The Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, may be best known as the competition that’s a culmination of 10 months of training for recently-retired racehorses — but educational opportunities abound during the Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park on Friday, October 4, 2019.
Retired Thoroughbred horse in a second career
The competition is intended to inspire trainers to be involved in transitioning horses to second careers and serves to educate those involved in the care, training, and sale.
© 2014 by lostinfog
TERF Makeover Master Class
9:00 AM in the TCA Covered Arena
Sponsored by the Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF), the innovative Makeover Master Class returns to the TCA Covered Arena for its second year. Three aftercare organizations — Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care, Second Stride, and Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center — will introduce three 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover-eligible and adoptable horses. Three trainers — Emily Brollier Curtis, Douglas Nunn, and Elisa Wallace — will assess each horse’s conformation, movement at liberty, and through a free-jump chute with assistance from Martin Douzant of The Frame Sport Horses.
Trainers will then be assigned one of the three horses by random draw, and break out to work with their horse individually for one hour. Trainers may use the aid of a ground person, pony, round pen or any other method they would typically use when starting a green horse. Commentators will interview trainers about their strategies, and trainers will assess their overall impressions at the end of the session. Ample time will be given for audience questions.
Commentary will be provided by Laura Hansen of Walmac Farm and Marc Ricker of Ashwood Training Center. Participating horses include Far Right, a multiple graded stakes placer and 2015 Kentucky Derby runner with $767,623 in career earnings, provided by Second Stride; Normandy Crossing, who earned $217,949 in a 42-start career, provided by Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center; and Porta Ponti, an unraced gelding provided by Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care.
The Makeover Master Class was created to provide a comprehensive look at what to consider when evaluating prospects and approaching the first rides off the track in a way that creates a solid foundation for future training. The Master Class is free to attend.
For more information about the TERF Makeover Master Class, please visit https://www.tbmakeover.org/rrp-tb-makeover-spectator-info/tb-education-clinics/makeover-masterclass.
Seminars, presented by The Horse Media Group
TCA Covered Arena Club Lounge
In the afternoon, spectators can attend three educational seminars dedicated to the care and training of off-track Thoroughbreds. Light refreshments will be served. Seminars are free and open to all.
Preventing Injury and Disease in Your OTTB
Sponsored by Godolphin
12:00 PM, moderated by Stephanie L. Church of The Horse Media Group
Your OTTB is likely both an investment and a partner. As you guide him from one career to another, you’ll want to keep him as healthy and sound as possible. Here’s how to be prepared for (but hopefully prevent!) anything from infectious disease to soft tissue and bone injuries.
Panelists: Dr. Larkspur Carroll, CORE Therapies; Dr. Cage Cruise, Bluegrass Equine Podiatry; Kirsten Johnson, KESMARC LLC; Dr. Ernie Martinez, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Feeding Your OTTB
Sponsored by Triple Crown Nutrition
1:45 PM, moderated by Michelle Anderson of The Horse Media Group
Thoroughbreds’ lifestyles change significantly when they leave the track, and their diets need to accommodate this. We’ll talk about common problems you might encounter during the transition period from racehorse to performance or recreational horse, whether it’s keeping on weight, identifying signs of gastric ulcers, managing a “hot” horse or simply determining where an OTTB needs specific nutritional support and how to supply it.
Panelists: Dr. Fernanda Carmargo, University of Kentucky; Dr. Kenneth Kopp, Triple Crown Nutrition; Dr. Laurie Lawrence, University of Kentucky
Prepurchase Exams
Sponsored by University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs 3:30 PM, moderated by Alexandra Beckstett of The Horse Media Group
A bump here, a chip there, some reactivity over there. What does it all mean for soundness now and later, and should you get X-rays? From the basic to the involved, here’s what you can expect to find out (and perhaps not find out) when you get an OTTB sport or pleasure horse prospect vetted off the track.
Panelists: Dr. Emma Adam, University of Kentucky; Dr. Liz Barrett, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute; Dr. Shannon Reed, The Ohio State University
For more information about seminars, please visit https://www.tbmakeover.org/rrp-tb-makeover-spectator-info/tb-education-clinics/seminars-coming-soon
The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, is the most lucrative retraining competition for Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in the world. The competition is intended to inspire trainers to become involved in transitioning these horses to second careers, and the National Symposium serves to educate the people involved in the care, training, and sale of these horses to responsible owners. For more information about the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, which takes place October 2-5 at the Kentucky Horse Park, please visit https://www.tbmakeover.org/.
Press release provided by Kristen Kovatch Bentley - Retired Racehorse Project