Retired Racehorse Project

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today that Erin O'Keefe has been hired for the new position of development director. O'Keefe brings a decade of experience in many facets of the Thoroughbred industry from breeding to sales to racing. As development director, O'Keefe will be responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive development plan, activating opportunities for racing outreach, and supporting the executive director to maximize opportunities for speaking engagements and media representation. "Erin's diverse background in the racing industry coupled with her hands-on experience in aftercare gives her a...

The Take2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program is celebrating its 10th year with a "Give 110 Percent!" campaign to raise $10,000 a month for 10 months. The ultimate goal is to reach $100,000 in donations by the end of the year. To help kick start the initiative, racehorse owner and entrepreneur Len Green has donated $10,000 to the campaign. "I've been in the Thoroughbred industry for almost 50 years as the founder of both DJ Stable and The Green Group," Green explained. "I have witnessed firsthand the extraordinary work by TAKE2...

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF) has awarded the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) $5,000 to be used for educational purposes. RRP's mission is to facilitate placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in the equestrian marketplace and educating equestrians to provide the training that secures their future. The driving force behind everything RRP does is educating the public, especially equestrians and equine enthusiasts, about the potential and versatility of off-track Thoroughbreds as riding and competition horses. RRP does this through their popular Thoroughbred Makeover...

Kirsten Green, the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP)'s managing director who served as interim executive director following the departure of Jen Roytz near the end of last year, has been named the new executive director of the organization. A national search by a hiring committee comprised of board members was conducted only to turn to Green, who is the RRP's longest-serving staff member. "The hiring process made us hopeful for the future of Thoroughbred aftercare based on the quality of applicants who applied and their passion for the mission," said RRP...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) has elected new officers and board members for three-year terms. Sue Smith, Richard Lamb, Malinda Lawrence, JudithAnn Hartman, and Clare and Tom Mansmann have all moved into new roles. Smith, the former vice chair and current executive director of CANTER Pennsylvania, has been named the new board chair. She has served on the RRP board since 2015. Dr. Carolyn Karlson, who conceived of the format for the first Thoroughbred Makeover in 2013, is the outgoing chair and was voted member emeritus status. "It is an...

Edited Press Release The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) announced Tuesday that it has approved more than 7,000 awards and classes at more than 1,400 shows in 46 states and six Canadian provinces in 2022. Awards are available for multiple disciplines, including eventing, dressage, Western and English pleasure, hunter/jumper, endurance, barrel racing, and polocrosse. A full calendar of shows offering awards is available at tjctip.com/CalendarOfEvents and will be updated as show dates are confirmed. In addition, T.I.P. will be splitting its T.I.P. Championships horse show into multiple events in...

After the Finish Line will host the 6th Annual Charity Auction of Breeders' Cup Hats opening this Sunday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. ET at ebay.com/str/afterthefinishline. The auction, which lasts for one week, will feature over 50 Breeders' Cup hats from the 2021 World Championships at Del Mar, donated by the horses' connections, as well as hats from past winners. The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) will receive a portion of proceeds. A number of other aftercare organizations will receive the proceeds from their chosen hat. "This auction brings aftercare and...

After serving for four years as Retired Racehorse Project's executive director and five years prior to that as a board member, Jen Roytz will be stepping down from her leadership role at the end of the year. Longtime staff member and current managing director, Kirsten Green, will serve as interim executive director while the organization conducts a national search for the role. Under Roytz's leadership the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) has expanded in both size and scope. The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium has become the largest and most lucrative...

The third annual Thoroughbred Aftercare Summit will take place Tuesday, Oct. 12 as part of the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The aftercare summit will included four panel discussions: "Proper Financials and Reporting"; "Best Practices for Rehabbing and Marketing Horses Retired Due to Injury;"; "How the Pandemic Has Changed the Face of Fundraising"; and "Navigating Common Challenges Aftercare Organizations Face."  Confirmed panelists include Dr. Stuart Brown, DVM, Vice President of Equine Safety at Keeneland; Anna Ford, program director at New Vocations...

Keeneland will return as the sponsor of the Arrival Exam and Finale Jogs at the combined 2020 and 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover, the Retired Racehorse Project announced Wednesday. First instituted at the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, the Arrival Exam requires each horse to have proof of current vaccinations, vitals (temperature, respiration and heart rate) within a normal range, be scanned for a microchip that has been registered with The Jockey Club, pass a walking soundness exam, and score a four or higher on...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) has expanded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Makeover Marketplace catalogue to include adoptable Thoroughbred Makeover prospects eligible for the 2022 competition. The catalogue also will continue to feature sport horse prospects who are offered for sale by their trainers at the conclusion of the Makeover process. The expanded catalog is expected to include hundreds of transitioned and restarted Thoroughbreds, most of which will compete at the 2020-21 Thoroughbred Makeover this October at the Kentucky Horse Park. Up to 100...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) and The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) will hold the inaugural T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships at the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium this October at the Kentucky Horse Park. The annual T.I.P. Championships features competition in disciplines including hunters, jumpers, English pleasure, Western pleasure, and classical and Western dressage. The 2021 T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships will feature prize money and additional prizes for the top horses. "Thoroughbreds have made their presence known in recent years in Western disciplines, particularly barrel racing, so we are...