The Presenters at Equine Affaire®

Jonathan Field is equally at home riding jumpers over fences and pushing cows at home on his ranch north of Vancouver, British Columbia. Though his initial equestrian pursuits were within the English realm, he transitioned years ago to become a working cowboy. Following an industrial accident at the age of only 19, horses played a crucial role in Mr. Field’s recovery—both physically and mentally. This tragedy cemented his dedication to horses and his desire to “give back to the world of horses” by building his career around them and sharing what he has learned from them. He now travels throughout North America sharing his “Inspired by Horses” horsemanship program and working with students of all riding levels. He is a gifted teacher who uses humor and kindness to help people elevate their horsemanship and take their horses to higher levels of accomplishment. Mr. Field and his training methods have been featured in major equestrian magazines throughout North American as well as on national television. He has documented his horsemanship teachings through various DVDs, including a recently-released DVD series produced with the legendary George Morris. He has also authored a book titled, The Art of Liberty Training for Horses. Learn more about Mr. Field at: https://youtu.be/HlSCuXj3wEw

Craig Cameron believes that one of the keys to training horses is to first train horse people. His engaging, motivational speaking style focuses on the training principles of patience and understanding as does his four-video collection and line of training products. A life-long rancher, working cowboy, and horse trainer, Mr. Cameron has just about done it all from stocker operations to custom hay-baling to capturing wild cattle for fellow ranchers. After years of bull riding on the professional rodeo circuit and successfully operating his cattle business, Mr. Cameron decided it was horses and horse training to which he really wanted to devote his time and talents. He wanted to give something back to the horse, thus he honed his horsemanship skills and began conducting clinics throughout North America and abroad. His work has earned him the prestigious American Cowboy Culture Working Cowboy of the Year award. Currently Mr. Cameron can be found hosting a horse training program as well as his Extreme Cowboy Races on RFD-TV and at equine venues throughout the country and working on his Double Horn Ranches in Bluff Dale, TX.

Though he grew up riding Quarter Horses in Australia, Warwick Schiller has called the United States home for almost thirty years. An accomplished reining competitor, Mr. Schiller has multiple championship titles in the United States and Australia, including being a member of the 2010 and 2018 Australian Reining Teams at the World Equestrian Games. In addition to training his own horses, Mr. Schiller is passionate about working with riders from all disciplines to help them improve their communication and relationship with their horse. In 2012, he began to record his training methods for everything from starting young horses to retraining problem horses. Originally started on a YouTube channel, the Warwick Schiller Performance Horsemanship Online Video Library now hosts more than 500 videos and 300 hours of training footage with more than 20 million views. Though his home base is in Hollister, CA, Mr. Schiller spends a lot of time on the road, as he conducts clinics throughout North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

Eventer and natural horsemanship advocate Tik Maynard is a fifth generation equestrian from Vancouver, Canada. He spent his youth riding in Pony Club, where he got involved in Tetrathlon, a sport that incorporates running, swimming, shooting, and riding. He eventually found his way to Modern Pentathlon competitions, which include all of the sports that make up Tetrathlons, plus fencing. He spent six years competing in the Modern Pentathlon on the Canadian National Team, and was a member of the Canadian team at the 2007 Pan American Games, three World Championships, and eleven World Cups before focusing his competitive sights on eventing. He was long-listed for the Canadian eventing team for the 2012 London Olympics and is currently long-listed for the national eventing team. In addition to training and competing his own horses, Mr. Maynard conducts eventing and natural horsemanship clinics throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Married to fellow eventer Sinead Halpin and a proud new father as of September 2018, the family spends summers in Long Valley, NJ, and winters near Ocala, FL.

For 50 years Lynn Palm has championed the partnership of horse and rider. An international clinician, she travels extensively from her facilities at Fox Grove Farm in Ocala, FL, where she and her husband, Cyril Pittion-Rossillon teach the fundamentals of their Palm Equestrian Academy. She is an American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) judge and holders her USEF R Western Dressage judges license. Continuing to compete in both United States Dressage Federation and Western Dressage Association of America shows, her competition record is second to none. Ms. Palm was a special guest performer at the 1996 Olympics and was named 2000 AQHA Female Equestrian of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation. In 2003 she was the recipient of Equine Affaire’s Exceptional Equestrian Educator Award, and she was titled Horsewoman of the year in 2007 by the American Quarter Horse Association. In 2010, she presented at the World Equestrian Games as a clinician and entertainer, and did the same at the 2017 FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha, NE. Ms. Palm frequently contributes articles to leading equine publications along with an active online community. Her extensive educational library of DVDs and books can be found online at lynnpalm.com.

