About Michigan CANTER

Mission Statement
The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses (CANTER) provides retiring thoroughbred racehorses with opportunities for new careers after the finish line.

Through its Web site, CANTER provides the means for the public to view what horses are ending their racing careers and are available for purchaser adoption. CANTER volunteers have track licenses and walk the shed rows on the backside of the racetrack taking listings and photographs for posting to the Web site. There are no commissions paid by either seller or purchaser.

CANTER is unique in that it was conceived, developed and implemented by the racing industry itself! Jo Anne and her husband had raced their two home-bred Thoroughbreds and successfully transitioned their most recently retired horse to the sport of eventing. During this period, Jo Anne served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association (which organization represents Michigan's 1200 Thoroughbred racing trainers and owners). She founded the program in 1997 after repeated requests from racing trainers for help in finding nonrace buyers for their horses.

The Michigan HBPA program was first publicized nationally the following year, 1998, in The Horsemen's Journal, the national magazine of the HBPA. In 1999, the program became a separate entity from the Michigan HBPA and it incorporated as a nonprofit, received 501 (c) (3) exemption status with the Internal Revenue Service, and has been approved to solicit funds in the state by the Michigan Attorney General.

The CANTER program continues to receive encouragement, cooperation and endorsement from the racing industry nationally and from Michigan's Thoroughbred racing industry including:

  • The Michigan Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association
  • The Michigan Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association
  • Magna Entertainment (owners of Great Lakes Downs)
  • The Office of the Racing Commissioner
  • On-track and Off-track Veterinarians and Farriers
  • Michigan State University

CANTER is also a member in good standing of the Michigan Horse Council.

The State of Michigan is lengths ahead of any other racing state in the provisions made for their retiring racehorses. There are now CANTER affiliates in Illinois, Ohio, New England, Texas, and in West Virginia with additional organizations forming in other states.

Jo Anne and her husband are no longer actively racing their horses but devote their available time to program operations and expansion. In March 2001, Jo Anne received the prestigious Michigan Horse Council's Catalyst of the Year Award for her significant contribution to the renaissance of the Michigan Horse Industry.

For additional information- CANTER may be contacted at 810-796-9239 or by e-mail.