Trainer Newsletter: 2024 Makeover Clinics Now Open! (Plus Final Entry Edits & Fun Stuff)

Happy September, class of 2024!

We’re pleased to announce that the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover Clinics, sponsored by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services, are now open for sign-ups! Please log in to the Trainer Portal at theRRP.org and tap New Clinic Registration to reserve your spot now. Spots are limited.

A few reminders about clinics:

All clinics and guided schooling take place on Friday, October 11^th
Clinics with less than 70% participation will not be offered, and refunds will be issued (don’t wait to sign up!)
Priority will be given by order of sign-up (again, don’t wait to sign up!)
Trainers who qualify for the Finale in any discipline will be scratched from all clinics and will be issued a refund, minus a $15 processing fee
For team entries: Only team captains will have access to the clinic registration form, but will be able to select a team member as the rider
See additional rules in the Portal

Clinics, which include guided schoolings and fix-a-tests, are new for this year and present horses and trainers with the opportunity to ride with a judge from preliminary competition:

Clinics will follow a traditional format of a small group working with the clinician and will be offered in Ranch Work, Show Hunter, and Show Jumper
Guided schooling opportunities are 15-minute, individual sessions, that allow for the horse and rider to ride the course and receive input from the judge. Guiding schooling sessions will be offered in Show Hunter and Show Jumper
Fix-a-tests will be offered in Dressage and allow for the horse and rider to ride their test from preliminary competition, be scored/judged, and receive direct feedback from the judge following the conclusion of their test
- All fix-a-tests will be ridden in a standard (60×20 meter) dressage arena
- Trainers can choose between the Demonstration Ride, USEF Training Level Test 1, WDAA Basic Level Test 1, or USEF Novice Test B

We’re also nearing the deadline for Final Entry edits: this period closes on FRIDAY. A few reminders:

Final Entry edits: Stabling needs, jump height selections, Dressage test selections, and Freestyle information may be edited through the Trainer Portal until 5pm ET on September 6^th, 2024. If you are looking to decrease your stabling needs, please email secretary@therrp.org. The form will only allow you to add to your existing reservation
Withdrawing your entry: If you need to withdraw your entry, you must log into the Trainer Portal, scroll to the My Entries table, and select “Update Makeover Status” from the dropdown menu in the Actions column next to the horse’s entry
Refunds on Final Entry fees are not automatically processed or issued. Once you withdraw your horse’s entry through the portal, you must email your refund request to secretary@therrp.org.
- 100% of Final Entry fees are refundable if the withdrawal and request are made by 5pm ET this Friday, September 6^th
- 100% minus a $75 processing fee per horse if after September 6^th, 2024, and prior to when stall assignments and ride times are published (approximately 10 days prior to the start of competition)
- Marketplace fees are non-refundable after August 15^th
- No refunds will be considered after ride times and stall assignments are published
- Refunds will be considered for Final Entry fees only, the registration fees paid in the beginning of the year are non-refundable but may be converted to a donation and issued a tax receipt

We know a lot of you have been anxiously awaiting details on the competitor party and stall decorating contest! Information on party ticket sales and the stall decorating theme will be available on our general event information page by tomorrow, September 4^th.

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 Co-Show Secretaries, Molly Hutchison and Rayna Erasmus, by email at secretary@therrp.org.

All the best,

Molly