Like many trainers, Jonath Robles grew up with a passion for horses and horse training. Though he put that on hold to attend the University of Oregon, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, his education ultimately influenced his training methods. Mr. Robles researched why certain people were more successful in life than others—namely due to opportunity, education, and having the right connections—and implemented those ideas in the world of horses. Out of his J. R. Horse Training in Newberg, OR, Mr. Robles specializes in colt starting, western dressage, reining, and working with “problem” horses. After being exposed to horse trainers that used a lot of old school cowboy training methods, which seemed more cruel than effective in his eyes, while growing up, Mr. Robles became fascinated with natural horsemanship, and uses it as the driving teaching method in his training. When he’s not training or teaching clinics, Mr. Robles enjoys competing in colt starting competitions. He has seen great success in that arena, including being named Colt Starting Reserve Champion during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2016.

Though Jim Thomas has spent his entire life surrounded by horses, it was not until his retirement from the U. S. Army in 2007 that he was able to start training full-time. That same year, he competed in his first Extreme Mustang Makeover, which became a pivotal point in his horsemanship journey. After training his first mustang, Mr. Thomas earned a reputation for being able to work with wild or difficult horses. He has trained almost 100 mustangs since then and continues to compete in the Extreme Mustang Makeover every year. Outside of working with horses and riders of all disciplines on his ranch in Pittsboro, NC, Mr. Thomas conducts clinics, has written articles for Southeast Equine and Carolina Hoofbeats, and is currently working on a book. He has also served in various positions as a North Carolina Horse Council Executive Board Member and is a member of the Chatham County Equine Advisory Board.

Though he grew up riding horses and was exposed to the highest levels of show jumping through his father Ian Millar’s illustrious career, Jonathon Millar did not start seriously competing until he was 16 years old. Within just a few years, he made his way onto the Canadian Show Jumping Team and represented his country at a Nations Cup competition in Washington, D. C. Since then, he has represented Canada at countless Nations Cup competitions, a FEI World Cup Final, and the 2010 World Equestrian Games, where he helped the Canadian team place fifth. Mr. Millar has twice been named leading Canadian rider at the Royal Winter Fair Horse Show and has competed in the prestigious Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament several times. In addition to competing, Mr. Millar enjoys developing young horses and riders to the top level of show jumping, employing a methodical approach to teach them the skills they need to succeed in the ring. He currently trains out of Millar Brooke Farm in Ontario, Canada.

Jeremy Steinberg started his riding career at the age of 11, quickly turning his focus to dressage after taking a few lessons with Melle Van Bruggen, the U.S. Dressage Team coach at the time. After training his first horse up to the Grand Prix level with the help of renowned dressage trainer Dietrich von Hopffgarten, Mr. Steinberg moved to Germany to train for a year. Returning to the United States, he started his own dressage training business and has since earned numerous accolades in the dressage arena, including winning individual gold and team silver at the 1996 North American Young Rider Championships, being named a USEF High Performance rider, and competing in several National Championships. He also served as the USEF Dressage Youth Coach from 2010-2014. Currently, Mr. Steinberg trains and teaches out of Aiken, SC, working with horses and riders at all levels. He also has a busy clinic calendar, averaging 48 clinics per year in throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Kevin Oliver of Snaffle Bit Quarter Horses in Canyon, TX, teaches horses from the perspective of a working cowboy. His approach to training teaches patience and understanding to build a successful partnership between horse and rider. Mr. Oliver has placed 3rd and 4th at the National Reined Cow Horse Association World Championships and been in the top ten for the Ranch Pleasure Division at the American Quarter Horse Association World Championships. Kevin Oliver holds a Bachelor of Science in ranch management from West Texas State University, is an American Quarter Horse Association judge specializing in ranch horse versatility, an active member of the National Reining Horse Association and National Reined Cow Horse Association, and a past board member of the Panhandle Golden Spread Quarter Horse Association. He is a contributor to the American Quarter Horse Association Journal, Farnam’s Life With Horses, and the “Walk in Our Boots” video program for Horse & Rider magazine.

Liz Austin has been competing in dressage since she was just five years old. She got her start riding horses through her mother, Madeline Austin, and eventually began riding and training sales horses for her. Ms. Austin competed in her first Prix St. Georges at sixteen, and by twenty-two, she was competing in Europe on a horse she trained herself. Her career highlights include being an individual silver medalist at the North American Young Rider Championships, winning the U.S. Equestrian “Brentina Cup” National Championship two times, and being named the reserve rider for the 2011 FEI World Cup Final. In addition to competing and training her own horses, Ms. Austin enjoys working with other dressage riders through lessons, clinics, and expositions. Outside of the arena, Ms. Austin has contributed articles to numerous publications, including The Chronicle of the Horse, Dressage Today, Dressage Daily, and Dressage Unlimited. She also helped develop the FITS clothing line, a collection of equestrian competition and training attire.

