Increasing demand for thoroughbreds beyond racing

ImageImageImage

The Thoroughbred Lovers’ Guide to the 2025 Kentucky Three-Day Event

April 08, 2025

Captivation Media

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) will have a presence at Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event on April 24-27 at the Kentucky Horse Park! Mark your calendars for the following activities and demos during the event.

FOLLOW THE THOROUGHBREDS

Thoroughbreds at the 2025 Kentucky Three-Day
Follow along with our guide to the Thoroughbred entrants contesting this year’s 5* and 4*! We’ve compiled a list of all of the competing Thoroughbreds, which we’ll update with ride times, scores, and final results throughout the event.

SHOP

Shop the RRP Booth
All week, RRP Booth #106
Wear your Thoroughbred pride with new apparel! Your purchase supports our mission to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. Thank you to our logowear partner Ariat!

Limited Edition Thoroughbreds of the Kentucky Three-Day Poster
All week, RRP Booth #106
Autograph session: Saturday, April 26, 3:00 PM, Ride iQ Booth #181
Each year this collectable poster celebrates an iconic Thoroughbred who has campaigned at the 5* level of eventing. This year’s poster features Kyle Carter and Madison Park, and is FREE with any purchase or donation! Join us at 3 PM on Saturday afternoon at Ride iQ’s Booth #181 for an autograph session with Kyle.

LEARN

XC Course Walk with Elisa Wallace
Thursday, April 24, 3:00 PM, meet at the start box
Presented by StableFeed
In collaboration with Etalon Equine Genetics, FLAIR, Espana Silk, Excel Supplements and Schneiders Saddlery
Bring your walking shoes for a FULL course walk with experienced 5* rider and past Thoroughbred Makeover Champion trainer Elisa Wallace! We’ll get an immersive look at this big cross-country course from the first fence all the way to the finish flags.

Clinics in the Walnut Ring
Presented in collaboration with RideiQ and led by Olympian Kyle Carter. Both sessions will feature off-track Thoroughbreds at varying stages of their post-racing careers and begin with a recorded warm up routine from the RideiQ library:

  • Introducing the Green Horse Over Fences ***CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER***
    Friday, April 25, 1:15 PM
    Kyle will guide a group of adoptable horses from the Secretariat Center in a session designed to give the green horse a positive first experience over fences.
  • Jumping Exercises for Moving Up to Preliminary
    Saturday, April 26, 11:30 AM
    Featuring Thoroughbred Makeover graduates who have progressed in their training, Kyle will share valuable exercises for horses preparing to move up to the Preliminary level.
COMMUNITY

We Love Thoroughbreds Banner
All week, RRP Booth #106
Share a tribute to your favorite Thoroughbred – whether a beloved OTTB, a favorite racehorse, an iconic upper-level eventer, or more! – on our We Love Thoroughbreds banner! Get your sticker to contribute to the banner, plus a commemorative button, with a donation to the RRP (suggested donation $5).

New Vocations 8th Annual Open Barn & BBQ
Thursday, April 24, 4:30 PM, New Vocations at Mereworth Farm
Join local aftercare organization New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program for a day of food, fun, and Thoroughbreds! Featuring demos, live music, food trucks and facility tours. Free: RSVP online.

In Other News

October 14, 2025

2025 Thoroughbred Makeover Marks Ten Years of Largest Thoroughbred Retraining Competition

Taking place October 8-11 at the Kentucky Horse Park, the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, celebrated its tenth anniversary in its current location and overall format.…
Read More
Featured image for “2025 Thoroughbred Makeover Marks Ten Years of Largest Thoroughbred Retraining Competition”
October 13, 2025

2025 Makeover Event Survey

No excerpt…
Read More
October 11, 2025

Championship Winners Crowned at 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover

Ten champions were crowned today at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America.…
Read More
Featured image for “Championship Winners Crowned at 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover”
October 10, 2025

Preliminary Competition Wraps at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover

Preliminary competition has wrapped at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America.…
Read More
Featured image for “Preliminary Competition Wraps at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover”
October 8, 2025

First Day of Preliminary Competition Concludes at 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover

The first day of preliminary competition at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, has concluded and scores are now posted.…
Read More
Featured image for “First Day of Preliminary Competition Concludes at 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover”
October 2, 2025

Clinic Schedule and Final Updates

Hello 2025 Makeover Trainers and clinic participants! There are a few announcements and loose ends to tie up before we all hit the road. Please read this email in full. If you missed the Competitors’ Final Newsletter last week, read…
Read More
Featured image for “Clinic Schedule and Final Updates”
October 1, 2025

RRP Announces 2025 Makeover Champions Participants

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today the list of former breeders, owners, trainers, stallion farms and other connections participating in Makeover Champions, the RRP’s initiative to encourage more public support of Thoroughbreds in careers beyond racing via the Thoroughbred…
Read More
Featured image for “RRP Announces 2025 Makeover Champions Participants”
September 30, 2025

