OTTB on Tap

S3 E7: From Office Burnout to Galloping Racehorses: Courtenay Brown's OTTB Journey

What happens when you stop playing it safe and finally choose the horses? In this episode of OTTB on Tap, we sit down with Courtenay Brown, who went from a stable remote career to riding racehorses full time. Her path is anything but linear, and it will hit home for anyone who has ever felt stuck in a job while dreaming about being at the barn. Courtenay shares how she grew up around racehorses, stepped away for years, and came back to the saddle later in life. She talks about producing her own OTTB to the upper levels of eventing, getting laid off, and making the decision to lean into horses instead of rushing back to another desk job. We also get into what it is really like working on the racetrack. The early mornings, the learning curve, and the moments that made her fall in love with it. If you have ever wondered what your OTTB experienced before you got them, this conversation gives you a rare inside look. We talk about her horse Bam, found through CANTER with a bowed tendon and developed into an upper level event horse. And we get honest about shifting priorities, stepping back from competition, and what it looks like to just enjoy your horse. This episode is for anyone thinking about a career change, anyone deep in the OTTB world, and anyone who knows that pull back to horses never really goes away.

S3 E6: Not Just the Highlight Reel: Chelsey O’Brien on Training a Stakes-Winning OTTB and Going Viral (Part 2)

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 that feel messy and the ones where things suddenly start to come together. We also dig into the two videos that recently went viral and the reaction that followed. One features Dude, an OTTB Chelsey took on and carefully rehabbed after a difficult start. Chelsey shares the full story behind that video, how things unfolded online, and why she still believes in showing the real side of retraining off-track Thoroughbreds. It’s an honest conversation about horsemanship, perspective, and staying committed to the horse in front of you, even when the internet has opinions.

S3 E5: Putting the Horse First: Chelsey O’Brien’s RRP Makeover Story and Lessons in Horsemanship (Part 1)

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 she develops versatile sport horses and why letting the horse choose its path is central to her training philosophy. This episode dives deep into the highs, the pressure, and the unexpected challenges of the RRP Makeover. Chelsey opens up about preparing young Thoroughbreds for competition, managing multiple disciplines, and what happens when things do not go according to plan. From historic rainstorms at the Kentucky Horse Park to tough decisions about scratching classes and putting the horse first, this is an honest look at the reality of competing OTTBs at a major event. We also talk about her experience competing in the Real Rider Cup, a unique event that raises money for Thoroughbred aftercare, where Chelsey stepped back into the jumper ring in a completely different setting and challenge. You will hear Chelsey’s perspective on horsemanship under pressure, how setbacks can reinforce your training philosophy, and why the makeover is just one small part of a much bigger journey with these horses. This conversation is packed with insight for anyone training an OTTB, considering the Retired Racehorse Project, or navigating the balance between competition goals and doing right by the horse. In Part 1, we cover Chelsey’s RRP experience from start to finish, including both horses, the lessons learned, and the moments that tested everything she believes about training and partnership. Part 2 will pick up with life after the makeover & the Real Rider Cup, and what happens when a training video goes viral.

S3 E4: She Set a Top 10 Goal and Achieved It: Stephanie Parkot’s 2025 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Recap | OTTB Competitive Trail & Freestyle

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 to prepare a young Off Track Thoroughbred for the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park. From months of training and hauling out to obstacle courses, to a last minute lameness scare just weeks before the event, Stephanie walks us through the real experience of preparing an OTTB for the RRP Makeover. We talk about why she chose to compete in both Competitive Trail and Freestyle, two disciplines that test a horse’s confidence, focus, and partnership with the rider. Stephanie describes how obstacle work helped Sterling develop emotional regulation and bravery, and how cross training can benefit any horse transitioning from racing to a second career. Stephanie also shares the story behind her fun 80s themed freestyle routine, what it was like performing freestyle in the covered arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, and how she and Sterling worked through the challenging water obstacle during the Competitive Trail finals. Her creative solution in the water helped secure a Top 10 finish and marked a proud moment in her Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover journey. Whether you are planning to compete in the RRP Thoroughbred Makeover, retraining your own Off Track Thoroughbred, or simply interested in how racehorses transition to new careers, this episode offers an honest look at the preparation, persistence, and partnership required to bring an OTTB from the racetrack to a successful showing at the Retired Racehorse Project. Stephanie also reflects on what she learned from her second trip to the Kentucky Horse Park, how the experience shaped her approach to training Off Track Thoroughbreds, and what comes next for Sterling Honor after the 2025 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover. This episode discusses the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover, training Off Track Thoroughbreds, OTTB Competitive Trail, OTTB Freestyle, New Vocations adoption, and preparing Thoroughbreds for second careers after racing.

S3 E3: Why OTTBs Belong in the Hunter Ring with Madison Barnett & Caden Nolt

What happens when you take an off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) into the hunter ring and stop treating it like an “alternate” to a warmblood? In this episode of OTTB on Tap, Niamh flies solo for our first truly hunter/jumper-focused OTTB episode with Pennsylvania pro Madison Barnett of MB Equine (USEA event rider + hunter/jumper trainer) and standout junior rider Caden Nolt. Madison breaks down why Thoroughbreds became the backbone of her program, what retraining her first OTTB taught her about horsemanship, and why OTTBs often “expect” riders to show up like professionals. We talk cross-training hunters with eventing (conditioning, bravery, brain engagement), why some Thoroughbreds thrive when the work stays interesting, and how that forward-thinking approach can create a more rideable, competitive hunter. Caden shares what it’s like producing a Thoroughbred in the hunters as a junior—including riding Geo Lemon, his one-eyed Thoroughbred gelding, and navigating the (very real) bias against a one-eyed horse in hunter derbies. He also explains how eventing experience (including riding with William Fox-Pitt) has influenced his hunter style—especially when the fences get bigger, the turns get tighter, and the questions get scarier. We also dig into the big-picture conversation: if we want OTTBs to be taken seriously in the performance hunter divisions, riders have to actually put them in the ring against warmbloods—and have them prepared to win. Madison and Caden share practical advice on starting OTTBs over fences, confirming lead changes (without over-schooling), and what they look for in a Thoroughbred prospect for hunters. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * OTTB retraining for hunters: what matters most early (and what doesn’t) * Why Thoroughbreds can make riders better: faster thinking, full-picture horsemanship * Cross-training hunters with eventing: conditioning, boldness, and keeping brains fresh * One-eyed horse in the hunter ring: rules, perceptions, and how Geo Lemon proves people wrong * The mindset shift: moving from Thoroughbred-only divisions to performance divisions * Caden’s goals for Junior Hunter Finals + bringing along a new OTTB prospect If you’re Googling things like “best OTTB for hunters,” “how to retrain an off-track Thoroughbred for hunter/jumper,” “OTTB lead changes,” “Thoroughbred hunter derby training,” or “can a one-eyed horse compete in hunters,” this conversation is for you.