The countdown to the Thoroughbred Makeover is officially on, and with it comes all the excitement, nerves, and hard work that go into preparing not just one, but two special horses for the big stage. Gray Magician and Imposing Ruler are the stars of my journey, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the direction each of them is taking.

Gray Magician has officially been entered in both Show Hunter and Show Jumper. While I have experience in the jumper ring, both at the Makeover and at USEF rated shows, the hunter ring is brand new territory for me, which makes it both nerve-wracking and a little exciting! Hunters require a different type of polish, so we’ve been fine-tuning his rideability, working on his changes and focusing on consistency over fences.

Last month, Gray made light work of the .85m jumper division at a local schooling show, gaining valuable miles and confidence in the ring. Next up, we’ll be heading to a B Show at the Kentucky Horse Park to give him experience in the hunter ring and to introduce him to the atmosphere that the park brings. It’s been such a privilege to bring him along in this new chapter, and I’m excited to showcase him at the Makeover before he continues on with his connections for the next stage of his career.

Imposing Ruler (Courtesy of Lindsay Gilbert)

Imposing Ruler, on the other hand, has been teaching me just as much, but in a different way. Initially, I had hopes of entering him in Eventing, but more recently toyed with the idea of entering just Dressage and Show Jumper. It’s been tough to decide how to showcase him, as he has talent and potential in multiple disciplines. Last month, he went XC schooling, making light work of banks, ditches and water, and he also competed in a dressage show, showing tons of promise in the ring. Ultimately, though, I decided not to overwhelm him with too many asks at once. He’s still young and learning, and setting him up for success means keeping things fair and manageable. I made the decision to focusing solely on Show Jumper this year, so we can channel his energy, scope, and bravery into one discipline and really let him shine without the added pressure of juggling two different rings. Like Gray Magician, he’ll also head to a B Show at the Horse Park, which will give him important mileage and allow him to soak in the atmosphere before the Makeover.

His future, I believe, is extremely bright. He has the athleticism to go in many directions – whether it’s the jumper ring, eventing, or even dressage down the road. But with a barn brimming with horses and new projects always coming in, I had to make the bittersweet decision to list him in the Makeover Marketplace. It’s never easy to say goodbye to a horse you’ve put your heart into, but I know he’ll be an incredible partner for the right person. He’s exactly the type of prospect an ambitious amateur or professional would be thrilled to bring along, and I can’t wait to see where his next chapter takes him.

Preparing two horses for the Thoroughbred Makeover is no small task – ensuring both have adequate training, are entered in suitable disciplines, and are mentally and physically prepared. But it also comes with the reward of watching each horse progress, grow, and step into their potential. Gray Magician will eventually return to his connections with more tools in his toolbox, while Imposing Ruler will be stepping into the spotlight not just as a competitor, but as a serious prospect available for sale. I’m looking forward to showcasing both in October – and for one lucky rider out there, perhaps even handing over the reins to their next great partner.

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.