It is for retired race horses and they do have rules like they can not begin training until a certain date so that it is more for fresh off the track horses. I do think if a race horse rests after the track then it can be a while after but everyone only gets so much time to train before the competition. Heather has done all the training herself and this is her first horse she has trained. Her horse is wonderful and they are doing a great job i think she has him jumping over 3 ft now. and the last set of triples I saw her jump they looked great! Heather is traveling from California to Kentucky for this competition so could use all the help she could get!