CANTER of Texas is expanding its operations and mission in Texas to include all breeds of ex-racehorses (not just Thoroughbreds). To symbolize its new mission of finding new jobs for Quarter Horse, Paint, Arabian, Appaloosa and Thoroughbred ex-racehorses, CANTER of Texas is changing its name to Lonestar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers, or LOPE.

CANTER of Texas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that began operations in Texas in March 2003. Since then CANTER of Texas (now LOPE) has transitioned over 200 Texas ex-racehorses into new homes through its online listing service and Austin-area ranch adoption facility. By expanding to assist all breeds, LOPE expects to significantly increase the number of Texas ex-racehorses placed into second careers after racing.

LOPE Texas graduates enter a variety of new careers such as hunters/jumpers, barrel racers, pleasure and trail horses, dressage mounts, or breeding animals to name just a few. At its website (www.lopetx.org) LOPE helps transition Texas ex-racehorses by listing horses for sale at Sam Houston Race Park, Retama and Lone Star Race Park. LOPE also takes in donations of racehorses at its farm and adopts them out to new homes. LOPE does not take commissions on sales and operates entirely as a nonprofit organization.

“The Texas ex-racehorse is a special breed,” said LOPE Executive Director, Lynn Rorke. “They are better bred, better trained and have better minds than the average ex-racehorse. We expect to market these tremendous athletes as the best prospects for literally any new job – from barrel racing to dressage to family pets.”

To help promote the Texas ex-racehorse, LOPE is a proud member of the Texas department of Agriculture’s GO TEXAN program.

The Texas racing industry has warmly welcomed LOPE’s mission expansion. According to Texas Horsemen’s Partnership Executive Director Tommy Azopardi, “Texas racing cares about its horses, and with a group like LOPE, we can count on our racehorses having many wonderful options when they are done racing. We are proud of our continued partnership with LOPE.”

LOPE Texas would like to thank its partner, the Texas Horsemen’s Partnership, and its sponsors – Nutrena Feeds, Austin Equine Associates, and Callahan’s General Store – for their generous and continued support. LOPE anticipates significantly increased demand and rapid growth as a result of its mission expansion and is seeking future corporate sponsorship opportunities.

For more information, visit the LOPE Texas website at www.lopetx.org or contact LOPE Executive Director Lynn Rorke, at lynn@lopetx.org or 512.565.1824.