Kentucky Horse Park

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Humberger Toggle Menu Previous Post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance On-Site at The Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance On-Site at The Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 4, 2024 News Tags:accredited aftercare, Kentucky Horse Park, Retired Racehorse Project, Thoroughbred Aftercare, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Makeover LEXINGTON, KY — Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site as a sponsor this year for The Retired Racehorse Project’s banner event, the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium. The Thoroughbred Makeover takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY on October 9-12, 2024, and is the largest retraining competition for recently retired Thoroughbred racehorses. This event showcases the versatility and adaptability of these athletes as they transition into new careers, highlighting the importance of aftercare in ensuring successful second careers for Thoroughbreds. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will have a booth located in the Covered Arena during the Thoroughbred Makeover. Riders and patrons are encouraged to stop by to learn more about accredited aftercare and the role it plays in the future of retired racehorses. In addition, branded merchandise will be available at the booth in exchange for donations, offering supporters a way to contribute to accredited aftercare which supports the ongoing care and retraining of these amazing Thoroughbreds. Out of the 353 horses entered in this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover, 53 horses will be representing 11 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organizations. These horses will be competing in 8 of the 10 disciplines offered at the event. “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is thrilled to be a sponsor of The Thoroughbred Makeover,” said Stacie Clark Rogers, Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “Both Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and The Retired Racehorse Project are deeply committed to facilitating the retraining and rehoming of these incredible athletes. The Thoroughbred Makeover is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the remarkable second careers these horses can have.” About Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Based in Lexington, KY, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since its inception in 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has granted more than $31.9 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently, 86 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org. Contact Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance 859-224-2756 info@thoroughbredaftercare.org Fundraising & Events Emily Dresen 352-362-6934 edresen@thoroughbredaftercare.org Media Contact Samantha Smith Share This Release  

Impressive John R served as an equine-assisted therapy horse for 9 years at TAA-accredited Central Kentucky Riding for Hope.

It’s almost the #BestWeekendAllYear – Land Rover Kentucky 3-Day Event! There are over 100 horses competing in the event this weekend- 17 of which are Thoroughbreds

After six starts on the track, Jardin de Giverny never broke her maiden. In 2020, the four-year-old began the next chapter of her life at TAA-accredited MidAtlantic Horse Rescue.  After rehoming thousands of former racehorses, Executive Director Bev Strauss has had plenty of experience transitioning Thoroughbreds off-the-track.  “When Jardin came in it was obvious she was a total athlete with a good brain, but needed a program and direction,” Strauss said. “So, we sent her to Sally Shirley for a consistent program.”  The Kentucky-bred was off to begin retraining for her second career at Shirley’s Westminster, Maryland farm. Meanwhile, a young Sarah Laderman had just begun the search for her first horse.  At the age of eight, Sarah rode a horse for the first time thanks to father who enrolled her in a week-long day camp. It wouldn’t be long before she was taking lessons and entering competitions. Her father, Steve, recognized early on that his daughter’s passion for horses was serious, and eventually he agreed it was time for Sarah to have a horse of her own. “Sarah has a fairly natural ability to handle herself around horses and I was confident in her ability to train and bring a horse along,” Steve Laderman said.  Sarah had done her research and decided she would be looking specifically at off-track Thoroughbreds— something MidAtlantic had in spades.  “I saw the ad for MidAtlantic Horse Rescue on Facebook,” Sarah said. “I checked out their website and found Jardin.”  A couple days later Sarah and her dad were on their way to Sally Shirley’s farm, ready to meet Jardin de Giverny.  “She was almost exactly what I was looking for,” Sarah said. “She was a really pretty mover which stood out to me, but it was that she was willing to learn and picked up on things really quickly that convinced me.” Just three months after arriving at MidAtlantic, the daughter of Superfly had found her forever home.  Sarah and Jardin stayed in Shirley’s training program for a month to give the new partnership a good foundation and to work out those OTTB quirks— something Steve Laderman has enjoyed watching from the sidelines.  “It has been crazy watching Sarah and Jardin grow as a team and both being able to anticipate each other’s movements and actions,” Steve said. “The amount of trust and comfort level continues to build as we go and Jardin’s maturity is beginning to shine through. That trust has helped tremendously in Jardin’s transition to her new life as a show horse. Sarah and Jardin earned 15th place in the Show Jumping division at the 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover, making their team third overall among the junior competitors. “Sarah makes the mare look super easy to ride, but she is not,” Strauss said. “Young people like Sarah are the future for OTTBs.” Looking ahead, Steve has high hopes for his daughter and has enjoyed witnessing her passion grow.  “There very well may be a career in the horse or animal world for her,” he said. “And if not, the skills, life lessons, and experiences will be something she can leverage through the rest of her life.”     Cover Image: JARDIN de GIVERNY

You Betcha only made one start before an injury forced an early retirement from the racetrack. The son of Super Saver then made his way to TAA-accredited ReRun.

The New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Show and Thoroughbred Incentive Program Championships held Sept. 6-8, 2019 at the Kentucky Horse Park was a success for TAA grads. TAA-accredited organizations were well represented in numerous disciplines and their horses shined bright competitive classes. The TAA presented High Point awards in four disciplines: dressage, hunter, jumper, and pleasure. Dressage: Little Latin Lulu and Kara Hertz Hertz adopted Little Latin Lulu from the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center in May of 2019. The duo earned first place in both the Intro test A adult amateur and Intro test B adult amateur with scores of 70% and 68%. There were 10 horses from four TAA-accredited organizations competing for the TAA Dressage High Point Award. Hunter: Big City Dancer and Sue Sylvester Sylvester adopted Big City Dancer from the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center in 2012. There were 22 horses from nine TAA-accredited organizations competing for the TAA Hunter High Point Award. Jumper: Kulik Lodge and Taylor Wienold Brooke Schafer adopted Kulik Lodge from the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program in October of 2016. There were four horses from three TAA-accredited organizations competing for the TAA Jumper High Point Award. Pleasure: Frank’s Gift and Victoria Kupets Kupets adopted Frank’s Gift from the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program in May of 2019. There were four horses from two TAA-accredited organizations competing for the TAA Pleasure High Point Award. In total, 12 TAA-accredited organizations were present at the New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Show and TIP Championships. After the Races Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue Friends of Ferdinand Kentucky Equine Adoption Center Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center MidAtlantic Horse Rescue Inc New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program Old Friends ReRun, Inc Second Stride, Inc Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana Congratulations to all of our TAA grads on their success in second careers! Photo: Melissa Bauer-Herzog / Pyrois Media Click here to learn more or sign up for the Thoroughbred Incentive Program.

Minnesota-bred Jost Van Dyke began his racing career as a 3-year-old. It wasn’t until the age of 7 that the multiple stakes-placed gelding made his exit from the track.