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T
he Retired Racehorse Project’s (RRP) Thoroughbred Makeover has truly
been a gamechanger for retired racehorses. Designed to showcase the
trainability and talent of off-track Thoroughbreds, the competition has
come a long way since its inaugural Retired Racehorse Training Sympo-
sium in 2009.
The brainchild of Steuart Pittman, the organization was founded in 2010 with
one focus: educating the public as to just how much these horses had left to give
once they retire from the track. Pittman sought to re-establish the Thoroughbred
as a premier show mount while also highlighting them in other, non-traditional
roles, such as ranch and trail riding.
In 2011, the RRP (then called the Retired Racehorse Training Project) began the
journey to what would become the largest Thoroughbred training competition in
the nation. The Maryland and Pennsylvania Horse World Expos hosted the first-
ever Trainer Challenge, drawing thousands of Thoroughbred lovers to each venue.
In addition to showcasing the horses during ridden work, spectators were
treated to demonstrations and explanations; a core tenet of the RRP has always
been providing education in multiple formats, including online and in-person,
with educational panels, trade fairs, seminars and more.By sarah e. colemanThe Thoroughbred makeover showcases off-track horses
in 10 disciplines and offers $100,000 in prize money.Second chance at