Competitors enjoy the Awards Party. Photo by Sarah Schaaf

Competitors at the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities, kicked back and relaxed at the Awards Party, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Special award winners were honored, as well as all discipline winners and first place juniors, amateurs, teams and broodmares. The Bill Kraatz Memorial Ambassador Award was given to Lisa Belsha.

The party band was sponsored by the McIntosh Group.

Thoroughbred Makeover Finale Championships Field Is Set

The field is set for the Thoroughbred Makeover Finale Championships, which kick off tomorrow morning on Saturday, October 14 at 8 AM in the TCA Covered Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, is the banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project, which is dedicated to increasing demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing.

Earlier this week, over 300 recently-retired Thoroughbred racehorses and broodmares checked in, passed an arrival exam that checked vital signs, body condition score, soundness at the walk and other health markers, and then proceeded to compete across ten offered disciplines of equestrian sport. The five top-placed horses in preliminary competition then qualified to move on to the Finale Championship event to compete for their share of $100,000 in prize money.

Winners of each discipline will then be in the running for the Thoroughbred Makeover Champion top prize, sponsored by Churchill Downs and $10,000, selected by a panel of judges from all ten disciplines. Text voting will also be open to select the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Achieve Equine. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will earn the right to direct a donation to the equine-related charity of their choice.

The Thoroughbred Makeover Finale is free to attend. The entire day of competition can also be viewed via live stream at TheRRP.org/livestream. The live stream is generously sponsored by Maryland Jockey Club.

Shopping Opportunities Abound

Matches are made at the ASPCA Makeover Marketplace. Photo by Captivation Photography

From horses to all the tack, feed, and supplies that horses need, Thoroughbred Makeover shopping opportunities continue through Saturday. Successful sales and adoptions are being made through the ASPCA Makeover Marketplace, and adoptable horses are also in the process of finding new homes via the ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Barn.

The Makeover Vendor Fair is full of shopping opportunities to find a special piece of tack or apparel, or discover new feeds or supplements. The Vendor Fair runs through the Finale Championships on Saturday, giving attendees plenty of time to find a great deal.

If you’re shopping from home, don’t forget to place your online bid in the Silent Auction, sponsored by Thor-Bred Stables: the auction closes at 2 PM EST on Saturday and there’s an incredible array of unique items, experiences and racing memorabilia. Bid now at https://www.32auctions.com/TBMakeover2023.