The TCA Thoroughbred Makeover features trainers — professionals, amateurs and juniors — from across North America who have been working throughout the year to prepare recently-retired Thoroughbred racehorses to compete for more than $100,000 in 10 equestrian disciplines. There are 474 horses entered to compete, with 150 of those horses offered for sale.

“We are thrilled to be the top supporter of the Thoroughbred Makeover for the seventh consecutive year,” said Erin Crady executive director of TCA. “TCA’s strategic grantmaking encompasses the belief that we must support not only organizations working to directly rehab, retrain, and rehome but that we also must provide support to organizations that are expanding the market for Thoroughbreds. The Retired Racehorse Project and their Thoroughbred Makeover have done that exceptionally well.”

TCA’s support for the Makeover is part of its annual grant-making activity. Since its inception TCA has granted over $23 million to more than 200 organizations that provide Thoroughbred aftercare, equine-assisted therapy, equine research, and health and human services for backstretch and farm workers.

“Just like so many other aspects of the Thoroughbred industry, aftercare is multi-faceted. There are so many worthy organizations out there – many supported by TCA – retraining and adopting out retired racehorses, but in order for them to be successful you also need to continually cultivate and expand the market of equestrians who want those horses and are knowledgeable about how to reschool them. Thanks to support from the TCA, that’s a niche we have been very successful in filling,” said RRP executive director Jen Roytz. “From its staff and board who carry out its mission to the countless people who support its efforts financially, TCA has been integral to the RRP’s success over the years and a fantastic partner as we’ve worked to create more demand for Thoroughbreds after racing through the Makeover and other initiatives.”

The 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover includes trainers and horses from 40 states and four Canadian provinces. Trainers applied at the end of 2018 and demonstrated through their applications and references the ability to successfully transition a horse off the track. Each horse and trainer will perform in one or two disciplines and be scored on performance and progress in training. Featured disciplines include barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, eventing, field hunter, freestyle, polo, ranch work, show hunter, and show jumper. The top five scorers in each discipline will compete in a Saturday finale, and an overall winner, determined by vote, will be crowned the Thoroughbred Makeover Champion.

The weekend includes a full schedule of seminars, a sponsor fair to include both organizations and vendors, and the innovative Makeover Master Class training demonstration. Many of the competing horses will be available for sale by their owners at the end of the weekend. Horse shoppers are encouraged to attend and to take time for trial rides and veterinary pre-purchase exams.

Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) works to facilitate placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in the marketplace and inspiring an army of equestrians to provide the training that secures their futures. RRP offers online directories, educational resources, and publishes Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine. http://www.retiredracehorseproject.org

Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) was formed in 1990 to raise and distribute funds to charities in the Thoroughbred industry that provide a better life for Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers, by supporting qualified repurposing and retirement organizations and by helping the people who care for them. TCA distributes grants to several categories of Thoroughbred-related nonprofits including rehabilitation, retraining, rehoming and retirement organizations; backstretch and farm employee programs; equine-assisted therapy programs; and research organizations. TCA has granted over $23 million to more than 200 charities that successfully meet the criteria set forth in its annual grant application. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). http://www.tca.org