Jan Pettinger Wins Thoroughbred Community Award
Arkansas rehabilitation farm manager Jan Pettinger was honored with the 2026 Dr. J. David "Doc" Richardson Community Award in Lexington, Kentucky.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Large Animals
Jan Pettinger, farm and adoption manager for the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation, won the 2026 Dr. J. David "Doc" Richardson Community Award. She accepted the award on October 20 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Why it matters
The award recognizes contributions to the Thoroughbred racing industry and its communities, highlighting the work of programs that care for horses after their racing careers. It draws attention to the aftercare and rehabilitation work done for retired racehorses in Arkansas.
The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, presented by Godolphin, awarded $122,000 in total prize money across seven categories. Pettinger was chosen from three finalists, including Miguel Paz of the Virginia HBPA and Susan Powers of the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center.
The players
Jan Pettinger
Jan Pettinger is the farm and adoption manager for the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation, overseeing care and adoptions for retired racehorses.
Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation
The Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation provides aftercare, rehabilitation, retraining and adoption services for Thoroughbreds that raced or trained at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.
The details
Pettinger's farm near Hot Springs serves as the foster and rehabilitation facility for the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation. She manages daily care, coordinates veterinary and farrier visits, reviews adoption applications and interviews prospective families.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Pettinger accepts the award in Lexington, Kentucky.
November 5, 2026: Coverage of the award is published.
Season Trajectory
The Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation was launched with seed funding from the Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to provide aftercare for horses from Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. Pettinger's recognition reflects the foundation's continued work placing retired Thoroughbreds into rehabilitation and adoption.
Arkansas residents interested in adopting retired Thoroughbreds can contact the foundation's farm near Hot Springs, where adoption applications are reviewed and families are interviewed. Daily care and rehabilitation at the facility are handled before horses transition to new homes.
The takeaway
Aftercare programs like the Arkansas foundation's farm play a direct role in giving retired racehorses rehabilitation and new homes. Recognition of staff who run this work highlights its importance to the wider Thoroughbred community.
Further reading
Explore more Large Animals coverage on how retired racehorses are cared for and rehomed.
More information
More details about the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation are available on the Arkansas HBPA website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hotsr.
