Thoroughbred Makeover Preliminary Competition Day One Results

October 03, 2019

Just under 400 horses are competing in ten disciplines this week, with the five top-placed in each discipline coming back to the Finale on Saturday. Today’s competition included Freestyle in its entirety, plus roughly half of the fields in Dressage, Eventing, Show Hunter and Show Jumper. Both Barrel Racing and Field Hunter completed two of their three phases, with the final phases taking place tomorrow morning. On Thursday, we’ll also see Competitive Trail, Polo and Ranch Work.

Fallon Taylor and Cowboy Swagger hold the lead in the Barrel Racing after a solid horsemanship performance that placed them in second going into the evening’s first barrel run. A time of 17.852 was good for another second-place finish, giving this pair the overall lead. Taylor is a professional barrel racer from Collinsville, Texas, and was the 2014 WPRA World Champion, as well as the 2018 AQHA World Champion.

Cowboy Swagger is a 2014 gelding by Grindstone out of the Baquero mare One Fast Cowgirl, bred in Oregon by Dr. And Mrs. Jack B. Root Jr. He made 16 career starts in Oregon, winning three times and earning $20,299. His last race was at Portland Meadows on January 8 of this year, where he finished fifth.

For Erin Miller, competing at the Thoroughbred Makeover was a longtime goal, and when she saw the horse O Ganador, listed by Jen Ruberto, she had a feeling she might have found the right partner. “We had a great day today,” Miller describes. “He warmed up great, and I made sure I had schooled in the Rolex Arena twice yesterday. In the demo ride, I showcased the best we could do because he felt so great.”

Miller is a professional from Plymouth, Michigan with experience in eventing and dressage. She’s had O Ganador since November of 2018; the 2014 gelding was bred in Florida by Gerry O’Meara and is by First Dude out of the Pick Up mare Poseida. He made 20 starts with one win, and earned $12,764. He ran the majority of his career at Mountaineer. Miller and O Ganador will also compete tomorrow in Eventing. “I feel very fortunate,” added Miller. “I’m looking forward to the future.”

It might not yet have sunk in for Jenna Jack that she’s the overnight leader in Eventing with Katano — but she reflected on her day’s ride. “We were very relaxed in the Rolex Arena for dressage. He was a little ‘looky’ in the show jumping in the atmosphere there, but we worked through it… and cross-country is his favorite, so that was a lot of fun.”

Jack is a professional from Canton, Georgia with experience in eventing and dressage. She acquired Katano in November last year. The horse that she calls “Otis” is a 2015 gelding by Justin Phillip, out of the Lycius mare Shining Prospect, bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate. He ran in Florida and at Arlington Park, earning $20,731 in 11 starts with two wins.

Sara Katz is no stranger to either the field hunter division — she finished fourth last year — or training steeplechase horses for what is often their third career. This year, she’s partnered with Adam Newman’s Grade I-winning steeplechaser Diplomat, leading in both the under saddle and individual test phases out at the Sunken Road field.

Katz, a professional horsewoman with experience in both field and show hunters, is based in Parkton, Maryland. “Steeplechasers tend to make great field hunters,” she described. “They already like to run and jump. Diplomat is still a bit green on the cross-country obstacles that we’re tested over, but I was very proud that he trusted me on a particularly challenging section on today’s course.”

Diplomat (Kitten’s Joy – Waki Affair, by Miswaki) was bred in Kentucky by Kenneth L. Ramsey and Sarah K. Ramsey. His record stands at 43 starts with nine wins and over $350,000 in earnings, including the Grade I New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap.

For Amy Bowers, the Thoroughbred Makeover is culmination of a training program focused on bonding and relationship-building with her horse Grande Warrior. The pair’s delightful Freestyle routine started right out with liberty work, including lateral movements; Bowers then rode the mare without a bridle through all of the compulsory movements and concluded with a gallop lap while waving a blue flag. “It takes a lot of bonding to stay connected in that atmosphere,” Bowers detailed.

