MARCH/APRIL 2018 THE RIDER /47


Lauren Brooks & “Coconut Roll” To Vie for Title of “America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred”


Lauren Brooks of Guelph, ON, will travel to Lexing-


ton, KY, the heart of horse country, on October 4-7 to com- pete in the Retired Racehorse Project’s $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover. The event, presented by Thor- oughbred Charities of America (TCA), is an international competition that focuses on retraining retired racehorses and the bond formed between rider and mount. Designed to showcase just how much life these


horses have left once they leave the track, the 2018 event will be the biggest event to date, hosting 794 trainers from 40 states and Canada. These trainers will be working with retired racehorses that have less than 10 months of retrain- ing for new careers. Lauren Brooks aims to campaign her horse Rollo in


the jumper and dressage divisions. A competitive jumper will demonstrate adjustability and efficiency around a course at a forward pace without compromising rideability or balance. These skills depend on a solid foundation in dressage, which is the epitomy of a harmonious, willing conversation between horse and rider demonstrated through a variety of movements undersaddle. Coconut Roll is a five year old Thoroughbred gelding


who retired from racing in the fall of 2016 after a handful of last-place efforts on the track. Despite not having the competitive drive to make it as a racehorse, he is proving to have a powerful stride, excellent natural balance and willingness to work which predispose him to a successful career as a sport horse. “We’re thrilled to welcome such a sizable and diverse group of horses and trainers to the Kentucky Horse Park this year. The Thoroughbred Makeover is in its sixth year and each year the event has become exponentially larger and more competitive; 2018 will be no exception,” said Steuart Pittman, founder and president of Retired Racehorse Project. “The impact this is having on Thoroughbreds retiring from racing is re- markable; we estimate nearly 600 horses were acquired for the purpose of competing in the 2017 Makeover, with


BIOGRAPHY Originally from Hamilton, Lauren is a


second-year veterinary student at OVC with plans of pursuing a career in equine medicine. Prior to entering the DVM program she com- pleted a BSc in Animal Biology at the Univer- sity of Guelph. Lauren has a background in young horse development, stallion manage- ment and equine reproduction, along with many years spent working at hunter/jumper fa- cilities. Outside of OVC, Lauren has a passion for Thoroughbreds and developing young horses, with a focus on the hunter/jumper in- dustry. Lauren has backed, trained and sold nu-


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trainers making an average investment of $8,000 in each horse. Even those who do not make it to the competition will be well-positioned for successful post-racing careers in quality homes.” The Retired Racehorse Project exists to facilitate


placement of retired Thoroughbred racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in equestrian sports. The creation of the Thoroughbred Makeover, which offers $100,000 in prize money, is designed to showcase their equine athletes in second ca-


reers. For more information and statistics, visit www.TB- Makeover.org.


About Retired Racehorse Project: Retired Racehorse Proj- ect (www.retiredracehorseproject.org) is a 501(c)3 chari- table organization working to increase demand for off-track Thoroughbreds and build the bridges to second careers. It publishes Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine, hosts the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Sympo- sium, and presents programs at major horse expos across the country.


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