September 15, 2012, Adam Trenk has assumed the position of Executive Director, Canter Arizona. Mr. Trenk, a current board member, takes over for founder and first Executive Director, Dennis Miller. A current and life long horseman, Mr. Trenk resides in Cave Creek, Arizona and works as an Attorney for The Rose Law Group pc, practicing Equine Law.

On Wednesday, April 11,2012, Joyce Cozby of the Arizona Department of Racing advised Canter Arizona our application for grant monies was approved. The funds will come in handy as there are currently 5 Phase II horses in transition training.

Canter Arizona, Executive Director, Dennis Miller to address Race Track Industry Program Students at the University of Arizona, in Tucson on Wednesday, February 11, 2012, at 12pm. Miller will discuss The Role of Non-Profit Organizations in the Race Track Industry.

Sherry Templin with Gold Star Horse Shows agreed to include an Off-Track Thourogbred OTTB flat class at the February 12th Gold Star Show. The Class was a big success. The next show is May 6, 2012. A Canter Arizona saddle pad will be awarded to first place. Thanks to Christy Signs for their donation of the wonderful banner.This is the final show of the season and we are having a Spring Fling Raffle. Lisa Morton of Michael Alexander Salon in Anthem has donated a hair makeover valued at $150. Former professional baseball pplayer Ryan Henderson has donated a pitching/hitting lesson. Tickets are $5.00 or 5 for $20.00. Unable to attend? Mail check to Canter Arizona, 11600 Williamson Valley Ranch Road, Prescott, Arizona, 86305. If you have an OTTB, come out and show the equine world the capabilities of these superb athletes.

www.goldstarhorseshows.com, for entry information.

Mike Sorum, DVM an equine sports medicine specialist, who regularly serves Turf Paradise Race Track, has volunteered his services for pre-adoption screenings and various aspects of health maintenance for Canter Arizona owned horses. Dr. Sorum's Veterinary Assistant, Catherine Enright is a Canter Track Representative at Turf Paradise and is already volunteering her time in a number of areas. Dr. Sorum has 25 years experience and can be reached at 480-299-7526.

The California Retirement Management Account, CARMA, recently awarded Canter Arizona a grant to be used in support of our training program. This is the fourth year CARMA has been raising funds for retired racehorses. In a letter dated November 29, 2011, Executive Director, Lucinda Mandella expressed her congratulations to Canter Arizona's Dennis Miller.

To date, Canter Arizona has facilitated the sale or placement of 17 thoroughbreds and have also taken in four adopted horses of which three have been retrained and transitioned to new homes.

New Orleans, On December 5, 2011, Canter USA Executive Director, Nancy Koch spoke to the United States Hunter Jumper Association. The subject of her presentation was New Beginnings for the Thoroughbred Horse in the Hunter/Jumper Sport World. Koch discussed the history of Canter and the mission of the organization. She gave an overview of the versatility of thoroughbred horses, sighting examples that have reached the Show Jumping and Show Hunter Halls of Fame. She also discussed the history and evolution of show hunters in North America and made the case that despite the influx of alternative breeds in the sport, the athleticism and ability of the thoroughbred is slowly leading to a resurgence of the thoroughbred breed in the show arena. Many of the OTTBs that Canter USA re-homes, go to sport horse occupations. For the full text of Koch's presentation go to: USHJA_document.doc

Members of the Canter Arizona board, recently met with University of Kentucky, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics, Dr. C. Jill Stowe, in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Stowe is the lead investigator on a project entitled, Toward Optimizing the Health and Well-Being of Retired Thoroughbred Racehorses. The study will attempt to analyze data collected from non-profits involved in rescuing, retraining and placing horses in new homes. Canter Arizona is one of many organizations forwarding data to researchers who will attempt to identify characteristics and methods that will ultimately benefit the horses, the non-profits and the Thoroughbred racing industry.

Initial results of the study should be published next summer.

Tucson, Arizona. Canter Arizona is now serving horsemen at Rillito Park. Canter representatives are now available to take listings for Owners/Trainers of thoroughbred race horses that are for sale or donation. This service is completely free and is a big part of the Canter mission to facilitate the transition of race horses after the track. Canter will photograph the horses and take the appropriate information for posting on the Canter Arizona website that is accessible nationwide. For more information contact: Shannon Reynolds 520-343-5530 or Elizabeth Rogers 509-844-8340.

