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Thoroughbred Makeover 2024

Lori Ricigliano, of Ricigliano Farms, graduated from the L2-Intermediate Professional Horseman Program February 2, 2024, joining the ranks of Lyons Legacy Trainers. Lori  is very active in the horse industry.  She has held her Judges License as a  USEF / AHA – “R” rated Arabian Horse Judge for over 25 years. She is also a published author and clinician for horsemanship and horse training as well as host of the syndicated equine radio talk show Hoof Beats with Lori.

One of her next adventures is to participate in the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover held October 9-12 in Lexington, KY. Lori and her mare Kitty will be one of over 400 competitors hoping to win the $10,000 cash prize! The whole Lyons Legacy Team will be rooting for Lori and Kitty.  Show them how to #ridelikealyons!

The Thoroughbred Makeover is the largest Thoroughbred retraining competition in the world for recently-retired ex-racehorses. The Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, created the Thoroughbred Makeover to showcase the trainability and talent of off-track Thoroughbreds. The competition is intended to inspire good trainers to become involved in transitioning these horses to second careers, and the National Symposium serves to educate the people involved in the care, training, and sale of these horses to responsible owners.

Ten competitive disciplines are offered at the Makeover: Barrel Racing, Competitive Trail, Dressage, Eventing, Field Hunter, Polo, Ranch Work, Show Hunter, Show Jumper, and Freestyle (a free-form division to demonstrate skills of the trainer’s choice). A horse may be entered in up to two disciplines.

Preliminary rounds take place on Wednesday and Thursday. Each competitor receives a preliminary round score and placing, and the top five in each discipline advance to the Finale, which takes place on Saturday in the Covered Arena and is broadcast via livestream. The Finale is a separate championship event and competitors are placed by Finale scores.

Each discipline competes separately in Finale, and each has their own final test to determine the Makeover Champion in that discipline. Judges from all disciplines then rank the ten Makeover Discipline Champions, and the Thoroughbred Makeover Champion is named (and earns a $10,000 check!).

The competition will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY on October 9-12, 2024.