The average Thoroughbred has the potential lifespan of 25-35 years. If the horse races from age 2 to 4, he or she then has another 20-30 years beyond that, a whole other lifetime which for some could be spent as a stallion/broodmare or as a paddock pet for a loving owner. Beyond the racetrack or a backyard paddock is the show ring, another venue for the Thoroughbred to show off their athleticism and work ethic in partnership with riders of all ages and levels.
The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) hosts a series of shows across North America where horses and their humans can earn points. Top competitors will qualify for the annual championships, taking place at Stable View in Aiken, S.C., this October.
Encourage, Recognize, and Reward
Over the last quarter-century, the sport of horse racing has focused significantly more effort on caring for Thoroughbreds beyond the racetrack. Whether they never see the inside of a starting gate or they compete in a hundred races, the goal is for each to find a second life beyond the oval. Programs like the T.I.P. incentivize riders who partner with Thoroughbreds over jumps, around trails, and in the dressage ring.
Founded in 2012, T.I.P. rewards riders with an eligible Thoroughbred in affiliated horse shows and other events where they earn points toward prizes, including ribbons and money. Eligible horses include those registered with The Jockey Club or a foreign Thoroughbred stud book that The Jockey Club recognizes. Owners can register for a T.I.P. number for their Thoroughbred and then compete in shows with T.I.P. classes or awards. Riders can then qualify for the T.I.P. Championships held each fall, where these Thoroughbreds put the versatility of the breed on display.
“We started T.I.P. for two reasons: one, to encourage people to retrain Thoroughbreds, and then two, to recognize and reward those people that have chosen to ride a Thoroughbred,” said Kristin Werner, The Jockey Club’s administrator of the Thoroughbred Incentive Program…