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)!