About Us

Our Story

Golden Age Ranch Horse Sanctuary (GAR) is a 501c(3) nonprofit founded by Lyn Shoemaker and Jerry James in 2011 to provide a new home for retired thoroughbreds off the racetrack, as well as for abandoned and neglected horses and ponies on the island of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Horses

Golden Age Ranch Horse Sanctuary currently has 23 horses in our care, including 20 retired Thoroughbred racehorses, 1 Paso Fino originally from Puerto Rico that used to be a pony horse at the track, and 2 Thoroughbred/Native horse mix.

The Facility

GAR is located on 3 acres nearby to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Virgin Islands, Lindquist Beach. There is an 8 stall barn on the property with a hay loft, as well as 6 paddocks and an outdoor arena. We have a 20 ft shipping container that we use as a feed room and another as office space.

Community Programming

GAR over the past 8 years has provided many different programs and opportunities for the community and tourists to enjoy learning and caring for horses. We have offered horseback riding lessons for people of all ages, horse shows for the community, hippotherapy, as well as pony parties and birthday parties. In the most recent years, we have offered trail rides on the beach for tourists visiting the island. We also have a robust volunteer program!