Six Pony Club Members and the “Magnificent 7” Take on the 2026 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover
September 23, 2026 (Lexington, KY)—The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club) is pleased to cheer on six Pony Club members working with Sandia Creek Ranch Auxiliary Foundation (SCRAF) of Fallbrook, Calif., who are taking seven retired Thoroughbred racehorses on an unforgettable journey to the 2026 Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover, held October 7–10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.
As the largest retraining competition in the world for recently retired racehorses, the Thoroughbred Makeover celebrates the trainability, athleticism, and heart of the Thoroughbred beyond the racetrack. But for these horses, and the riders who guide them, the journey to Kentucky is about something even greater. It is a story of second chances. A story of patience, partnership, and trust. A story of what can happen when horses and people learn, grow, and succeed together.
Known as the “Magnificent 7,” the Thoroughbreds making the journey are: Anisette, Beach Hero, Cali Bay, Classical Cat, Prince Abama, Sasafran, and Savel. Each horse has left racing behind and begun a new chapter. Along the way, they have helped shape the skills, confidence, and horsemanship of the Pony Club members preparing them for the national stage.
Behind every horse is another remarkable story. Every rider on the Magnificent 7 team is a member of the United States Pony Clubs. Representing four Pony Clubs and Pony Club Riding Centers across USPC’s Southern California Region—Sandia Creek Ranch Pony Club Riding Center, Royal Riders Pony Club, Horsemanship Academy Pony Club Riding Center, and Fallbrook Pony Club—these riders range from developing members to nationally certified members. While their experience levels may differ, they are united by the values that define Pony Club: horsemanship, education, responsibility, teamwork, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to putting the horse’s well-being first.
Meet the Magnificent 7 and Their Pony Club Partners
Leading the team is Kiersti Wylie, 34, SCRAF’s head trainer and an A-certified Pony Club member from Sandia Creek Ranch Pony Club Riding Center.
Wylie will take on the challenge of preparing and showing two Thoroughbreds, Classical Cat and Savel, in competitive trail and freestyle. She has also been overseeing and mentoring the team of Pony Club riders throughout their preparation for the Thoroughbred Makeover.
Classical Cat (Mendelssohn x Conquest Strate Up, by Not Bourbon) is a 6-year-old bay gelding who retired in 2023 after 5 starts, with 3 wins (including the listed $100,000 Eddie Logan Stakes), one second, and earnings of $166,300.
Savel (Pavel x Loan Savant, by Spring at Last), a 5-year-old gray/roan mare only had three career starts and no placings with only $1,780 in earnings.
Teegan Carthew, 28, an H-B certified member in Horse Management (HM) and C-3 in Dressage from Royal Riders Pony Club in Yorba Linda, is currently a working student at Sandia Creek Ranch. She will compete with her new Thoroughbred partner, Beach Hero (Omaha Beach x Mundy Road, by Lonhro ‘AUS’) in competitive trail and freestyle. Beach Hero is a 4-year-old dark bay gelding bred by Spendthrift Farms with only one start, no placings, and earnings of $500. Beach Hero’s racing career may have been brief, but his story is just beginning.
Ariel Jones, 33, an H-B certified member in Horse Management and C-2 in Dressage, is a member and head trainer of Horsemanship Academy Pony Club Riding Center in Elfin Forest. Jones will compete in competitive trail and freestyle with Sasafran (Maximus Mischief x Tynagh Spirit, by Candy Ride ‘ARG’), a 2022 bay mare with seven starts, 1 third place, and earnings of $13,300. Frannie, as she is called around the barn, has already gotten started with some basic dressage work and trail riding.
Madison Curcie, 14, a member of Fallbrook Pony Club with her C-1 HM and her D-3 in Eventing, has spent her summer at Sandia Creek Ranch as a dedicated member of the team while participating in SCRAF’s “Training to Train” program. She will compete in English Dressage and freestyle with her new Thoroughbred partner, Prince Abama (Tamayuz x Abama Lady, by Mr. Greeley), an 8-year old chestnut gelding who is a multiple graded stakes winner routinely competing against some of the best turf marathoners in the country. Prince Abama raced 15 times with four firsts, 4 seconds, 1 third, and $502,053. He captured the grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes and the grade 3 San Marco Stakes, but right now he has captured Curcie’s heart as she said she knew right away “he’s the one” for her.
