This year, America’s Best Racing and the Retired Racehorse Project will be sharing diaries from several trainers preparing for the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover competition, scheduled for Oct. 11-14 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Meet adult amateur rider Julianne Pangal and her RRP hopeful, Funnee, as they gear up for their maiden voyage to the Thoroughbred Makeover.

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Just this weekend, Funnee and I attended a local schooling event (her first real horse trials experience). While we were warming up for our dressage test, another local rider complimented us and asked how long I had owned her. It took me a few minutes to realize it’s been LESS THAN A YEAR since we started working together.

Julianne Pangal and Funnee (Julianne Pangal photo)

It’s wild how leading up to this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover, time seems to have a mind of its own. While we have crammed so much into the last 10 months, there is simultaneously not enough time left to prepare. We are fitting in our last hunts, the last run throughs of our dressage test, and still learning new skills that will — fingers crossed — help us at the big event. I’m making final checklists of what we need to purchase or pack, and Funnee is fitting in a few extra meals to bulk her up for the long trailer ride.

It’s all coming down to the wire.

And with the hustle and bustle and cramming that comes as the competition looms, I have to take moments to remind myself that all of this is just the beginning. I have a 3-year-old horse who is already doing amazing things. She has already had an entire racing career and “switched careers” – learning TWO completely new disciplines this year alone. I couldn’t imagine having a career change at 33 and becoming a doctor or a lawyer in 10 months – that would be insane.

And yet, that’s exactly what we ask the amazing and diverse Thoroughbred breed to do all the time. And what more than 400 Thoroughbred Makeover hopefuls have done this year alone. To all those entered, give yourselves (and your horses) a pat on the back.

While I don’t think Funnee and I will be super competitive at this year’s makeover, she has had a slow, steady, and positive journey to get there. I know we can lay down a decent dressage test. And I know that she will be calm and relaxed in the field hunters – although, I am not planning to push her over any jumps that may overface her. We’re not in it to win it this year but to have a good time.

Just the start of the journey. (Julianne Pangal )

Whenever I take on a young or green horse, I imagine all the possibilities of what that animal might become. One day we might be flying around a training-level cross-country course, or show jumping at Vermont, Lake Placid, or the Hampton Classic – who knows?! Or maybe, the horse is a resale project and after a few years of training and enjoying our partnership, the horse will go on to make another rider happy. Or, maybe that horse will just stay with me forever as a trail buddy and weekend warrior.

For Funnee and me, our story is just at the start. After the Thoroughbred Makeover, she will get a few weeks of much deserved time off. Then, I plan to take her to some very low-key hunter/jumper shows over the winter. Hopefully, come spring, we can start our eventing career and plan to compete in a few intro-level events over the summer. Even though this may feel like the homestretch, it’s really just the beginning. The future is bright for us.

Good luck to all of the fellow Thoroughbred Makeover competitors! I am looking forward to our week at the Kentucky Horse Park, making memories and new connections. I have a feeling that after this first RRP journey I will be tempted back for 2024. I might even already have a hopeful horse ...

The Jockey Club supports many aftercare initiatives including the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the only accrediting body in aftercare, and Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which encourages the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon completion of careers. View all of the initiatives supported by The Jockey Club.