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CARMA Announces Inaugural Messineo Makeover Scholarship Recipients
Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.— The California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) is thrilled to announce the first-ever recipients of the Messineo Makeover Scholarship, a new fund created to help CARMA Placement Program graduates participate in the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover in Kentucky October 8–11, 2025.
While the original intent of the scholarship was to support one or two applicants, the inaugural response far exceeded expectations — in both quantity and heart. Moved by the quality and dedication of this year’s applicants, CARMA has made a one-time decision to increase the number of recipients receiving support. In 2025, six individuals will receive support to fully cover the cost of travel to and from the event for their horses. CARMA has partnered with KC Horse Transportation to provide vanning services for the recipients. KC Horse Transportation also supports CARMA’s Placement Program by assisting with transport for retired racehorses.
“This scholarship is about leveling the playing field,” said Lucinda Lovitt, Executive Director of CARMA. “We know how financially difficult it can be for West Coast competitors to make it to Kentucky. Thanks to Nancy Messineo’s legacy gift, we’re able to honor her love for Thoroughbreds by giving these deserving horse-and-rider teams the boost they need, while showcasing the importance of aftercare and helping more horses find their next chapter.”
The Messineo Makeover Scholarship was established in memory of longtime CARMA supporter Nancy Messineo, whose generous legacy gift allowed the organization to create an annual fund dedicated to supporting West Coast horsemen and women competing in the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover. The scholarship is open to individuals working with Thoroughbreds that graduated from the CARMA Placement Program and are preparing to showcase their retraining journey in new equestrian careers.
Each recipient will also serve as a CARMA ambassador, sharing behind-the-scenes updates in the lead-up to and during the event, giving donors and fans an inside look at the transformation these horses undergo.
2025 Scholarship Recipients and their horses:
● Chanel Minnifield & La Peer
● Johanna Weaver & Levi
● Lillianne Kress & Impressively
● Liz Miller & Logans Red Falcon
● Nathan Bonner & Big Rainbow
● Paisley Phelps & Carmelitas Man
To learn more about the CARMA Placement Program and how to support Thoroughbred aftercare, visit: www.carma4horses.org
About California Retirement Management Account
CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) is a charitable 501 (c)(3) organization formed to assist Thoroughbred rehabilitation and retirement organizations that facilitate the care and retraining of horses who raced in California and whose racing careers have ended. CARMA ensures that racehorses have retirement options by managing and disbursing funds to qualified retirement facilities caring for such horses.
The CARMA Placement Program
The CARMA Placement Program helps Thoroughbreds make a smooth and safe transition from the racetrack to new lives beyond racing. Based at Santa Anita Park and serving owners statewide, the program partners with trusted layup facilities to give horses time to rest and adjust before moving on to one of more than 20 accredited aftercare charities. There, they continue rehabilitation, retraining, or receive permanent sanctuary, depending on their needs. With a strong focus on communication, CARMA ensures each horse’s care, health, and future are thoughtfully managed. Since launching in 2012, the program has successfully placed more than 450 retired racehorses and has grown from managing just a few horses at a time to consistently supporting 25-30. This growth has been sustained in part by a generous legacy gift from Nancy Messineo, whose commitment to aftercare continues to impact Thoroughbred retirement today.
Donations to CARMA are tax deductible and may be sent to: CARMA, 285 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia CA, 91007 (Tax ID #80-0146395) or made online.
For more information about CARMA and our grant programs, please visit carma4horses.org.
