In This Issue

▪ Letter from the President
▪ Stats from Week One of Makeover Entries
▪ Conformation Compilation
▪ Guidelines for Finding Your OTTB
▪ Maryland Horse World Expo January 22-24
▪ Dan Rosenberg on Shifts in Aftercare
▪ Denny Emerson on RRP and Thoroughbreds in Sport
▪ Bourbon Lane Wins TCA Leadership Award
▪ Welcome to the Team, Kyle!

The Fastest Growing Organization in the Horse Industry

The title of this letter is the kind of thing I hate to say. Bragging is in poor taste, and in the horse world you know that a win this weekend can easily be followed by a crash the next, so it's best to keep your mouth shut and stay focused.

But today I'm going out on a limb. Retired Racehorse Project probably is the fastest growing organization in the horse world today by at least a handful of measures. And when it comes to the work of inspiring people to choose off-track Thoroughbreds, bigger is better. More is better. Success in our mission means means more good homes, more financial reward for racing owners to retire horses sound, more competent trainers, more happy riders, and more mutual respect between racing and riding.

As we start the new year, here are a few facts that inspire us.

▪ Our $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover will accept as many as 500 horses. Each will benefit from an investment by their owners of well over $7,000 in care and training. That is a $3.5 million direct investment in what the racing industry now calls "aftercare." These horses will emerge from the process with market value and better futures.
▪ Last year's Makeover was not only covered in virtually every major horse publication in America, but was featured in Blood-Horse's end-of-year issue as a top story of 2015.
▪ Thoroughbred Charities of America, the charitable arm of Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, was so inspired by its role as title sponsor of the 2015 Makeover that its board is considering a shift in the focus of its giving toward market-based efforts like RRP.
▪ RRP membership surpassed 1,000 in the first months that it was offered. We intend to reach 3,500 by the end of 2016 and 10,000 by 2018. At that level the $45 dues from each member will secure the future of the organization for as long as its services are needed.

Please read the linked articles below. The quality and quantity of information we are providing to racing owners seeking to place horses and to riders looking for their next partner have grown, and it's fascinating stuff.

Also come visit and shop with us at the major upcoming expos in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Virginia, where Stars of the Thoroughbred Makeover will be showing the next generation of Thoroughbred owners what they have been missing.

- Steuart Pittman

These are some fun numbers from the first nine days of Makeover trainer applications. Note that entries close January 31.

182 trainer applications received
139 of these already have an eligible horse
97 of these trainers would like to bring two horses
99 are professionals
61 are amateurs
22 are juniors
37 states and provinces are represented

Discipline specialties (including primary and secondary) are:

Barrel Racing 12
Competitive Trail 18
Dressage 51
Eventing 74
Field Hunter 20
Freestyle 30
Show Hunter 63
Show Jumping 66
Polo 6
Working Ranch 12

It is a very impressive group of trainers. Their applications show diversity, talent, experience, and a commitment to these horses. Bringing them all together with the magnificent Thoroughbreds they have yet to train will be extraordinary. What an adventure for all.

Click here to apply

Knowing that hundreds of you are shopping for your next Thoroughbred, RRP's Kyle Rothfus scoured the internet and selected the best articles and videos from inside and outside racing about evaluating equine conformation and put them together in one place on our web site. Set aside some time and hone your horse selection skills.

Click here to learn more

This article by RRP's Steuart Pittman was published in the Retired Racehorse Resource Directory as a guide to the resources and methods we all use. If you come at the process from the other direction, be sure to also read, Guidelines for Selling or Placing Your Retiring Racehorse, or read the whole set of articles on How To Use The Resource Directory.

Rumsey Keefe and Eighttofasttocatch

Shop at the RRP booth and attend our five sessions there: Thoroughbred Makeover Re-Match, Finding the Right Horse For You, Training From Racing to Riding, Teaching Your Ex-Racehorse to Jump, and Trainers Forum.

Sessions feature RRP President Steuart Pittman, Clovis Crane and Yo Koffy, Rumsey Keefe and Eightofasttocatch, Elissa Ogburn and Land Run, Michelle Warro and Best Things Inlife, Neil Agate and Damon, and Bev Strauss of Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue.

Click here for more information

Thoroughbred Charities of America is a big reason why RRP exists today, and its president Dan Rosenberg is the man who first saw the potential in our mission. Read this article about how and why the focus of TCA giving has evolved. It is by Blood-Horse editor Eric Mitchell based on his interview with Dan at the TCA Stallion Season Auction.

Denny Emerson isn't impressed easily, but his experience attending and speaking at the 2015 Thoroughbred Makeover seems to have struck a chord with him. His insights on the market for these horses are worth the read.

RRP thanks Chronicle of the Horse for allowing us to share this article from the December 21 issue.

Click here to read the article

Carolyn Karlson, Valerie Callcott-Stevens, and Mike McMahon

Racing syndicates are generally seen as business ventures with an opportunity for some fun on the side. Bourbon Lane Stable also markets to potential investors the fact that it takes seriously its commitment to the lives of its horses after racing. It is one of the three guiding principles on its web site.

Bourbon Lane was a Bluegrass Host Sponsor of the 2015 Thoroughbred Makeover, purchased a whole field for its retirees at Old Friends, and plans to enter a horse in the 2016 Makeover. Partners Carolyn Karlson and Valerie Callcott-Stevens are scheming with managers Mike McMahon and Jamie Hill about ways to encourage other racing syndicates to do "bundled" RRP Sponsorships. They believe that involving the partners of a syndicate in the Makeover adds to the thrill of owning racehorses. We couldn't agree more!

Retired Racehorse Project has engaged the services of Kyle Rothfus to manage social media and assist with digital communications. Kyle trained Lady MacJazz for the 2015 Makeover but scratched due to lameness the week before the event.

"Like all of the people we have hired in various capacities, Kyle began his work for RRP as a volunteer," said RRP President Steuart Pittman. "His insights were extraordinary and before long he was in a consulting role. His background is digital marketing in the business world, but his heart is in Thoroughbreds. Kyle understands our audience and knows how to engage it."

"After having been away from horses for nearly 15 years, being involved with the Makeover in 2015 was the most amazing way for me to get back into what truly makes me happy," said Kyle. "Not only did my involvement with RRP inspire me to get back in the saddle, but it also has given me this unbelievable opportunity to connect with the vast network of people who care about the Thoroughbred as much as I do. RRP is reminding the world that there is one breed with the heart and athleticism to do it all, and I am honored to be a part of the movement."