The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today a lineup of 10 Thoroughbred ex-racehorses being trained in ten equestrian disciplines by 10 prominent trainers for a purse of $10,000. The teams make up America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred Contest, an event designed to educate the public about the versatility and trainability of Thoroughbreds that have raced.

Retired Racehorse Project’s web site features pages for each horse where training updates and videos will be posted. RRP’s online followers will be asked for commentary and opinion as the horses prepare for appearances on Oct. 4-5 at the Thoroughbred Makeover: a Marketplace and National Symposium at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore. The winners will be determined by popular vote and the input of celebrity judges.

“This is the fourth competition that RRP has organized to prove to the public that Thoroughbreds off the track are the most trainable, generous and talented four-legged animals on the planet,” said RRP’s founder Steuart Pittman. “The trainers this time are some of the best in their disciplines and the past racing connections of the horses are engaged. Everyone is in it for the horses and the result will be a larger and better educated market of buyers and adopters.”

Bourbon Lane Stables partner and RRP vice president Carolyn Karlson said, “As a racing owner nothing is more important to me than educating equestrians who might someday own and care for one of these horses. These 10 horses and trainers will inspire us and they will inspire the public.”

The Thoroughbred Makeover at Pimlico also includes this year the TCA Thoroughbred Marketplace (made possible by a grant from Thoroughbred Charities of America), an expanded schedule of educational seminars, special demonstrations, and a sponsor fair.

America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred Contest Contestants

D’Sauvage: Show hunter owned by Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue and trained by Bev Strauss

Discreet Dancer: Show Jumper owned by New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and trained by New Vocations staff and Armand Leone

Icabad Crane: Eventer owned by Graham and Anita Motion and trained by Phillip Dutton

Mad Bomber: Pony Clubber-owned and trained by Hannah Gilhool

Now and Then: Dressage horse owned and trained by Nuno Santos

Pookie’s Princess: Barrel Racer owned by Jackie Harris and trained by Patrick King

Rikim: Ranch horse owned by Horse Creek Thoroughbreds and trained by Dale Simanton

Saba Rock: Fox Hunter owned by Larking Hill Farm and trained by Christy Clagett

So Outspoken: Steeplechaser owned by B’More Hopeful Stable and trained by Jazz Napravnik

To Be Determined: Polo pony owned by Neil Agate and Capitol Polo Club and trained by Marissa Bianchi and Juan Carlos Garcia

The RRP works to facilitate placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in the marketplace and inspiring an army of equestrians to provide the training that secures their futures. RRP offers online directories, educational resources, and public events. Its popular Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium at Pimlico last fall will be expanded on the first weekend of October this year and include a Thoroughbred Marketplace and America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred Contest. www.retiredracehorseproject.org.