The Presenters at Equine Affaire®

Guy McLean is a self-taught Australian-born horse trainer and teacher who possesses an uncanny ability to entertain an audience with his magnetic personality, authentic bush poetry, quick wit, cracking stock whips, and almost supernatural connection with horses. Through a complete love of horses and a burning desire to “find better ways” of building relationships with horses, Mr. McLean developed his own training methods to “ask” the horse to do the job as a partner. He has won multiple colt-starting championships in Australia and America, is a two-time Australian Bush Poetry Champion, and was recognized as “Ambassador of the Outback” in 2002 and 2006. While maintaining a home base in Australia, Mr. McLean now travels throughout the United States to perform and present at prominent equestrian events, including the World Equestrian Games, the National Rodeo Finals, Dressage at Devon, the Washington International Horse Show, and major equine expos and fairs. He has also produced an educational DVD series to share his training approached and philosophies with riders of all disciplines.

Julie Goodnight
Julie Goodnight established a connection with horses at a young age, and after a successful run as a youth rider on jumping horses, she galloped her way through college riding racehorses. For nearly four decades, she has been at home in the Colorado Rockies, pursuing wilderness sports and riding cow horses. Founding her training business in 1985, Ms. Goodnight’s reputation as a horse trainer grew far and wide. In 2008, she began producing “Horse Master with Julie Goodnight”, a popular how-to horse training series that has aired weekly on RFD-TV for more than a decade, with 260 episodes. She now travels the world to produce compelling horse TV and educates horse owners everywhere through her online training programs at JulieGoodnight.com.

Steve Lantvit is a multiple World Champion and Reserve title winner in ranch horse competition who believes in training versatile, well-rounded, and capable horses and riders through confidence, mutual respect, and solid communication. As an award winning clinician and trainer, he builds confidence in horses and riders through cross-training and exposure to a variety of situations, improving their performance and attitude whether on the trail or in the show ring. Mr. Lantvit has used his decades of experience in the horse industry to create his own line of training aids for the everyday horse person, including training DVDs, tack, and other equipment. He travels the country teaching clinics in addition to training horses, teaching lessons, and hosting clinics at his ranch in LaPorte, IN. Mr. Lantvit also shares his training insights through a weekly television series, “Sure in the Saddle”, on RFD-TV.

Jason Irwin is a lifelong equestrian who grew up on his family’s farm in Southampton, Ontario breeding, training, and selling Quarter Horses. It was there that Mr. Irwin got his first taste of horse training through colt starting and fixing problem horses. He has since moved on to include advanced and liberty training in his repertoire. Mr. Irwin runs his training business, Jason and Bronwyn Irwin Horsemanship, with his wife. He currently conducts 25-30 clinics a year in Ontario and Eastern Canada, and is working to expand his range to Western Canada and the United States. Mr. Irwin works with both western and english riders of all skill levels and with various problem areas. He is looking into starting a DVD training series this fall, but regularly posts training demonstrations and videos on a variety of topics to his social media accounts.

Neil Davies is a lifelong horseman who grew up working with horses and cattle on his family’s ranch in New South Wales, Australia. By the mid-1980s, Mr. Davies was already traveling throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the United States to give demonstrations and clinics highlighting his training methods. Fascinated by how horses think and learn, Mr. Davies uses fear-free horse training to show how every horse can be ridden and handled without force or confrontation. Though he grew up training Australian Stock Horses, Mr. Davies enjoys working with horses and riders of all disciplines, ages, and breeds. Mr. Davies has written two books on his training methodology: “A Better Deal for Your Horse”, released in 1990, and “Fear-Free Horse Training, Every Step Of the Way”, released in 2013. He has also produced video clinics and articles about horse training, and writes a regular column for Horse and Pony Magazine- New Zealand.

Sandy Collier, of Santa Maria, CA, has had a long and illustrious career in the equine industry. She was in her first horse show at six years old and continued to compete in eventing throughout her childhood in New England. As a 19-year-old, Ms. Collier made her way to California and ended up working on a ranch in Santa Barbara. It was there that she first began training and showing reiners and cow horses. Since then, Ms. Collier has won numerous National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) world championships. She also has the distinction of being the first and only woman to win the National Reined Cow Horse Snaffle Bit Futurity. In 2012, Ms. Collier was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. A year later, she was inducted into the NRCHA Hall of Fame. She has also won the prestigious Monty Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. Though she no longer operates the training stable she ran for almost 40 years, Ms. Collier works as a recognized judge at NRCHA and AQHA horse shows; serves as on the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding and Foundation Board; and conducts clinics all over the world.

