Baytown Ringer and Meghan Shader Crowned Polo Division Champions at Retired Racehorse Thoroughbred Makeover
The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) concluded its 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium on Saturday, October 12. The RRP’s mission is to facilitate placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in equestrian sports and serving the farms, trainers and organizations that transition them. The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium is a training competition designed to showcase the trainability and talent of off-the-track Thoroughbreds and inspire equestrians across a variety of disciplines to consider the Thoroughbred as a competitive or recreational partner.
Baytown Ringer trained by Meghan Shader took home first place in the 2024 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium's Polo Division. ©Sarah Hartmann for Erin Gilmore Photography
“She took to polo so well and does everything I ask—she’s just incredible! Our future plans are to just keep playing polo with her. She has come so far in such a short time and couldn’t have handled the atmosphere and competition any better.” – Meghan Shader on the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium Polo Division champion Baytown Ringer
Presented by Thoroughbred Charities, the 2024 symposium began Wednesday, October 9, and concluded on Saturday, October 12. This year’s polo division was judged by Chris Stratemann and Carolyn Stimmel. Preliminary rounds took place on Thursday, October 10, on an outdoor polo field, with riders performing a short working session followed by a stick-and-ball session. Saturday’s finale, October 12, took place in a covered arena and featured short work, a stick-and-ball session and a chukker.
Baytown Ringer earned the top spot with a perfect final score of 140. ©Erin Gilmore Photography
First place in the Polo Division was awarded to Baytown Ringer (barn name: Domino), a 3-year-old bay mare by Dialed In out of Purely Lucky. Bred in Kentucky by River Oak Farm and trained and ridden by Shader, the 15.1 hand division champion achieved a perfect final score of 140.00. “She took to polo so well and does everything I ask—she’s just incredible! Our future plans are to just keep playing polo with her. She has come so far in such a short time and couldn’t have handled the atmosphere and competition any better, now for some well-deserved vacation time,” Shader said. Baytown Ringer’s final race took place on November 5, 2023, at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort in West Virginia. This concluded her career with two starts and earnings of $300. At that time, she was owned by McEntee Racing, Inc., Donald S. Winfrey and Resolute Racing Alliance, LLC, and trained by Paul McEntee. The mare also received the 2024 Best Conditioned Award, a trophy halter presented by KBC Horse Supplies along with the Top Kentucky-Bred Award.
Second place recipient Not Tonight Joe was trained by Ata Alonso. ©Sarah Hartmann for Erin Gilmore Photography
Second place was presented to 3-year-old, Not Tonight Joe. Bred in Virginia, by Knockgriffin Farm, the 15.2 hand bay mare by Not This Time out of Aronia and trained by Atahualpa “Ata” Alonso, finished with a final score of 126.250. The bay mare also competed in the Freestyle division, finishing 17th out of 25 entries.
Third place recipient Pralinesallshookup was trained by John Van Schaick. ©Erin Gilmore Photography
A 15.1 hand 4-year-old gelding Pralinesallshookup took third place with a score of 106.750. Bred by Mary and Maria Haire, the gelding by Eclipticalspraline out of Empress Montez, was ridden by John Van Schaick with Elm Corner Farm. In addition to third, they also received the Top Amateur Award.
Fourth place recipient, Matryoshka, is 3-year-old grey mare trained by 2023 Polo Division champion Buck Schott. ©Erin Gilmore Photography
Fourth place was awarded to 3-year-old, Matryoshka, with a final score of 104.00. Kentucky bred by Dede McGehee, the 15.2 hand grey mare by Collected out of Shesakitty was ridden by 2023 champion Buck Schott.
Fifth place recipient Winwood was trained by Brittany Halstead. ©Sarah Hartmann for Erin Gilmore Photography
Fifth place went to Winwood, a 3-year-old 15.2 hand bay gelding by Poseidon’s Warrior out of WV Mountain Mama. Bred by Ron Lombardi and ridden by Brittany Halstead, the gelding finished with a score of 75.250. Additionally, Winwood competed in the Freestyle Division and placed 21st out of 25.
Top Team Award recipient Sconce was trained by Work to Ride's Marc Anthony Harley and Isabella Parrillo. ©Erin Gilmore Photography
Receiving the Top Team Award for the Polo Division was Sconce and Team Work to Ride. Sconce a 5-year-old bay mare by Animal Kingdom out of Flickering, bred by PTK, LLC was ridden by Work to Ride team Marc Anthony Harley and Isabella Parrillo. Placing seventh in the Polo Division, Sconce also performed in the Show Jumping Division where the team placed 41st out of 58.
To learn more about the Retired Racehorse Project and read the rest of the symposium’s results, visit therrp.org.
*Meghan Shader is Team USPA alumna. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.