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Laura Tommaso and Chasing Sunsets are Chasing Dreams at Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover
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Laura Tommaso and Chasing Sunsets head to the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover competition at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Elgin, IL - September 13, 2018 - On October 3, 2018, Laura Tommaso and her five-year-old thoroughbred mare, Chasing Sunsets, will head to the Kentucky Horse Park to compete in the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) Thoroughbred Makeover, as one of the few competitors from Northeastern Illinois. Tommaso first learned about the Makeover four years ago and since then, has been determined to compete in the event.
The Thoroughbred Makeover is not just a competition but also a celebration of Thoroughbred horses and their diverse abilities in 3-Day Eventing, Barrel Racing, Working Ranch, Competitive Trail and other disciplines. Horses must be Jockey Club registered, raced on or after July 1st 2016, and have less than 15 post track rides. Tommaso will be competing in Show Hunters (there is also a field division) and Show Jumping, which is a judged event.
Now in its fourth year in its current format and location, the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, will take place Oct. 4-7 at the Kentucky Horse Park. The event includes three days of competition in 10 different disciplines with competitors vying for a share of $100,000 in prize money with one overall winner will be crowned America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred, receiving a $10,000 check. 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.
Tommaso attended The Makeover as a spectator in 2017 while waiting for her prospect to be delivered from the track. She acquired the then four-year-old mare in September of 2017, who raced her last race September 9th that year.
“I knew I loved her before she even arrived,” raved Tommaso. “Now we have a solid working relationship that is centered on kind training methods.”
She was bought sight unseen from broker Amy Paulus, who rehomes over 500 racehorses per year. Based in Northern Kentucky, Paulus sells the racehorses throughout Indiana and Ohio. Approximately 50 horses that Paulus has sold will be competing in October at the Makeover.
Tommaso first got into retraining racehorses when she was a junior and riding with trainer, Jeff Stahl. She attributes her success to patience and mastery of the foundation of basic riding and horsemanship, which “must”, she says, include reading. Her greatest influences that have generously put their wisdom into writing are John Lyons, Xenophon, and William Steinkraus.
For Tommaso, the RRP opportunity offers more than just another competition, but a way to validate and showcase her ability to retrain horses and to develop her small business in buying, retraining, selling, and taking in “problem” horses for retraining using the same reliable and kind methods.
Also attending the Makeover from the Northeastern Illinois area are Katelynn Pabich from Gurnee, who is competing in Eventing and Show Jumping, Angel Rodriguez, also from Gurnee, competing in Show Hunter and Competitive Trail, and Rachel Lynn from Beecher, showing in Eventing and Dressage.
The event includes the competition, The Makeover Horse Sale, Silent Auction, Sunday Brunch Polo Match, the Master Makeover Class, Vendors, Classes and a Finale Party. Tickets for the RRP finale on October 7th are available on the RRP tickets page and spectators are free for the first 2 days.
For more information visit the RRP website at www.retiredracehorseproject.org.
Contact Laura Tommaso at ltommaso@gmail.com.
Laura Tommaso
at Pingree Oaks Farm
39W984 Highland Ave.
Elgin, IL 60124
815-219-8075
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