Growing up around Quarter Horses, due to the family business of racing them, Kristin Weaver-Brown got her start riding in local gymkhanas and all-around events. Soon, she turned her focus to reining and working cow horse events, winning three American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championships in the disciplines. Though she continued to focus on reining as a teenager, Ms. Weaver-Brown expanded her repertoire and began competing in barrel racing and cutting classes. Her barrel racing career took off after becoming the 1998 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Reserve World Champion in Senior Barrel Racing. Her accomplishments since then are too lengthy to name, but include being the first woman to win the Big Four Award, which is awarded to the top finisher of four rodeos in the Pacific Northwest, and being the only barrel racer to win AQHA world titles in reining and working cow horse, in addition to titles in barrel racing. Ms. Weaver-Brown now operates her training business, Quarter Moon Quarter Horses, out of Temecula, CA.

Heidi Potter is an internationally known and respected trainer, instructor, clinician, and author who has more than 50 years of experience with horses. Her holistic approach to horsemanship is strongly influenced by her practice in traditional Eastern Martial Arts, bringing mindfulness, awareness, breathing, centering and grounding into her teachings. She is a Centered Riding© clinician who was fortunate to have learned directly from neighbor, friend, and Centered Riding© founder, the late Ms. Sally Swift. Heidi is a certified CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) Master Instructor and Clinic Instructor, a Horse Agility accredited trainer, and a Senior Horse Speak® Instructor. Ms. Potter is driven by her passion to make interactions better for horses and their humans in a calm and caring manner. She enjoys trail riding, competing in western dressage with her Cheval Canadian Horse, Riley, and spending time with family and friends at her southern Vermont farm, The New England Center for Horsemanship. Ms. Potter travels locally and abroad to teach clinics on a variety of topics.

Rick Christy and his wife, Kelley, own and operate Christy Quarter Horses in Reddick, FL, where they specialize in breeding, training, and showing American Quarter Horses and Paints in hunter under saddle, western pleasure, and all around events. Mr. Christy began his training career in the reining horse sector, quickly earning numerous high point titles and championships in the sport, but his heart was always with the pleasure horse industry. He has shown numerous horses to Honor Roll titles and championships, trained many youth and amateur riders to multiple World Championships and Honor Roll titles in hunter over fences, western pleasure, and hunter under saddle classes. Mr. Christy is an approved American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, and National Snaffle Bit Association judge, holding judging cards for more than 20 years. He has judged the All American Quarter Horse Congress, AQHA World Show, NSBA World Show, APHA Youth World, as well the industry’s largest circuits including Big A, Gold Coast, Arizona Sun Circuit, etc. Mr. Christy has also taken his skills abroad through judging national championships in Australia, Sweden, Mexico, and Germany.

Suzy Stafford, the reigning Combined Driving Singles National Champion, finds that teaching others to drive in harmony, for winning results and happy horses, is her greatest satisfaction. Ms. Stafford’s interest in horses began at a young age, and she rose through the ranks of the United States Pony Club where she excelled in combined training. In 1998 Suzy Stafford completed the American Riding Instructors Program certification in dressage and combined training, before a leg injury ended her riding career and obliged her to channel her competitive interests into carriage driving. Ms. Stafford’s competitive accomplishments include being the Combined Driving World Champion and Chronicle of the Horse Driver of the Year in 2005, contributing to a World Equestrian Games Team Bronze medal for the United States in 2007, and earning an Individual Bronze at Greven, Germany in 2009. In 2011 she drove to an Individual Silver in 2011 in Slovenia and in 2016 she earned both the Delaware Woman Athlete of the Year and the International Horse of the Year titles with PVF Peace of Mind. Suzy Stafford sits on the USEF International Disciplines Council and is active with the AMHA, ADC, USDF and Brandywine Valley Driving Club. Her new 30-stall facility in Chesapeake, MD, specializes in training and educating the horse and driver, instilling the goals of safety, proficiency and a competitive edge.