Bowers and Grande Warrior crossed paths nearly by accident: “A friend of mine got the mare from Amy Paulus, then realized she really didn’t have time for her; I had expressed interest in participating in the Thoroughbred Makeover so she offered her to me!” It was a fortuitous moment for Bowers, a professional from Fort Collins, Colorado, and Grande Warrior, a 2013 mare bred in Indiana by Randy Haffner. Grande Warrior is by Desert Warrior out of the Capote mare Capuchina.

While Royal Flame may be listed for sale, Gayle Cook describes herself as “in love” with her Show Hunter-leading mount. “He’s awesome! He’s one of the easiest Thoroughbreds I’ve ever sat on. I love how he gets around the course. He’s a dream.”

Cook is a professional with show hunter experience based in Sterrett, Alabama. Royal Flame is a 2014 gelding by Leroidesanimaux out of the Langfuhr mare La Iluminada; he made 15 starts with two wins and $34,059. He was bred in Florida by Harold Queen and ran his entire career there.

Anna Williams is an amateur Makeover trainer hailing from Wichita, Kansas, and she believes she’s found her heart horse in Feeling Courageous. The pair is the overnight leader in Show Jumper. “I found him through Passport Sport Horses and bought him sight-unseen based on his description! I sent him to Rhi Rasmussen for 90 days of foundation training, and then started developing myself for eventing and jumping.”

Feeling Courageous is an unraced gelding by Courageous Cat out of the Kris S mare Keep the Feeling. He was bred in Kentucky by Emily Wygod. “Riding at the Thoroughbred Makeover is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me,” Williams adds. “I tried hard to get myself ready for this competition for him, and I’m still in shock that we’re leading! I have a very special horse on my hands.”

Full results from the first day of preliminary competition can be found here.

In Other News

April 1, 2025

2025 Thoroughbred Makeover Vendor Fair Applications Now Open

The Vendor Fair runs throughout the competition, October 8-11, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.…
Read More
Featured image for “2025 Thoroughbred Makeover Vendor Fair Applications Now Open”
March 24, 2025

Vendor Fair Application

No excerpt…
Read More
March 24, 2025

Picking Prospects Winter 2025

Makeover trainers evaluate sport horse potential based on conformation shots.…
Read More
Featured image for “Picking Prospects Winter 2025”
March 19, 2025

March Trainer Newsletter: Feeling Lucky? Opportunities & Reminders

Hello 2025 trainers, Staying in the loop Our staff will keep Makeover Trainers aware of any upcoming opportunities or changes primarily through emails like this one. It is very important that you regularly check your email for communications from RRP…
Read More
Featured image for “March Trainer Newsletter: Feeling Lucky? Opportunities & Reminders”
March 18, 2025

Enter Our 2025 Sticker Slogan Contest!

The winning slogan will be one of our new sticker designs for 2025!…
Read More
Featured image for “Enter Our 2025 Sticker Slogan Contest!”
March 17, 2025

Sponsorships Available for 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today that sponsorships are now available for the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, taking place at the Kentucky Horse Park on October 8-11.…
Read More
Featured image for “Sponsorships Available for 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover”
March 11, 2025

2025 Aftercare Industry Month Attendee Survey

No excerpt…
Read More
March 11, 2025

Kissing Spines in OTTBs

Learn how veterinarians diagnose and treat kissing spines in Thoroughbreds and other horses.…
Read More
Featured image for “Kissing Spines in OTTBs”
March 6, 2025

Erin Gilmore Photography Returns as Official Show Photographer of 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today that Erin Gilmore Photography will return as the Official Show Photographer of the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America.…
Read More
Featured image for “Erin Gilmore Photography Returns as Official Show Photographer of 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover”
February 25, 2025

Conditioning Off-Track Thoroughbreds

Proper conditioning helps Thoroughbreds transition from the racetrack by building strength, reducing injury risk and preparing them to thrive in their next chapters.…
Read More
Featured image for “Conditioning Off-Track Thoroughbreds”
February 18, 2025

