We Have a New Year and Lot’s of New Ground to Cover
I admit I gave up…. I started write a couple of times and just gave up. Maybe I’m not as perpetually vindictive as Fugs or maybe not as committed as John and Vicki. I’m certainly not a gifted writer like R.T.. Here’s the new solution I came up with. Cut and paste…… find it, copy it, comment on it, and leave. Yep, leave, throw it out there, let y’all throw some spit balls, make a ‘good-bye senseless cruel world’ post or two, or tell me how stupid, cruel, or the what the heck ever I am. I that makes you feel happy and vindicated, come a runnin, it’s your world too. My friends and partners in crime at the blog are free to come back to argue with you if they want. I said what I came to say the first time out. I’m set in my ways and just plain stubborn. Like all the NAHSC people, I am right and as soon as ya’ll get that figured out the world will be a better place. Look at the bright side this total lack of research or thought will free me up to post more debatable material to hopefully get someone’s blood or interest up. All joking aside…..
A few weeks ago my good friend, a columnist for a western based livestock newspaper, forwarded me her weekly column as she always does. That’s how I learned about the upcoming Summit of the Horse conference. http://www.united-horsemen.org/summit-of-the-horse/ is the link and the list of speakers to appear.
Bob Abbey, Director, Bureau of Land Management – Abbey has served for more than 32 years in public service working with state and federal land management. He served eight years as the Nevada State Director for the U. S. Bureau of Land Management, providing direction and oversight for 48 million acres of public land managed by the bureau in the state.
J.D. Alexander, Vice-President, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) – J.D. Alexander, a cattleman from Pilger, Nebraska, owns Alexander Cattle & Farms, a 2,000 acre corn/soybean/alfalfa farm that markets approximately 15,000 head of cattle per year. He has owned Alexander Cattle & Farms since 1984. Alexander has been very active in industry organizations, served as President of the Nebraska Cattlemen in 2001, and was a member of the National Beef Industry Planning Group from 2000 to 2001. In addition, he has participated in several foreign trade missions, as well as foreign study travel seminars in Belgium, East and West Germany, Russia and Poland with the Nebraska LEAD program. He is currently serving as NCBA Vice-President and he serves on the Nebraska Beef Council. In 2001 J.D. was elected to the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement.
Tim Amlaw, American Humane –is vice president and director of Denver-based American Humane Certified — a farm-based agency that puts its seal of approval on products from animals that have been humanely raised. Born in upstate New York, he followed his family into a growing business, going to the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill to study beef cattle science. He came to Colorado to teach high school and college agriculture. He entered the cattle business here and in Italy, retired early, then was lured back to work at American Humane .
Joey Astling, USDA Slaughter Horse Transport Program – Joey Astling is the Compliance Specialist for the Equine Transportation Program within USDA/APHIS/VS. Joey is a lifelong horseman, and considers himself fortunate to continue his family’s traditions of horse training, ranching and rodeoing.
Claude Boissonneault, DVM, National Specialist, Red Meat Non-Ruminant Species Program,Policy Development Section,Meat Programs Division (MPD),Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Dr. Boissonneault holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Montreal. He joined Agriculture Canada in 1985 where he held several positions of increasing responsibility in Meat Hygiene Operations. In 1991 Dr. Boissonneault moved to the Ottawa Headquarters where he worked in the Meat Hygiene Program as a National Veterinary Auditor and subsequently as Chief, Regulations and Procedures. As an auditor Dr. Boissonneault was involved in the evaluation of the delivery of the Meat Hygiene Program in Canadian slaughter, processing and storage facilities. Dr. Boissonneault has been instrumental in the development of the Modified Poultry Inspection Program (MPIP) and HACCP amendments to the Meat Inspection Regulations. Dr. Boissonneault currently manages activities associated with the design, development and evaluation of regulations and policies regarding red meat species meat hygiene programs, in particular as it relates to non-ruminant species such as swine and horse.
