The inaugural two-day Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium drew 800 participants to Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, Md., last weekend, Oct. 5-6.

The stars of the show took over the track’s home stretch: 26 Thoroughbred ex-racehorses and their trainers. From jumping and eventing, pole bending and dressage, to vaulting and polo, team sorting with cows and barrel racing, the summer makeover showcased the breed’s versatility.

"The horses spoke for themselves," said Steuart Pittman, founder and president of the Retired Racehorse Training Project (RRTP), which created the event. "They truly are the smartest, most elegant, most trainable, and most loyal breed of any horse."

The trainers came from 15 states and Canada and demonstrated 10 equestrian disciplines. The trainers showed off new skills developed by the former racehorses in 15-minute presentations. Some of the horses went home with new owners, as many of the makeover horses were offered for sale