Hundreds of Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds Gathered at the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover
This past week I had the pleasure of attending the Retired Racehorse Project competition as a vendor selling my books! The Kentucky Horse Park sees plenty of horses and competitions throughout the year, but I’d venture to say few are as special as the Thoroughbred Makeover. The event has two names. Some call it the Retired Racehorse Project while others call it the Thoroughbred Makeover. Either way, it may have moved into the slot as my favorite horse show.
Riders and trainers across the country work with recently retired racehorses or broodmares who have had minimal handling since their previous jobs. They have a training period of December to October to turn these horses into show horses in whatever disciplines they choose to focus on.
My Favorite Event was Freestyle
Vendor booths were set along the perimeter of the indoor arena, so we got to watch all of the Retired Racehorse Project events happening in that ring. The most interesting by far was the freestyle! Freestyle competitors were given creative freedom to make a routine that included certain elements such as cantering each direction and backing up. Some competitors kept it simple, doing things like a dressage or reining pattern to music. Others put on a show that was impossible to look away from! Some even brought in a second horse, like the pair who wore knight armor and jousted before trading the shield and stick for swords.
My friend Sarah Baynum, (a fellow horse book author) and I were asked to be a part of a Zumba class in one of the routines where the horse stood in line and did the dance with us!
The (unofficial) RRP Bookstore
The Retired Racehorse Project had a bookstore this year! Vendor spot 22, right across from the concessions in the indoor, was the place to find a book for nearly every taste (as long as your taste includes horses). Back in January when I started looking at bringing my horse Danny to the Retired Racehorse Project, I decided to invite some author friends to join me at a vendor table. The funny thing is we had never actually met in person. These are people I’ve emailed, messaged, and even talked to on the phone.
It’s strange to see people for the first time when you already consider them friends
I thought maybe we’d feel awkward. I worried we wouldn’t get along or that we’d drive each other crazy. It turns out, we got along swimmingly. It’s as if we’d known each other for years (which we kind of have). I’ve read almost every single one of these authors’ books, and can’t recommend them enough. They are SO good!
There was simply too much goodness packed into this week to share in a single blog post. My mom brought her creations from old quilts to give the bookstore some warmth. Amanda, one of my long-time friends, joined us for some girl time and became the booth “Mom”, making sure we were fed and caffeinated. She gave us pep talks and planned dinners. How did I score such an incredible friend?
The Bluegrass State Stole My Heart Back
I’ve always loved Kentucky, but this trip really felt like coming home. Every day we drove 8 miles to and from the Kentucky Horse Park through miles of narrow roads bordered by four-board fences and young Thoroughbreds. The landscape was breathtaking and the people were kind. I’m peopled out after a week of talking and telling about my story in Finding Gideon, but I also feel so blessed.
Now to get to the barn and see my own off-the-track Thoroughbred, Danny!
Want to check out the other authors books or my Mom’s business? Here are some links:
My book shop link for Finding Gideon and other books: www.liveridelearn.com/books
Susan Friedland has books about Marguerite Henry, coping with the loss of a horse, and a memoir on horse and husband shopping. saddleseekshorse.shop
Sarah Welk Baynum writes equestrian themed romantic suspense stories based in Ocala, FL Amazon Link (affiliate)
Tiffany Noelle Chacon writes equestrian romance based in Wellington, FL Amazon Link (affiliate)
Janet Bullock makes beautiful pieces from old quilts her Etsy site
Katrina Bills wrote a memoir about her fiery chestnut who loved to bite and gallop across hunt country her website
You’re right!! It was an awesome week that would require an entire book to tell it all adequately! The people, dogs, horses, atmosphere, food—-it was all over the top wonderful!! Hope we make it back next year!!
It was such a pleasure spending 3 days with these fellow talented authors and meeting all the OTTB lovers at RRP this year!
Can’t wait until next year already 🙂
– Sarah Welk Baynum
Such a wonderful time! Thanks so much for inviting me, Sarah! And yes, Amanda saved us all with food and encouragement. So grateful for all the booth moms we had this weekend!!
What a fabulous week. Thanks for sharing the tales from our bookstore.