Makeover will serve as the kick-off event for the much-anticipated Breeders’ Cup Festival, a week-long celebration of various events, concerts and unique activities in and around Lexington that will culminate with the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Keeneland Racecourse on October 30-31.
“There is probably no group of people on earth more committed to the welfare of Thoroughbred horses than the board of TCA,” said RRP president Steuart Pittman. “Their support and guidance have given us the confidence to move this event to Kentucky and open it up to many professional, amateur, and junior trainers. Every dollar invested in this event leverages more than ten dollars in the care and training of an ex-racehorse. By October these horses will have real market value and their futures will look bright.”
The Thoroughbred Makeover horses were trained only to race at the start of this year. They will arrive in Kentucky from 44 states, Canada, and Great Britain to perform in their new disciplines and be scored on both talent and training. Barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, eventing, field hunter, freestyle, polo, show hunter, show jumper, and working ranch will be featured. Top scorers will compete in a finale at the end of the weekend and an overall champion will be crowned America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred.
The weekend’s festivities will also feature educational seminars, a vendor fair, demonstrations, and horse shopping. Speakers and judges include Olympic veterans, top veterinarians, and some of racing’s top owners, jockeys, and trainers.
Thoroughbred owner and former horse show judge Maggi Moss says, “There is nothing more athletic, elegant, or intelligent than the Thoroughbred horse. My passion is seeing retired racehorses compete in other forums, so my weekend judging the hunters at the Thoroughbred Makeover is going to be the highlight of 2015.”
RRP is still seeking sponsors and supporters for the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. For more information on becoming involved or attending the events, visit www.retiredracehorseproject.org.
Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is a charitable organization working to facilitate placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in the marketplace and inspiring an army of equestrians to provide the training that secures their futures. RRP programs include educational resources, programs at major horse expos, the Bloodline Brag, the Retired Racehorse Resource Directory, and current listings of some 200 horses available for sale or adoption. This fall RRP will launch Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine with The Horse Media Group. For additional information about RRP and the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover go to RetiredRacehorseProject.org.
Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) was formed in 1990 to raise and distribute funds for charities in the Thoroughbred industry which provide a better life for Thoroughbreds both during and after their racing careers by supporting retirement, rescue, research and by helping the people who work with them. Over the last 25 years TCA has distributed over $21 million in grants to more than 200 Thoroughbred-related organizations. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). For additional information about TCA go to tca.org.
