April Trainer Newsletter: EHV-1, KY3DE, and Fundraising Tips!

There are 189 days until the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover, but who’s counting?

Now that we have your attention, please take a moment to catch up with our April trainer newsletter. What follows is important information regarding your horse’s vaccination requirements, a request for volunteers at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and helpful tips for achieving your Make the Makeover fundraising goals.

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

EHV-1 Vaccination Requirement

The Thoroughbred Makeover has very strict health and vaccination requirements. Proof of vaccination for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1 or “Rhino”) is required and records must reflect vaccine administration no more than six months (April 7^th, 2024) and no less than 14 days (September 23^rd, 2024) prior to arrival at the Kentucky Horse Park. Every horse at the Kentucky Horse Park during the Makeover must have been vaccinated for EHV-1 between April 7^th and September 23^rd, 2024.

Do not take this lightly. Horses whose most recent EHV-1 vaccination falls before April 7^th or after September 23^rd will NOT be permitted to compete under any circumstance. This timeline also applies to any non-compete or companion horses attending the event. There are only three acceptable forms of vaccination documentation:

Bill/receipt with vet practice name, contact info, date, and horse’s name, indicating EHV-1 administration.
A letter on practice letterhead, signed and dated, certifying administration.
Name and vaccine type noted by veterinarian on signed health certificate/import documents.

If you administer your horses’ vaccines yourself, it is NOT sufficient to provide a receipt indicating that you purchased the vaccine. Documentation from a licensed veterinarian is required.

If you have any concerns about the EHV-1 requirement, or any of the other health requirements, start talking with your veterinarian now. Familiarize yourself with the requirements found on pages 33 through 38 of the rulebook, make your vet aware of these requirements, and work out a plan to meet them.

KY3DE Activities and Volunteers Needed

The Retired Racehorse Project team will be back in Lexington next week for the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event! We have an exciting and busy week planned including a XC course walk, demos, shopping at the RRP booth, a special edition event T-shirt to support the Fund-A-Need Campaign, and the signed “Thoroughbreds of the Kentucky Three-Day” posters featuring Phillip Dutton & The Foreman. For more information, visit the complete Thoroughbred Lover’s Guide to KY3DE here.

If you will be attending this year’s KY3DE, we could really use your help! We are looking for volunteers to pick up some shifts at our booth in exchange for store credit. Don’t worry, the job is pretty easy and our staff will teach you everything you need to know. The hours are flexible and you can pick your shifts! If you are interested, please email secretary@therrp.org for the signup form.

Make the Makeover

Have you set up your fundraising page for this year’s Make the Makeover campaign? If not, what are you waiting for? Trainers that raise $1,000 or more for the RRP will earn a $350 refund on their entry or registration fees. The trainer who fundraises the highest amount will also receive a $500 cash prize!

Makeover trainers entered as individuals or team captains must follow this link to set up their fundraising pages. Once created and approved, each trainer’s fundraising pages will be linked to their horse’s profile(s) on the entries list to help their efforts. Individual fundraisers cannot be combined. Fundraising closes October 10^th.

Raising $1,000 may seem daunting, but 6 trainers have already surpassed this goal! April’s fundraising tip is to make attainable and direct asks. After you set up your fundraiser, include your personal story, and share the page on social media, start making those direct asks!

Create a group chat, or a few, of people you believe would support your fundraiser (barn friends, family members, colleagues).
Explain what you are fundraising for and why it is important to you.
Ask that each person in the group donates a specific amount, such as $25, and tell them how much closer that will bring you to your goal.

Start your fundraising efforts now to give yourself more time to achieve your goals!

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. Contact RRP Program Assistant, Molly Hutchison, by email at mhutchison@therrp.org or secretary@therrp.org.

All the best,

Molly