Frank Bowman, Horsemen’s Council of Illinois – Frank and his wife raise Missouri Fox Trotters just outside of Springfield, Illinois. Frank has been active lobbying for horse industry issues at both the state and national level in recent years.
Ed Butcher, Montana State Senator (retired) – Ed is a rancher and businessman with a long and illustrious career in the Montana Legislature as both a Senator and a Representative. Ed was the prime sponsor behind ground-breaking legislation in a wave of state legislative actions in regards to the restoration of horse processing in the United States, and continues to work for a viable option for the marketing of otherwise unusable or excess horses.
Dave Catoor, Cattoor Livestock Roundup Company – Dave and Sue Catoor at Cattoor Livestock Roundup Company have a business that helps capture, process, and transport wild horses, burros, and wild cattle in the most humane way possible. They have been contracting wild horse roundups for the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, and private individuals since 1975. In 35 years they have humanely captured over 150,000 wild horses, wild burros, and wild cattle. Over the years, the y have purchased and built equipment, developed techniques, and learned the best methods to assure the safety of the animals. They employ experienced helicopter pilots and wranglers that really care about the animals. All of this minimizes the stress on the animals during wild horse roundups.
Tom Collins, Clark County Nevada Commissioner – Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins has been a resident of Clark County virtually all his life. A Western High School graduate, he attended Midwestern and Texas Tech universities in Texas as well as Clark County Community College. He is a rancher and a horseman
Wade Cox, Colorado Rancher – Wade Cox is a 4th generation Northwest Colorado ranching family from Rangely, CO. His family operation runs on over 65,000 acres and has 300 head of cattle. He is very active in the Douglas Creek Conservation District, as well as, serving on 5 other special interest boards centered on agriculture in Colorado. He was a member of the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts delegation to Washington, D.C. legislative conference in the summer of 2010 and spoke to the Wild horse issue with Deputy Secretary Silvia Baca and BLM’s Bob Abbey
Bill desBarres, Executive Director, Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada – Bill desBarres is chairman of the breeds and industry committee of the Alberta Equestrian Federation and president of the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada. The Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada promotes the humane handling of horses through all their life stages. They have been at the forefront of establishing standards, publishing guidelines, and implementing tools to achieve their mission.
Jeri Dobrowski, AMillionHorses.com – Jeri Dobrowski is an award-winning photographer, writer, designer and editor. Working behind the scenes at the website http://AMillionHorses.com is Jeri Dobrowski. The vision of former large animal veterinarian and cowboy entertainer Baxter Black, the informational site documents the on-going neglect and abandonment of America’s horses.
A few weeks ago my good friend, a columnist for a western based livestock newspaper, forwarded me her weekly column as she always does. That’s how I learned about the upcoming Summit of the Horse conference. http://www.united-horsemen.org/summit-of-the-horse/ is the link and the list of speakers to appear.
Bob Abbey, Director, Bureau of Land Management – Abbey has served for more than 32 years in public service working with state and federal land management. He served eight years as the Nevada State Director for the U. S. Bureau of Land Management, providing direction and oversight for 48 million acres of public land managed by the bureau in the state.
J.D. Alexander, Vice-President, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) – J.D. Alexander, a cattleman from Pilger, Nebraska, owns Alexander Cattle & Farms, a 2,000 acre corn/soybean/alfalfa farm that markets approximately 15,000 head of cattle per year. He has owned Alexander Cattle & Farms since 1984. Alexander has been very active in industry organizations, served as President of the Nebraska Cattlemen in 2001, and was a member of the National Beef Industry Planning Group from 2000 to 2001. In addition, he has participated in several foreign trade missions, as well as foreign study travel seminars in Belgium, East and West Germany, Russia and Poland with the Nebraska LEAD program. He is currently serving as NCBA Vice-President and he serves on the Nebraska Beef Council. In 2001 J.D. was elected to the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement.
