OTTB on Tap

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 balancing barn time with the demands of family life. Stephanie shares what drew her to off-track Thoroughbreds in the first place, the emotional rollercoaster of returning a previous adoption, and how she found the confidence to try again.

She talks candidly about the realities of retraining a Thoroughbred in the dead of a New York winter, the importance of tailoring your program to your lifestyle, and how she’s approaching the 2025 RRP Makeover with a mindset centered not on perfection, but on partnership and progress. One of her guiding philosophies? “Flexible consistency”—knowing when to adjust your expectations without losing sight of the goal. Another? Not waiting for the perfect moment.

Whether you’re a fellow adult amateur retraining an OTTB, curious about the Thoroughbred Makeover process, or simply looking for honest insight into what this journey really looks like behind the scenes, Stephanie’s story is one of heart, resilience, and horse-first horsemanship.

What does it take for a 15.1-hand off-track Thoroughbred to storm around the 2024 Kentucky Three-Day Event and win the crowd’s heart? In this episode of OTTB On Tap, we sit down with eventer Ali Kuhn to hear the incredible story of Little Hail, her pink-wearing OTTB who went from years in a pasture to galloping across one of the sport’s biggest 4★ stages.

Ali opens up about her journey as an OTTB retrainer, how a fateful call from John and Dorothy Crowell changed the course of her career, and what it was like bringing Little Hail back into work after a two-year turnout. We talk about Malibu Moon and Quiet American as influential Thoroughbred sires, how she built a partnership based on patience and trust, and the moment she realized this unassuming gelding had something truly special.

Plus, we dive into the story behind the Pink Pony Club—a joyful celebration of Thoroughbred talent, bold fashion, and doing things your own way in a sport often dominated by warmbloods. From retraining OTTBs for upper-level eventing to competing alongside top names at Kentucky, Ali’s story is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the heart and grit of the Thoroughbred.

Whether you're an aspiring eventer, a diehard OTTB fan, or just need a dose of inspiration, this conversation will stick with you.

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:

• Stephanie Parkot (NY) – A full-time mom with a deep love for Thoroughbreds, Stephanie is showing that it is possible to raise a family while training nice OTTBs on your own.
• Harley Whittaker (PA) – A dedicated dressage trainer with a passion for proving that off-track Thoroughbreds deserve a place in the sandbox just as much as any purpose-bred sport horse.
• Amanda Chance (FL) – An adult amateur eventer and sporthorse breeder making her first RRP appearance. Amanda is bringing along a true warhorse with literally 100 starts and hopes to spotlight the potential of these seasoned campaigners.
• Chelsey O’Brien (VA) – A returning fan favorite and ambassador for the nonprofit Pastured Place, Chelsey is taking on the Makeover with two horses this year—one from the organization and one of her own.

From competitive trail to dressage to barrel racing to eventing, these trainers represent the incredible versatility and heart of Thoroughbreds after racing. Over the next few months, we’ll be checking in with each of them for full-length episodes—but this one gives you a chance to meet the people and horses behind the stories.

Whether you're prepping for your first Makeover, cheering on friends, or dreaming of your future OTTB, this episode offers inspiration, insight, and four new journeys you’ll definitely want to follow.

We’re back with another OTTB Training Diaries update following Niamh’s journey retraining her off-track Thoroughbred, Go Green (Oscar), for the 2025 Retired Racehorse Project Makeover.

In this sneak peek of our April recap, we talk about the ups and downs of bringing along a sensitive young Thoroughbred—starting with Niamh’s creative fundraiser for the RRP, some minor training setbacks, and the realities of managing an OTTB’s conditioning, saddle fit, and emotional development in the early months after track life.

To hear the full OTTB training episode—including groundwork exercises for competitive trail, parasite management tips, saddle shopping struggles, and a behind-the-scenes look at Oscar’s obstacle course field trip—join us on Supercast! We also answer listener AMA questions about OTTB training schedules, growth-related lameness in young Thoroughbreds, and how non-horsey significant others fit into barn life.

👉 Save 25% (for one more week only!) when subscribing to OTTB on Tap Insiders on Supercast to unlock the full episode and get bonus content on retraining OTTBs, evaluating OTTB prospects, and prepping for the RRP: 🎧 ottbontap.supercast.com

🎉 BONUS EPISODE — In celebration of reaching 25,000 listens, we’re unlocking this previously Supercast-only episode of OTTB on Tap Evaluates: Vol 4 for everyone!

This episode is part of our exclusive Supercast series where we evaluate listener-submitted OTTBs using just a conformation photo and Jockey Club name to explore pedigree, structure, and sport potential. If you've been curious about what subscribers get, this is your chance to listen in.

