RETIRED RACEHORSE PROJECT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder and Managing Partner of Nine Thirty Racing
Amanda is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Nine Thirty Racing. Amanda's love of Thoroughbreds and Thoroughbred racing began in childhood with frequent visits to Arlington Park with her grandparents. She began investing in racing partnerships in 2012 with a partial ownership interest in her first racehorse, and in 2014 she began her partnership management career. Over the past seven years, Amanda has owned and managed interests in several racing and breeding partnerships. Her greatest success came in March of 2018 when Chocolate Martini, the filly she and her partners in Double Doors Racing had claimed for $25,000, won the G2 Fairgrounds Oaks and finished a respectable fifth in the G1 Kentucky Oaks. Since Chocolate Martini's "claim to fame" story, Nine Thirty Racing has grown to over 40 members and most importantly, has created a countless number of new Thoroughbred and racing fans, something Amanda is very passionate about.
Buck Davidson is an international event rider and coach, having competed at the highest level all over the world and ranked in the top 10 eventing riders globally (he was ranked #1 in 2012). He has coached numerous riders to the Olympic Games and the 5* level. Buck has enjoyed success a the top levels with numerous Thoroughbreds, including one of his current mounts Jak My Style. He is the co-presenter of the RRP's annual charity golf event in Ocala, Florida and served as a clinician in an RRP Master Class.
Job Titles:
- Member Emeritus of the Board
- Owner
Dr. Carolyn Karlson is an owner and breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses through her New York-based business Sisu Racing Stables. Carolyn also offers college admissions counseling through her business Starting Gate College Consulting and additionally is employed as an instructor with State University of New York (SUNY) Oneonta. Carolyn was a catalyst for bringing the Thoroughbred Makeover into existence, conceiving of the format for the first Makeover in 2013; she has been the RRP's biggest benefactor since. She resides in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Dr. Shannon Reed, DACVS-LA is a past Thoroughbred Makeover competitor whose commitment to the work of the Retired Racehorse Project progressed into her serving as consulting veterinarian and a driving force behind the implementation of the Thoroughbred Makeover Arrival Exam. Although Dr. Reed's career has recently shifted to focus on large animal care (she is currently a clinical associate professor of large animal surgery at Texas A&M University), she has over a decade of experience in equine surgery, has previously published peer-reviewed research on Thoroughbreds retiring from racing, and has served as a licensed state racing commission veterinarian. Dr. Reed has an extensive career in higher education and is passionate about mentoring young veterinary professionals.
Erin joined the RRP team in March of 2022 as Development Director, coming on to help bridge the gap between aftercare and the Thoroughbred industry. Originally from Michigan, Erin followed her love of Thoroughbreds to Lexington, Kentucky to attend the University of Kentucky's Equine Science and Management Program, and has subsequently worked in most facets of the Thoroughbred industry from breeding to sales to racing over the last decade.
Erin lives in Kentucky and manages BTE Stables, a Thoroughbred breeding and layup operation that is also home to several OTTBs (including her 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover graduate Denman's Call). In addition to all things Thoroughbred, Erin enjoys spending time with her four dogs, playing sand volleyball, and adding to the ever-growing list of animals that call BTE Stables home.
Jennifer is a 4rd generation horsewoman and has been riding since she was a baby. She spent a large portion of her summers as a child and teenager at Pony Club rallies and recognized horse trials. These days, Jenn can still be found eventing and living her best adult amateur life.
A lifelong equestrian, Jodie Vella-Gregory began her career in eventing in her native Canada, eventually landing a spot on the Young Riders Team for Alberta. After graduation from the University of Alberta with a degree in political science and psychology, she interned at KESMARC in Lexington, Kentucky, then worked as a clinician and surgeon technician for Dr. Scott Hopper at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital before shifting to the racing industry, working at Breeders' Cup Ltd and Santa Anita Park in various roles. Currently, she is vice president of Industry Relations at 1/ST RACING & GAMING (formerly known as The Stronach Group). In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Retired Racehorse Project, Jodie is on the advisory board for The Jockey Club's Safety Net Foundation, and is part of the planning committee for the Horse Racing Women's Summit.
JudithAnn Hartman is a long-standing supporter of the RRP who sponsors the Top Maryland-Bred special award at the Thoroughbred Makeover under the name of her racing and breeding operation, Copper Beech Stables. Judy is also a breeder of Welsh Mountain Ponies and actively competes them in combined driving. Judy earned her doctorate in chemistry from Harvard University and, prior to going full-time in her racing and breeding endeavors, worked in research and development as well as serving as a professor of chemistry at the United States Naval Academy.
Kirsten joined the RRP in 2014 as the organization's administrator after volunteering at the first two Thoroughbred Makeovers at Pimlico Race Course. With a background in customer service, logistics, and business administration, Kirsten has done pretty much every possible job in her time with the RRP from stuffing envelopes and ordering logowear to writing budgets and the Thoroughbred Makeover rulebook and everything in between. After growing along with the organization for eight years, she was promoted to executive director in 2022.
Kirsten grew up riding and competing Thoroughbred lesson horses in dressage and eventing. A Maryland native, she lives south of Annapolis with her husband, Mike who we affectionately call Mr. RRP due to his perfect Makeover attendance record, and their three Cardigan Welsh Corgis. In her free time Kirsten enjoys running the dogs in agility, competing in the strength sport of powerlifting, and crafting (often to benefit the RRP).
Kristen joined the RRP team in November of 2018 as Communications Manager, coming on board to continue telling the story of the Retired Racehorse Project, the Thoroughbred Makeover and the horses and riders who make it all happen. She was one of those riders herself in 2018, competing with her first OTTB Jobber Bill.
