My fingers, toes, and any other body part that can cross are crossed for you to succeed! I believe in you (I don't know if that helps, but, you know, motivation and stuff)! Also, those races aren't too bad, there's a thread on this forum that goes into horse breeding/ranching but she went really in-depth on the racing part of it... erm... let me find it in case you need it (not that you haven't seen it already): http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,7297.msg151720.html#msg151720
The whole thread is useful, but I tried to get the message where she talked about the competition parts.
Maybe that will help? I dunno, you seem to have your research already, but I thought I would try to throw in what I've seen. 
Thanks for the help, Livvie, it's very appreciated!
Luna's got the three internationals done, (happy dance), and I tell ya, I stacked those buffs like crazy, used the Take Risks for 3 quarters of the race and then Go For Broke. Plus she was riding Dubstep. That's always been the part that messed me up before, back in one of the early Fellowship attempts, Merry and the horse were so old that Grim came for them both right after the race!
Chapter Thirty-Six - No Brain, No Heart, He's Much Too Shy.After Loki's death, the family grieved for as long as it took Gytha to pull the moodlet manager out of her purse. Boxer's sale and Luna's big win put her at the top of the Horsewoman career, and it was time to tend to a few other Dynasty needs.
"It's time to go get him," Luna said. "He's looking forward to getting started on his new life, and there's a lot for him to do."
"Who, exactly," Legolas asked, from behind the fortress he was building in the living room out of pillows. Smaug had slipped away from Luna earlier that day. The elf had been panicking stealthily as only the elves can, since his archery wasn't up to scratch yet.
"The Tin Man, of course," Gytha chided him. "You really should pay attention to these things, my lad."
"Hold up, what Tin Man?" Tia asked. "There's no Tin Man in Sunset Valley."
"Even I feel badly for the poor fellow," Jareth said, running a hand over his hair. "He's been through so many incarnations, films, books, tv miniseries, that he hardly knows who he is any longer."
"But he's not here," Tia pointed out.
"That's who Luna has decided on," Jareth said, raising an eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"
"Yes, how are you getting him here?" Tia snarked back. "And what does Sarah say about all this? I haven't gotten an email or anything about this."
"Told ya it needed to be in writin'," Gytha said, digging through her bag again. She pulled out what looked like a very used paper towel with some scribbles on it. "Says right here, we can do what ever we needs to, to bring Luna's young man over."
"I've got rules I've got to play by, too," Tia protested. "Why can't you guys ever just play like a normal Dynasty family?"
"Where's the fun in that?" Gytha smiled.
"This is all beside the point, which is, we can do this without your help." Jareth stormed. "Luna has made her choice. There will be no more discussion."
"You'll like him, Tia," Luna said. "He's just as gloomy as you are some days."
"Great, you're all bringing Eeyore into the mess." Tia threw up her hands. "Luna, honey, if this is what you want, go get the boy."
"Oh, man," Tia moaned, as Gytha started her spells. "That's not the Tin Man, that's..."
"Trust us!" Jareth snapped. "We've got this under control."
"No Zombies! NO ZOMBIES!" Tia shrieked.
"Relax," Gytha said, firing up another spell.
"Thank you, Luna, Gytha," said the voice of the Tragic Clown. Jareth began playing romantic music, just to make the scene a little more ludicrous.
"I'm so glad you're here," Luna said. "It's been so sad, having to leave you here when the sun came up."
"Listen, are you sure that's the Tin Man?" Tia asked nervously. "I mean, we'll move him and all, but his name is going to read Tragic Clown Bunch, and I'm not having that. It's too close to Insane Clown Posse." She shuddered, as Luna, looking into his eyes, nodded. Tia sighed. "Welcome to the madness that is our Dynasty, Rusty."
"Rusty?" the Tin Man asked, raising a garishly painted eyebrow.
"Yep. Now, home and makeover. Now!"
Rusty and Luna were just as loving and demonstrative as Gytha and Arlo had been.
"Brings a tear to my eye, it does," Gytha said, wiping hers with her sleeve. "Legolas, fire up that red beastie and make us a cuppa!" she called.
"ARGLEBARG!" came from behind the fridge.
"He's making me cry, alright," Tia muttered. "You, Rusty Romeo, mirror, now!"
"Dude, don't you ever smile?" Tia asked him.
"I am smiling. This is the happiest day of my life! I love Luna with all my heart, y'know." he replied.
Jareth took the opportunity to fix himself up a bit.
"This feels somewhat familiar," he told Tia. "But where are the spiders?"
"If you get the urge to go to Mars, suppress it, Goblin King."
The goblins called a meeting with Dubstep.
"The Boss is in a great mood!" Peggy the Dark told the unicorn. "He's even got some new songs!"
"Yes, I've heard him," Dubstep replied. "I want to remix a couple. Luna is so happy with Rusty around that I've got a few days off from the track. Wonder what's up?"
The title of this chapter and the nickname Rusty both come from the 60's cartoon series, the opening theme is
here if you're interested.