Candice King is an accomplished Grand Prix show jumper who has won multiple FEI titles and awards over the past two decades. She got her start riding her family’s Quarter Horses and showing in in-hand and horsemanship classes before switching over to the hunter/jumper ring. By the time she was 19 years old, Ms. King made her debut on the American Grand Prix Association circuit. In 2001, she was the top-ranked U.S. rider at the World Cup Final in Gothenburg and became the first American in more than 30 years to win the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup in England. Since then, she has continued to have much success on the show circuit, including being a member of two winning FEI Nations Cup teams in 2015 and winning the Venice Grand Prix and Princeton Grand Prix in 2018. Currently, Ms. King is co-owner of Alamar Equine, located in Carlisle, PA and Wellington, FL, where she develops young jumpers and students. Ms. King also has a busy show and clinic schedule that sends her traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Mette Rosencrantz is a seven-time U.S. National Championship competitor and seasoned international Grand Prix rider and trainer. Ms. Rosencrantz began her career in Sweden as a member of the Swedish National Team and head trainer at the prestigious Stromsholm, Sweden’s school for riding instructors. She also earned a Master’s degree in physical/sport education from Stockholm University. Eventually, Ms. Rosencrantz moved to Los Angeles, CA, where she has been running a successful dressage training facility there for the past 30 years. In 2017, Ms. Rosencrantz was selected to represent the United States and competed as a member of the U.S. Team in FEI Nations Cup events in Denmark and Sweden. In addition to training and showing her own horses, Ms. Rosencrantz is a popular clinician, traveling throughout the United States and Canada. She also authored the book “Stretching for Riders” and produced a series of educational riding and dressage training videos.

Jesse Westfall is a National Reining Horse Association trainer, coach, and judge with more than 25 years of experience in the equine industry. Passionate about reining and western performance horses, Mr. Westfall has bred and trained horses that have won at numerous competitions around the country. He has also judged at competitions across the United States, Canada, and Australia. With his extensive background in horse training and judging, Mr. Westfall is a talented coach who has brought his riders success at the local, regional, and national levels, and was the head trainer at Asbury University. When coaching riders, he focuses on horsemanship and ensuring a rider’s fundamentals are solid so they can build their skills and learn how to better work with their own horses. Currently, Mr. Westfall trains horses and coaches riders of all skill levels out of his farm in Loudonville, OH, which he runs with his wife, Stacy.

Susan Mandas has more than 40 years of experience in the dressage world as a breeder, trainer, competitor, and judge. As a competitor, Mrs. Mandas has earned recognition as a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) bronze, silver, and gold medalist. She has also been named to the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Developing Rider List and Longlist for the chance to represent the U.S. at international competitions. In addition to showing and training, Mrs. Mandas is an accomplished dressage judge and is currently recognized as a Senior United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) dressage judge, an “R” sport horse judge, and a FEI 3* Para-Equestrian judge. She also serves as the At Large Director of the USDF Executive Board and is a long-time member of the USDF’s Sport Horse Committee. Mrs. Mandas has also contributed articles to several magazines including Dressage Today and USDF Connection. She currently trains out of Mandas Dressage, LLC, in Dayton, OH.

Jane Melby is no stranger to seeing herself listed first on the barrel racing leader board. Her career started with 4-H youth events and high school rodeos, where she won the Minnesota High School Rodeo Association State Championship all 4 years she participated, and still holds the record for most consecutive wins. Ms. Melby is a multiple World Champion in barrel racing, and her accomplishments include winning the International Professional Rodeo Association World Championship in 1993 and the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) 1D World Championship in 1999. She also qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2011 and 2013, and finished out those seasons ranked 6th and 9th in the world, respectively. Ms. Melby has also been has also been a Canadian Finals Rodeo Qualifier and round winner. Outside of competing, Ms. Melby has collaborated with G Bar G Saddles and saddle maker Dennis George on designed a better barrel saddle. Also passionate about teaching, Ms. Melby enjoys giving clinics at her home base in Burneyville, OK and throughout the United States and Canada.

Dana Hokana currently operates Dana Hokana Quarter Horses in Temecula, CA, and is one of the top female trainers in the Quarter Horse industry. During her impressive career, she has trained multiple youth and amateur horses and riders that have earned Top 10 placings and championships in western pleasure, horsemanship, western riding, trail, and reining at both the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the AQHA World Show. In order to educate horse owners and riders about the fundamentals of horse handling and horsemanship, as well as how to compete at the highest levels in the show arena, Ms. Hokana has produced 19 DVDs for her “The Winning Strides” series. She also contributes articles on training topics to a broad range of websites and publications, including Horse Circuit News, Bit and Bridle, and the Quarter Horse Journal. Ms. Hokana regularly shares her horse training expertise through private clinics and appearances at equine expos throughout the United States.

Ali Wolff is one of the most exciting young show jumpers in the United States today. The New Albany, OH native started riding at the age of five and rode with some of the industry’s most renowned professionals, including Anne Kursinski, George Morris, Chris Kappler, and Michele Grubb, as a junior. She has represented the United States at multiple Nations Cup competitions around the world, and was a member of the gold medal winning team at the 2015 Mexico Nations Cup event. Since turning professional three years ago, Ms. Wolff has operated her riding, training, and sales business, Ali Wolff, LLC, out of New Albany and Wellington, FL. In addition to showing her own horses, she trains riders and client horses and has started conducting clinics. Ms. Wolff is also involved with the United States Equestrian Federation’s task force designed to create and organize the FEI competition calendar and is a part of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Jumper Committee.

Muffy Seaton has a passion for carriage driving and breeding driving ponies. An internationally known carriage clinician and trainer, her resume includes being four-time National Champion in Carriage Driving and training the pony that won the Gold Medal at the 2005 World Pony Championship in England. In addition to showing and training driving ponies, she runs a robust program breeding the endangered Dartmoor pony and a busy clinic schedule. She has also developed professional carriage driving instructional videos and products, including the “Bending the Driving Horse” DVD and book, “Combined Driving 101,” and “An Introduction to Turnout and Presentation.” When she is not busy showing or conducting clinics, Ms. Seaton enjoys traveling with family and friends and spending a lot of quiet time at her farm, Shepherd’s Purse, located in Williston, SC.

