Industry Rallies at Makeover

The TCA Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium is proving to be a melting pot for the Thoroughbred and sport horse communities this weekend at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Thoroughbred industry was supporting in full force, with the likes of Braxton Lynch and Maggie Moss serving on the judging panels of two of Saturday’s discipline semi-finals, Sergio de Sousa cheering on his daughter, Isabelle, in the show jumper and hunter phases, Darley’s Jimmy Bell and Dan Pride spotted at the barn to check in on the farm’s homebred, Fullback (Bernardini–Stellar Jayne) and a number of other familiar faces seen strolling the grounds.

“We’ve seen such versatility in these horses with just a few months of post-race training, it’s amazing to watch,” said TCA board member and Thoroughbred Makeover Freestyle discipline judge Lynch. “All of us that raise Thoroughbreds know these horses are quick learners, but to see these horses learning new skills and performing them in a stadium setting with cheering fans, loudspeakers and more is fantastic. Plus, it’s just so great to see the love these competitors have for their horses.”

Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Stables brought together an international contingent of delegates from Australia, England, France, Ireland, Japan and America to attend this weekend’s TCA Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium. In addition to watching the competition and attending seminars, the group also met with key representatives from various American-based equine welfare organizations, including the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), New Vocations and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

“I’m very impressed seeing what you’re doing over here and it’s given so many horses the opportunity to show that there’s a life after racing,” said Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of Retraining of Racehorses. “Every horse we’ve seen here today has been so level-headed and well-behaved, which is a testament to both the riders and the breed. The Thoroughbred’s adaptability and temperament is phenomenal.”

The competition concluded on Sunday with the top three finalists from each of the ten divisions coming back to compete in the finale for their share of the $100,000 in available prize money and the title of America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred. For more information, go to www.retiredracehorseproject.org.