2025 Trainer Acceptance Letter

Congratulations! You are one of over 300 talented trainers and team members who are on track to show the world what a Thoroughbred ex-racehorse can do at this year’s Makeover. Would you like to announce your acceptance on social media?…
Read More
Featured image for “2025 Trainer Acceptance Letter”
February 18, 2025

2025 Thoroughbred Makeover Accepted Trainers Announced

The RRP announced today the list of participating trainers accepted to compete at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America.…
Read More
Featured image for “2025 Thoroughbred Makeover Accepted Trainers Announced”
February 10, 2025

Ask a Trainer: Conquering Trailering Issues

Professional Lauren Burke shares her whole-horse approach to making trailer loading and hauling a smooth, stress-free process.…
Read More
Featured image for “Ask a Trainer: Conquering Trailering Issues”
January 30, 2025

James & Shari Ough Donate $25,000 to Increase Prize Money at Thoroughbred Makeover

This additional prize money will offer payout through tenth place for the new Championship format that debuts this year.…
Read More
Featured image for “James & Shari Ough Donate $25,000 to Increase Prize Money at Thoroughbred Makeover”
January 27, 2025

DNF: What Is It, Why Does It Happen, & What Does It Mean for Thoroughbreds?

There are many reasons a Thoroughbred might not finish a race. Read on to learn about the possible causes and how the horse can make a successful return to racing.…
Read More
Featured image for “DNF: What Is It, Why Does It Happen, & What Does It Mean for Thoroughbreds?”
January 21, 2025

Tally Ho: Ex-Racehorses Can Find Homes in the Hunt Field

Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred…
Read More
Featured image for “Tally Ho: Ex-Racehorses Can Find Homes in the Hunt Field”
January 20, 2025

Makeover Participants and the Racing Industry Survey

No excerpt…
Read More
January 17, 2025

RRP’s Aftercare Industry Month Virtual Conference Returns for 2025

Four webinar sessions featuring panelists from both non-profit organizations as well as business entities will delve into a range of topics that pertain to everyone who works in Thoroughbred aftercare.…
Read More
Featured image for “RRP’s Aftercare Industry Month Virtual Conference Returns for 2025”
January 15, 2025

Retired Racehorse Project Elects New Board Members

Welcome, Chris Knehr and Robert Hartman!…
Read More
Featured image for “Retired Racehorse Project Elects New Board Members”
January 13, 2025

2024 Thoroughbred Broodmare Transition Symposium: Reconditioning the Broodmare

Featuring Larkspur Carroll, founder and owner of CORE Therapies, and Natanya Nieman, DVM, General Manager and Resident Veterinarian of WinStar Farm.…
Read More
Featured image for “2024 Thoroughbred Broodmare Transition Symposium: Reconditioning the Broodmare”
January 13, 2025

2024 Thoroughbred Broodmare Transition Symposium: Nutrition for Transitioning Broodmares

Featuring Catherine Whitehouse, Nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research.…
Read More
Featured image for “2024 Thoroughbred Broodmare Transition Symposium: Nutrition for Transitioning Broodmares”
January 13, 2025

2024 Thoroughbred Broodmare Transition Symposium: Broodmare Marketing & Admin

Featuring Hillary Ramspacher, Equine Administrator and Sales Coordinator for Burleson Farm and independent rehoming agent…
Read More
Featured image for “2024 Thoroughbred Broodmare Transition Symposium: Broodmare Marketing & Admin”
January 13, 2025

2024 Thoroughbred Broodmare Transition Symposium: Managing Broodmare Health

Featuring Karen Wolfsdorf, DVM, SACT, Reproduction and Fertility, Hagyard Medical Institute…
Read More
Featured image for “2024 Thoroughbred Broodmare Transition Symposium: Managing Broodmare Health”
December 31, 2024

Buying & Selling Thoroughbreds Privately

People buy and sell Thoroughbred racehorses in more ways than through claiming races and at public auction. Here’s the inside scoop from racehorse trainers themselves.…
Read More
Featured image for “Buying & Selling Thoroughbreds Privately”