Michael Gascon is a fifth-generation equestrian who grew up on and now works at his family’s Horse Haven Paso Fino ranch in Poplarville, MS. In addition to training and showing his family’s horses to more than 50 National and Grand National titles, Mr. Gascon also enjoys trail riding, working cattle, running barrels, and practicing for mounted shooting. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching people as well as horses, and now offers clinics and training to gaited and non-gaited equestrian teams. In addition to training at home, Mr. Gascon runs horsemanship retreats and travels the country conducting clinics and participating in equine performance groups. He also recently launched a new TV show, “The Horse Guru”, which can be found on Farm And Ranch Television, ROKU TV, Amazon FireTV, Chromecast, and Apple TV.

Widely recognized for her extraordinary liberty performances in the equestrian show Cavalia, Sylvia Zerbini transforms liberty work into the ultimate equestrian performing art. She is a ninth-generation circus performer who has mesmerized audiences since making her stage debut at the age of five. Using body language, verbal cues and precise timing to communicate with her horses, Ms. Zerbini’s spellbinding Grande Liberté performance has earned accolades from widespread media ranging from the Los Angeles Times to CNN to Arabian Horse World magazine and countless other equine publications. Throughout her career Ms. Zerbini has been honored with numerous awards including the prestigious Cup of Monaco, presented to her by Monaco’s Prince Rainier. To date, she has performed for nearly 10 million people, drawing rave reviews worldwide for her captivating style of horsemanship. Ms. Zerbini is currently developing educational seminars and clinics to share her vast knowledge of liberty horse training.

Tom Seay is widely recognized as the producer and host of “Best of America by Horseback”, a television series on RFD-TV focusing on trail riding opportunities throughout the United States. Prior to producing his popular television show, Mr. Seay traveled throughout America for 19 years working as a professional horseback outfitter and taking people on overnight horseback vacations. His greatest accomplishment as an outfitter was organizing and leading the American Transcontinental Trail Ride in 1995. During this ride, Mr. Seay led a group of horseback riders and wagons more than 3,000 miles from Savannah, GA to San Diego, CA. Mr. Seay also planned and successfully led a group of 43 riders from Mexico to Canada, every step by horseback, in 2009. During his professional career, Mr. Seay has owned three cable television stations and hosted, directed, and produced outdoor sports programs for 12 years. His experience in television and love of traveling with horses and trail riding led to the creation of “Best of America by Horseback”.

Gayle Lampe has been the Saddle Seat Program Director at William Woods University’s Equestrian Science Department in Fulton, MO, for more than 40 years, and has played an important role in developing the country’s first four-year academic degree program in equestrian science. She has trained several William Woods horses to World and National Championships, holds judges’ cards in nine equestrian disciplines, and has judged in 40 states and five countries. Ms. Lampe has received the United Professional Horsemen’s Association “Equitation Instructor of the Year” award, the Missouri Horse Shows Association “Trainer of the Year” award, the American Riding Instructor Certification Program’s “Instructor of the Year” award, and the “Distinguished Professor” award at William Woods University. She is also the author of “Riding for Success, Both In and Out of the Show Ring.” In addition to writing, teaching, and judging she is still active on the show circuit. She and her beloved five-gaited horse, Callaway’s Born To Win, have won the National Five Gaited Championship title at the American Royal in Kansas City six times.

While pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Missouri State University, Kelsey Lauberth's life changed when she saw the Trixie Chicks Trick Riders perform for the first time. An avid equestrian, she immediately became hooked on the discipline and started training with the Trixie Chicks in 2012. Just four years later, she began to pursue trick riding performances, clinics, and lessons full-time with the group. Ms. Lauberth has already won numerous trick-riding awards, including being named the 2016 International Trick Riding Open Champion. In addition to performing and teaching others, Ms. Lauberth and the Trixie Chicks have worked with top saddle makers to re-deign and improve trick riding saddles. Out of her home base in Westphalia, MO, Ms. Lauberth and the Trixie Chicks travel to performances and host clinics throughout the United States and Canada. When she is not riding, Ms. Lauberth is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from William Woods University.

Luke Gingerich is an accomplished horseman with more than fourteen years of experience in the industry. Mr. Gingerich has a long competition record in reining and ranch versatility classes. He was the reserve champion in Non-Pro Freestyle Reining at the 2017 All American Quarter Horse Congress and a Top Three Finalist in Open Reining at the 2018 Congress. He is also a familiar face at Equine Affaire, having competed in several Versatile Horse and Rider Competitions, and was named reserve champion in 2017. Mr. Gingerich has also participated in liberty and bridleless freestyle reining with his horses. Through his Luke Gingerich Horsemanship, operated out of Plain City, OH, Mr. Gingerich conducts clinics, demos, lessons, and online video coaching to help riders utilize effective communication and establish strong relationships with their horses.

