Two New Vocations Graduates Make Their Way to The 2023 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Finals!

Juju Bug and Kathleen Neuhoff

Ibeam and Raechel Ramsey

October 16, 2023 - New Vocations adoptees had a successful week at the 2023 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover October 11 - 14! Over 400 retired Thoroughbred racehorses made an appearance to compete in the competition intended to inspire trainers to transition these horses into second careers.

An impressive 28 graduates of our rehab, retrain, and rehome program entered the Makeover, double the number from last year. Of the 28 original entries, 14 actively competed in various disciplines. These adoptees were: Cambi Lion, Ghost At Midnight, Ibeam, Igottahaveit, Juju Bug, Lundi, Maryland Pride, Silver Spur, Slambone, Supermajority, That’s Why I’m Me, Tizgame, Lookwhogotlucky, and Secret Cargo.

The top 5 horses in each discipline throughout Wednesday and Thursday of the competition would compete in the Finals on Saturday with a reset score to see who would be named Champion. Of the 14 New Vocations competitors, 6 were top ten finishers in their division, and 2 made their way to the finals!

Juju Bug, ridden by her adopter Kathleen Neuhoff, competed in both Eventing and Field Hunters, earning second place in the Field Hunters in the preliminary competition. Juju Bug, a 2017 chestnut mare by Sequoyah, had 13 starts in her racing career before retiring to New Vocations’ Lexington, KY facility. Kathleen and Juju Bug impressed the judges in the Field Hunter finals with their partnership. Taking place in the covered arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, the Field Hunter Finals was Juju Bug’s first time riding in an indoor ring. The in-sync pair claimed second place overall in the Field Hunter Division.

Ibeam was ridden by no stranger to the RRP Makeover! He and his adopter, Raechel Ramsey, competed in Show Hunters and Freestyle at this year’s Makeover. Raechel has adopted her RRP Makeover competitors from New Vocations since 2020, and each horse has taken her to the finals starting with Aussie Prayer who was named the 2020 / 2021 Mega Makeover Ranch Riding Grand Champion. This year, Raechel and Ibeam claimed second place in the Freestyle preliminary competition with their movie-like Indiana Jones performance. After a crowd-pleasing repeat performance in the finals, the duo earned second place overall.

New Vocations is so proud of the many adopters who put in the hard work to make their way to the Thoroughbred Makeover. As the number of New Vocations Graduates competing in the Thoroughbred Makeover continues to grow, we are thrilled to see what next year’s competition holds.

To find your next Thoroughbred Makeover Champion, become an approved adopter at newvocations.org/adopt and view our adoptable horses at newvocations.org/horses. Adopt your 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover competitor from New Vocations, and you’ll be reimbursed the $350 trainer application fee!