TBs Only, Please: Entries now open for inaugural OTTB show at the KHP

Speaking of OTTBs, a show geared toward ex-racers just starting their show careers will be held April 14-15 at the Kentucky Horse Park.Hosted by the Thoroughbred Horse Show Association (TBHS), the show offers entry-level disciplines in multiple disciplines, including dressage, combined training, hunter/jumper and competitive trail riding.  A second TBHS show will be held at the Horse Park on October 6-7, and the organization is working with rescue organizations and others to hold additional events.

From the press release:

“I’ve received phone calls from people who are interested in the show from West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C., in addition to Kentucky,” TBHS Executive Director Jan Roehl said. “One woman from West Virginia said she wanted to bring her ex-racehorses just so she could ride them at the Kentucky Horse Park. Some people want to come a day or two early to enjoy Lexington.”

TBHS (tbhorseshow.org) was founded in 2011 by a group of Central Kentuckians interested in creating opportunities to showcase the talent and competitive spirit of off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Horses must be entered in the TBHS shows using their registered names with The Jockey Club.

Horses competing in the TBHS Spring Show will be eligible for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) High Point Awards. The Jockey Club will award ribbons, prizes and $100 to the winner with the highest number of points in the following divisions: Starter Hunter, Hunter, Jumper, Beginner Novice Combined Test, Training Level Dressage, and First Level Dressage.

Officials of the Spring Show include Dressage Judge Susan Posner, Hunter Judge Shelley Mann, Showmanship Judge Samantha Kline and Technical Delegate Joe Carr. John Prather is the Show Manager, and Tina Desjordy is the Show Secretary. The opening reception for participants on April 13 will include a talk with Posner about how to get the most from a Thoroughbred in the dressage ring. Posner is a noted dressage trainer who has ridden and trained ex-racehorses. The show also will include a seminar titled “Ins and Outs of Feeding Your OTTB” with Kristen Janicki from Buckeye Feeds; tips from Mann on show ring etiquette and what to do if things don’t go as planned in the show ring; and a presentation about success in showmanship by Samantha Kline. Former jockey P.J. Cooksey, director of public relations for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, will emcee the opening reception and present awards on Saturday.

To date, the Spring Show has received generous support from the following patrons: Adena Springs, Akindale Farm, Bantry Farms, Buckeye Nutrition, Darley, Ellen Frost, John and Devi Hall, Juddmonte Farms, Kris S. Bloodstock LLC (Kris Stuebs), New Vocations, Pauls Mill, Siena Farm, Taylor Made Farm and WindRiver Fence. Information about the event, including a schedule and class list, class descriptions, rules and information and entry form, is available at tbhorseshow.org.

The TBHS offers an annual membership of $25 and to date has members from 17 states, the District of Columbia and Ontario. Benefits include a monthly electronic newsletter; assistance in promoting and encouraging Thoroughbred adoptions; email notification about horses entered in TBHS and affiliated shows by their registered name with The Jockey Club; and networking social events with like-minded people and organizations. Members of the TBHS also become members of the Kentucky Horse Council at no charge and are able to receive a discount on insurance premiums and weekly e-News with links to articles pertaining to everything in the equine world in Kentucky.

For more information, contact Jan Roehl at (859) 559-1409 or [email protected]

Photo by Gayle Strickroot.

[KHP]