Tim Amlaw, American Humane –is vice president and director of Denver-based American Humane Certified — a farm-based agency that puts its seal of approval on products from animals that have been humanely raised. Born in upstate New York, he followed his family into a growing business, going to the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill to study beef cattle science. He came to Colorado to teach high school and college agriculture. He entered the cattle business here and in Italy, retired early, then was lured back to work at American Humane .
Joey Astling, USDA Slaughter Horse Transport Program – Joey Astling is the Compliance Specialist for the Equine Transportation Program within USDA/APHIS/VS. Joey is a lifelong horseman, and considers himself fortunate to continue his family’s traditions of horse training, ranching and rodeoing.
Claude Boissonneault, DVM, National Specialist, Red Meat Non-Ruminant Species Program,Policy Development Section,Meat Programs Division (MPD),Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Dr. Boissonneault holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Montreal. He joined Agriculture Canada in 1985 where he held several positions of increasing responsibility in Meat Hygiene Operations. In 1991 Dr. Boissonneault moved to the Ottawa Headquarters where he worked in the Meat Hygiene Program as a National Veterinary Auditor and subsequently as Chief, Regulations and Procedures. As an auditor Dr. Boissonneault was involved in the evaluation of the delivery of the Meat Hygiene Program in Canadian slaughter, processing and storage facilities. Dr. Boissonneault has been instrumental in the development of the Modified Poultry Inspection Program (MPIP) and HACCP amendments to the Meat Inspection Regulations. Dr. Boissonneault currently manages activities associated with the design, development and evaluation of regulations and policies regarding red meat species meat hygiene programs, in particular as it relates to non-ruminant species such as swine and horse.
Frank Bowman, Horsemen’s Council of Illinois – Frank and his wife raise Missouri Fox Trotters just outside of Springfield, Illinois. Frank has been active lobbying for horse industry issues at both the state and national level in recent years.
Ed Butcher, Montana State Senator (retired) – Ed is a rancher and businessman with a long and illustrious career in the Montana Legislature as both a Senator and a Representative. Ed was the prime sponsor behind ground-breaking legislation in a wave of state legislative actions in regards to the restoration of horse processing in the United States, and continues to work for a viable option for the marketing of otherwise unusable or excess horses.
Dave Catoor, Cattoor Livestock Roundup Company – Dave and Sue Catoor at Cattoor Livestock Roundup Company have a business that helps capture, process, and transport wild horses, burros, and wild cattle in the most humane way possible. They have been contracting wild horse roundups for the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, and private individuals since 1975. In 35 years they have humanely captured over 150,000 wild horses, wild burros, and wild cattle. Over the years, the y have purchased and built equipment, developed techniques, and learned the best methods to assure the safety of the animals. They employ experienced helicopter pilots and wranglers that really care about the animals. All of this minimizes the stress on the animals during wild horse roundups.
Tom Collins, Clark County Nevada Commissioner – Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins has been a resident of Clark County virtually all his life. A Western High School graduate, he attended Midwestern and Texas Tech universities in Texas as well as Clark County Community College. He is a rancher and a horseman
Wade Cox, Colorado Rancher – Wade Cox is a 4th generation Northwest Colorado ranching family from Rangely, CO. His family operation runs on over 65,000 acres and has 300 head of cattle. He is very active in the Douglas Creek Conservation District, as well as, serving on 5 other special interest boards centered on agriculture in Colorado. He was a member of the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts delegation to Washington, D.C. legislative conference in the summer of 2010 and spoke to the Wild horse issue with Deputy Secretary Silvia Baca and BLM’s Bob Abbey
Bill desBarres, Executive Director, Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada – Bill desBarres is chairman of the breeds and industry committee of the Alberta Equestrian Federation and president of the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada. The Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada promotes the humane handling of horses through all their life stages. They have been at the forefront of establishing standards, publishing guidelines, and implementing tools to achieve their mission.