First a professional trainer and coach at the collegiate level in western disciplines, Kristen is now a full-time "horseback writer," combining her passion for all things equine with writing, editing and social media management, as well as sponsor relations. She lives in western New York state and competes her OTTBs Jobber Bill and Regal Justice, plus off-track Standardbred Western Flash, in reined cow horse and ranch horse; Kristen is also a draft horse enthusiast and shows Percherons with her family.
Job Titles:
- Graphic Designer
- RRP 's Graphic Designer
Mare became the RRP's Graphic Designer in January of 2022 to serve as brand ambassador and creator of all things visual. Throughout her 16-year career as a designer, she has worked with several non-profits and small businesses on a large variety of projects including logo and identity development, community outreach initiatives, event promotion, and environmental and exhibit design. A Maryland native, Mare grew up on the Eastern Shore where she developed her fondness for horses early on, teaching from a young age how to listen, observe, and connect - skills that she utilizes daily in her design work.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Founder
Neil Agate is the founder of business and technology services firms Four Gates, LLC, and Viener4Gates Consulting; he is the former President of the Maryland Horse Council and guided the organization through two major initiatives: the acquisition and management of the Equiery publication, and the formation of a safety net program for horses and owners called Maryland Equine Transition Service (METS). Neil serves on the Board of Directors of the British American Business Association and is a member of the Equine Safety Committee of the US Polo Association. Neil is an avid polo player, and in 2015 was the top amateur in the Thoroughbred Makeover's polo discipline and has competed in the Makeover four times. He lives with his wife Kathy in Darnestown, MD.
Rayna joined the RRP Staff in February of 2020 as the Program Assistant and serves as the Thoroughbred Makeover show secretary. Rayna grew up in New Jersey and now lives in Maryland. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2018 with a bachelor's in social work, and completed her masters degree in social work with a concentration in community action and social policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2019.
With experience working both in the equestrian industry and in internships at both non-profit organizations and federal agencies, Rayna combines her passions for advocacy, the non-profit sector and Thoroughbreds through her work at the RRP. She's been a rider for over 14 years and grew up riding hunter/jumpers. Rayna now enjoys eventing with her OTTB, Bourbon and Beer.
Rhyan joined the RRP team as our Operations Manager in June of 2021 after extensive volunteerism at the Thoroughbred Makeover. With a background in both equine and corporate event management as well as a love of process improvement and organization, Rhyan enjoys supporting the RRP team through event and operations management.
It was a passion for the equine industry that originally moved Rhyan from her native home in Tampa, Florida to the Bluegrass State of Kentucky in 2015. After graduating from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in Business Management, she joined the staff at the Kentucky Horse Park where she served as an Equine Events Manager. As a hobby photographer, Rhyan spends much of her free time with her camera in hand; she also enjoys visiting a friend's farm where she can be found grooming or borrowing OTTBs to ride.
Now a resident of Aiken, SC, Richard grew up in Woodstock, VT, helping run his family's horse farm, riding camp and ski lodge, as well as competing in hunters, jumpers, eventing, Pony Club and fox hunting. After graduation from St. Lawrence University, Richard managed his father's guest house and riding center in Ireland, where he rode racehorses as well as jumpers and eventers; he also worked with Eric Horgan of the Irish eventing team. Richard is certified through the first level of the British Horse Society Instructor Certification and Level III in the USEA Instructor Certification Program and is one of the first to be certified as a Young Event Horse Trainer with distinction.
Richard returned to the United States to teach, train and compete, working with young and adult riders competing at all levels. Since 2002, he's served as Chef d'Equipe and coach of the US Pony Club Team at USEF National Pony Jumper Championships, and also coached members of the 2012 US Olympic Modern Pentathlon team in riding. Richard has ridden Thoroughbreds all his life and considers the breed to be the ultimate sport horse, and has been a longtime supporter of the Thoroughbred Makeover as a judge and volunteer.
Sallie joined the RRP in July 2018 as an administrative assistant, now taking care of data entry and horse information across the RRP's wide-ranging databases. After a 33-year career at the U.S. Department of Defense, she finds this work to be the perfect complement to her duties as a grandmother, chorister, and of course, OTTB owner!
Sallie has followed horse racing since the days of Secretariat and Sham, and fell in love with the noble Thoroughbred up close and personal while working as a polo groom during high school and college. She spent the next 20 years or so doing non-horsey things but got back into riding in the mid-2000s, finally getting a horse of her own, her OTTB Cerulean Moon. Retired from riding duties now, "Moonie" is living his best life, full of turn-out, peppermints, and carrot stretches.
Sissy Wickes is a highly regarded USEF "R" Hunter judge and trainer who has operated her own Springtown Show Stable for over three decades. An advocate for the Thoroughbred, Wickes and her husband, Tim, are also active in racing, breeding, and sales, and she has served as a repeat judge of the Show Hunter division at the Thoroughbred Makeover. Wickes joins the RRP board with extensive experience in nonprofit governance and development, currently serving on the board of the United States Hunter Jumper Association as well as board president for the Hill Top Preparatory School. Beyond her equestrian career and participation in nonprofit governance, Wickes has additional experience in media and marketing, having served as editor at large of The Plaid Horse Magazine.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Member Emeritus of the Board
Steuart Pittman is the founder of the Retired Racehorse Project, formed as a non-profit organization in 2010, after recognizing the need for efforts to market the ex-racehorse as a sport horse. A former professional in the horse industry, Steuart operated Dodon Farm Training Center and trained horses and riders for eventing, dressage and jumping. Steuart stepped away from RRP leadership in 2018 to pursue a political career, and currently serves as Anne Arundel County Executive. He is also past president of the Maryland Horse Council and has been actively involved in efforts to revitalize Maryland Thoroughbred racing.