Simon Cocozza is an experienced horseman with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. After growing up in Italy, Mr. Cocozza traveled to England to receive formal instruction in equine training. He first obtained his British Horse Society Assistant Instructor qualification before earning an Advanced National Certificate in Equine Business Management at Warwickshire College of Equine Studies. After spending several years as a trainer in England, Mr. Cocozza moved back to mainland Europe and became increasingly interested in studying the biomechanics of horses and how to utilize it as a basis for training. After setting up a stable in Normandy, France, Mr. Cocozza became the first non-French national to earn the Brevet Professionnel title, a French program that certifies equestrian trainers and coaches. Mr. Cocozza now works as a trainer and examiner for the French Riding Federation. Outside of training, Mr. Cocozza wrote the book Core Conditioning for Horses, which was published in 2019. He has also contributed articles on training and coaching to numerous magazines, including The Equine Chronicle and The American Trakehner Magazine.

From his home at Windswept Stables in Brodhead, KY, Gary Lane specializes in helping the owners of easy gaited horses "find the magic" in their horses. During the course of his extensive career, Mr. Lane has worked with virtually all easy gaited breeds from Tennessee Walkers and Missouri Fox Trotters to Paso Finos and lcelandics. His definition of horse training is "the art of influencing and directing your horse to obtain his willing obedience in the accomplishment of a task," and he works with both novice and professional gaited horse riders to develop free going horses with smooth easy-going gaits. As a result of his experience as a military commander in Desert Storm and a Kentucky police detective, Mr. Lane believes that leadership has an important role in training any horse and that step-by-step structure is an important teaching tool for both horses and riders. He shares his training program through a best-selling book titled Training the Gaited Horse, From the Trail to the Rail, and three training videos/DVDs on understanding and training gaited horses.

Sarah Track is an Associate Professor and Saddle Seat Instructor at William Woods University in Fulton, MO. While she teaches courses in horse show preparation, training, and equine management, her real passion is for Saddle Seat. Ms. Track has trained and competed several American Saddlebreds in Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, Western, Pleasure, and Fine Harness classes in local and nationally recognized shows. She has also worked with Morgans, Arabians, and National Show Horses. Coaching students for more than a decade, Ms. Track considers their accomplishments in and out of the show ring among her biggest successes. She is a member of U.S. Equestrian, the United Professional Horseman’s Association, and the American Saddlebred Association. Ms. Track also a member on the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Committee and a board member on the International Saddlebred Hall of Fame’s Simmons Stables Preservation Projects.

Out of his Medina, TX, ranch, Paul Garrison’s Mulemanship and Training business aims to help mules and their often frustrated owners communicate better. Mr. Garrison first became interested in mules after working with one on his friend’s ranch, and soon began picking up mules from the auction and training them for riding. Since then, his business has expanded to train mules for riding, driving, and packing, as well as hosting clinics, trail rides, and pack trips. Through his clinics, Mr. Garrison works diligently to help owners better communicate with their mule and position themselves as stronger leaders in the relationship. Using his experience with mules, Mr. Garrison developed the Garrison Mulemanship and Training Mule Saddle, which is now bring produced by Bronco Saddlery in San Antonio, TX. He also created a mule headstall that works specifically with the Myler Combination bit, a piece of tack Mr. Garrison has found works very well with mules.

Heidi McLaughlin is a freelance writer, published author, public speaker, and clinician. She is a former fearful rider who shares her inspirational story with others to help those who are missing out on the joy of horsemanship because of their fear. After a horse ran away with her when she was a child, Ms. McLaughlin developed a fear of horses, but still felt drawn to them. When she eventually began searching for a horse of her own, she found it difficult to find the perfect partner and eventually realized that no horse on earth would ever be right for her until she first dealt with her fear; thus, beginning the long and frustrating journey into fearless horsemanship. This journey led her to develop her “K.I.C.K. Your Fear of Horses” method, which she uses to help other riders break down fear and build confidence with her books, DVDs, lectures and clinics both at her home base in Bonsall, CA, and around the country.

Laura Benson is the Head Trainer at Valkyrie Icelandic Horses, a full-service training and riding facility that has been in operation for more than a decade. She is an FT Certified Icelandic Horse Trainer, a title that can only be obtained by completing a three-year program at Hólar College in Iceland. Out of her home base in Santa Cruz, California, Ms. Benson travels throughout the United States, Iceland and Europe, hosting several clinics per year and participating in performances with Icelandic horses. She is also one of the team leaders for The Knights of Iceland, a drill team that performs numerous times per year, including tonight’s Fantasia show.

A true Charro, Gerardo “Jerry” Diaz, is a prominent figure in traditional Mexican horsemanship and rodeo styles. Mr. Diaz is a fourth generation Charro who learned his skills from his father, the master horseman José “Pepe” Diaz. With his father, he trained horses for Mexican President Lázaro Cárdenas and was a feature act in the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Today, Jerry Diaz’ artistry on horseback is seen across North America in his Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza show. Winner of the Charros’ Golden Spur Award, Mr. Diaz is an expert with the maguey rope on foot, while riding, or standing atop his horse. He has been inducted into the Texas Trail Hall of Fame, the Cowboys of Color in Fort Worth, and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. With his wife, Staci Diaz, a third generation performer of the Texas White Horse Ranch known for her roman riding and professional equine performances, and their son, Nicholas, the Diaz family raises, trains, and performs with their horses from the Diaz Ranch in New Braunfels, TX.

