Category: The Elite Program

The Elite Program Offering Two April Classes

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Subject: April classes

Trainers’ Exam Prep class at Lone Star Park – April 15-17

Basic Grooming 099 – Lexington, Kentucky – April 22-26

Information and registration:
http://www.purplepowerracing.com ; http://www.groomelite.com

The Elite Program, Inc. through its Groom Elite Education programs has opened registration for two April classes open to the public. A critical current topic in racing is the lack of qualified help to fill open positions in the racing industry. For the third year in a row, The Jockey Club, Magdalena Farm, National HBPA and Keeneland are sponsoring Groom Elite’s Basic Grooming 099 (BG099) April 22-26 at Keeneland and Magdalena Farm in Lexington, Ky.

Basic Grooming will provide anyone wanting to work with racehorses some basic skills necessary to work safely with regal Thoroughbred athletes. Those meeting minimum skill levels in haltering, leading, brushing and picking feet are virtually assured of being offered a job. If you have a strong work ethic, are physically able to walk several miles a day and are willing to start work at 5 AM you will be offered a position with opportunity to move up rapidly from entry level hotwalker to groom, senior groom, shedrow foreman and even assistant trainer if that is a goal. Previous BG099 graduates (with minimal previous horse experience) have become shedrow foremen within 4 months of completing this class. Tuition is only $99 and many employers will reimburse that tuition after the first month of employment. Tuition assistance is available (request an application) for those seriously seeking a job in the racing industry. Class size is limited to 20, so sign up right away to guarantee your spot.

Also, April 15-17, the 18 th Lone Star Park Trainers’ Exam Prep Class will be offered at the Grand Prairie Track. For anyone interested in the Rules of Racing, this class is 3 days of discussion, demonstrations and practice of barn test skills (bandaging) as well as an intensive review of the law under which racing is conducted. With constantly changing rules, particularly medication and claiming rules as well as other rules regarding the welfare and safety of racehorses, this class provides information helpful to owners and others desiring to understand the rules of racing whether they plan to take a trainer’s exam or not.

Class size is limited to 12 to facilitate opportunity for questions and maximum participation. Tuition is $299 if paid online or $330 at the door.

For information or to register, go to or Anyone without internet access may call Dr. “Mac” at 859-321-4377 and sign up over the phone.

Three New Elite Program Trainer Classes Set for Feb/Mar

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Trainers’ Exam Prep class at Sam Houston Race Park ~ February 23-26 

Trainers’ Exam Prep class in Ocala, Florida  ~ March 9-12 

Philosophy & Methods of Training Racehorses ~ March 21-24 

Information and registration: www.purplepowerracing.com; www.groomelite.com 

 

Registration is now open for three new classes presented by The Elite Program, Inc., home of Groom Elite education programs. This is the first winter in 12 years, C. Reid McLellan, PhD is available to offer his Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at two new venues plus a first time offering in Lexington, Kentucky of Philosophy & Methods of Training Racehorses. Those interested are encouraged to sign up early at http://www.purplepowerracing.com or http://www.groomelite.com. Early sign up ensures participants of a seat in the limited enrollment classes and a tuition savings of $50. 

McLellan, “Dr. Mac” to participants, is a well-known and liked national instructor of Groom Elite classes around the country. Dr. Mac has experience as a University professor of Animal and Equine Science classes, licensed racehorse trainer, handicapper and tip sheet writer and curriculum writer for education programs from the Groom Elite certificate programs, Community College associate of applied science degrees and Bachelor of Science degrees. Dr. Mac founded an award-winning equine program at Louisiana Tech University in which senior students that successfully completed 3 years of a comprehensive 4-year curriculum took the Trainers’ Exam of the Louisiana Racing Commission and spent their senior year as licensed Louisiana racehorse trainers in addition to their senior year of study. 

Trainers’ Exam Prep class is a concentrated discussion of the rules of racing including information trainer applicants must know to pass a trainer’s licensing exam. Day one is devoted to horse care and management plus other information included in the barn test portion of the National Trainers’ Exam. Days two and three focus on administrative rules that govern horse racing including Trainer Responsibility, Duties of Racing Officials, Responsibilities of Licensees, Jockeys & Jockey Agents, Medication, Claiming, Racetrack Protocol, Entering with Correct Weight and more. 

You don’t have to be planning on taking the Trainers’ Licensing Exam to take this class. In addition to prospective trainers, owners, jockeys and handicappers have participated to learn more about the rules of racing. Class size is limited to 12 to facilitate opportunity for questions and maximum participation. Tuition is $349 with a $299 early bird tuition if paid by February 8 for Sam Houston Race Park and February 11 for Ocala. 

Over 300 have successfully completed a Trainers’ Exam Prep class since McLellan taught the first one at Sam Houston Race Park in 1998. That class was the catalyst that launched what was to become Groom Elite 101, flagship class of the Groom Elite certification programs. The tight 3-day format for the Trainers’ Exam Prep limited opportunities for discussion regarding training techniques. Philosophy & Methods of Training Racehorses is now scheduled in response to requests from Trainers’ Exam Prep class participants. Enrollment will be limited to 20 participants. Tuition is $449 with an Early Bird tuition of $399 if paid by February 23rd. Trainers’ Exam prep class graduates receive an additional $50 off tuition. 

