RRP Trainer Chronicles Episodes

In Part 2 with returning guest Chelsey O’Brien, we catch up on what life looks like after the Retired Racehorse Project and what she’s working on next. Chelsey introduces her 2026 prospect, Rustler, aka Rusty, a stakes-winning OTTB owned by Pastured Place. He’s a very different ride from the horses she’s brought along for the Makeover in previous years, and this one is pushing her in new ways as a trainer. We talk about what that process actually looks like day to day, including the moments t...

Chelsey O’Brien returns to OTTB on Tap for a long-awaited catch-up, and this one starts with the real story behind her 2025 Retired Racehorse Project Makeover experience. Chelsey, a Northern Virginia trainer who rides for Pastured Place, is known for restarting off-track Thoroughbreds across multiple disciplines. In this episode, she walks us through what it actually takes to bring not one, but two OTTBs to the RRP. From hunters and Western dressage to barrels and ranch work, she shares how s...

In this episode of OTTB on Tap, we catch up with Stephanie Parkot for a recap of her journey to the 2025 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover with her Off Track Thoroughbred (OTTB), Sterling Honor. Stephanie went into the RRP Thoroughbred Makeover with a clear goal. She wanted to finish in the Top 10 in Competitive Trail. Not only did she set that goal, she achieved it. Stephanie shares how she adopted Sterling Honor through New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and what it took...

In this RRP Trainer Chronicles update from OTTB on Tap, we sit down again with dressage trainer Harley Whittaker of HW Dressage in Kirkwood, Pennsylvania to hear the latest on her 2025 RRP Makeover partner, Juancho (“Jack”). Harley shares the ups and downs of Jack’s first dressage show experience, why she’s choosing to keep him in dressage as his primary discipline, and what kind of home she sees for him after the Makeover. Beyond Jack’s journey, Harley gives us an inside look at her training...

In this installment of RRP Trainer Chronicles, an OTTB on Tap Original Series, we catch up with returning trainer Chelsey O’Brien as her 2025 RRP Makeover journey takes shape. This year, Chelsey is retraining two very different OTTBs—each with their own story and style. ✨ Peppy (JC name: The Pepsodent Show) has stepped into the hunter ring, showing the elegance Thoroughbreds can bring to the discipline. His second Makeover division is still undecided, but one thing is certain—he’ll be availab...

We’re back with Stephanie Parkot for round two of her RRP Trainer Chronicles journey—and wow, what a summer she and her OTTB Sterling Honor (by Honor Code, from New Vocations) have had. From tackling a Mounted Police Clinic with her son to braving the atmosphere of the Erie County Fair Hunter/Jumper Show, Stephanie shares the highs, the challenges, and the big takeaways as she and Sterling prepare for the 2025 RRP Makeover. Noise sensitivity, buddy sour moments, show-ring chaos—Sterling has t...

Virginia-based trainer Chelsey O’Brien returns to OTTB on Tap as she gears up for the 2025 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover—this time with two OTTBs and twice the determination. Representing the nonprofit Pastured Place, Chelsey introduces us to The Pepsodent Show (“Peppy”), a charismatic 5-year-old gelding by VE Day. With a name that throws it back to the golden age of radio—The Pepsodent Show was a wildly popular 1930s–40s comedy series hosted by Bob Hope, not unlike today’s pod...

In this RRP Trainer Chronicles episode of OTTB on Tap, we sit down with adult amateur eventer, longtime Thoroughbred advocate, and sporthorse breeder Amanda Chance, who’s making her Retired Racehorse Project Makeover debut in 2025 with a true warhorse—an off-track Thoroughbred with over 50 starts (he raced a whopping 100 times!) Known for her candid blog and podcast Breed.Ride.Event., Amanda brings a unique perspective to the OTTB world—combining her eye for conformation with real-world exper...

Welcome back to RRP Trainer Chronicles, an OTTB on Tap Original Series following the riders and retrainers headed to the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover. In this episode, we’re talking dressage, Thoroughbreds, and that all-important seat with Harley Whittaker of HW Dressage in Kirkwood, Pennsylvania. Harley didn’t grow up in a horsey family, but she’s built a thriving training business rooted in thoughtful, individualized care—and a belief that OTTBs absolutely belong in the dressage ring. She int...

In this first full trainer episode of our 2025 RRP Trainer Chronicles series, we’re joined by Stephanie Parkot, a dedicated adult amateur and mom of three from Corfu, New York, who’s making her Thoroughbred Makeover debut with a gelding she calls “the right horse at the right time.” Stephanie’s Makeover partner is Sterling Honor, a striking son of Honor Code, adopted through New Vocations. Together, they’re preparing to compete in Competitive Trail and Dressage—and doing it all while balancin...

Meet the 2025 Retired Racehorse Makeover trainers we'll be following all season long! In this special kickoff episode of OTTB on Tap's original series, RRP Trainer Chronicles, we introduce you to four standout horsewomen—each with a different background, training philosophy, and off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) partner. You'll get a first look at their plans for the 2025 RRP, how they came to love OTTBs, and the unique paths that brought them to this moment. Our featured trainers include: St...

In this latest episode of OTTB on Tap, we welcome back Chelsey O’Brien, a fan-favorite trainer from our RRP Trainer Chronicles. Chelsey catches us up on her post-Makeover adventures with her OTTB, UBie, and offers expert advice for navigating the 2025 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover application process. As Niamh gears up to take her OTTB, Go Green, to the Makeover, Chelsey shares her insider tips for crafting a compelling application, creating a standout video submission, and ...

n this episode of OTTB On Tap, we feature Julie Anna Prusak, an amateur rider from Texas who shares her experience with her OTTB, Nemo. Earlier this year, Nemo was diagnosed with kissing spine—a condition that can challenge even the most dedicated horse owners. Julie Anna walks us through the process of choosing osteotomy surgery, navigating the rehabilitation journey, and preparing for the Retired Racehorse Project Makeover freestyle competition. Hear how this determined pair took on the cha...

