Massive congrats to not only the winners but all the participants in the 2016 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover, which just wrapped up at the Kentucky Horse Park. And many thanks to the organizers and sponsors who make this wonderful program possible.
Check out full results from the Makeover here.
Congratulations to all of the RRP Thoroughbred Makeover divisional winners:
Barrel Racing: Deborah Keiser with …
Posted by Retired Racehorse Project on Sunday, October 30, 2016
The real winners, of course, are the horses, who are officially well on their way to happy, healthy and product post-racing careers. And there are many more waiting in the wings where they came from, ripe for the picking. Here are three available OTTBs we would love to see in an eventing startbox someday!
Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.
Some horses, like Bow Tie Boss, a 2012 16.1-hand gelding, don’t need chrome to turn heads! “Bowie” (Candy Ride (ARG) – Sweet Thoughts, by A.P. Indy) in his sleek monochrome coat, has it all and then some.
He’s athletic (having placed in 10 out of 14 starts and garnered $100,330), moves with loft and grace, is studious, willing, kind and competitive, and it all shows when he goes to work. He is pleasing to look at, pleasing to ride, pleasing to be around. He is capable of doing many things, and will try in such a way that he will not only turn heads, he will blow minds with his work ethic and magnanimity.
This kind of horse is a dream to own, but hard to find in reality. You will see, if you are the lucky one to adopt him!
View Bow Tie Boss on Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.
Photo via New Vocations.
There is just something about Hidden Warrior‘s eyes that draws you in and makes it seem like he can look right through you. As this 2009 16.1-hand gelding (A.P. Warrior – Road to Mandalay, by Sea of Secrets) stares at you, you realize he is a quick study of people. He also misses a thing, always watching out over his stall gate and often giving his opinion about the activity in the barn.
He is very intelligent, so he is happiest if you can keep him busy and his mind occupied. Part of that includes turnout time to play with his buddy which he looks forward to every day. When working under saddle he likes working outside and he does best when told what you want him to do and then leave him alone to do his job. He is a very proud horse and should be suitable for any discipline.
He is a pleasure to ride with easy gaits and a class horse with a sharp personality. He is also very motivated by treats as evident in his second video! Warrior has no vices, but he will not handle being tied or crosstied. He will panic and pull back until he is free, so his trainers just tack him up loose in his stall and he is perfectly fine with that method.
View Hidden Warrior on New Vocations.
A denizen of 29 starts, his last race on April 20, 2016, Grand Coolee (Souvenir Copy – Accounts Squared, by Storm Bird) is ready for a new start in life.
With his acute mind and inherent athleticism, this 16-hand 2009 gelding might take well to the sport of eventing. But he moves with the grace of a dancer, so dressage could be in his future too.
He is both analytical and economical, in that he can size up people and questions they ask of him thoroughly yet quickly, and if he decides it is worth his while to respond he will put out just enough effort and no more to get the job done. These can traits can be very useful: a smart horse that conserves energy can go a long way. If you can earn this horse’s respect, he will be a formidable competition horse. And his interesting horsenality will keep you thinking and laughing all the way!