For more information and to register, go to www.purplepowerracing.com. Anyone without internet access may call Dr. “Mac” at 859-321-4377 and sign up over the phone. 

The Elite Program, Inc. is a 501(C)3 non-profit that provides equine education classes through its Groom Elite™ curriculum. With its initial primary mission (in 2001) to provide education to grooms and hotwalkers or Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racehorses, Groom Elite continually adapts and updates it’s programming that now includes courses for grooms and owners of OTTB show horses and welcomes owners and grooms of any breed. A notable program is Second Chances Groom Elite, taught in five adult correctional facilities in partnership with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and its local affiliates/ Participants learn life lessons while developing an employable skill working with retired racehorses 

Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at Remington Park still has Openings for Aug. 16-18 Course

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Subject: Trainers’ Exam Prep class at Remington Park

When: August 16-18

Tuition: Early Registration by Aug 11, $299; After August 11th, $349.

Class size: Limited to 12

Information: www.groomelite.com; www.purplepowerracing.com

 

Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at Remington Park in Oklahoma City August 16-18 has 4 remaining spots as of August 6th. Class size is limited so each participant has a chance to participate and get his or her questions answered. This class focuses on the Rules of Racing with emphasis on rules from states represented. Discussion of rule variances from state to state is included.

 

Lenford Clarke, 2016 graduate of a Florida Trainers’ Exam Prep class recently visited Gulfstream Park’s winner’s circle with his first winner in July. Elizabeth Dobles, another recent Florida TExP graduate has multiple winners at Gulfstream Park in 2017.

 

A class may be scheduled in Kentucky later this fall, but no definite date has been announced. Those interested in taking a Trainers’ Licensing exam are encouraged to go to www.groomelite.com or www.purplepowerracing.com for more information and to register. Anyone without internet access may call 859-252-8648 (Race for Education) or Dr. “Mac” at 859-321-4377 and sign up over the phone.

 

 

The Elite Program, Inc. is a 501(C)3 non-profit that provides equine education classes through it’s Groom Elite™ curriculum. With its initial primary mission (in 2001) to provide education to grooms and hotwalkers or Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racehorses, Groom Elite continually adapts and updates it’s programming that now includes courses for grooms and owners of OTTB show horses and welcomes owners and grooms of any breed. One of it’s more noteable programs is its Second Chances Groom Elite curriculum taught in five adult correctional facilities in partnership with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and it’s local affiliates in which participants learn life lessons while developing an employable skill working with retired racehorses.

Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at Remington Park

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Contact: C. Reid McLellan, PhD 859-321-4377
When: August 16-18
Tuition: Early Registration by Aug4 $299; After August 4th, $349.
Class size: Limited to 12

Information: http://www.groomelite.com; http://www.purplepowerracing.com

With the 2017 summer Trainers’ Exam Prep Class in Lexington, Kentucky June 28-30 selling out, seven participants have already signed up for one of 12 available spots in the August 16-18 Trainers’ Exam Prep class at Remington Park in Oklahoma City. Registration is open and interested participants are encouraged to sign up early to guarantee a spotin this class at http://www.groomelite.com or http://www.purplepowerracing.com.

Presented by Dr. C. Reid “Mac” McLellan, well known national instructor of Groom Elite classes around the country, the Trainers’ Exam Prep class is three days of concentrated study of the Rules of Racing with specific emphasis on day to day rules of which trainers must be aware. Day one is devoted to horse care and management plus other information included in the barn test portion of the National Trainers’ Exam. Days two and three focus on administrative rules that govern horse racing including Trainer Responsibility, Duties of Racing Officials, Responsibilities of Licensees, Jockeys & Jockey Agents, Medication, Claiming, Racetrack Protocol, Entering with Correct Weight and more.

Lenford Clarke, 2016 graduate of a Florida Trainers’ Exam Prep class recently visited Gulfstream Park’s winner’s circle with his first winner.

Those interested are encouraged to go to  http://www.groomelite.com or http://www.purplepowerracing.com for more information and to register. Anyone without internet access may call 859-252-8648 (Race for Education) or Dr. “Mac”at 859-321-4377 and sign up over the phone.

The Elite Program, Inc. is a 501(C)3 non-profit that provides equine education classes through it’s Groom Elite™ curriculum.  With its initial primary mission (in 2001) to provide education to grooms and hotwalkers or Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racehorses, Groom Elite continually adapts and updates it’s programming that now includes courses for grooms and owners of OTTB show horses and welcomes owners and grooms of any breed. One of it’s more noteable programs is its Second Chances Groom Elite curriculum taught in five adult correctional facilities in partnership with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and it’s local affiliates in which participants learn life lessons while developing an employable skill working with retired racehorses.