Final Trainer Newsletter: Everything and Anything

This email is EVERYTHING. Please read it in its entirety. This email is your key to a successful Makeover week. Save it to reference later. 11 days to go…we are totally calm. No panic detected here. If you missed yesterday’s…
Read More
Featured image for “Final Trainer Newsletter: Everything and Anything”
September 29, 2025

Experience the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover

Coming to the Kentucky Horse Park on October 8-11!…
Read More
Featured image for “Experience the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover”
September 26, 2025

Trainer Newsletter: Ride Times and Stabling

Drumroll please…. Your ride times and stall assignments are here! Keep an eye on your inbox for a lengthier email tomorrow and do not forget to join us for tomorrow evening’s webinar. If your coach, parent/guardian, horse’s owner, etc. wishes…
Read More
Featured image for “Trainer Newsletter: Ride Times and Stabling”
September 26, 2025

2025 Bill Kraatz Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award: Drafted

Selected by a committee of Makeover officials, this year’s winner of the Bill Kraatz Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award is Drafted!…
Read More
Featured image for “2025 Bill Kraatz Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award: Drafted”
September 20, 2025

Trainer Newsletter: Makeover Webinars Next Week

We are less than three weeks away from the start of the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover! Tune in to next week’s webinars to ensure you are prepared. If your coach, parent/guardian, horse’s owner, etc. wishes to receive the trainer newsletters, they…
Read More
Featured image for “Trainer Newsletter: Makeover Webinars Next Week”
September 9, 2025

Trainer Newsletter: Special Awards, Freestyle Music, Scheduling, etc.

Hi all! It is crunch time for everyone so I will keep this newsletter as brief as possible. Please ensure you check your horse’s special award nominations and send in scheduling requests before Friday. Read the rest of this email…
Read More
Featured image for “Trainer Newsletter: Special Awards, Freestyle Music, Scheduling, etc.”
September 9, 2025

September Trainer Newsletter: Edits and Clinics CLOSING

Final Entry edits and clinic registrations close TOMORROW, September 5th, at 5pm EST. Do not miss out on the opportunity to participate in clinics whether it is with your 2025 horse or a Makeover graduate! Now is the time to…
Read More
Featured image for “September Trainer Newsletter: Edits and Clinics CLOSING”
September 8, 2025

Ask a Trainer: Introducing Turnout

Bridget Heasley answers: “How do I safely introduce turnout to a recently-retired racehorse?”…
Read More
Featured image for “Ask a Trainer: Introducing Turnout”
September 1, 2025

Final Entry Trainer Newsletter: CLOSING NOW

Final Entry submissions close TODAY, August 29th, at 5pm eastern time. If you do not submit this form, your entry will be WITHDRAWN. This is not to be confused with the application submission or horse registration process. This is the…
Read More
Featured image for “Final Entry Trainer Newsletter: CLOSING NOW”
August 25, 2025

Picking Prospects: Summer 2025

Makeover staff evaluate sport horse potential based on conformation shots.…
Read More
Featured image for “Picking Prospects: Summer 2025”
August 22, 2025

Thoroughbred Charities of America Returns as Presenting Sponsor of 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) and Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) jointly announced today that TCA has returned as the title sponsor of the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, the banner event of the RRP.…
Read More
Featured image for “Thoroughbred Charities of America Returns as Presenting Sponsor of 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium”
August 11, 2025

A Day in the Life of a Racehorse: Racing Day

Follow along as a 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly captures her first win.…
Read More
Featured image for “A Day in the Life of a Racehorse: Racing Day”
August 8, 2025

Makeover Champions Program Returns to Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover 

Makeover Champions invites members of the Thoroughbred racing industry to demonstrate public support for former connected horses who are headed to the 2025 retraining competition, the largest and most lucrative of its kind in North America. …
Read More
Featured image for “Makeover Champions Program Returns to Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover ”
August 6, 2025

Final Entry Trainer Newsletter: OPEN NOW!

Discipline selections, stabling reservations, and clinic registrations are open NOW! Log into the Trainer Portal now to complete your form. The Final Entry form will close at 5pm EST on Friday, August 29th. If you do not submit the final…
Read More
Featured image for “Final Entry Trainer Newsletter: OPEN NOW!”
August 5, 2025

2025 Thoroughbred Makeover Clinics Open to Graduates

We’re excited to welcome back graduate horses to the Thoroughbred Makeover for clinic opportunities this fall!…
Read More
Featured image for “2025 Thoroughbred Makeover Clinics Open to Graduates”
July 25, 2025

Volunteer Shifts Now Available For 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover

Can you help us produce what’s been called “the happiest horse show on earth”?…
Read More
Featured image for “Volunteer Shifts Now Available For 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover”
July 22, 2025

July Trainer Newsletter: Horse Registrations & Discipline Selections

2025 Trainers, Let’s cut to the chase: The horse registration deadline is closing and the Final Entry period is looming. Both are mandatory for all Makeover trainers and failure to meet these deadlines will result in withdrawal from this year’s…
Read More
Featured image for “July Trainer Newsletter: Horse Registrations & Discipline Selections”