The Canter USA Board of Directors has authorized the listing of Off-Track Quarter Horses by affiliates serving race tracks where Quarter Horses compete. The guidelines for listing such horses are the same that apply to Thoroughbreds. Quarter Horses transitioned to Phase 1 or Phase 2 programs must come directly off the track and have either raced or been in training to race. This expansion of the Canter mission has been undertaken in an effort to be responsive to the diverse markets served by the various Canter USA affiliates around the country.

Canter Arizona was recently contacted by a New Mexico thoroughbred breeder that is down-sizing their operation. They have four beloved mares ranging in age from 4 to 20 that they would like to have adopted. If you are interested or know someone who might be please visit the Arizona Trainer Listings for details and photos. The breeders are located in beautiful Tularosa, New Mexico, near Ruidoso. www.johnstontbfarm.com.

Canter Arizona recently added three new board members. The new board members bring a wealth of equine experience as well as fund raising and grant writing skills.

Angela Carmitchel, is a professional horse trainer and instructor who specializes in working with unbroken and green broke thoroughbred and warm blood horses. Her riding career has focused on Hunters, Jumpers, Eventing and Dressage. However, her diverse background in both English and Western riding allows her to instruct in a wide range of equestrian disciplines. She has a Master's degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University. Angela is currently training Patrizio, a Canter owned four year old gelding.

Lauren Smith, is an Arizona native who began riding at an early age. Lauren competed Arabians until her early teens. At age 13 she began dressage lessons and has since ridden to many State, Regional, National and International titles including a Junior Olympic Gold Medal. She was awarded United States Dressage Federation (USDF) bronze and silver medals and is currently pursuing her gold. A graduate of le Cordon Bleu, she has worked in the fine dining business in Arizona and the Napa Valley. Lauren is currently training Forest Sounds, a Canter owned three year old gelding.

Adam Trenk, is a former Cave Creek Councilman and Attorney at the Rose Law Group in Scottsdale. His practice includes equine law, and Adam is a life long horse lover. Growing up Mr. Trenk was exposed to the racing industry by his grandfather, who managed Shenandoah Downs and Charles Town Race Track in West Virginia during the late 1970's and used to take Adam riding and to watch the races at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.  Adam has a keen interest in the Arizona race track industry and believes the continued viability of this enterprise should include new and innovative approaches to facilitating the transition of thoroughbreds to new careers when their racing days have ended.

Canter Arizona would also like to express its gratitude to the following individials that have recently volunteered their services:

Dr. Mark Anderson, has been most generous with his equine veternarian expertise.

Lori Black, has volunteered to assist with Canter Arizona book keeping chores.

Allen Kalchik, is always ready when a new trainer listing requires a photographer.

Last but not least, thanks to all of you who have been most generous with your monetary support.

Canter Arizona donates $500 in support of stranded Yavapai Downs Horsemen. On   Saturday May 28^th, Dennis Miller, Executive Director of Canter Arizona advised Tom Metzen, Executive Director of Arizona Horse Benevolence Protective Association of the cash donation.

Arizona HBPA has been instrumental in providing food and $100 stipends to 118 stranded trainers who were blindsided by the sudden suspension of the summer season and the immediate shut down of Yavapai Downs Race Track.  After incurring substantial costs in transportation, feed, bedding and hotel reservations many trainers could not afford to leave. Stall space at tracks in other states is at a premium and transportations costs are prohibitive for some.

HBPA has a long tradition of horsemen helping horsemen. They have also been instrumental in assisting Canter Arizona gain access to the backside at Turf Paradise Race Track, where many horses have been listed and sold at no cost to the owners.

Miller stated, “Canter Arizona is happy to be in a position to assist the horses and horsemen affected by this unfortunate set of circumstances.”

CANTER is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing retiring racehorses with opportunities for new careers after the finish line.

CANTER believes Thoroughbreds are winners on and off the track!

You can bet on it!

Executive Director for CANTER Arizona

Dennis Miller

For information, questions, comments, or concerns, please email the address below for the quickest response! If you are unable to contact a trainer/owner for a horse listed on CANTER Arizona please contact us at:

canterarizona@canterusa.org