Our Impact
Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare assumed its predecessor, Save The Horses, in 2016. Since that time, CTA has vastly expanded upon STH’s aftercare work in the islands.
Financials
We uphold complete transparency in all our endeavors. Feel free to explore our financials below:
10+ Years of Aftercare Service to Thoroughbreds
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Retirement-Rest-Rehabilitation-Retraining-Rehoming (adoption)
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Working relationship with racetracks
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Evaluation & transition protocols for aftercare
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Improving welfare for racing thoroughbreds
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10 acre farm for turnout & shelter
200+ Thoroughbreds Retired from Racing in Puerto Rico and USVI!
As of December 7, 2023, CTA has retired 299 Thoroughbreds.
These new roles include Eventing, Dressage, Hunter-Jumper, Trail & Pleasure Riding, Equine-Assisted Therapy & Sanctuary/Companion animals.
First Responder & Organizer of Hurricane Maria Relief
CTA partnered with countless organizations and individuals in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. In total, nearly $140,000 was raised in goods & funds to provide the horses of Puerto Rico and other islands with life-saving relief.
CTA distributed 98 tons of alfalfa/timothy; 112 tons of feed; 30 tons of shavings; 28 pallets of medical and equine supplies; 10 pallets of relief supplies; and 56 tarps, and counting.
Shelley Blodgett, and Kelley Stobie accepted a Special Eclipse Award for their rescue efforts at Camarero Racetrack in 2018.
Board of Directors
Glorymary Carillo-Diaz - President
Glory was born in Ponce, PR., and has lived on the East Coast of the Island since. She graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a Major in Management from Interamericana University, and currently works as a Federal Employee in a Medical Center as part of the Finance Department Staff.
Glory is a huge animal lover, always demonstrating a deep respect for horses; with the help of her daughter, she started learning more about horses and gaining more confidence while trying to pet them, feed them and groom them. In February 2018 the Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare (CTA) adventure began when her daughter Ariana started working as a Volunteer. Ariana's passion and love for the horses inspired Glory to become a volunteer. The family adopted their first Thoroughbred that same year, a mare named By My Side, and then in 2021, we adopted “Primer Portento” the most humble and loving horse I saw.
Every time I visit the farm I enjoy my time helping and always feel grateful that they are giving them another opportunity in life to a well-deserved retirement from the racetrack. It’s been hard for us to find funds and support for the facility to maintain operations, treatments, feeds, transport, and find them new homes.
Kelley Stobie
Co-Founder/Secretary/Executive Director
Kelley was born into a family with horses in England. By the age of 5, she had won a blue ribbon in a field of 143 at the Royal Windsor Show. The family moved to Canada to operate a boarding barn and polo facility, where Kelley broadened her skills and deepened her love for horses.
She has been in Puerto Rico since 1996, when a lasting love affair with the breed began. Employed by Hacienda Siesta Alegre, she galloped, broke, and cared for the horses being groomed for a racing career on the island. In 2010, alongside a local couple she started the OTTB rehoming program for the PR racetrack, Save The Horses, Inc. She established her own business in 2012 Equi Blu Therapies, while continuing to assist in rehoming thoroughbreds. Kelley remained active in the competition world, resulting in a 2013/2014 PR NBHA barrel-racing championship win for her own horses, Lotus and Yashira.
Kelley is married with two children and runs CTA out of the family farm at the base of the El Yunque Rainforest.
Dra. Randi Armand, DVM - Medical Director
Hailing from Louisiana, Dr. Randi obtained her veterinary degree from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. She embarked on a one-year internship with EQUUS in July of the same year and instantly fell in love with both the job and the enchanting island of Puerto Rico, leading her to decide to stay.
Currently, Dr. Randi's expertise is put to use at both Hipodromo Camarero's Confederacion Clinic and EQUUS Pet Clinic, where she excels in administering anesthesia and providing ambulatory services. For the past five years, she has actively served as the Veterinary Director for CTA, diligently evaluating all horses for their intake exams at the track or farm, as well as overseeing any necessary veterinary services.
In her personal life, Dr. Randi cherishes the companionship of her two dogs, two cats, and a Guinea pig.
Alessandra Hernandez - Treasurer
Sandy Hernandez is a Finance Major from the University of Puerto Rico. She is currently working as a Territory Business Manager for Invacare Corporation which manufactures medical equipment. She has always shared a love for horses. During her early childhood years, she accompanied her father to the Hipodromo to see her race horses run the Sunday races. She then rode Paso Fino horses during the week after school.
She wanted to come back to those days for a long time and through some friends at one of the hospitals she visits came upon CTA. She wants to help CTA keep its mission alive and is collaborating with us in helping keep the funding for the organization fluid so that we can help as many horses as possible. She is sponsoring a Thoroughbred named Arch D’ Amour that is staying at CTA and both are learning how to ride and enjoy their new life together.
