HAVANA, Fla. (WTXL)--A former race horse is getting a second lease on life with the help of a trainer in Havana who was just selected to participate in a national program.

The Retired Race Horse Project allows retired American Thoroughbred race horses to start a second career.

There are 700 applicants each year. Of those, only 480 trainers are selected, This year, Sarah MacKusick of Iron Star Equestrian in Havana was chosen.

MacKusick is training Scotty the horse. They have until October to prepare for a show at the Kentucky Horse Park. They're planning to compete either in the sport of eventing or dressage.

The goal of the project is show the public that thoroughbreds are much more than just race horses.

"They got a bad rap and they have this bad reputation of being hot and wild and crazy, so the point of the retired race horse project is to rebuild their reputation and give them a second chance after their race track careers are over," said Sarah MacKusick, who's the owner and operator of Iron Star Equestrian.

You can following Scotty's makeover blog by clicking here.