Introduced to gaited horses when she was only seven years old, Carrie Brandt is only the second American to attend and graduate from the renowned Hólar University in Iceland. She graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree as a certified FT Trainer and Instructor and was awarded the Morgunblaðið Award for best riding and horsemanship throughout the three-year program. Ms. Brandt has trained and competed successfully under the instruction of Guðmar Þór Pétursson of Gudmar Petursson Gaited Horsemanship, and has also trained horses for some of the most respected trainers and teachers in Iceland such as Ísólfur Lindal, Anton Páll Nielson, Hulda Gustafsdóttir and Hinrik Bragason. In 2013 and 2014 Ms. Brandt was the highest-ranked rider in the Five Gait division in the U.S. Icelandic Congress National Ranking and has qualified multiple times for the U.S. Icelandic Horse World Championship Team. More recently Carrie has participated as a performer on the fast-paced and fiery Knights of Iceland Show Team, organizing shows across the U.S. with Guðmar and Laura Benson. When not traveling and teaching clinics or competing Carrie is the primary trainer and instructor alongside her husband, Terral, at Taktur Icelandics in Prospect, KY.

Veteran Jerry Paulsen—an entrepreneur, former United States Army non-commissioned officer, and retired law enforcement officer—has combined his business and armed forces experience to create the non-profit organization Operation Horses and Heroes. Out of his home base in Elgin, IL, he works as the founder, president, and executive director of the organization, which runs a ground-oriented equine assisted therapy program assisting military families, active duty personnel, and veterans coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and social and emotional challenges, as well as those learning to use prosthetics. Established in 2014, the organization has grown so large that it now has facilities in Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Ohio and Idaho, with several more locations in the works. In addition to running the non-profit, Mr. Paulsen is also president and CEO of Paulsen Productions, a professional development corporation with locations in the United States, Brazil, China, and Guam.

Maggie Herlensky is the President of the American Sidesaddle Association, an organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of riding aside in the United States. The Association has more than 250 members and 18 regional clubs throughout the country. Ms. Herlensky has been riding for more than 40 years in many disciplines, including competitive trail, hunt seat, western, and sidesaddle. She became a sidesaddle instructor thirty years ago and became involved in the American Sidesaddle Association from its beginning in 2008. In addition to instructing students in sidesaddle riding out of her home base in Bainbridge, OH, Ms. Herlensky also travels throughout the United States hosting clinics and participating in other educational programs to promote aside riding.

An avid supporter of natural horsemanship, Pamela Allen-LeBlanc got her start with horses as a young child riding in Pony Club. Wanting to develop a deeper relationship with her horses, she began studying natural horsemanship and worked with several prolific trainers in the industry. Eventually she opened her own operation, Hidden Brook Farm in Durham Bridge, New Brunswick, Canada, where she works with horses and horse lovers on horsemanship, animal communication, and Reiki. She also developed her own line of essential oils for horses and humans. Ms. Allen-LeBlanc is a member of the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association, a centered riding instructor, a licensed Reiki Master Teacher with the International Center for Reiki Training, and a contributing author to Reiki News magazine, Reiki for Animals book, and the ICRT Animal Reiki course. In addition to teaching out of Hidden Brook Farm, Ms. Allen-LeBlanc travels throughout North America, Australia, and the United Kingdom to teach horse enthusiasts about the benefits of animal communication, Reiki, and essential oil use, and how these methods can improve their relationship with their horses.

With more than 20 years’ experience as a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (CESMT), Beverly Brady got her start apprenticing with Dr. Mark Haverkos, the founder of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, and later interned for Dr. Nancy Nicholson, a renowned dressage expert who specializes in equine biomechanics. At the urging of Dr. Haverkos, Ms. Brady began teaching her equine massage and rehabilitation therapies, called the Amassage Method™, in 2006. Her program aims to help horses “ReConnect, ReBalance, and ReBuild,” both on the ground and under saddle. Though Ms. Brady is based out of Milan, IN, her company, Midwest Natural Healing for Animals, offers online and in-person courses in Indiana, Wyoming, Tennessee, and Connecticut. She has written the book “The Ultimate Go-To-Guide for Finding the Best CESMT for You or Your Horse,” and is on a committee for the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage’s Continuing Education.

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.