To follow along with the pedigrees and conformation photos, hop over to https://www.ottbontap.com/s2e22

We’re also taking a short break from new content this week—because we’ve been busy recording a packed lineup of upcoming episodes! Look out for conversations with RRP trainers Stephanie Parkot, Harley Whittaker, Amanda Chance, and Chelsey O’Brien, plus chats with farrier Jason Hillman, jockey Ramon Moya, and a new catch-up with Jessica Redman.

💥 To celebrate this milestone, we’re offering 25% off one month of either Supercast subscription tier for new signups from May 1–7. If you’ve been thinking of joining, now’s the perfect time: ottbontap.supercast.com

Already a Supercast subscriber? This bonus episode may be familiar—we’re sharing it publicly as a thank-you to all our listeners for helping us reach 25K listens. We’ll be back next week on Supercast with the next installment of the OTTB Training Diaries: Oscar’s April Adventures (and be on the lookout for some bonus video content too!)

In Part 2 of our conversation with Aubrey Graham of Kivu Sporthorses, we take a deeper dive into her practical approach to training off-track Thoroughbreds. Aubrey breaks down how to do less to get more—a mindset that emphasizes thoughtful observation, strategic timing, and letting the horse lead. From early groundwork to first jumps, she shares exercises, common mistakes, and how to build a training plan that prioritizes communication and trust.

If you're retraining a young Thoroughbred or navigating the early stages of your OTTB’s transition, this episode is full of takeaways you can apply right away.

🎧 Want even more? Subscribe at ottbontap.supercast.com to unlock our Backstretch Access and Insiders tiers for bonus episodes, training tips, exclusive bonus video, and our private OTTB community.

In this episode of OTTB on Tap, we sit down with Aubrey Graham of Kivu Sporthorses to explore the foundation behind her OTTB training philosophy. From her academic background in anthropology to her transition into the world of off-track Thoroughbreds, Aubrey shares how she became a trusted voice in the industry through her popular Thoroughbred Logic series. We talk about her role as a "middleman" between horse and rider, how she manages a large string of OTTBs each year, and what she wishes more people knew when retraining a Thoroughbred for a second career.

Whether you’re starting with your first off-track Thoroughbred or looking to better understand your horse’s behavior, this episode offers insight into thoughtful, experience-driven training.

Don't miss Part 2: S2 E21: Do Less, Get More — OTTB Retraining Insights with Aubrey Graham

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👉 Want more OTTB content? Get access to our OTTB on Tap Evaluates series, Go Green’s RRP journey, behind-the-scenes videos, and more by subscribing at ottbontap.supercast.com or clicking the Membership tab on our website.

Three plain brown wrappers. Three pedigrees packed with power. In this sneak peek of Volume 6, we introduce this month’s lineup of listener-submitted OTTBs—Fifty Pesos, Slew’s Resurrection, and Artie’s Cryptonite—and tease what makes each one stand out from the crowd. Plus, we read reactions from the owners featured in Volume 5.

To hear our full evaluation—including deep dives into pedigree, conformation, temperament trends, and second-career suitability—head to ottbontap.supercast.com and subscribe.

At just 14 years old, Kimber Houston is already making a name for herself in the world of Thoroughbred aftercare. Alongside her mom, Tanya, she runs Trotty By Nature—a Montana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to retraining and rehoming Off-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) with passion, purpose, and a serious love for 90s and 2000s hip-hop.

In this episode, we chat about:

• How Kimber founded Trotty By Nature as a teen
• Their unique approach to OTTB retraining in Montana’s rugged climate
• Training philosophies, adoption tips, and advice for buying horses directly off the track
• And yes, the incredible tradition of naming their OTTBs after iconic hip-hop artists

Their current lineup includes names like Loupac Shakur ("Lou"), Notorious B.I.G. ("Biggie"), Snoop Horse, Neight Dogg, LL Cool Neigh, Mare E.J. Blige, Ne-Yo, and Left Ear Lopes ("Uno")—each one bringing a whole lot of personality to the program.

Check out their work and adoptable horses at trottybynature.org.

In this March recap from the OTTB Training Diaries, Niamh gets honest about a clinic experience with a big-name trainer that didn’t quite live up to the hype. But that wasn’t the only unexpected moment—this episode also dives into a revealing session with an animal communicator, a training ride with fresh perspective, and Oscar’s continued progress under saddle and in his mind. Plus, Niamh and Emily answer your Ask Us Anything questions on everything from barn routines to OTTB shopping advice.

🎧 Want more? Join the OTTB on Tap Insiders Tier at ottbontap.supercast.com or click the Membership tab on our website to unlock this full episode and all our bonus content.