The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) teamed up with Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Jockey Club, and Maryland Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association to present the Maryland’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred Contest. Four Maryland-bred ex-racehorses competed for a $750 purse on Saturday, January 17 at 2pm in the Cow Palace main arena at the Maryland Horse World Expo in Timonium.  The mission was to inspire the next generation of horse buyers to choose a horse off the track.

Monica and "Rocky" ( Malibu Rock, a 2007 gelding by No Armistice out of Our Bellarosa by Malibu Moon. Bred and raced by Rita and Anton Riedbauer of Joppa, Maryland, Earnings $15,980 in 12 starts) were chosen as one of four contestants. “We asked our sponsors to consider both the ability of the horse and rider to impress an audience as well as the compelling nature of the stories that brought the horses from racing to their current careers,” said RRP President Steuart Pittman.

Monica and Rocky inspired the crowd at the Expo, demonstrating their skills in flatwork and jumping over the course of the entire weekend, participating in Steuart Pittman's seminars in Dressage and Jumping as well as the main Maryland's Most Wanted Thoroughbred contest. The duo finished as runners-up in the contest and went home with a truckload of prizes from the sponsors! 

Video of Monica and Rocky at the Maryland Horse Expo, January 2015

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