Bryan Cassill is a Research and Development Technologist at Buckeye Nutrition, a subsidiary of Mars Horsecare, in Dalton, OH. Mr. Cassill grew up breeding and showing Quarter Horses on his family’s farm in Southern Ohio. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences from The Ohio State University, he worked as a biologist in an Ohio research laboratory before moving to Kentucky to complete his Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Kentucky (UK). After completing this degree, he worked as the Animal Resources Manager at UK’s Maine Chance Equine Campus for ten years, where he was responsible for everything from teaching courses to conducting research to the nutritional management of the facility’s horses. In July 2018, Mr. Cassill took on his current role with Buckeye Nutrition, where he works on the development of new equine feed products.

As the Eastern State Regional Manager for Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, the nation’s largest donkey rescue, Kimberly Clark manages the Virginia-based division of the rescue and 12 satellite adoption centers across the Eastern time zone. In this role, Ms. Clark has 150 donkeys under her care and manages rescue cases, handling the intake and quarantine process to rehabilitating and placing the donkeys in adoptive homes. She also assists the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue headquarters in Texas with special projects and large-scale rescue cases. Outside of working directly with rescue donkeys, Ms. Clark is a passionate advocate for the animals, hosting a two-day donkey immersion course for new and potential donkey owners and a biennial three-day donkey care symposium. She is also the organizer of Donktoberfest, the largest donkey festival on the East Coast, and is writing a book, “Saving Serendipity,” about life in the rescue business.

More than 20 years ago Julie Copper founded the Copper Horse Crusade, a non-profit organization that rescues slaughter-bound horses and helps them find good homes. Based out of Cambridge, OH, Copper Horse Crusade works with all breeds and disciplines, putting each rescue horse under a 30-day minimum evaluation to determine the career and type of rider that would suit them best. Ms. Copper is also heavily involved in the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Right Horse Initiative, and in 2018 the Copper Horse Crusade won a $51,000 grant from the organization to expand their rescue efforts. In addition to partnering with other animal welfare organizations, Ms. Copper has spoken about her work at events around the Midwest and has contributed to Sport and Trail, NRHA Reiner, and Tractor Supply’s Out Here magazines.

With a Masters degree in elementary education from Slippery Rock University in Butler County, PA, Jenn Currie spent more than two decades as a teacher and was almost ready to try a different career until she discovered educational neuroscience—the study of how people learn and process content. With an invigorated passion for teaching from this newfound knowledge, Ms. Currie began writing articles and books utilizing lessons she learned from educational neuroscience, including her first book “U-Turn Teaching: Strategies to Accelerate Learning and Transform Middle School Achievement.” In addition to teaching, Ms. Currie returned to riding after a 20-year hiatus and currently competes in mountain and trail horse challenges. Combining her background in teaching with her love for horses, Ms. Currie runs an educational consulting company, Horse of a Different Color: The Leading Edge of Education, out of Greenville, PA, where she helps teachers, riding instructors, and others learn to effectively teach their students for optimal learning.

Elaine Egbret is the co-founder and owner of Camp with Horses, LLC, a company based out of Fredonia, PA, that sells camping gear and other products for horses. Ms. Egbert has been riding for practically her entire life, entering the world of horse ownership in just third grade. As a young rider, she focused on western and trail riding, learning from renown horsemanship trainers like Craig Cameron along the way. In 2008, she met her late husband, Bill Egbert, while on a trail ride in Tennessee, and the two soon created Camp with Horses out of their love of horses and the outdoors. One of their most well-known products is the Savvy Horse Highline system, which Ms. Egbert developed to have no knots in its construction or use. In addition to running her company and demonstrating products at a permanent camp set up at Flying W Ranch in Tionesta, PA, Ms. Egbert is active in the equine community as a member of the Pennsylvania Equine Council and Ohio Equine Council.

A horse owner for more than four decades and equine professional for almost 20 years, Ann Frederick is passionate about training horses and helping riders better connect with them. Out of her Ann’s Five Acres Farm, located in Cleves, OH, Ms. Frederick trains horses, gives riding lessons, and runs an equine transportation service. Before opening her own business, Ms. Frederick worked as a Thoroughbred farm manager and professional trainer, specializing in “problem” horses. When she is not working with horses and riders at her farm, Ms. Frederick is heavily involved in her community. She has conducted clinics for many groups, including the Cincinnati Mounted Police, Walnut Creek Pony Club, and SPCA Cincinnati. She is also an advisor to the Diamond Oaks Career Campus’ Equine Science and Management Program and President of the Hamilton County Horseman’s Council. Additionally, Ms. Frederick has written for American Farrier Journal, Horsemen’s Corral, and Stable Management magazines, and has produced a DVD, titled “Your First Horse.”