Jeri Dobrowski, AMillionHorses.com – Jeri Dobrowski is an award-winning photographer, writer, designer and editor. Working behind the scenes at the website http://AMillionHorses.com is Jeri Dobrowski. The vision of former large animal veterinarian and cowboy entertainer Baxter Black, the informational site documents the on-going neglect and abandonment of America’s horses.
Dave Duquette, Working Cow Horse Trainer, President, United Horsemen – has more than 20 years’ experience successfully training and showing reiners and reined cow horses in all phases of competition. He has National Reined Cow Horse Association earnings of nearly $48,000. Dave also is an exceptional Non-Pro coach — in 2008, Duquette Quarter Horses’ Non-Pros won four out of the six NRCHA Northwest Region Championships. Dave is an AQHA Professional Horseman and President of the Oregon Reined Cow Horse Association.
John Falen, President, Public Lands Council – is a commercial cow-calf operator from Orovada, Nevada“Public lands ranchers are not only the stewards of our rangelands and providers of food and fiber for our nation. They represent and promote the great American tradition of freedom.” —John Falen
Karen Budd Falen, Attorney – Karen with her husband Frank Falen, is the owner of the Budd-Falen Law Offices, L.L.C. located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Before moving back to Wyoming, Karen served for three years in the Reagan Administration, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., as a Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. She later served as a law clerk to the Assistant Solicitor for Water and Power. Karen has also worked as an attorney at Mountain States Legal Foundation, a conservative public interest legal foundation located in Denver, Colorado. In addition to representing local governments and private citizens, Karen currently serves as legal counsel to the Arizona\New Mexico Coalition of Counties for Stable Economic Growth. Karen was one of the authors of the first local land use plans written for Catron County, New Mexico, the first local government to recognize its right to full participation as a decision maker in federal agency decision making processes. Karen grew up as a fifth generation rancher on a family-owned ranch in Big Piney, Wyoming.
Dennis Foster, Executive Director, Masters of Fox Hounds Association – A retired military intelligence officer, special operations and Provost Marshal, Dennis has become an internationally renowned expert on the radical agenda and tactics of animal rights organizations worldwide. Col. Foster also sits on the Board of the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), the Animal Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), the International Union of Hunting with Hounds (IUHH) and is on the Horse Welfare Committee and Unwanted Horse committee of the American Horse Counsel, AHC.
Katherine Minthorn Good Luck, Umatilla Tribe, Intertribal Agricultural Agency – Katherine (pronounced kath-er-een) represents the Northwest Region for the Intertribal Agriculture Council and is highly qualified to ensure northwest Tribes are informed of USDA program availability. She raises and races quarter horses, and is the tribal liaison for United Horsemen and the United Organizations of the Horse.
Chris Gould, Canada, World Breeding Federation of Sport Horses – Chairman Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association – As the founding Chairman of the CWHBA and a pioneer, breeder of Warmblood horses in Canada, Chris has been involved in industry organizations in a number of capacities. Member of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses, Audit Committee; he is a former Equine Canada director and inaugural Chairman of its Breeds and Industry Council, as well as a member of the Ethics and Welfare Committee and chair of the Government Relations and Horse Id and Traceability Committees.
Dr. Temple Grandin, Grandin Livestock Systems – doctor of animal science and professor at Colorado State University, bestselling author, and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. As a person with high-functioning autism, Grandin is also widely noted for her work in autism advocacy. Grandin is considered a philosophical leader of both the animal welfare and autism advocacy movements. Both movements commonly cite her work regarding animal welfare, neurology, and philosophy. She knows all too well the anxiety of feeling threatened by everything in her surroundings, and of being dismissed and feared, which motivates her in her quest to promote humane livestock handling processes. Her business, Grandin Livestock Systems, focuses on how to improve standards in slaughter plants and livestock farms.
“I think using animals for food is an ethical thing to do, but we’ve got to do it right. We’ve got to give those animals a decent life and we’ve got to give them a painless death. We owe the animal respect.” —Temple Grandin
Dr. Kim Houlding, DVM – Madrid Veterinary Clinic, Madrid, Iowa - Dr. Houlding will be addressing problems surrounding the shortage of euthanasia drugs, and speaking to her experiences in investigating animal abuse cases.