Jileann Pinhero, 14, also a member of Fallbrook Pony Club with her C-1 HM, D-3 in Dressage, and her D-2 in Hunter Seat Equitation, has spent the summer working alongside the team and participating in SCRAF’s “Training to Train” program. She will compete in English Dressage and freestyle with her new Thoroughbred partner, Cali Bay (New Bay x Majestic Dancer ‘IRE’, by Danehill Dancer ‘IRE’), an 8-year-old Irish-bred chestnut gelding who accumulated 5 wins, 3 seconds, and 1 third from 17 starts with earnings of $178,193 in the allowance ranks. This horse with a big, goofy personality is now spending his time as a 14-year-old’s “sunshine horse.”
Emma Rosas, 15, a C-1 HM and D-2 Eventing member of Sandia Creek Ranch Pony Club Riding Center in the De Luz area between Fallbrook and Temecula, has been a working student at Sandia Creek Ranch and has mentored under Wylie for years. This summer, she also participated in SCRAF’s “Training to Train” program and will compete in competitive trail and freestyle with her new Thoroughbred partner, Anisette (Central Banker x Anais, by Malibu Moon), a 5-year-old chestnut mare with 3 wins and 1 third out of 10 starts, which earned her $28,781.
These ex-racehorses came to SCRAF, a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)-accredited organization, via California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), which supports the responsible transition of California racehorses into successful second careers. Each horse came to the project with a different racing history, personality, and set of experiences.
Training to Train
For Pony Club members Curcie, Pinhero, and Rosas, the Magnificent 7 project has become an especially hands-on educational experience through SCRAF’s “Training to Train” program. Rather than simply being handed a finished horse to ride, these teenagers are learning the process behind developing a horse while under experienced guidance.
The philosophy complements the foundation these members receive through Pony Club, where education extends well beyond riding to encompass horse management and extensive horsemanship knowledge, as well as responsibility, leadership, and teamwork. The result is an incredible educational experience where Thoroughbred aftercare and the development of the next generation of equestrians happen side by side.
“The Magnificent 7 project gives our members an incredible opportunity to put their Pony Club education into practice in a very meaningful way,” said Tauni Beckmann, USPC Regional Supervisor, Southern California Region. “They’re learning by doing—developing their horsemanship skills while working together to help these Thoroughbreds find success in a new career, under the guidance of USPC “A” and FEI rider Kiersti Wylie. Pony Club gave them a solid foundation and realistic pathway to make that possible.”
An Incredible Journey
When the Magnificent 7 arrive at the Kentucky Horse Park this October, their success will not be measured solely by scores, placings, or ribbons. This journey, filled with dedication, teamwork, grit, and love, tells the story.
“Our definition of success isn’t a ribbon; it’s becoming a safer, more thoughtful, and compassionate horseman,” said Beckmann. “These Pony Club members have already learned how to implement new skills, improve their riding, and have developed deep partnerships built on trust. We’re so proud of their hard work and dedication and we are excited to watch them take on the Thoroughbred Makeover!”
Learn more about the Magnificent 7 and how you can support their journey at https://scraf.org/scraf-ottb-project. For those inspired to give a Thoroughbred ex-racehorse a second chance, visit www.therrp.org.
About The United States Pony Clubs, Inc.—The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization that transforms lives through horsemanship education focused on the safety and well-being of people and horses. USPC builds confident leaders, strengthens communities, and creates lifelong connections. With hundreds of clubs and riding centers across the country, USPC provides instruction and competitive opportunities in more than 10 disciplines while setting the standard for horsemanship education nationwide. Pony Club alumni include Olympians, industry professionals, and successful business and community leaders. USPC also offers Allpony.com, an interactive learning platform with games, quizzes, and educational resources for horse lovers of all ages. Learn more at www.ponyclub.org.
USPC National Office
The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club) is the largest equestrian educational organization in North America. Started in 1954, the organization has developed curriculum that teaches safe riding skills and the care of horses through mounted and unmounted lessons. Through Pony Club, members have fun with horses and make lifelong friends while they develop skills, habits, and values that extend well beyond the barn and last a lifetime. Many members apply what they have learned in the USPC program successfully in their careers, educational and volunteer opportunities, and other life pursuits.
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