Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium: Day One Recap

Here are the standings after the first day of competition.

The Retired Racehorse Project’s marquee event, the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, officially kicked off yesterday with the first day of preliminary competition. As North America’s largest retraining competition for recently retired Thoroughbreds, the Makeover is designed to highlight the versatility, athleticism, and trainability of off-track racehorses.

Before any horse or rider could take the arena this week, they had to meet a number of preparatory and eligibility steps. All competing horses had to pass an Arrival Exam, a veterinary check designed to confirm basic health, soundness, body condition, and identity (including microchip verification) before being allowed to compete. Trainers (or their representatives) also must check in at the show office, present required health and vaccination paperwork (such as Coggins and vaccine records), and receive assigned bridle and back numbers. Horses that pass the Arrival Exam are issued colored stickers which must be affixed to their numbers to show eligibility. In advance of the event, trainers had to handle their entry submissions, discipline selection, and stabling assignments via the official portals and meet deadlines set by the RRP.

On day one, competitors contested in eight of the 10 sport disciplines offered (with Freestyle and Polo slated for later in the week). Those eight disciplines included Barrel Racing, Competitive Trail, Dressage, Eventing, Field Hunter, Ranch Work, Hunter, and Show Jumper. The day’s competition proceedings concluded with Ranch Work’s entire preliminary round running to completion; most other disciplines will finish their prelims tomorrow.

 

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Here are the standings at the end of day one:

Barrel Racing