Our Team

Early years spent at the race track with his father, who was a trainer on the western circuit, led Dale Simanton to his first win as a jockey at the tender age of 12! With dreams of becoming the next Willie Shoemaker, he rode races through high school before a growth spurt changed his plans. His next move was becoming a trainer, with early success racing Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses and Paint Horses. He also became handy breaking babies, shoeing and galloping his own string. Later in life, he began breeding race horses and using them on the ranch to freshen them between race seasons. This background and full understanding of the racing industry has proven useful when transitioning off-track horses to second careers.

With a background in both Thoroughbred racing and showing in English, as well as Western disciplines, Dorothy helps round out the Gate to Great program, giving the horses a chance to excel in a wide range of uses. Having worked with top racing stables and breeding establishments, her animal husbandry talents come in handy when new arrivals come into the program fresh off racing careers. For horses showing an apptitude for jumping, dressage or field hunting, her insight in those areas makes this team an "equine occupational therapy" program as no other in the off-track Thoroughbred world. She does all the photography, videos and stories about GTG.