What is the Retired Racehorse Project?
The Mission
RRP exists to facilitate placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in equestrian sports and serving the farms, trainers, and organizations that transition them.
The Impact
Since it’s 2010 founding RRP has inspired thousands to choose an OTTB. Thanks to 135,000 Facebook fans, 94,000 website hits, constant press coverage, and sell out crowds at horse expos, the popularity and value of OTTBs are on the rise.
A Brief History of RRP's Growth
Retired Racehorse Training Project was formed in 2010 by a small group of friends and myself who felt strongly that Thoroughbred ex-racehorses were in need of advocates and educators in the sport and recreation riding world. We had conducted the Retired Racehorse Training Symposium in 2009 and were overwhelmed by the attendance and demand for more, both by nonprofit placement organizations and individuals who work to transition these horses to second careers.
Our first web site was launched at the end of 2011 with the announcement of our popular Trainer Challenge that drew thousands of fans to the Maryland and Pennsylvania Horse World Expos. The following year the 100-Day Thoroughbred Challenge provided a similar online and in-person educational experience, with the involvement of four top Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred farms.
The organization’s 2011 presentation at Keeneland to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s (NTRA) Professional Education Seminar titled Expanding The Market for Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses was the call to action that set forth RRP’s long-term plan. It described the devaluation of the off-track Thoroughbred and reasons for its loss of market share to other breeds in the riding sports. It established the need for RRP.
The 2013 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium at Pimlico was the organization's first national gathering of the farms, organizations, and individuals that transition these horses to second careers. Twenty-six trainers in ten riding disciplines chronicled their work online over four months with horses who knew nothing but racing at the start. The weekend included seminars, demonstrations, and a sponsor fair. It was widely hailed as a landmark event experienced by 800 in person, thousands online, and an estimated four million through mainstream media in the local market. Thoroughbred Charities of America awarded RRP its Industry Service Award in recognition for the success of this event.
In January of 2014 RRP published Exploring the Bridges to Second Careers for Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses, a survey describing how 4,200 Thoroughbreds transitioned from racing to riding. The results clearly demonstrated the failures and the potential of market forces to serve these horses while also making the case for subsidized charitable facilities to assist where the marketplace fails. The report was covered in most of the horse industry’s major publications.
The RRP Board of Directors made a major commitment to growth in 2014, made possible primarily due to seed money from our vice-president Carolyn Karlson. Carolyn is a racing owner and a professor of entrepreneurship who describes RRP’s work as an effort to spawn small businesses that transition these horses to second careers. This vision led to the creation of the Retired Racehorse Resource Directory, Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine, and an expanded Thoroughbred Makeover that provides trainers an opportunity to prove their talent and promote their work.
The 2015 Thoroughbred Makeover, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America at Kentucky Horse Park, was an overwhelming success featuring $100,000 in prize money for nearly 200 horses that competed in ten disciplines after less than ten months of training. The 2016 Makeover will follow a similar format but also include more educational demonstrations and more time for horse shoppers to evaluate those entries that are for sale.
RRP became a membership organization during 2015. While generous donors from both inside and outside the racing industry have launched the organization, its future depends on the willingness of Thoroughbred owners and fans to pay a $45 annual membership that comes with a subscription to Off-Track Thoroughbred magazine and various discounts and benefits.
The work is paying off. The army of good people providing these horses with the educations they need after racing is growing, and the value of an off-track Thoroughbred is rising. The 2 million horse owners in America are learning about the trainability and talent of these horses, and the 150,000 OTTB owners now have a vehicle through which they can promote what they love.
To support RRP in its work as a sponsor, donor, or volunteer, click here.
Sincerely,
Steuart Pittman
President, Retired Racehorse Project
RRP exists to facilitate placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in equestrian sports and serving the farms, trainers, and organizations that transition them.
The Impact
Since it’s 2010 founding RRP has inspired thousands to choose an OTTB. Thanks to 135,000 Facebook fans, 94,000 website hits, constant press coverage, and sell out crowds at horse expos, the popularity and value of OTTBs are on the rise.
A Brief History of RRP's Growth
Retired Racehorse Training Project was formed in 2010 by a small group of friends and myself who felt strongly that Thoroughbred ex-racehorses were in need of advocates and educators in the sport and recreation riding world. We had conducted the Retired Racehorse Training Symposium in 2009 and were overwhelmed by the attendance and demand for more, both by nonprofit placement organizations and individuals who work to transition these horses to second careers.
Our first web site was launched at the end of 2011 with the announcement of our popular Trainer Challenge that drew thousands of fans to the Maryland and Pennsylvania Horse World Expos. The following year the 100-Day Thoroughbred Challenge provided a similar online and in-person educational experience, with the involvement of four top Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred farms.
The organization’s 2011 presentation at Keeneland to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s (NTRA) Professional Education Seminar titled Expanding The Market for Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses was the call to action that set forth RRP’s long-term plan. It described the devaluation of the off-track Thoroughbred and reasons for its loss of market share to other breeds in the riding sports. It established the need for RRP.
The 2013 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium at Pimlico was the organization's first national gathering of the farms, organizations, and individuals that transition these horses to second careers. Twenty-six trainers in ten riding disciplines chronicled their work online over four months with horses who knew nothing but racing at the start. The weekend included seminars, demonstrations, and a sponsor fair. It was widely hailed as a landmark event experienced by 800 in person, thousands online, and an estimated four million through mainstream media in the local market. Thoroughbred Charities of America awarded RRP its Industry Service Award in recognition for the success of this event.
