Applications for the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover opened on December 1, and we’re about midway through the application period. So far, we’ve received 347 applications, up slightly from last year’s total of 330 at this time. A little more than one-third of applicants are returning competitors, meaning they were also accepted to compete in a prior Makeover. And 12 of them have competed in all three Makeovers held at the Kentucky Horse Park and are applying to return for a fourth time! Forty-seven trainers have applied to compete with two horses.
We’ve received applications from 39 states and two Canadian provinces (including our first-ever application from Saskatchewan). As usual, Eventing is the most popular primary discipline selected by applicants, followed by Show Hunters and Show Jumping.
In 2017, applications were accepted on a rolling basis, and by the end of the application period we had accepted 578 trainers. Due to the uncertain nature of training green horses, however, many of the accepted trainers drop out before the competition; about 300 actually made it to Kentucky to compete.
This year, applications will be accepted through January 15, and will then be evaluated and acceptances will be announced on February 1.
For more information about the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover, or to apply, click here.
Zenyatta’s First Offspring Headed for Makeover
In a Facebook post on December 19, three-time Thoroughbred Makeover Show Jumping Champion Isabela de Sousa announced that her 2018 Makeover hopeful is Cozmic One, the first foal of racing superstar Zenyatta.
The post garnered hundreds of shares and reactions in the first 24 hours and the story was immediately picked up by the racing press. Isabela took the response in stride.
“It’s been pretty overwhelming, but it just shows how many people like Zenyatta,” she said. “It would be great to see all those followers join RRP so they can continue cheering for horses they liked at the track.”
“I Support RRP Because…”
We asked our members to share their personal reasons for supporting RRP, and what they tell their friends and clients about why they should join. Isabela de Sousa and her family’s De Sousa Stables are big supporters of RRP, and Isabela has proven to be a force to be reckoned with at the Makeover… she’s won the show jumping division three times!
“I believe that the Retired Racehorse Project is the key to rehoming Thoroughbreds once they are done racing. Thoroughbreds are athletic, smart, and keen learners and the Makeover itself displays this with showcasing 10 different disciplines.
“It’s important to me because I’ve been around Thoroughbreds my whole life and I like to see them get a second chance. I particularly enjoy restarting them, which helps me learn for the future and become a better rider, trainer, and horsewoman.
“Other people should join our community because we all support each other, give each other tips, and most importantly, do it for the horses we love. It’s not just the show that’s important, but now you see a lot more interest in the Thoroughbreds and adopting because they’ve seen what the breed can do.”