Harold Rainwater founded, directs, and manages the Equine Program at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY. Mr. Rainwater holds a Bacheor’s degree in physical education from Asbury College and a Master’s in recreation from Eastern Kentucky University. In 1998 he launched the Equine Studies Program at Asbury University which has now grown to over 120 students in the areas of Equine Management and Equine Facilitated Wellness. Mr. Rainwater also works with his students to train horses for mounted police roles with 28 horses placed in full time service with police departments to date. Harold has served on several boards and organizations in the horse industry and is certified as an instructor by OK Corral and the Christian Camp Horsemanship International (CCHI), and has been a Regional Director for CCHI since 2004. In 2007 he was nominated as one of the Top 50 Instructors by the American Riding Instructor Association. He has served as Mayor of Wilmore since 1976 and on boards of various organizations of service and ministry. Harold and his wife, Shari, reside in Wilmore, KY.

The son of a horse trainer and judge, Todd Andrews knew that he would always be working with horses. After trying out training and deciding it was not for him, Mr. Andrews transitioned into horse shoeing. He took a particular interest in identifying how anatomy, gait faults, and lameness were interconnected in the horses he worked on. A skilled farrier, Mr. Andrews often handmade or customized shoes to better fit the individual horses he worked on. He also carefully studied the horse’s physical environment to see if any changes made there could have a positive impact on the horse. Outside of creating horseshoes, Mr. Andrews is a successful blacksmith who was named Champion in season five, episode 29 of the History Channel show “Forged in Fire”. Though officially retired, Mr. Andrews still enjoys working with horses and currently resides in Eighty Four, PA.

Sara Ballinger has owned and operated her own business, SEB Equine Appraisals LLC, since 2012. A life-long equestrian, she has a bachelor’s degree in equine science and biology from the University of Findlay and has competed on the hunter jumper circuit for more than twenty years. A two-time Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Champion, Ms. Ballinger now competes in top hunter jumper shows across the United State as an amateur. With her experience in the industry, Ms. Ballinger discovered a need for equine appraisers to assist both professionals and amateurs in making business decisions with their horses. Focusing on appraising competition and sport horses, Ms. Ballinger operates SEB Equine Appraisals out of Marion, OH. While she handles many different types of appraisals, the majority of her business comes from writing appraisals for horses being donated to non-profit programs for tax purposes.

J. T. Benitez has been raising poultry for nearly his entire life. He got his start by raising laying hens, broilers, ducks, geese, and turkeys in his backyard and was heavily involved in 4-H programs. This involvement in 4-H soon led to him interning for the organization and eventually building a career from it. After earning a master’s in management from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2011, Mr. Benitez began working for Purdue University Extension in Harrison County. Two years later, he moved to Union County as a 4-H Educator. In addition to his varied job duties as a 4-H Educator, Mr. Benitez worked as the Indiana State Fair 4-H Poultry Show Manager for six years. In early 2019, Mr. Benitez moved to Ohio and started work as an Extension Educator in Agriculture and Natural Resources for The Ohio State University Extension in Butler County.

As a certified independent saddle fitter, Amanda Berges uses her wealth of experience in the equine industry to assist her clients with their saddle fitting needs. She got her start as a horse trainer and riding instructor, certified by the American Riding Instructors Association for dressage and huntseat, before becoming a judge in Ohio and the surrounding states. Ms. Berges decided to pursue custom saddle fitting after struggling to find an appropriate saddle fit for her own horse. In 2015, she was certified in saddle fitting from the School of Saddle Fit and Flocking in England. Once she came back to the States, Ms. Berges started her business, The Saddle Tree, in Johnstown, OH, which specializes in hard-to-fit horses via custom design, tree adjustment, and custom flocking. She now works with riders in Ohio and surrounding states on finding the best saddle fit for themselves and their horses.

Dr. Karin Bump currently works as the Executive Director of Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension in Madison County, NY. Prior to assuming this role, she retired from her previous position as a Full Professor at Cazenovia College, where she taught and studied topics within the equine discipline. Dr. Bump is the Founder and Director of the National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics, an organization that focuses on increasing collaboration between colleges and universities with equine undergraduate programs. Recently, she has used her knowledge of equine academic programs to launch Equine Academics, an online resource for students, parents, and guidance counselors, with a free database of equine academic offerings in the United States. Dr. Bump earned her Bachelor of Science in companion animal biology and Master of Science in equine exercise physiology and nutrition from the University of Illinois. She later completed her doctorate in higher education and policy studies at the University of Albany. She is also a certified Professional Animal Scientist through the American Registry of Professionals in Animal Science.

Dr. John Byrd has a lifetime of experience with horses. He grew up showing in pleasure and reining classes before becoming interested in breeding and racing Quarter Horses in college. His passion for horses continued through veterinary school, where Dr. Byrd expressed a particular interested in equine veterinary medicine. After graduating from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977, he began a large animal medical residency at the University of Florida. Dr. Byrd eventually made his way to California, where he worked as an equine medicine practitioner for 13 years. While in California, Dr. Byrd served as ex-officio member of the board of directors and official sales veterinarian of the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association. Dr. Byrd’s extensive experience with horses led him to observe how a horse’s health could impact performance, which inspired him to open the Horsemen’s Laboratory in 1993. Now located in Mahomet, IL, the Horseman’s Laboratory provides intestinal worm control solutions to horse owners around the country.

