In 2013, The Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, created The Thoroughbred Makeover to showcase the trainability and talent of off-track Thoroughbreds. The competition is intended to inspire good 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. This is the only national gathering of the organizations, trainers and farms dedicated to serving these horses when they retire from racing.
The Makeover offers competition in 10 disciplines: dressage, eventing, show hunter, field hunter, show jumper, polo, ranch work, barrel racing, competitive trail and freestyle (a free-form division to demonstrate skills of the trainer’s choice). A horse may be entered in up to two disciplines.
Preliminary rounds take place on Wednesday, October 8, and Thursday, October 9. (For the specific tests required in each discipline, click here.) Each competitor receives a preliminary round score and placing, and the top 10 combinations in each discipline advance to the Championship round on Saturday, October 10. The Championships are a separate event from preliminary rounds and competitors begin on a blank slate score. Some events continue into Sunday, October 11. (Click here for the full schedule.)
As the largest gathering of individuals and organizations with an interest in Thoroughbred aftercare and second careers, The Thoroughbred Makeover offers additional networking and educational opportunities for both competitors and spectators. While a more detailed schedule of additional events will be published closer to the event, attendees can expect educational seminars, networking events, special spectator events and additional educational opportunities.
An extensive vendor fair also runs concurrent with the competition.
Eligibility Requirements
Because the Makeover is a training competition designed to evaluate a horse’s progress in a prescribed period of time, eligibility requirements to ensure that all horses are of similar experience at the starting point. Horses must meet these requirements to be eligible for the 2025 competition:
- Registered with The Jockey Club and have a lip tattoo or microchip.
- Raced or had a published workout on or after July 1, 2023.
- Not have started in training for a second career before December 1, 2024 (other than a maximum of 15 allowable rides).
- Tack walking as part of a veterinarian-prescribed injury rehab plan is considered exempt from the 15-ride rule. Further exemptions and details can be found in the rulebook.
The RRP has also added a broodmare program alongside the traditional retired racehorse division. Broodmare division eligibility is as follows:
- Jockey Club-registered
- Have foaled or been bred in the 2023 breeding season or after, as reported by The Jockey Club
- Have one lifetime start or published work
- Since the history of each broodmare can vary significantly, broodmares will not be subject to the 15-ride limit
- Broodmares may not have had prior shows or competitions before December 1, 2024
The RRP has a strictly enforced Horse Welfare Policy in effect at the competition, which covers horse protection, abuse and neglect, soundness, and body condition. Trainers agree to adhere to the United States Equestrian Federation’s Guidelines for Drugs and Medication, and random testing will take place.