Registration is Open for Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at Remington Park

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The Elite Program, Inc. will present their Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at Remington Park, Oklahoma City August 17-19. Registration is open and interested persons may register and guarantee a spot in that class at http://www.groomelite.com or http://www.purplepowerracing.com
Click here for more information and to register

Trainer Programs

 

  • Focus on information important to both new and experienced trainers
  • Trainer’s Elite 301 prepares aspiring trainers for a state’s trainers licensing exam.
  • Trainer’s seminars on a single topic of current interest to trainers
  • Offered at times and locations convenient to trainers

 

Trainer Elite 301

 

Short Course on principles of training and rules of racing preparing students to take state trainers licensing exam. (State licensing exams administered by respective state and completion of this class does not guarantee licensing.) A complete list of topics is available from the left hand menu. Tuition: $250 (includes loose-leaf bound handout materials, refreshments and CD of materials).
For more information contact
C. Reid McLellan, PhD 859-321-4377

 

The Elite Program, Inc. to Present Two April Courses

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Subject: Two important classes in April 2017; 

What/When/Where: 

Trainers Exam Prep Class at Lone Star Park April 5-7
Basic Grooming Workforce Preparation, Kenny McPeek’s Magdalena Farm, Lexington, KY April 17-21

Information: www.groomelite.com; www.purplepowerracing.com

The Elite Program, Inc. through it’s Groom Elite™ programming will present two important classes in April to be taught by National lead instructor and Executive Director, C. Reid McLellan, PhD.  McLellan  will conduct his popular Trainers’ Exam Prep Class at Lone Star Park for a 17th time from April 5-7. Two weeks later, April 17-21, “Dr. Mac” will be lead instructor for an inaugural Basic Grooming 099, a workforce preparation class at Magdalena Farms in Lexington, Ky.

 

Lone Star Park Trainers Exam Prep Class

The Lone Star Park Trainers Exam Prep Class will be held in the Chaplain’s classroom in the Lone Star Park racing office for three days immediately following the Texas Thoroughbred Associations two-year old in training sale on April 4. Tuition is $350 and participants that register early and pay tuition before March 24th pay a discounted rate of $299.

This will be the 17th class McLellan has taught at Lone Star Park. Over 120 have participated in this class including Texas based trainer Janine Winslow, a member of the fist Lone Star Park class in 1998. Winslow saddled winners at Delta Downs and Sam Houston in February 2017. McLellan, has instructed trainers since he established an award winning equine program at Louisiana Tech University in the 1980’s. Dr. Mac is an engaging speaker who spices up otherwise dull material with personal experiences and discussion of rule changes that effect those desiring to become trainers. Information and registration online at www.groomelite.com or www.purplepowerracing.com.

 

Basic Grooming 099

Basic Grooming 099 is a 16-hour hands on class designed for people with limited (or no) horse experience who would like to take advantage of the many job openings in the Equine Industry. Class will  be held at Kenny McPeek’s Magdalena Farms on Russell Cave Road in Lexington. McPeek and others will participate as their schedules allow. “I’ll be there every  day”, McPeek tweeted (@Kenny McPeek.}

Class is being held during the Keeneland meeting  and participants will have an opportunity to attend the races and see grooms and hotwalkers in action Wednesday or Thursday.

Participants will learn how to work safely with horses, starting with approaching safely, haltering and leading. The four day (4 hours per day) class will include daily hands on practice. Participants will demonstrate on Friday what they have learned. Each person completing the course that is interested in applying for a job in the equine industry, will be evaluated and counseled as to their readiness to work with horses. In addition, contact information of trainers and farms with job openings will be provided. Elite Program staff will assist participants in finding jobs compatible with their skill level and confidence. In addition to McPeek’s Magdalena Farm, Basic Grooming 099 is sponsored in part by The Jockey Club, TOBA (though its Thoroughbred Charities of America), NTRA and the Race for Education. As a result, tuition for this class will be only $99. Class size is limited to the first 20 signing up and paying a $25 deposit to hold a spot. The remaining $74 is due April 14th . Anyone out of work and in need of a job can register and request assistance with tuition. “If a person wants to work in our equine industry we want to provide them the training necessary for them to be qualified to apply for those jobs”, McLellan stated.

A waiting list will be established if class is over subscribed. Those interested are encouraged to go to  www.groomelite.com and sign up.  Anyone without internet access is invited to call 859-252-8648 (Race for Education) or Dr. McLellan at 859-321-4377 and sign up over the phone.

The Elite Program, Inc. is a 501(C)3 non-profit that provides equine education classes through it’s Groom Elite™ curriculum.  With its initial primary mission (in 2001) to provide education to grooms and hotwalkers or Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racehorses, Groom Elite continually adapts and updates it’s programming that now includes courses for grooms and owners of OTTB show horses and welcomes owners and grooms of any breed. One of it’s more noteable programs is its Second Chances Groom Elite curriculum taught in five adult correctional facilities in partnership with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and it’s local affiliates in which participants learn life lessons while developing an employable skill working with retired racehorses.