After Ed Childers learned of a catastrophic event where a friend lost 12 horses in a commercial barn fire, he decided he had to prevent events like this from happening again. With horses and his small farm in Eighty Four, PA on his mind, Mr. Childers decided to pursue firefighting and joined the Somerset/Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Department in October 2005. He quickly began formal training in large animal rescue from organizations around the country. Using his training and equine experience, he developed the Large Animal Emergency Response Unit in North Strabane Township; facilitated the community outreach program “Save Your Horse: A Safety Seminar For Horse Owner’s”; and delivered the Large Animal Rescue for the First Responder: Awareness Level Training to fire departments around Pennsylvania. In 2011, Ed was appointed Coordinator of the Washington County Animal Response Team, where he continues his community outreach work in teaching the public and emergency response personnel about large animal rescue.

Teri Clark has studied the effects of dust, mold, and odor on horses and people for more than 20 years. Just a few months after she started riding at the age of 13, Ms. Clark’s doctor told her to quit due to asthma caused by dust. However, this did not keep her from continuing to love being around horses and sparked an interest in researching products that can reduce dust and other irritants commonly present in horse facilities. Ms. Clark is currently the Vice President of Sales for ARENACLEAR, a company that offers numerous products to assist with dust control in arenas, paddocks, round pens, dirt roads, and more. Out of her home base in Medina, OH, Ms. Clark travels the country to conduct presentations on dust control, train her company’s sales force, and assist equine and other facility owners on controlling dust on their properties.

Ryan Conklin is a native Ohioan who grew up on a dairy farm in Plain City and now works as an attorney at Wright & Moore Law Co. in Delaware, OH. After earning his bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from The Ohio State University, Mr. Conklin decided to pursue a Master of Science in Agricultural Education from the University of Florida. While in Florida, he also had the opportunity to study agricultural and natural resource law, a decision that inspired him to attend law school. After getting a master’s, he started law school at Michigan State University and began to focus on agricultural law through internships and coursework. After earning his Juris Doctor in 2015, Mr. Conklin started working at Wright & Moore, where he focuses on issues surrounding liability management, business planning, and transition planning for equine operations.

Leah Curtis serves as the Policy Counsel and Sr. Director of Member Engagement at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. Ms. Curtis graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University in 2007
with a degree in agriculture, majoring in agricultural communication. She received her juris doctorate from The
Ohio State University Mortiz College of Law in 2010, and in the same year graduated with a Master of Arts in Public Policy from Ohio State’s John
Glenn School of Public Affairs. In her role at Farm Bureau, Ms. Curtis oversees OFBF’s legal advocacy as an amicus curiae and advises the public policy department as they advocate
for Ohio’s farmers and rural communities on federal, state and local issues. Ms. Curtis is a frequent speaker on Ohio’s property tax system, the Current Agricultural Use Valuation program, food safety, and other private property rights topics.

Brenda Durham of Williamsburg, OH, is an equine first aid instructor who helps equine owners and enthusiasts become better horse people through building skills and confidence for handling equine emergencies. A lifelong horsewoman, Ms. Durham participated in 4H and open shows in horsemanship, showmanship and contesting throughout her youth. Later, she organized and incorporated the East Fork State Park Volunteer Mounted Search & Rescue unit through which she worked with law enforcement in southern Ohio for sixteen years. She became an equine first aid instructor four years ago and added advanced training to her resume three years ago. She represents Equi-First Aid-Ohio and has assisted Clermont and Clinton County’s humane societies in abused horse rescues.

Denise Ellsworth is an educator, writer, and outreach professional who is passionate about the environment and protecting nature’s pollinators. She earned a bachelor’s degree in plant pathology before earning a Master of Science with an emphasis on environmental education from The Ohio State University. Ms. Ellsworth then began working for Ohio State Extension, and found a passion for educating people about many facets of entomology and horticulture, including plant pests, integrated pest management, plant identification, and botany. She now works in Ohio State’s Department of Entomology at their Wooster campus as the Program Director for Honey Bee and Native Pollinator Education at the Bee Lab. The Bee Lab is Ohio State’s research, education, and outreach effort focused on honeybees, wild bees, and other pollinators. Ms. Ellsworth regularly hosts seminars and talks both on and off campus to teach people about bee health and pest management, pollinator identification, and conservation and habitat enhancement.

Passionate about helping and healing horses and pets, Dr. Cliff Faver is the founder of a grooming and veterinary practice in Cave Creek, AZ. Dr. Faver earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 1987. In 1994, he founded and opened Animal Health Services in Arizona. A full-service veterinary hospital, Animal Health Services offers emergency, diagnostic, surgical, and alternative treatment options for its patients. In 2006, Dr. Faver extended his practice by opening Tender Day Spa, a dermatological wellness and grooming center located within his animal hospital. Dr. Faver is currently a member of several national and regional associations, including the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. He has also served on national and international committees for animal dermatology, nutrition, and business management. Currently, Dr. Faver spends most of his time as an international speaker on numerous animal care topics and teaching the Iv San Bernard Pet Aesthetician Certification program.

Having grown up around horses, Tammi Gainer began her professional equestrian career in 1989 as a trail guide at a large ranch camp, where she was first introduced to the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) and attended a Standard Instructor Certification Clinic. This experience would have a profound impact on her life, as Ms. Gainer is now a CHA Master Level Instructor and has eared Clinic Instructor status in the Instructors of Riders with Disabilities and Vaulting programs. She is also recognized as a Professional Horseman by the American Quarter Horse Association and is a PATH International Certified Instructor. As the current Equestrian Director of Pegasus Farm Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Hartville, OH, Ms. Gainer runs horsemanship, riding, driving, and vaulting programs that serve almost 300 students from diverse backgrounds every week. Heavily involved in CHA activities, Ms. Gainer has held various positions on their Board of Directors, including Treasurer, Secretary, and currently, President. She was also named CHA’s Volunteer of the Year in 2011.