Dr. Richard Godbee is the retired Director of Technical Services for Farnam Companies, Inc. in Phoenix, AZ, and the founder of Equi-University. Dr. Godbee received a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and Master of Science in ruminant nutrition from the University of Georgia. In 1978 he completed his doctoral degree in animal nutrition and nutritional biochemistry with an emphasis in equine at Colorado State University. During his professional career, Dr. Godbee has served as a faculty or adjunct faculty member and has been a member of the graduate committees for master and doctoral candidates for several universities. He has numerous publications in both peer-reviewed journals and popular press on multiple species and has been invited to present in a variety of venues. His research interest has most recently included the effect of nutrition on immunity and inflammation. He is Board Certified in Animal Nutrition by the American College of Animal Science and has achieved Professional Animal Scientist status in the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists with a specialty in horses. Dr. Godbee is not only a nutrition specialist, but also an avid horseman and competitor in the cutting horse arena.

Liv Gude is a professional groom known for her expertise in grooming horses for presentation as well as daily care including early detection of illnesses, diseases, lameness, and overall health. Ms. Gude has been on the back of a horse since the age of six and her own varied equestrian career has included riding hunters, jumpers, cutters, reiners, and, ultimately, Grand Prix level dressage horses. She had the distinct honor of starting her professional grooming career with Olympic dressage rider, Guenter Seidel. After many years of grooming, Liv Gude saw the need to bring her knowledge of grooming to horse owners everywhere. In 2011 she founded Professional Equine Grooms, an online community that provides resources about horse care, horse health, and employment in the horse industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University and has contributed articles on grooming-related topics to Chronicle of the Horse, Practical Horseman, Dressage Today, Equine Wellness, and Horse Illustrated.

Dr. Joyce Harman, owner of Harmany Equine Clinic in Flint Hill, VA, has focused her career on educating the equine industry about holistic and integrative veterinary medicine. After graduating from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984, Dr. Harman traveled to the British Isles to study equine exercise physiology and sports medicine. While overseas, she became a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Upon returning to the United States, Dr. Harman worked for a large veterinary practice in New Jersey and quickly began using holistic methods on her patients, when conventional methods did not work. In 1990 Dr. Harman became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and moved to Virginia to open her own practice. Four years later Dr. Harman completed an advanced homeopathic course for veterinarians and became a Certified Veterinary Chiropractor. Dr. Joyce Harman has published numerous books including two books about saddle fitting: The Horse’s Pain Free Back and the Saddle Fit Book. She has also published The First Aid Guide to Homeopathy for Horses to provide horse owners with an introduction to homeopathic practices. In addition she has produced more than 60 articles for professional journals and has penned many more for lay magazines.

Steve Hebrock, a Certified Master Hoof Care Professional, began his hoof care odyssey in 1993 after acquiring his first horse. He soon became frustrated by what he perceived to be illogical ideas and practices that dominate traditional hoof care, and his engineering background prompted him to begin an intense study of trimming, shoeing, and movement theory. Mr. Hebrock spent many years as a member of the faculty at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster, where he taught hoof care and farriery; equine marketing and facilities management; and a number of engineering and technical classes. Mr. Hebrock now focuses his time and energy on his hoof care practice, on-going hoof research, and his educational outreach efforts via “Enlightened Equine”, a blog dedicated to bringing science to horse management and hoof care. Mr. Hebrock is a certified hoof care professional and booting specialist in the Association for the Advancement of Horse Care Practices (AAHCP) and in Liberated Horsemanship. He was also a certification exam instructor, workshop leader, and field instructor for the AANHCP, and is currently an advanced trimming instructor and field instructor for Liberated Horsemanship.

Carole Herder is President and founder of Cavallo Horse & Rider, Inc. a company based in Roberts Creek, British Columbia that specializes in developing and distributing innovative comfort and protection products for horses and riders. Ms. Herder holds a degree in business administration from Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta, and has taken courses in hoof anatomy with an emphasis on function and physics. She possesses a true passion studying and promoting the comfort of horses and believes that caring for hooves naturally and keeping horses barefoot is best. Ms. Herder developed the line of Cavallo Horse Boots to meet the needs of horses ridden on terrain that the bare hoof is not conditioned to and designed the Total Comfort System Saddle Pads to address the sort backs of horses ridden under saddle. She presents clinics worldwide and strives to educate horse owners while also identifying, designing, and manufacturing new products for horses and the people who care for them. Carole Herder won the Royal Bank of Canada Western Trail Blazer Woman Entrepreneur of The Year Award. She is the co-author of The Cavallo Barefoot Trim, and the author of Hoofprints on the Journey, and the international bestseller There are No Horseshoes in Heaven. In her spare time, she enjoys barrel racing and trail riding on her Quarter Horse mare.

