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.

10+ Years of Aftercare Service to Thoroughbreds

• Retirement-Rest-Rehabilitation-Retraining-Rehoming (adoption)

• Working relationship with racetracks

• Evaluation & transition protocols for aftercare

• Improving welfare for racing thoroughbreds

• New 10 acre farm for turnout & shelter

200+ Thoroughbreds Retired from Racing in Puerto Rico and USVI!

As of January 1, 2022, CTA has retired over 200 Thoroughbreds &  These off-the-track thoroughbreds (OTTBs). 

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. 

Glorymary Carillo-Diaz

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.

Michelle (Shelley) Gagnon-Blodgett

Co-Founder

Shelley came to a desire to help horses in a late and serendipitous manner. She lives in Wellington, Florida (deemed “The Winter Equestrian Capital of the World”) and learned to ride as an adult. Through a variety of people she met, she became interested in thoroughbred racing and set about to learn about the sport.

In 2016, armed with a committed curiosity and family support, Shelley set her aim to help an aging TB racing in Puerto Rico. The 2006 Florida-bred gelding Immortal Wink was entered in his 139th race. Shelley enlisted the help of his co-breeder, Kathy Von Gerhard, and with a team effort that included Kelley Stobie of PR, they were able to raise the necessary funds to transport Immortal Wink to Florida.  The fortunate ex-racer will spend his remaining years as a retiree with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s “Second Chances” herd. After that success, she and Kelley worked to help a few more horses with the aid of others in the TB industry stateside and made the decision to form Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare Inc, which took over the fledgling Save The Horses (which by that time had been all but at a standstill).

Shelley presently lives in Wellington, FL with her husband, William (“Win”) and young daughter, a budding equestrian.  She has a doctorate in clinical psychology and is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized post-doctoral training in geriatric mental health and cognition. She worked at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) from March 2000 to December 2016 in both the College of Psychology and the Health Professions Division Department of Geriatric Medicine.  Additionally, Shelley has engaged in community outreach and education, developed intra-professional team programs and support groups, written and managed many grants, conducted clinical research, and published articles in academic journals. She finds that her academic knowledge and skillsets (e.g., teamwork & collaboration, developing problem-focused solutions, communication, writing, data management) have helped her immensely in her aftercare work.

She “prematurely retired” to focus on family while pursuing her interest in Thoroughbred rescue and aftercare.

KELLEY STOBIE

Co-Founder

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 polo facility, where Kelley broadened her skills and deepened her love for horses.

She has been in Puerto Rico since 1996, where 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 Greg and Linda Jackson of HSA, she started the OTTB rehoming program for the PR racetrack, Save The Horses, Inc.  This program has since been responsible for placing over 100 Thoroughbreds into new homes in PR and the mainland.  

 business for equine physical therapy, Equi Blu Therapies, while continuing to help with Thoroughbred adoptions.

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 lives at the base of the El Yunque Rainforest on their 5-acre farm. In addition to her work with CTA, Kelley has an equine physical therapy business, Equi Blu Therapies helping horses heal and perform at their best. 

Dr. Randi Armand, DVM

Bio Coming Soon!