Dr. Laurie Gallatin owns and operates Countryside Veterinary Services, a private practice specializing in equine medicine based in Sunbury, OH. She began her professional career by earning an Associate of Applied Science in horse production and management from The Ohio State University--Agricultural Technical Institute in 1994 and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Findlay in 1996. Dr. Gallatin next attended the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University where she earned her doctoral degree in veterinary medicine in 2000. She completed a one-year ambulatory internship at Peterson and Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala, FL, before going on to complete a residency in large animal internal medicine at Purdue University. Dr. Gallatin was board certified in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2004. She subsequently worked at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medicine Center as an Equine Field Services Clinician before going into private practice in 2012. She currently resides with her family at Coppertop Clydesdales farm.

Jill Golgosky is a certified small animal acupressure practitioner through Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, located in Castle Pines, CO. An Ohio native, she grew up riding in 4-H and in Pinto Horse Association classes. She graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Zoology and worked in the Aviculture department at Sea World Ohio for 12 years. In 2008, Ms. Golgosky decided to pursue a career in the veterinary field and became a registered veterinary technician. With a growing interest in alternative medicine to treat her patients, Ms. Golgosky graduated from Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute in 2009, and began teaching as a certified assistant. While working at Tallgrass, Ms. Golgosky has produced a five-part video series on equine and canine acupressure, as well as a book, titled “AcuHorse: A Guide to Equine Accuspressure”. Ms. Golgosky is now the Lead Instructor in Equine and Small Animal Accupressure at Tallgrass.

As the son of a farrier, Eric Grover grew up around horses and frequently spent his summers working for his father. This experience gave him a deep appreciation for the many elements that can affect a horse’s overall performance and health. After Mr. Grover treated his own sports injuries with massage therapy, he became interested in combining his passion for horses with his appreciation for sports massage. In 2006, he completed an Equine Sports Massage Certification from Animal Dynamics in Ocala, FL and started Eric Grover Equine Sports Massage Therapy, which is now based in Johnstown, OH. Since then, he has worked with a variety of breeds at shows across the country, helping equine athletes feel their best to perform the highest level. In 2016, Mr. Grover expanded his practice to include acupressure work but becoming certified in equine acupressure from Animal Dynamics.

George Gullikson has turned his background as a mechanical engineer into a career making saddles a better fit for horses and riders. Mr. Gullikson was introduced to horses while growing up on his family’s dairy farm in Wisconsin. He eventually became interested in dressage and has operated a dressage training facility with his wife for almost 30 years. While working as a mechanical engineer at Bell Labs, Mr. Gullikson specialized in Ergonomics and made workstations for operators and office staff to help prevent common workplace injuries. Out of Aiken, SC, Mr. Gullikson operates his saddle making business, Equine Inspired, LLC, where he specializes in fitting female riders and hard to fit horses to prevent pain, injury, and asymmetrical muscle development. In addition to servicing the Midwest and East Coast, Mr. Gullikson posts educational videos about saddle fit on his website, EquineInspired.info.

Dr. Nancy Loving received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 1985. She has practiced equine medicine and surgery exclusively and currently owns and operates Loving Equine Clinic in Boulder, CO. An avid equestrian, Dr. Loving has competed in dressage and distance competitions. She has also been involved in the endurance world as an FEI-sanctioned veterinarian and as team vet for the United States Equestrian Federation national endurance squad. Dr. Loving is the author of five books, including “All Horse Systems Go: The Horse Owner’s Full-Color Veterinary Care and Conditioning Resource for Modern Performance, Sport, and Pleasure Horses”. Her other books include “Go the Distance: The Complete Resource for Endurance Horses”, “Conformation and Performance”, “First Aid for Horse and Rider”, and “Veterinary Manual for the Performance Horse”. She is also a regular contributor to The Horse and Horse Illustrated magazines.

Mark Meyers is the founder and Executive Director of the world’s largest donkey rescue organization, located on almost 200 acres in San Angelo, TX. Along with his wife, Ann, Mr. Meyers started the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue as a backyard hobby more than a decade ago. He was introduced to the idea of donkey rescue after purchasing a donkey as a pet and becoming interested in the plight of donkeys in their community. After rescuing more than 20 donkeys, they officially founded Peaceful Valley as a non-profit rescue more than 18 years ago. Since then, Mr. Meyers has overseen the rescue of more than 10,000 donkeys from around the contiguous United States, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Mr. Meyers also works with the federal government on several of their wild burro programs. Outside of running the rescue, Mr. Meyers has been featured on several television and radio programs; participates in many public speaking engagements; and has authored several books, including his “Talking with Donkeys” series.

Trey Miller has been involved in the livestock showing industry since he was a child. After getting his start showing sheep at Illinois and Ohio State Fairs, where he won several classes as a junior, he turned to livestock judging in college. Mr. Miller was a member of The Ohio State University’s Livestock Judging Team, and helped the Team win their first championship in nearly a decade at the 2012 Keystone International Livestock Exposition Collegiate and Junior Livestock Judging Contest. After graduating with a bachelor’s in agribusiness in 2013, Mr. Miller started TKM Livestock in Amanda, OH with his wife, Kelsie. His business focuses primarily on buying, selling, and trading market lambs for 4-H and FFA youth development projects. He also conducts clinics on sheep showing and raising for youth programs and adult audiences around the central Ohio area.