Abby Keegan is an Equine Nutritionist for Cargill Feed and Nutrition who has more than 15 years of experience evaluating equine diets. She obtained her Master of Science in Animal Science from Kansas State University and is a certified Professional Animal Scientist by the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. Ms. Keegan regularly participates in research studies, using her findings to better assist veterinarians and horse owners in assessing a horse’s nutritional needs. Her research specializes in looking at how nutrition can impact the development of a horse’s topline. With this knowledge, Ms. Keegan created the “Fix My Topline” concept on ToplineBalance.com and has contributed to numerous other products, including the Empower Topline Balance and a simplified method for Topline Evaluation Scoring. Based out of Minneapolis, MN, Ms. Keegan enjoys educating horse people about equine nutrition and has spoken at numerous events, including American Association of Equine Practitioners conferences and equine veterinary continuing education courses.

Amber Krotky is a Quality and Development Specialist for Buckeye Nutrition, a subsidiary of Mars Horsecare, in Dalton, OH. After growing up around horses, she attended Oklahoma State University for her bachelor’s and graduate programs, eventually earning a Master of Science degree in Animal Science with a focus on equine nutrition. She then worked for The Ohio State University as an Equine Extension Specialist for several years, managing the state’s 4-H Horse Program, teaching equine courses, and advising the Collegiate Horsemen's Association and the Horse Judging Team, before joining Buckeye Nutrition. Ms. Krotky is a certified Professional Animal Scientist by the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists and currently sits on the organization’s ethics committee. She is also a member of the American Feed Industry Association Equine Committee and is a Board Member for the American Youth Horse Council.

Twain Lockhart’s experience in raising and handling chickens began with his time in 4-H and FFA as a child and has spanned more than 40 years. He also has almost 20 years of experience working as a feed store owner, specializing in poultry feed and nutrition. Currently Twain Lockhart is a poultry specialist for Nutrena Feeds who loves to educate people about all types of fowl, including turkey, duck, quail, and of course, chickens. He also contributes to Nutrena and Cargill Animal Nutrition’s blog, Scoop From The Coop, where he writes about everything from avian diseases to nutrition. Out of his home base near Janesville, WI, Mr. Lockhart travels extensively to participate in workshops, seminars, and videos and teach others how they can get started raising chickens and solve common problems that can affect a flock.

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.

Growing up in Wisconsin farm country, Shannon Mueller always had a passion for animals. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin in 2013, she started working in the probiotics and nutraceutical industry, developing many of the top probiotic and enzyme products on the market for humans and animals. She formulated the #1-rated probiotics for horses, dogs, cats, and birds, and co-developed the #1-rated probiotics for humans on Amazon. A few years ago, Ms. Mueller joined her current employer, Equa Holistics, as president. Based out of Germantown, WI, Equa Holistics specializes in creating supplements for horses, dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits. Ms. Mueller’s current work focuses on developing probiotics, prebiotics, and other supplements by sourcing raw, natural materials to create the highest quality product.

Dr. Frank Reilly has practiced exclusively equine medicine and surgery for more than 30 years. He received Bachelor of Science degrees in both biology and veterinary science in 1983 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1987 from the University of Illinois. During his veterinary career Dr. Reilly has worked at multiple racehorse tracks in Florida, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, and his patients have included six world-record holders and multiple track-record holders. He is a member of the AAEP, AVMA, NEAEP, and a board member of the American Association of Professional Farriers. He is also a board member of Ryerss Farm, the oldest horse retirement farm in the USA since 1888. Dr. Reilly currently serves as the senior veterinarian at Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Inc. in West Chester, PA. His primary research interests include insulin resistance, COPD, laminitis, joint problems, canker, and vitamin D.

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.

Cathy Woods has been teaching yoga to horse lovers and non-equestrians for almost thirty years. From her home base in the Smoky Mountains, NC, Ms. Woods teaches yoga classes and plans workshops and retreats around the country. With her background in horses, Ms. Woods combined her passions of yoga and horsemanship to create her “Body, Mind, Equine” program. Held at ranches around the country, this program is not about doing yoga on the back of a horse, but rather how to use yoga principles to improve horsemanship from ground to saddle and become a more aware, mindful equestrian. Ms. Woods’ one of a kind “Body, Mind, Equine” program has reached national acclaim with features in Forbes.com, Horsecity.com, Equitrekking, Western Horse & Gun magazine, and Yoga Digest.