Larry Johnson, Coalition for Nevada’s Wildlife – Besides being a long time leader in wildlife conservation in Nevada, Larry was, until recently, a member of the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Committee.
Tyson Rope Larson, Nebraska State Senator, Rope Horse Trainer – Tyson Rope Larson is a 5th generation Nebraskan. His distinctive middle name is a marker of this heritage: Tyson was so-named because he was born into and raised on his family’s horse ranch. Tyson currently lives just outside of O’Neill, where he helps his grandfather with training and roping on the family’s horses. Tyson has just been elected to his first term as a Nebraska State Senator, is the youngest state senator in the nation, and intends to make pro horse industry legislation his priority in Nebraska’s unique unicameral Senate.
Rob Leach, Australia, horse trainer - Growing up in the Australian snowy mountains, Rob was always headed in the direction of becoming a top horseman. Raised on a property just outside Mansfield, Victoria, where “The Man From Snowy River” movies were filmed, Rob first learned to ride mustering (gathering) cattle out of the high country with some of the last of the old-time mountain cattlemen. Rob started competing at an early age, successful at different disciplines including eventing, showjumping, bronc riding and Australia’s premier horse sport – campdrafting. Rob is now based at a horse training operation, Whitney’s Wild Oak Ranch near Exeter, California. Here, Rob is concentrating on starting two-year olds for reined cow horse and cutting competitions, horse sale preparation and showing at NRCHA and NCHA aged events.
Bob Loomis, National Reining Horse Assn – Bob and Pam Loomis are top breeders of Quarter Horses, and base their program around reining horses. They also raise Longhorn cattle.
Frank Losey – Franklin W. Losey is an attorney licensed to practice law in the States of Ohio and Kentucky and also licensed to appear before the U.S. Supreme Court who has submitted written legal briefs that have been considered by the U.S. Supreme Court. He has served as a United States Air Force Judge Advocate; was assigned to the Pentagon as the Director of Civil Law, where he supervised over 100 military and civilian attorneys; provided legal guidance to the Air Force Chief of Staff and other General Officers assigned to the Pentagon. Since 1990 Mr. Losey has interfaced with Presidents of multi-billion dollar corporations, Members of Congress and their key staff, and senior members of the Executive Branch of our Government. During this period he successfully orchestrated actual statutory changes to Title 10 (Armed Forces), Title 18 (Crimes and Criminal Procedure – Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act), Title 26 (Internal Revenue Code), and Title 41 (Public Contracts) of the U.S. Code. He was also successful in effecting changes to regulations promulgated by the Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Agriculture, OSHA, EPA and the International Maritime Organization and has spoken on behalf of the U.S. Government at an Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). For the last two years Mr. Losey has been leading the effort to expose to the Internal Revenue Service the excessive and prohibited lobbying activities of the Humane Society of the U.S., and his passion for representing responsible dog breeders is based on his commitment to repay Chaucer, his beloved Yorkie, who he treasured for over 18 years, and who came from a breeder in Missouri.
Denissa Malott, Trail Ride Business Owner – Denissa operates a trail riding business in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. For many years she operated equine businesses in state parks in Indiana.
Gary Moyer, National Association of Conservation Districts Board Member – Gary Moyer is a 4th generation Northwest Colorado native. He comes from a Forest products industry background. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Forest products and he currently owns and operates a tree growing operation in Northwest Colorado. He has been a member of the White River Conservation District for 4+ years and is the Vice President of the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts. Additionally, he is the National Association of Conservation Districts from Colorado. He is also the Vice chairman of the Western Coalition of Conservation Districts which represents 17 Western States. He attended the legislative conference the past two years representing Colorado in Washington, D.C. and spoke to the Wild horse issue and other Western natural resource issues.
