Bethel Wildcat, a 6-year-old 16.1-hand gelding (Discreet Cat x Excess’s Best, by In Excess), is one event prospect being offered for sale through the Marketplace. Since beginning retraining in February 2019, he has has won each of his three schooling events to date, including two horse trials and a jumper derby. Check out his listing here. Photo via tbmakeover.org.
In support of helping more retired racehorses find second careers and new homes as sport horses and recreational mounts, the Retired Racehorse Project is once again facilitating the ASPCA Makeover Marketplace at the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover, October 2-5 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Made possible by a generous grant from the ASPCA, the Makeover Marketplace is expected to feature over 100 restarted Thoroughbred ex-racehorses ready for the next chapter in a variety of careers.
The Makeover Marketplace has made the Thoroughbred horse shopping experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. All in one venue, buyers can:
- Watch horses compete in one or two of ten disciplines, including barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, eventing, field hunter, freestyle, polo, show hunter, show jumper and ranch work.
- Try horses in a designated trial ring right at the Kentucky Horse Park
- Vet horses with veterinarians from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on call all weekend
Recognize this guy? It’s Any Given Royal, a 2009 15.3-hand gelding (Any Given Saturday x Really Royal, by Unreal Zeal) — better known as “George” to our readers from his EN blog updates by owner Jennifer Reisenbichler. He has already been out and about at mini-trials this year, and Jennifer says, ” I would love to see him move up the levels with the right partner, Prelim/CCI2* could very well be in his wheelhouse. I have plans to move him up to Novice and step into recognized competition before the Makeover, so stay tuned for updates!” View his listing here. Photo via tbmakeover.org.
The Makeover Marketplace offers an amazing opportunity to watch, try and vet multiple prospects in one weekend — instead of burning time driving all over the country to chase prospects.
Makeover trainers work hard to prepare their horses for the Thoroughbred Makeover and its big atmosphere: many of the horses offered for sale at the Marketplace will have plenty of off-property and show experience (check out #FieldTripFriday on Retired Racehorse Project social media), and many trainers are documenting every step of their process on social media leading up to the Makeover itself.
“Their racing careers may have ended, but these retirees still have much to offer as they transition into new and varied careers,” said Dr. Emily Weiss, vice president of ASPCA Equine Welfare. “Helping horses transition seamlessly to new careers and safe homes is vital to helping us achieve our goal of ensuring good welfare for all equines, and we are proud to be supporting the Thoroughbred Makeover Marketplace.”
Here’s a chestnut mare we can get behind: Tapanista is a 2015 16.3-hand mare
(K One King x Atlantic Tap, by Stormy Atlantic) whose main main focus has been in the hunters but has shown promise at local horse trials and dressage shows as well. View her listing here. Photo via tbmakeover.org.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to shop over 100 horses in one weekend: view the online catalog now. Trainers will be continuing to add their horses through July 31st and updating existing ads through the Makeover itself, so check back frequently for new listings and updates. Many trainers will also provide their social media links so you can follow each horse’s individual progress. In August, ride times and stall assignments will be posted so you can find the horses you want to see.
Need a hard copy? Sign up for the Marketplace catalog. The catalog will be printed and mailed in August so you can start planning your trip to Kentucky!
Learn more about the 2019 RPP Thoroughbred Makeover here.
