Trainers Selected for 2016 Thoroughbred Makeover

Graded stakes winner Called to Serve won the dressage division of last year's Thoroughbred Makeover. (Photo by Melissa Bauer-Herzog)
By Blood-Horse Staff
The Retired Racehorse Project released a list of 480 trainers from 45 states, three Canadian provinces and England who will acquire and train a recently retired racehorse for the $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, scheduled for Oct. 27-30 at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington.
All 10 of the discipline winners from last year's event will return to defend their titles, along with 73 other alumni on new horses.
Among the entries are 15 event riders who have competed at the advanced level, four grand prix dressage riders, and four grand prix show jumpers. The field hunter division features two past winners of the North American Field Hunter Championships, and among show hunters are 10 who have trained winners at the country's top A-circuit shows.
ISABELA DE SOUSA RETURNS IN 2016 AFTER WINNING THE JUMPER DIVISION IN 2015

Photo courtesy of Isabela de Sousa
Among the barrel racers selected to participate is 20-time World Champion Lance Graves and the working ranch division mixes lifelong ranch hands with a half-dozen show and rodeo veterans wearing world champion belt buckles. At least six of the polo trainers make their livings training and selling to the world's top players, and the Competitive Trails division is a mix of endurance riders, Extreme Cowboy Race veterans, and trail and obstacle class winners.
The freestyle division features 14 Mustang Makeover alumni, Road to the Horse trainers, a National Cavalry champion in mounted pistols and saber, an American Quarter Horse Association world champion driver, and the entertainment director of Arabian Nights Theater.
VIEW LIST OF ACCEPTED TRAINERS HERE
"Off-track Thoroughbreds dominated the horse show world in this country when they were in the barns of our very best riders and trainers," said Steuart Pittman, RRP’s President. "We believe that a key to restoring demand for these horses is matching some of them with the best trainers. Doing so not only increases their chances of winning, but it inspires those trainers' clients and fans.
"We have recruited trainers who are looked up to in their sports, many of whom have barns full of warmbloods and Quarter Horses. Many grew up on Thoroughbreds and feel like this is coming home. Others are trying something completely new."
Retired Racehorse Project 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.