Laura Petrie - Director
Since Laura was four years old, she's had a life with horses; from her first pony to her current herd of 3 1/2. Laura spent her childhood competing in local shows and the largest youth fair in the Midwest. Life eventually took her from Michigan to California, and then to Puerto Rico (where she brought her ❤️ horse Woodstock). After arriving in Puerto Rico, Laura took a special interest in equine nutrition, which turned out to be a passion!
Laura currently owns and operate one of the island's premier equine feed retailers (The LucKy Horse) providing high-quality premium feed to horses in Puerto Rico, where option can be limited.
Laura is passionate about horses and helping off-the-track thoroughbreds find loving homes in Puerto Rico through her connections in competitive showjumping in Puerto Rico.
Staff
Lauren Guerrera - Program Manager
Lauren grew up taking riding lessons at a young age, competing in Hunters/Equitation and Eventing. Many of the lesson horses she rode were off the track Thoroughbreds. In college, she competed on the school's Interscholastic Dressage Team and earned her Bachelors of Professional Studies in Equine Business Management. Her first own horse was an OTTB named Vijencio, who was her best friend.
She has been involved in horse rescue and Thoroughbred aftercare for 10 years and became aware of CTA when she was working with another rescue helping transfer several horses from Puerto Rico to the mainland into good homes. Thoroughbred's are Lauren's passion, and helping them when their racing careers are over is now her mission. Lauren lives in NY on a small farm with her husband, daughter, and array of horses, dogs, cats, and chickens.
Ariana Rodriguez - Trainer
Ariana was born in a no-horse family. Since she was little she always loved horses. By the age of 12 (2013) she started taking lessons with Pasó Fino horses. She learned how to ride and work with Pasó Finos, but wanted to know more about different disciplines and horse breeds. In 2018 Ariana's father Jose Rodriguez saw an article in the local newspaper about CTA. In search for volunteers, Ariana was in it to help and learn about the Thoroughbreds. After a few months in, her family adopted there first OTTB "By My Side" She got fascinated with the breed, especially on how versatile and how smart they were. Over the months she was learning and practicing with the OTTB, while also being a part of there training. Little by little she has learned to train horses on different disciplines. It’s been 6 years since Ariana joined CTA, and had help multiple horses find there new homes with their training. Thoroughbreds made a special place in Ariana's heart.
Christian Santiago - Farm Manager
Christian Santiago Vargas was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but spent his life in Canóvanas, Puerto Rico. Growing up, he never considered himself an animal person, nor did he anticipate working with horses. That all changed when he discovered CTA. At CTA, he brought his managerial skills from previous jobs, but the responsibility of caring for these magnificent creatures took his role to a new level. Knowing that their well-being depends on people is a profound responsibility that he embraces daily. H arrive at work each day with a determination to enhance the facilities, and improve the lives of these amazing horses, all while hoping to find them loving forever homes. As a lighthearted observation, he often jokes that he spends more time with the horses than with his own family. Over time, these horses have become more than just a job—they are like family to him. Working at CTA has fostered tremendous personal growth. One aspect he cherishes most is how it has taught him not only to instruct but also to be open to learning. CTA is more than a workplace; it's a special place filled with extraordinary hearts dedicated to making a difference. It has profoundly impacted him, shaping who he is today and fueling his passion for helping these remarkable animals.
Christian Arce - Farm Maintenance & Groom
Christian J. Arce Hernández was born on December 26, 1995 in the town of Moca, Puerto Rico. His love for horses started at around the age of 4 when his cousins introduced him to a couple of Paso Fino horses they had acquired. They taught him the basics and later on gave him a 8 month old foal that started his journey into the equine experience. After graduating high school he decided to go to the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez to study animal science. There he accrued experience with cattle, horses and small ruminants. He became director of logistics in 2015 for the campus Agricultural Fair “ 5 días con nuestra Tierra”. After graduating Christian met José “Pepe” Llenin, who owned “Criadero Krysia” a Paso Fino farm in San German. Christian helped the owner with his breeding program and learned in depth genetics of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino breed. Meanwhile he also started to work as a farm hand and tour guide for a horse back riding business in Rincon. At the end of 2023 Christian moved to the northeast side of the island where he found CTA.
Pablo Frese - Farm Hand & Groom
Pablo is from Río Grande, Puerto Rico and 18 years old. He is presently studying to be a veterinarian assistant, and is also attending the farrier school at the Hipodromo Camarero. He grew up with horses since he was 7 years old, and it has become a passion working with them and helping them in any way he can. Pablo has been working with CTA for 3 years and it has helped him learn so much on equine care & welfare, and what an amazing breed the Thoroughbred is. He lives at home with his parents and his little 5 year old brother, as well as his 40+ animals (5 horses, 17 goats, 15 dogs, 10 ducks, 6 chickens, 1 pig, 4 cats, 3 rabbits and 2 parrot). He has a small business called Granja del sol V.F You can find him on Facebook where he raises and cares for miniature goats(everyday the family grows a little bit more)!