RRP

The rulebook for the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, is now available for review on the organization's website, the Retired Racehorse Project said in a release early Friday morning. Revisions to the rules are indicated in red, while clarifications are in blue. A free webinar presentation about the application process will take place for any interested individuals via the Retired Racehorse Project's Facebook page on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Santa Anita Park's Senior Vice President Amy Zimmerman and multiple Eclipse Award-winning journalist Jay Privman have been elected to the board of directors for the the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA). The horse racing veterans fill vacancies left by the resignation of Candace Coder-Chew and the untimely passing of Howard Zucker late last year. "We are thrilled to welcome Amy and Jay to the CARMA Board of Directors," Billy Koch, President of CARMA, said. "Their vast knowledge and experience in the horse racing industry will be invaluable to our organization...

Applications for the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, are now open for submission, the Retired Racehorse Project announced Tuesday. The application period closes at 5:00 p.m. EST on Jan. 20. Accepted trainers will be announced no later than Feb. 15. Interested applicants can start the application process now by logging on to Retired Racehorse Project website. Entering its ninth year at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, horses and trainers will compete for more than $110,000 in total prize money, plus the coveted...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today its First Footing Silent Auction, sponsored by OCD Pellets, is open for bidding starting at 9:00 a.m. (EST) on Dec. 30 and runs through January 6, 2023 at 11 p.m. (EST). Named for a Scottish tradition, the First-Foot is the first person to enter the home of a household on New Year's Day and is seen as a harbinger of good fortune for the coming year. This year's auction features horse shoes worn by some of racing's most elite stars, including Justify, Monomoy...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) will include a pilot program for broodmares to compete in the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. Recently retired broodmares will compete alongside traditional entrants in all ten offered disciplines, but will be recognized separately and have a separate $10,000 in prize money. "As the Thoroughbred Makeover has made a proven impact on the population of horses retiring from racing, we've gotten an increasing call in recent years for a channel for Thoroughbred broodmares who are ready for their...

In this new TDN column, Christie DeBernardis will tell the stories of accomplished and/or popular former racehorses who are now enjoying second careers as show horses, track ponies, etc. Champion sprinter Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) and Laura Moquett's relationship goes back to when he was just a 2-year-old who refused to go around the racetrack without some coaxing. Fast forward seven years and that cantankerous juvenile is now an Eclipse winner and Breeders' Cup winner and has been retired from racing as Moquett's personal riding horse. On Thursday, less than 13...

Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) will again serve as the title sponsor of the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP)'s Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium. The Thoroughbred Makeover is a retraining competition and showcase, featuring trainers from across North America who have worked throughout the year to prepare recently retired Thoroughbred ex-racehorses to compete for more than $100,000 in a variety of equestrian sports. TCA has worked to support Thoroughbred aftercare, as well as programs that provide health and human services for backstretch and farm workers, for more than three decades. TCA...

Kirsten Green, the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP)'s managing director who served as interim executive director following the departure of Jen Roytz near the end of last year, has been named the new executive director of the organization. A national search by a hiring committee comprised of board members was conducted only to turn to Green, who is the RRP's longest-serving staff member. "The hiring process made us hopeful for the future of Thoroughbred aftercare based on the quality of applicants who applied and their passion for the mission," said RRP...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) has elected new officers and board members for three-year terms. Sue Smith, Richard Lamb, Malinda Lawrence, JudithAnn Hartman, and Clare and Tom Mansmann have all moved into new roles. Smith, the former vice chair and current executive director of CANTER Pennsylvania, has been named the new board chair. She has served on the RRP board since 2015. Dr. Carolyn Karlson, who conceived of the format for the first Thoroughbred Makeover in 2013, is the outgoing chair and was voted member emeritus status. "It is an...

After serving for four years as Retired Racehorse Project's executive director and five years prior to that as a board member, Jen Roytz will be stepping down from her leadership role at the end of the year. Longtime staff member and current managing director, Kirsten Green, will serve as interim executive director while the organization conducts a national search for the role. Under Roytz's leadership the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) has expanded in both size and scope. The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium has become the largest and most lucrative...

The RRP is accepting donations now for the 2021 Silent Auction, which runs online with items on display at the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The 2021 Silent Auction is sponsored by Ocala Jockey Club. Click here for the donation form. The silent auction opens Oct. 8.

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) and The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) will hold the inaugural T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships at the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium this October at the Kentucky Horse Park. The annual T.I.P. Championships features competition in disciplines including hunters, jumpers, English pleasure, Western pleasure, and classical and Western dressage. The 2021 T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships will feature prize money and additional prizes for the top horses. "Thoroughbreds have made their presence known in recent years in Western disciplines, particularly barrel racing, so we are...