FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES JULY 2014 67
e
Retired Racehorse Project:
Celebrating Thoroughbreds As “Do It All” Sport Horses
Steuart Pittman with the #3 USEF eventing sire in 2013, an off-the-track Thoroughbred, Salute The Truth.
Photo by Erin Pittman/Retired Racehorse Project
By Lauren R. Giannini
T
he Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) has grown into a vital
resource nationwide, dedicated to helping ex-racehorses
start new careers in a variety of sports and disciplines.
This not-for-profit organization started out as a single event, the
Retired Racehorse Training Symposium, thanks to founder and
president Steuart Pittman and a group of like-minded, horse-crazy
friends who share in his passion for off-the-track Thoroughbreds.
“We felt that Thoroughbred ex-racehorses needed advocates
and educators to promote them to people who ride for sport
and recreation,” said Steuart. “When we held the Retired
Racehorse Training Symposium in 2009, we were overwhelmed
by the response in terms of attendance and by the demand for
more events like it from non-profit placement organizations and
individuals who work to transition these horses into second
careers.”
In 2010, Steuart and friends formed the Retired Racehorse
Training Project and launched the first website in late 2011
with the announcement of the Trainer Challenge, which drew
thousands to the Maryland and Pennsylvania Horse World Expos.
Since that event, RRP has worked enthusiastically to increase the
demand for Thoroughbred ex-racehorses to be re-trained for new
professions.
To promote the versatility of ex-racehorses for sport and
recreation, RRP utilizes its website, social networking, online
videos and events such as the 100-Day Thoroughbred
Challenge, Thoroughbreds For All (see sidebar) and the very
successful Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium
held at Pimlico Racecourse in Maryland. For its work in 2013,
the Retired Racehorse Project earned the 2014 Industry Service
Award from Thoroughbred Charities of America, the 501(c)(3) arm
of Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
This fall at Pimlico Racecourse, October 4–5, 2014, RRP
will showcase 100 ex-racehorses in demonstrations at
the Thoroughbred Makeover: A Marketplace and National
Symposium. One major highlight will be “America’s Most Wanted
Thoroughbred” and the contest features 10 finalist ex-racehorses,
including Icabad Crane, now in training with eventing great Phillip
Dutton.
Trained by Graham Motion, whose Herringswell Stables are
located at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland, Icabad Crane
earned five stakes victories, including third place in the 2008
Preakness, and had career earnings of more than $585,980
when he retired in 2013. Graham and his wife Anita took over
the gelding’s ownership and decided that eventing might be the
right new job for Icabad. They sent him for training with their good
friends, Phillip and Evie Dutton.
By May 17, Icabad had three spring horse trials to his credit:
he debuted at Open Beginner Novice with Phillip, earning first at
Full Gallop in Aiken, South Carolina, second out of 25 at MCTA in
Maryland, and moved up to Open Novice at Fair Hill International’s
