May Trainer Newsletter: MAYbe Time to Plan

May 21, 2025

2025 Trainers,

I apologize for the wordplay, but we are only 142 days away from the start of the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and it really is time to make sure you have all of your ducks in a row! We are about one month away from a few major deadlines. Read this newsletter to ensure you are on the right track for the next 4 months and 19 days.

Communications

Our staff will keep Makeover Trainers aware of any upcoming opportunities or changes primarily through emails like this one. It is very important that you regularly check your email for communications from RRP staff.

If your coach, parent/guardian, horse’s owner, etc. wishes to receive the trainer newsletters, they may sign up for the mailing list here.

If you missed last month’s newsletter, you may read it here.

Save $350 on Makeover Entry Fees: Fundraise with Make the Makeover

We get it: everything feels really expensive right now (we’re feeling the pinch too!). Let us help: through our Make the Makeover fundraiser drive, any individual trainer or team captain that raises $1000 for the Retired Racehorse Project through their personal networks will have their $350 registration fee for the 2025 Makeover refunded.

There are also some awesome additional prizes for our top fundraisers, including a brand-new zero turn lawn mower, a PEMF machine, and cash! Get started now at Give Lively.

Important to note: Only those entered as team captains or individuals are eligible to create a Make the Makeover fundraising page; team members are encouraged to share their team captain’s fundraiser to help achieve the team’s fundraising goal. Additionally, fundraising for Make the Makeover MUST be done through Give Lively.

Trainer Media Toolkit Now Available in Portal

To better serve trainers who act in an ambassadorial role at expos, demos and events, or who may be networking to spread the word and/or fundraise for their Makeover journey, we’ve put together a brief one-page trainer media toolkit which is now available in the Trainer Portal. Under the Trainer Resources menu towards the bottom of the page, you’ll find an easy reference about the RRP, the mission of the organization, and basic information about our work and services.

Don’t forget that the press release template can also be found in the Portal if you’re looking to submit news directly to your local media!

Another Money Saving Tip: Acquire a Scholarship Eligible Horse

Maybe you haven’t found your Makeover mount yet or are considering bringing an additional horse to maximize your Makeover week. Either way, you should check out the ASPCA Right Horse Scholarship. Makeover horses acquired from Right Horse Adoption Partners are eligible for a scholarship valued at a minimum of $405 in Final Entry fees.

You will find some scholarship eligible horses listed on our website’s Scholarship Listings page. Other eligible horses can be found on the Right Horse listings, or by checking out your nearest Right Horse Partner.

If you adopted your horse and are unsure if they are from a scholarship eligible organization, check out the list of Right Horse Adoption Partners here to confirm. If so, make sure to register your horse with us ASAP! Scholarship spots are awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

Jump Restrictions: One Month to Lift

If you were accepted with a limited non-jumping restriction and are now considering entering a jumping discipline at the Makeover, you must submit your jumping video by 5pm EST on June 27^th.

A link to a video of you jumping a full course (minimum of 8 fences) that are all 2’6″ or higher must be emailed to secretary@therrp.org by the deadline. Please include the date the video was filmed and a brief description. If you are considering Field Hunters or Eventing, you must also include a link to a video of you jumping various types of cross country fences that are all Beginner Novice (2’7″) height or higher. All videos must be filmed within two years of submission.

If you are unsure of your jumping restriction status, please check the My Entries table in the Trainer Portal. A message stating “*Currently limited to non-jumping disciplines for competition” will be visible for all participants limited to flat only disciplines. If you are still uncertain, please email secretary@therrp.org.

Entry Changes: One Month to Rectify

If you are considering changing your entry from a Team Captain to an Individual, or vice versa, you must request this change by 5pm EST on June 27. Entry types cannot be changed after the deadline and are not available through the Portal. You must email secretary@therrp.org to request such changes.

Horse Count: One Month to Add

If you would like to compete more horses at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover than you originally applied to bring, you must request to increase your horse count by 5pm EST on June 27^th^th. Your horse count cannot be increased through the Portal, you must email secretary@therrp.org to request an invoice for an additional horse registration fee. Once paid, your horse count will be increased.

Please note: Adding a non-compete/companion horse to your entry is a separate process that must be done on the Final Entry form in August.

Trainer Applications: One Month to Submit

Remember that friend or student of yours that has been debating competing in the Makeover this year? Well, it is time for you to give them another nudge because late application submissions close at 5pm EST on June 27^th. Late applications cannot be considered after this deadline.

There is nothing better than competing at the Makeover and celebrating retraining victories with friends. Especially with the increased chance at prize money for everyone this year, be a good friend and don’t let your pals miss out on the Makeover! Help your buddies get their applications submitted through the Trainer Portal before it is too late.

Horse Registrations Close in Two Months

Trainers must register their horses by 5pm EST on July 29^th. All entries without an active horse registration as of July 29^th will be withdrawn.

You may access the Makeover Horse Registration Form by selecting “Register a Thoroughbred” from the actions column dropdown menu next to the appropriate entry in the Trainer Portal.

If you have your horse now, there is no reason to delay. If you end up deciding to bring a different horse instead, you can withdraw your active registration and register a new horse as many times as you would like before the July 29^th deadline without penalty.

Once your Horse Registration is submitted, you will see your horse’s name in the My Entries grid. From here you can check on the status of your registration, report your horse as sold or withdrawn, and add photos to your horse’s profile.

Discipline Selections Close in Three Months

It is time to assess your current stage of retraining with your Makeover hopeful and start thinking ahead! Looking at the discipline(s) you had originally intended to compete in at the Makeover, how is your horse progressing towards those goals? Are you on the right trajectory to compete to the level required at the Makeover in October? Do you have shows, lessons, clinics, outings, etc. planned between now and August to help solidify your decision?

Please don’t start panicking and comparing your progress to others. That is not the point here. No horse is the same. However, keeping track of the timeline and having a flexible plan over the next few months is going to be crucial to your success! You may have a few setbacks or life may simply get in the way between now and Final Entry in August. So, come up with a backup plan! There are TEN different disciplines offered at the Thoroughbred Makeover. Take a look at the format of each discipline and start incorporating some training sessions for other disciplines that may be a good fit for your horse. Use the Trainer’s group to ask your fellow competitors for advice on how to prepare for certain disciplines or overcome hurdles in the retraining process. Sometimes setting your horse up for success means moving the goalpost, and that is okay.

Remember: The discipline formats for the Thoroughbred Makeover often differ from the discipline’s traditional competition format. Review all of the discipline formats in the rulebook. If you are thinking of trying a new discipline, that is fantastic! Just take the process seriously. Know the rules, prepare your horse, and be a positive ambassador for the Thoroughbred breed in all disciplines of sport. If you are considering Polo, you must email videos of you demonstrating skills specific to Polo to secretary@therrp.org by June 27^th. If you are considering Field Hunting, you must have experience in the hunt field and be able to provide a recommendation letter that meets the requirements detailed on page 15 of the rulebook by Final Entry submission in August.

The Retired Racehorse Project staff is here to help you have a successful and positive experience preparing your horse for the Thoroughbred Makeover and beyond. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing secretary@therrp.org.

All the best,

Rayna