From Racehorse to Sporthorse
The Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show (TCHS), sponsored by the Siegel CARMA Foundation, celebrates the athleticism, versatility, and spirit of retired racing Thoroughbreds. The TCHS Series was born from a desire to provide Off-Track Thoroughbreds and their owners a unique opportunity to gain show experience in a forum that is cost effective as well as supportive to the Thoroughbreds and their riders.
Held at a world-class venue, our shows will offer competitors the opportunity to compete in Hunters, Jumpers, Dressage, Combined Training, Western, and Showmanship. Classes will have both Amateur and Open divisions and be judged by United States Equestrian Federation recognized judges. There will be opportunities for riders to attend clinics with top equestrian professionals in several disciplines. The Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show will provide something for everyone—both highly competitive for the experienced sporthorse contender as well as accessible for the pleasure riding enthusiast.
We will also include a few “Fun” classes to be sure there is truly something for everyone. We want to encourage anyone with an OTTB to join us–regardless of show experience—and be an active part of the Thoroughbred Movement.
There has been a recent resurgence in the popularity of OTTBs in the show ring. Up until it became trendy to import/breed warmbloods from Europe, show rings were filled with OTTBs and there is a strong, growing base of people that are passionate about the Thoroughbred’s talent, athleticism and spirit.
But while the number of Thoroughbred-only shows is increasing across the country; there is not a unified network of support for OTTBs in the show world. Not yet.
It is our vision to bring the Thoroughbred back to the competitive arenas they once dominated. We will seek to develop relationships with racing breeders and owners to participate and help promote the successful transition from racehorse to sporthorse. We are working to develop a network of Thoroughbred Horse shows culminating with National Year-end Championships to show off the best we know the breed has to offer. We are helping build the Thoroughbred Movement and want you to be a part of it!
The Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show supports the Aftercare Organizations instrumental in transitioning horses from racehorse into second careers and will also help promote and market adoptable thoroughbreds.