Join us for a packed episode of OTTB on Tap! We reflecting on our first OTTB On Tap Evaluates episode, sharing updates from the owners on listener-submitted horses like Baybuilt, Floo Powder, and Dragon Moon. Were we right in our evaluations? Find out in today's episode! Also, hear from our amazing listeners as we give shout-outs and share feedback about their OTTB journeys. Interested in submitting your horse to be evaluated in an upcoming episode? Fill out our OTTB on Tap Evaluation Form to...

In this episode, Niamh and Emily take listeners back to 2013, when Emily participated in her first Retired Racehorse Project Makeover—then known as the Retired Racehorse Training Project (RRTP). Emily shares her personal journey, from living in Philadelphia and rediscovering her passion for riding, to selecting and training her OTTB, Victory Money, or "Prima", for the Pimlico Showcase. She dives into Prima's pedigree and conformation, explaining why she chose her for the competition, and gives i...

Join us for the latest episode of the RRP Trainer Chronicles, where hosts Niamh and Emily sit down with Julianne Pangal and Ashley Olin to check in on their OTTB, Brooklawn (aka Rye), fresh off a successful run at the American Eventing Championships (AEC). Get an inside look at their journey as they share Rye’s training progress, key moments from the AEC, and how they’re preparing him for the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) Thoroughbred Makeover. Though he has excelled at eventing, they describe...

In this episode of OTTB on Tap, we catch up with RRP Trainer Chelsey O’Brien as she prepares off-track Thoroughbred, Unbeknownst To Me (UBie), for the 2024 Retired Racehorse Project Makeover. UBie is owned by Pastured Place, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the needs of Thoroughbreds. Chelsey shares insights into UBie’s training for Western disciplines, including barrel racing and ranch work, emphasizing the importance of "creating value in the undervalued" OTTBs like him. She also discusses the ch...

In this episode of OTTB on Tap, we reconnect with Lauren Garrett-Bond to see how her giant, chestnut off-track Thoroughbred mare, Tizbit, is progressing on the road to the 2024 Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) Makeover. Joining Lauren is her trainer, Sabrina Morris, an expert in OTTB training with years of experience turning retired racehorses into versatile sport horses. Sabrina shares her unique insights into training Thoroughbreds, from her days at the racetrack to running Another Round Far...

In this episode of OTTB on Tap, Niamh and Emily catch up with Annika Greaney, one of the trainers we’ve been following as she prepares her two OTTB ex-broodmares for the Retired Racehorse Project’s Makeover in October. Annika shares how she’s been adapting her training approach to fit the unique needs of Tizso Majestic (Tessa) and Egoli, and why she’s focusing on slow, steady progress. We’ll hear about Tessa’s fun adventure at ranch camp, Egoli’s impressive success in barrel racing, and how A...

Buckle up for a positively fun episode with special guest Kathy Goodman! In Horse Before the Course, OTTB on Tap speaks with Kathy about 4 seemingly separate, yet intertwined topics: Pressure Proof Clinics that challenge your “mental RAM” and teach ways to tap into your inner super power and perform under pressure USDF “L” Judging Program - how learning to judge dressage has transformed Kathy as a rider and trainer (spoiler alert: learn tips straight from the judge’s mouth!) RRP Makeov...

Join us for another installment of our OTTB on Tap - Retired Racehorse collaboration! In this episode, we chat with Virginia-based trainer, Chelsey O’Brien, about her 2024 RRP Makeover horse, Unbeknownst to Me, or “UBie” as he is known in the barn. UBie raced 15 times and earned a little over $71,000 as a racehorse. He’s owned and sponsored for the RRP Makeover by Pastured Place, a 501(c)(3) providing retirement, rehabilitation, retraining, and rehoming to Thoroughbreds. In this episode, Chel...

Can an amateur rider with a full time job still have time to train a fresh off the track OTTB? Julianne Pangal certainly can, and does, as her own website, OTTB Makeover, demonstrates. For the 2024 RRP Makeover, Julianne has teamed up with longtime friend, Ashley Olin, to train and compete her horse, Brooklawn. Both Julianne and Ashley have versatile backgrounds in foxhunting, hunter/jumpers, and eventing, and are taking a unique approach to decide what “Rye” will compete in at the Makeover. Lea...

Join us for another installment of our OTTB on Tap - Retired Racehorse collaboration! In this episode, we chat with Lauren Garrett-Bond about her OTTB mare, Tizbit. Lauren grew up down the street from Pimlico Racetrack in Maryland and would watch the horses work on the track daily. Her love of Thoroughbreds never diminished, and now she is retraining her mare for the ‘24 RRP Makeover this October. With a Masters degree in behavior, Lauren brings us an intuitive and holistic approach to transitio...

Welcome to the first installment of our OTTB on Tap - Retired Racehorse Project collaboration! On today’s show, we have Annika Greaney-Stanger who has two OTTBs that she is retraining for the 2024 RRP Makeover in some varied disciplines including Ranch Work, Barrels, Trail and maybe some Western Dressage. Both horses are former broodmares and racehorses. Tizso Majestic, “Tessa” a 2013 mare (Majestic Warrior - Piazza Grande, by Hennessy and Egoli a 2016 mare (Quality Road - Somasach, by Johannesb...