This year the Retired Racehorse Project combined its 2020 and 2021 Thoroughbred Makeovers for one Mega-Makeover. The event also hosted the first T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships. Many western disciplines were represented at the event which took place in October at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Thanks to our generous sponsors – BRN4D, Pyrois Media and Flying B Equine – The Western Thoroughbred was able to donate twelve buckles to the Mega-Makeover event. The buckles were presented to the Average winners at the T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships. The buckles were also awarded to the winners of Barrel Racing and Ranch Work and the highest placed western riders in Competitive Trail and Dressage at the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. The winners of each buckle are shown below:
Layne Shaffer and Floo Powder ran second in both rounds of the T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships to win the 1D Average. Floo Powder is a ten-year-old Pennsylvania-bred gelding by graded stakes winner Exchange Rate and out of multiple stakes winner La Wildcat, by Forest Wildcat. He made five starts and earned $8,109 on the track. His best effort was a second place finish at Penn National in Grantville, Pennsylvania. Layne and Floo Powder compete regularly in IBRA and NBHA barrel races. Layne is very proud of this win!
Jessica Frederick and Czraina Maria won the 2D in both go-rounds of the T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships to win the 2D Average. They also won the 2020 Barrel Racing for the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. Czraina Maria is a five-year-old Kentucky bred mare by Risque Remarque and out of Sky Lady, by Sky Mesa. She made 11 starts, won one race and earned $16,662 on the track. Her one win was at Indiana Grand Race Course in Shelbyville, Indiana. This pretty mare has a bright future ahead!
Megan Hems and Nucks made two consistent 3D runs to win the T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships 3D Average. They also placed third in the 2020 Barrel Racing for the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. Nucks is a six-year-old New York-bred gelding by multiple graded stakes winner Mission Impazible and out of Majestic Risk, by More Than Ready. He made 12 starts and earned $12,013 on the track. His best effort was a second place finish at Finger Lakes in Farmington, New York. Megan and Nucks have also been competing in IBRA and NBHA shows. This pair will undoubtedly continue to improve!
Christy Drent and Justa Jester won the 4D Average at the T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships. Justa Jester is an eleven-year-old Michigan-bred gelding by Comedy Show and out of Sheza Match, by Matchlite. He made 11 starts, won three races and earned $26,029 on the track. His three wins were at Hazel Park in Michigan. Since he retired from racing in 2015, Justa Jester has placed well at IBRA and NBHA barrel races.
Jeff Damphouse and Lady Margaret were second in the 2020 Competitive Trail and third in the 2020 Freestyle at the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. Lady Margaret is a six-year-old Kentucky-bred mare by multiple graded stakes winner Pioneerof the Nile and out of Red Cognac, by Hennessy. She made nine starts and earned $3,425 on the track. Her best efforts include two fourth place finishes at Keeneland and Oakland Park. Lady Margaret was sold after the Makeover.
Southern Specialties Team and Special Sixteen placed ninth in the 2020 Dressage at the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. They also placed fifth in Ranch Work. Special Sixteen is a five-year-old Indiana-bred mare by graded stakes winner Line of David and out of Color Me Special, by River Special. She made five starts and earned $936 on the track. Her best efforts include two fifth place finishes at Fairmont Park and Indiana Grand Race Course.
Raechel Ramsey and Aussie Prayer won the 2020 Ranch Work at the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. Aussie Prayer is a nine-year-old New York-bred mare by multiple graded stakes winner All American and out of stakes winner Peg’s Prayer, by Rodeo. She made 40 starts, won seven races, and earned $216,441 on the track. Her seven wins were at Saratoga, Belmont Park and Presque Isle Downs.
Dakota Rowel and Tip Top Diva won the 2021 Barrel Racing at the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. They were also 5th in the 3D of the T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championships. Tip Top Diva is a six-year-old West Virginia-bred mare by stakes winner Garnered and out of Little Tip Top, by Two Smart. She made three starts and earned $1,225 on the track. Her best effort was a third place finish at Charles Town. This mare has a very bright future in the sport!
Abbey Blair and Super Terrific won the 2021 Competitive Trail at the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. They were also seventh in Ranch Work. Super Terrific is a seven-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and out of Tiz Terrific, by Tiznow. He made 19 starts, won two races and earned $60,907 on the track. His two wins were at Churchill Downs and Belterra Park. Super Terrific was sold after the Makeover.
Jaclyn Schellhase and My Dad Louie placed fifth in the 2021 Dressage at the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. They also placed twelfth in Barrel Racing. My Dad Louie is a six-year-old Louisiana-bred gelding by graded stakes winner Regal Ransom and out of Indigo Girl, by Leestown. He made 21 starts, won three races and earned $47,610 on the track. My Dad Louie is an exceptional example of a well-rounded horse!
Muri Triantafilo and War Candy won the 2021 Ranch Work at the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover. They were also seventh in Barrel Racing. War Candy is a four-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Declaration of War and out of Perfect Wildcat, by Perfect Soul. She made three starts and earned $7,280 on the track. Her best efforts include two second place finishes at Golden Gate in Albany, California. This filly has a great career ahead!
Thanks again to BRN4D, Pyrois Media, Flying B Equine and Bob Berg Designs for making these awesome buckles a reality!
The Western Thoroughbred 