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APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2021 RETIRED RACEHORSE PROJECT THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER

Dec 03, 2020 2:24 PM

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2019 Retired Racehorse Thoroughbred Makeover Polo Division champions - Buck Schott and Great Reward.
2019 Retired Racehorse Thoroughbred Makeover Polo Division champions - Buck Schott and Great Reward. ©Lindsay Dolan

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium is returning in 2021 after being postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are now open for the 2021 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, October 12-17, 2021.

Polo is one of 10 disciplines represented in the $100,000 competition in which hundreds of trainers compete with a recently-retired racehorse retrained in another discipline. Disciplines include barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, eventing, field hunters, freestyle, polo, show hunter, show jumper and ranch work. The United States Polo Association® is the official Discipline Sponsor of polo for the National Symposium. With the Thoroughbred’s natural suitability to the sport of polo, polo players and trainers have enjoyed great success at past Thoroughbred Makeovers. In 2017, polo horse Old Tavern, trained by Charlie Caldwell, won the overall title of Thoroughbred Makeover Champion.

The Makeover is open to professionals, amateurs, juniors (ages 12 and older) and teams. First-time applicant? Start here with this guide to help you get started with the application process. Approved trainers may acquire an eligible Thoroughbred through whatever source they choose. Applications will be accepted through Friday, January 15, 2021 and accepted trainers will be announced on Monday, February 15, 2021. The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium is organized by the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP), a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to facilitating placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers. December 1 marked the opening day for training towards a second career for 2021-eligible horses. For full eligibility and competition rules, please review the Rulebook link below. Learn more about the event at www.tbmakeover.org. If you would like more information on the Retired Racehorse Project, please visit www.retiredracehorseproject.org.