Read the full article about changes in the horse industry in Horse Illustrated’s September/October 2026 issue! Below is some great content we couldn’t fit in the print article, featuring the rise of Thoroughbreds in the show ring.
Photo by Liz Galletta
The equestrian show scene has certainly changed in the last few decades. Many local, unsanctioned horse shows were shuttered as their proprietors aged out, insurance prices escalated, and volunteer help became harder to find.
One unfortunate consequence of this loss of local horse shows was the falling out of favor of Thoroughbreds in the hunter, jumper and equitation rings. Once the “breed of choice” for these rings, their decline at shows was multi-faceted and included things like loss of saddle time for junior and amateur riders to keep a horse in consistent work and the desire to ride warmbloods as a matter of status.
In 1990, The Jockey Club recorded 40,333 Thoroughbreds in the United States in their Annual North American registered foal crop. In 2025, there were just 16,025 recorded Thoroughbreds foals in North America. The majority of these horses can still go on to successful second (and third!) careers.
As such, concerted efforts have been made to reinvigorate interest in Thoroughbreds in the show rings. These include:
The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program
Created to encourage the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon completion of careers in racing or breeding, the Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) now offers classes or awards at more than 13,436 horse shows in 53 states and Canadian provinces. More than 117,000 eligible Thoroughbreds now compete for thousands of dollars in prize money simply for being a registered Thoroughbred.
Awards are offered in hunter, jumper and equitation divisions, as well as in eventing, dressage, barrel racing, and western events like performance, trail and games.
Learn more at tjctip.com.
TAKE2
Designed to encourage use of Thoroughbreds in USEF-rated hunter and jumper competitions, the TAKE2 Thoroughbred League is a member-based initiative that rewards members with awards, prize money and eligibility for the $11,500 TAKE2 Hunter and $11,500 TAKE2 Jumper Finals.
As additional encouragement to compete Thoroughbreds at sanctioned shows, TAKE2 is now offering TAKE2 Hunter and Jumper Classics at 10 Kentucky horse shows for a total of $35,000 in additional prize money.
Learn more about TAKE2 at take2tbreds.com.
