The first national symposium dedicated to building a bridge to second careers for former racehorses will be held Oct. 5-6 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md.

Called the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, the event will include demonstrations of Thoroughbreds performing in other disciplines from grand prix show jumping to team penning. Twenty-six trainers from 15 states and Canada in 10 equestrian disciplines will be participating.

Each trainer acquired a horse that knew nothing but racing at the start of the summer and chronicled the training process on the organization’s website. RRTP founder and Maryland-based sport horse trainer Steuart Pittman said he has been amazed at the enthusiasm and support the event has generated.

"Thirty-eight vendors and nearly that many sponsors evenly split between the racing and the equestrian worlds have come together to show the public what these horses can do," Pittman said. "We are overwhelmed by the response