In January of 2014 RRP published Exploring the Bridges to Second Careers for Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses, a survey describing how 4,200 Thoroughbreds transitioned from racing to riding. The results clearly demonstrated the failures and the potential of market forces to serve these horses while also making the case for subsidized charitable facilities to assist where the marketplace fails. The report was covered in most of the horse industry’s major publications.
The RRP Board of Directors made a major commitment to growth in 2014, made possible primarily due to seed money from our vice-president Carolyn Karlson. Carolyn is a racing owner and a professor of entrepreneurship who describes RRP’s work as an effort to spawn small businesses that transition these horses to second careers. This vision led to the creation of the Retired Racehorse Resource Directory, Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine, and an expanded Thoroughbred Makeover that provides trainers an opportunity to prove their talent and promote their work.
The 2015 Thoroughbred Makeover, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America at Kentucky Horse Park, was an overwhelming success featuring $100,000 in prize money for nearly 200 horses that competed in ten disciplines after less than ten months of training. The 2016 Makeover will follow a similar format but also include more educational demonstrations and more time for horse shoppers to evaluate those entries that are for sale.
RRP became a membership organization during 2015. While generous donors from both inside and outside the racing industry have launched the organization, its future depends on the willingness of Thoroughbred owners and fans to pay a $45 annual membership that comes with a subscription to Off-Track Thoroughbred magazine and various discounts and benefits.
The work is paying off. The army of good people providing these horses with the educations they need after racing is growing, and the value of an off-track Thoroughbred is rising. The 2 million horse owners in America are learning about the trainability and talent of these horses, and the 150,000 OTTB owners now have a vehicle through which they can promote what they love.
To support RRP in its work as a sponsor, donor, or volunteer, click here.
Sincerely,
Steuart Pittman
President, Retired Racehorse Project
Hundreds of off-track Thoroughbreds, each with 10 months or less of retraining. Three days of competition in 10 different disciplines, vying for a share of $100,000 in prize money. Thousands of spectators watching online and in person. And at the end, one overall winner, crowned America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred.
Now in its fifth year in its current format and location, the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, will take place Oct. 2-5 at the Kentucky Horse Park.
What is the Thoroughbred Makeover?
The Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, created the Thoroughbred Makeover to showcase the trainability and talent of off-track Thoroughbreds. The competition is intended to inspire good trainers to become involved in transitioning these horses to second careers, and the National Symposium serves to educate the people involved in the care, training, and sale of these horses to responsible owners.
This is the only national gathering of the organizations, trainers, and farms dedicated to serving these horses when they retire from racing.
Who can participate?
The Makeover isn’t an ordinary horse show; it’s a training competition. Trainers interested in participating must submit an application to the RRP Makeover Selection Committee for approval, to ensure that all participants are capable of effectively restarting an off-track Thoroughbred and demonstrating its talent and trainability. Participants do not need to be professional trainers, however — juniors and amateurs are welcome.
When evaluating applicants, the selection committee took into consideration the need for adequate representation within each discipline; the need for representation by professionals, amateurs, and juniors; geographic diversity; affiliation with institutions that are committed RRP’s mission; and evidence that the trainer is committed RRP’s mission.
Trainers may compete up to two horses apiece, but do not need to have obtained the horse they intend to compete at the time of application.
After a successful pilot program in 2018, team competition has now been incorporated into every discipline. The team option is designed for groups of riders such as intercollegiate programs or show barns to collaborate in the process of preparing a horse for the Thoroughbred Makeover. Teams will compete alongside individual entries. For scheduling purposes, teams may only enter one horse; a trainer can participate on a team in addition to two individual entries.
Now in its fifth year in its current format and location, the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, will take place Oct. 2-5 at the Kentucky Horse Park.
What is the Thoroughbred Makeover?
The Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, created the Thoroughbred Makeover to showcase the trainability and talent of off-track Thoroughbreds. The competition is intended to inspire good trainers to become involved in transitioning these horses to second careers, and the National Symposium serves to educate the people involved in the care, training, and sale of these horses to responsible owners.
This is the only national gathering of the organizations, trainers, and farms dedicated to serving these horses when they retire from racing.
Who can participate?
The Makeover isn’t an ordinary horse show; it’s a training competition. Trainers interested in participating must submit an application to the RRP Makeover Selection Committee for approval, to ensure that all participants are capable of effectively restarting an off-track Thoroughbred and demonstrating its talent and trainability. Participants do not need to be professional trainers, however — juniors and amateurs are welcome.
When evaluating applicants, the selection committee took into consideration the need for adequate representation within each discipline; the need for representation by professionals, amateurs, and juniors; geographic diversity; affiliation with institutions that are committed RRP’s mission; and evidence that the trainer is committed RRP’s mission.
Trainers may compete up to two horses apiece, but do not need to have obtained the horse they intend to compete at the time of application.
After a successful pilot program in 2018, team competition has now been incorporated into every discipline. The team option is designed for groups of riders such as intercollegiate programs or show barns to collaborate in the process of preparing a horse for the Thoroughbred Makeover. Teams will compete alongside individual entries. For scheduling purposes, teams may only enter one horse; a trainer can participate on a team in addition to two individual entries.