My love of Thoroughbreds began the way many of ours did — when it came time for my first horse, it was simply what my father could afford. However, I don’t think anyone could have predicted then how much that gangly 3-year-old, just two weeks off the track, would foster my love for the breed, and ultimately shape my future career. Sure, I’ve tried a few “grown-up” jobs here and there, but I always came back to the horses.

So, in 2020, my now husband and I decided I should give it my all, and River’s Ridge, LLC was born. Named after my childhood farm, we established a training, sales, and layup boarding facility specializing in helping off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) find their second careers in everything from show hunters/jumpers, to eventing, fox hunting, trail riding, and even polo.  

Grace Hammer riding Teddy at River’s Ridge. (Courtesy of Caitlan Brooks)

In 2013, I had the pleasure of watching the very first installment of the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover at Pimlico Race Course, and I loved it! What a wonderful program, and what a spectacular premise for a competition showcasing the Thoroughbred breed and all that they can do. Nonetheless, I happened to be working one of those grown-up jobs at the time, and it was not until several years later, in 2021, that I decided to compete for the first time.  

Not at all concerned with Retired Racehorse Project eligibility, but simply searching for a promising resale project, I adopted a convivial gelding from After the Races and instead got an accidental heart horse whose timing aligned perfectly with the Thoroughbred Makeover. When I realized he was eligible and I still had time to apply, I couldn’t wait to give it a try.

Although he quickly declared he had no interest in becoming the fancy show hunter I had once typecasted him as, he did show great promise in the jumper ring, where we still compete together today. So that year, we made the trek to Kentucky knowing that while he may be a little more horse than the judges prefer, we’d simply have fun along the way. And that we did!

It was such a wonderful and supportive atmosphere, not to mention an incredible exhibition of the breed, and a huge networking opportunity for Thoroughbred enthusiasts from across the country. 

I have applied every year since and have had the experience go just about every way it could. I had a very promising mare miss the trip due to a poorly timed kick in the field; went down with the unofficial local favorite, only for a silly spook at a spectator to keep us out of the running in our second discipline; and I’ve taken the underdog 3-year-old who had just raced in February but ended up besting them all. No matter what happens, it has become a banner event of our year, and my husband’s favorite “vacation.”  

Grace and Teddy on a solo cross-country walk. (Courtesy of Caitlan Brooks)

This year, I think the Thoroughbred Makeover could look a little different for me, and I could not be more thrilled. After my success with In The Air in 2024, you can imagine my excitement for the opportunity to also retire and retrain his full younger brother, Flex Warrior (now affectionately known as Teddy Spaghetti).

“Teddy” came to the barn in November and, after a well-deserved let down, it did not take long for him to prove that he was way more than a potential investment opportunity for the family that had chosen to take a chance on him. In fact, they went one step further and decided to make the family whole by also purchasing In The Air for their daughters as a surprise Christmas present.

Like his brother, Teddy retired as a just coming 3-year-old but has already made great strides in becoming a well-rounded family horse. So much so that the kids have been able to take part in many of his “firsts.”

The oldest daughter got to try his canter and taking him outside the ring for the first time, while the youngest was aboard for his first trot poles and first cross rail, as well as piloting him around on his first field trip off the farm. With past projects, I may have already done more or already shown in low-level hunter divisions by now, but between our unusually cold winter here in the MidAtlantic and having the pleasure of watching the kids be able to share in so much of Teddy’s retraining journey, it has been incredibly rewarding to just take it slow.

Bay Hammer with Teddy for first off-property schooling. (Courtesy of Caitlan Brooks)

Keeping that in mind, it is my goal to have them participate all the way up to, and possibly even during, the Thoroughbred Makeover. Unfortunately, the youngest, at just 10 years old, is too young to compete, but I would love to see the oldest feel ready to step up, either on her own or with my help as my first ever team entry. Of course, we will spend the next several months exploring all of our options as the kids and their brothers continue to learn together in a way that I hope I can make as stress free and deadline free as possible, but I think their future is bright, and you just may get to see Teddy try to follow in his brother’s footsteps this October. 

Either way, now that we’re officially thawing out from winter, there are some exciting things coming up in the next few months: brand new eligible horses coming into the barn, more field trips, first horse shows, hunter paces, and so much more. Whether we do a team, or I take one or multiple horses myself, the possibilities are endless, and I cannot wait for you to follow along! 

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.