Dr. Melissa Milligan is an accomplished equine veterinarian who has worked with horses her entire life. She grew up raising Quarter Horses and Belgian Drafts in Iowa and before completing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 2002. She then completed a private practice internship at Equine Medical Associates in Edmond, OK before beginning a three-year residency at Kansas State University in 2004. During her residency, she also worked towards a Master of Science degree in Veterinary Clinical Sciences from the University. Following completion of her surgical residency, Dr. Milligan joined the staff at the Equine Specialty Hospital in Burton, OH. A year later, she became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Milligan went on to become a business partner at Equine Specialty Hospital and, as of 2014, is the practice’s owner.

Dr. Dan Moore is a practicing holistic veterinarian based in Unicoi, TN, who is known as The Natural Horse Vet® - or simply “Dr. Dan.” He received a degree in animal science from North Carolina State University prior to earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1980 at Auburn School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Dan is the founder of The Natural Horse Vet®, an online source of information, products, and services about natural alternatives to traditional drugs and chemicals for people, pets, and horses. He has combined more than 20 years of study in the field of herbal nutrition with completion of both professional and advanced courses in veterinary homeopathy and extensive studies in veterinary orthopedic manipulation. Dr. Dan has been featured on RFD-TV’s “At the Clinic” series, as well as on the Outdoor Channel, and has written extensively for numerous publications, including Holistic Horse Magazine, The Natural Horse Magazine, and Equine Wellness Magazine. In addition to his professional career, Dr. Dan has long been active in the Rocky Mountain Horse world where he has won numerous national championships and served in various Board positions within the breed.

Natasha Nagawiecki’s passion for clipping horses and skills as a professional clipper qualify her as among “the best of the best.” Ms. Nagawiecki is a new member of the Wahl Professional Animal Division X-Treme Team and the proud owner of “A Pampered Pony” a custom clipping and equine spa service located on Long Island in New York. Though she was born and raised in New York, she initially developed a thorough education in good grooming techniques while working at her father’s busy jumper breeding stable as a youth in Poland. While growing up on Long Island, she rode and worked at different barns and was involved in every equestrian pursuit from barrel racing, driving, equitation, and jumping to showmanship, western, and exercising Thoroughbreds. She volunteered to groom horses, and her lifelong love of clipping emerged. She now has a reputation for creating intricate designs like the New York City Skyline and Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.”

Katelyn Neil and her team, including Kathy Evans, Dr. Dana Miller, and Sue Avril are passionate about combining their love of horses with their knowledge of essential oils. With their varied backgrounds that include expertise in emergency healthcare response, holistic nutrition, veterinary care, and aromatherapy, Ms. Evans and her team have created essential oil blends, remedies, and protocols to support physical and emotional needs of horses and riders. Their focus is to assist riders in understanding how their emotions can affect the horse on multiple levels and how essential oils can effectively manage negative or disruptive emotions from either horse or rider. Working to provide safe and reliable essential oils, the team loves to educate fellow horse lovers about proper essential oil use and the benefits it can have on both the short and long term physical and mental health of horse and rider.

An Ohio native, Tony Nye grew up on a Henry County sow farm before attending The Ohio State University to study animal science. After receiving a Master’s of Science in Animal Breeding and Genetics from Ohio State in 1988, Mr. Nye started his career as an Extension Educator for Clinton County Extension, a role he still holds today. He also currently serves as the State Small Farm Program Coordinator for Ohio State Extension, and has run the “Small Farm College” and “Small Farm Conference” programs for the past several years. From 2014-2018, Mr. Nye was also a monthly contributor to the nationally recognized Acreagelife Magazine, where hew rote a column called “Weekend Farmer”. In addition to assisting Ohioans with their small farm needs and educating the next generation of farmers, Mr. Nye runs his own meat goat and swine operation in Fayette County with his wife and three kids.

Harold Rainwater founded, directs, and manages the Equine Program at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY. Mr. Rainwater holds a Bacheor’s degree in physical education from Asbury College and a Master’s in recreation from Eastern Kentucky University. In 1998 he launched the Equine Studies Program at Asbury University which has now grown to over 120 students in the areas of Equine Management and Equine Facilitated Wellness. Mr. Rainwater also works with his students to train horses for mounted police roles with 28 horses placed in full time service with police departments to date. Harold has served on several boards and organizations in the horse industry and is certified as an instructor by OK Corral and the Christian Camp Horsemanship International (CCHI), and has been a Regional Director for CCHI since 2004. In 2007 he was nominated as one of the Top 50 Instructors by the American Riding Instructor Association. He has served as Mayor of Wilmore since 1976 and on boards of various organizations of service and ministry. Harold and his wife, Shari, reside in Wilmore, KY.

