Christian Countzler

Before Josh Peters entered the Stable Recovery program, nothing was going right with a life that had been overtaken by addiction. "Before I came to Stable Recovery, my wife, my family, and my two kids, they didn't want to have anything to do with me at all," Peters said. "With the program, that's all changed. It's just a blessing, it really is." Founded by Christian Countzler and Frank Taylor, Stable Recovery is a recovery program meant to help individuals overcome addiction, stay sober, and rebuild their lives and purpose. Those...

On the surface, hiring people who have battled substance abuse issues, some of whom have criminal records, might not seem like a good idea. But Elliott Walden, the president and CEO of racing operations for WinStar Farm, felt otherwise. His family had dealt with these issues for years. His son, Will, now a successful trainer who is sober, had dealt with addiction for years before turning his life around thanks to the Stable Recovery program, which was co-founded by Taylor Made's Frank Taylor and Christian Countzler. Stable Recovery helps addicts...

When Frank Taylor, the director of new business development at Taylor Made, started the Stable Recovery and the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship programs, the idea was to help those addicted to drugs and alcohol, get them sober and give them the skills to work in the horse racing industry. But Stable Recovery is branching out, ready to help anyone in need. Elizabeth Blythe once arranged the mating for Allen Paulson's horses and her work produced several champions, including the great Cigar and four other Breeders' Cup winners. But, for...

Stable Recovery opened its Women's Horsemanship Program at Spy Coast Farm Monday, marking an important milestone in the organization's mission to empower women in recovery. In partnership with Lisa Lourie and the Spy Coast Farm team, the program provides participants with hands-on training through the School of Horsemanship at the Spy Coast Farm Reproduction Center, offering the chance to learn from some of the leading professionals in the sport horse industry. "I am delighted to welcome the Stable Recovery Women's program to Spy Coast Farm" said Lourie, owner and CEO...

Keeneland and Stable Recovery, a groundbreaking peer-driven program that offers recovering addicts the opportunity to learn the skills needed to find meaningful employment in the Thoroughbred industry, are teaming to launch a dedicated Maintenance Cohort at Keeneland Aug. 1, according to a Thursday press release from the track. The Maintenance Cohort will be a specialized extension of the existing 90-day Taylor Made School of Horsemanship focusing on practical skills, job readiness and character development through hard work and accountability. Keeneland will be the first race track nationally to provide on-site...

Josh Bryan, the former program coordinator for the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship who was currently serving as assistant to Frank Taylor, the Director of New Business Development at Taylor Made Farm, died Tuesday morning from complications from jaw surgery. He was 33 years old. Bryan was born with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital defect that affects the development of the ear, nose, soft palate, lip and mandible usually on one side of the body. He had his first corrective surgery when he was just seven weeks old and went...

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) will honor Frank Taylor and the Stable Recovery Program with the Special Eclipse Award for service to the Thoroughbred industry at the Resolute Racing 54th Annual Eclipse Awards Dinner and Ceremony at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida on Thursday, Jan. 23, according to a press release from the NTRA on Thursday. Taylor, along with Stable Recovery CEO Christian Countzler, is the driving force behind that organization and the Taylor Made School of...

Just a few years into its existence and Stable Recovery-the innovative program that helps people recover from addiction and continues to support them through their recovery with jobs in the racing industry-is flying. The organization recently published statistics that show that hundreds have been through the program who have sustained their sobriety between 30 and 90 days, that they have conducted over 56,000 AA meetings, and that their graduates had found full-time work in 13 different Kentucky farms and businesses. The program's success is clear to see in those numbers,...

The William Cooper Faith and Community in Action award was bestowed upon Stable Recovery Tuesday according to a release from the organization. Honored at the Annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast, Stable Recovery was celebrated for their support of individuals and families affected by substance abuse. "We are humble and grateful to receive the Faith and Community in Action Award," said CEO of Stable Recovery Christian Countzler. "We wake up every day and try to make a difference. Our mission is challenging but worthwhile, and it is heartening to be recognized by...

Stable Recovery, Inc., a program based in Lexington that provides individuals in early recovery from substance abuse the opportunity to live in a sober and supportive environment while training to become horsemen and horsewomen, received a $300,000 grant from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission Monday, Oct. 2, the organization said in a release Tuesday. The funding is part of a multi-state settlement with a number of pharmaceutical companies for their roles in facilitating the opioid epidemic. "We are incredibly appreciative of the Commission's decision to trust us with this...

It's an achievement in itself to take something from idea to unqualified success in three years, putting aside the fact that the idea in question is changing hundreds of lives, reuniting families and restoring purpose to people. But Frank Taylor's Stable Recovery--a path back to life for recovering addicts--has done just that. Stable Recovery, which Taylor started with the group's current Director of Addiction Recovery Christian Countzler, is at once halfway house and vocational rehab, providing a 12-step program, meaningful employment, and a new workforce source for the Thoroughbred industry....

Stable Recovery, a program based in Lexington that provides individuals in early recovery from substance abuse the  opportunity to live in a sober and supportive environment and to train to become exceptional horsemen and horsewomen, hosted its first Spring Meet Gala at Spy Coast Farm last Saturday. The gala was attended by over 100 people and emceed by Scott Hazelton of FanDuelTV with music provided by Stephen Lynerd Group. A hybrid auction, along with donations, brought in approximately $60,000 for the non-profit. "We wanted to put together an event during...