Dr. Nerida Richards is a registered animal nutritionist who is often considered one of Australia’s leading professionals in equine nutrition. Growing up on a cattle ranch in New South Wales, Ms. Richards quickly developed an interest in livestock production, health, and horsemanship. This led her to complete a doctorate in animal nutrition from the University of New England in 2004. Around the time she completed her degree, Dr. Richards founded Equilize Equine Nutrition, where she now works as the company’s Managing Director and Principal Consultant. Through her company, Dr. Richards provides high-level technical support to numerous national and international feed and supplement companies, as well as on the ground advice and technical support to breeding and training establishments. In addition to providing nutrition advice, Dr. Richards also developed and commercialized the FeedXL ration balancing software, which is used by horse owners in Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the Middle East, and South East Asia.

Through years of training horses and riders, Stephanie Sawtelle became an astute observer of the dynamics of the horse-human relationship on physical, mental, and emotional levels. These observations led her to become interested in the fields of equine facilitated learning and equine assisted psychotherapy. To further her knowledge, she became an Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association Certified Equine Specialist, which allowed her to help people experience personal growth and healing through their equine partners. Seeking to further her expertise, Ms. Sawtelle became a Certified Equine-Assisted Life Coach, with a focus on the mind-body connection, emotional intelligence, and intuitive development, through The Academy for Coaching with Horses in 2015. A year later, Ms. Sawtelle wrote the “What Horses Can Teach Us About Mindfulness” workbook. She now runs her own equine-supported personal development and coaching business, Still Point Equine, out of Erie, PA.

Eric Schwab is the State Agronomist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Ohio office, based in Columbus. As an agronomist, Mr. Schwab travels throughout Ohio to educate farmers and other land users about soil management and crop production. Mr. Schwab received a master’s degree in agronomy and crop science from Auburn University before starting his career at the Alabama Natural Resource Conservation Service office, where he worked for many years before moving to Ohio. In addition to giving talks on a variety of agronomy topics to universities and agricultural organizations throughout the state, Mr. Schwab travels to conferences around the country and researches and publishes scientific papers on soil conservation and related topics.

Sam Sechler grew up riding horses and dabbled in a variety of disciplines, including dressage, trail riding, and working cow horse. Eager to use her passion for animals in a career, Ms. Sechler went to Auburn University, where she completed a bachelor’s in animal science, quickly followed by a master’s in beef cattle nutrition. Ms. Sechler is a recognized Professional Animal Scientist through the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists and is a member of the American Society of Animal Science. She has also been published in a variety of scientific and lay outlets, including the Journal of Animal Science, the Ohio Equine Directory, and through the American Forage and Grassland Council. She now works for Cargill Animal Nutrition out of Garden City, KS, and assists cattle and horse owners meet the nutritional requirements their animals need from various types of forage.

Steve Skellett has been repairing barns in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana for nearly 20 years. While working as a contractor, he found that there was an untapped construction market focused on barn restoration, and began to look into the field. After restoring his first barn in Guysville, OH, Mr. Skellett started Royal Barns Restoration and Repair, based out of Stewart, OH. Since starting his company, Mr. Skellett has restored hundreds of old barns in various states of disrepair. A firm believer that the history of a region can be told through its barns, Mr. Skellett is passionate about educating barn owners about the historical significance of their old barns. Outside of working directly with clients, Mr. Skellett participates in workshops and conferences around the state that focus on barn stewardship, repair, budgets, and adaptive reuse of old barns.

Sheldon Stutzman is a Solar Energy Consultant for Paradise Energy Solutions in Sugarcreek, OH. Mr. Stutzman got his start in the construction industry almost 30 years ago as a sales representative for a lumber company. Through this position he worked on residential and small commercial projects that included riding arenas and horse barns. Mr. Stutzman began working for Paradise Energy Solutions six years ago and is certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. In his current role he helps farmers and other business owners invest in renewable energy sources using roof space they already possess. In addition to working one-on-one with clients, Sheldon Stutzman also travels throughout Ohio to participate in workshops and other educational opportunities to teach consumers about solar energy use.

Knowing he wanted to spend his life working with horses, Chad Wagner moved to Wyoming after graduating high school to learn from one of the industry’s best, Ken McNabb. While there, he gained invaluable experience on starting colts, training horses, and ranch work. Eventually, Mr. Wagner decided it was time to strike out on his own, and moved back to Ohio with his wife to start C and C Horsemanship. Out of their facility in Kidron, OH, Mr. Wagner is involved in all stages of horse training, from starting horses to working with green ones to selling those that are ready. Mr. Wagner is a Ken McNabb Master Certified Trainer and a Josh Lyons/Lyons Legacy Accredited Trainer. In addition to working with horses, Mr. Wagner also enjoys helping riders develop a better relationship with their horse and improve their own riding skills.

Dr. Jonathan Yardley is an Assistant Professor in surgery, anesthesia, and equine field services at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center where he focuses his efforts on veterinary sports medicine to treat equine athletes and keep aging horses sound and healthy. Dr. Yardley received his Bachelor of Science in animal biology from Purdue University and earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 from Tufts University. During his time at Tufts University, he completed an NIH-funded study examining the use of ibuprofen in horses with navicular syndrome. Dr. Yardley completed his residency in Ocala, FL, and continued afterwards to work with racing thoroughbreds including the Kentucky Derby winner, Big Brown. He has recently completed the final phase of board certification in equine practice through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and is currently engaged in research on Potomac Horse Fever in horses in central Ohio. In addition to his professional career with horses, Dr. Yardley was once an active horseman who grew up competing in both English and western events and was a member of the intercollegiate team for Purdue University.