G.B. Oliver, Executive Vice President, Paragon Foundation – The Paragon Foundation was founded on the idea that it is the responsibility of government to protect the rights of fellow Americans, as written in the Constitution, as well as the responsibility of every American to make sure the government remained true to its purpose. Understanding that knowledge is power, Mr. Oliver will wrap up the Summit of the Horse in a way that seeks to arm landowners, land managers, horse owners and horse industry professionals with the information and negotiating skills necessary to protect their property.’
Bill & Jann Parker, Billings Livestock Horse Sales – Bill and Jann are the Horse Sale Managers at Billings Livestock where they continue to operate a monthly sale that is renowned nationwide.
Mindy Patterson, The Cavalry Group – Mindy was campaign manager for The Alliance for Truth campaign which was at the forefront opposing the HSUS driven Missouri 2010 Proposition B which passed by a slim margin of 1.6%. Mindy currently serves as the director of The Cavalry Group, an organization working to help livestock producers, agricultural interests and animal owners fight against the radical animal rights movement nationwide. She also serves as the Director of Communications for the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners (MOFED), and sits on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Equine Council.
Ike Sankey, Sankey Pro Rodeos – Sankey Rodeo Company, of Joliet, Montana, is celebrating its 29th Anniversary in the rodeo business. Started in 1978 in Rosehill, Kansas, by Ike and his father, Bud, Sankey Rodeo Company has grown into one of the most prominent stock contracting firms in the PRCA. Sankey Rodeo Company has had more livestock selected to go to the WNFR in Las Vegas during the past ten years than any other stock contracting company.
Ted Robinson, Working Cow Horses – is the winningest rider in the history of the reined cow horse, with seven NRCHA (National Reined Cow Horse Association) Open Snaffle Bit Futurity World Championships and two World’s Greatest Horseman titles to his name. Ted Robinson has broken every record in the NRCHA
David Solum, Solum Brothers, Mid America Equine Sales – David is a breeder of Quarter Horses, and involved in facilitating production and dispersal sales.
Manuel Sada, Criadores de Caballos Deportivos Mexicanos AC, Mexico – Manuel is involved in the sport horse industry in Mexico.
Brian Sandoval, Governor of Nevada, (or his designee) – Governor-elect of the state of Nevada since November 2010, and is currently an attorney in private practice with the prominent Nevada law firm Jones Vargas. Sandoval was a former judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada.. Prior to his service as a federal judge, he served as the Nevada Attorney General, the youngest chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission and a state legislator. Sandoval was also the first Hispanic candidate elected to statewide office in Nevada.
Jason Smith, Warm Springs Tribe, Chairman Northwest Tribal Horse Coalition – Jason comes from many generations of horsemen in his family, and is involved with Pro Team Bronc Riding. He is renowned as a one of the nation’s foremost shank men, or the one who holds the rope on the wild horses. He started wild horse racing competition back in the mid-1980s, with his father, “Book” Smith, who is still active, as a stock supplier. Jason has been working with all of the tribes, in recent years, to find a solution to the problem of excess feral horses on Indian lands.
Dr. Boyd Spratling, DVM, Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Committee – Boyd is a large animal vet based in Elko County, Nevada. He sees first hand the conditions on the range, and the condition of wild horses.
U.S. Representative Charlie Stenholm, Texas (retired) – Stenholm was elected to the House as a Democrat in 1978, representing the 17th District. The district, based in Abilene, was a vast and mostly rural district stretching from San Angelo to the western fringes of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He became one of the most conservative Democrats in the House, belonged to the Blue Dog Coalition and was a leader of the Boll Weevils during the 1980s. His main interests were in agriculture and budget matters. For six years, he was ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. After leaving Congress, Stenholm became a lobbyist, representing various agricultural interests, including the horse meat industry. Since 2005, Stenholm has been a senior policy advisor and lobbyist with Olsson Frank Weeda, a Washington law and lobbying firm that specializes in representing food, drug, and agriculture interests .
Steve Torbit, National Wildlife Federation – Regional Executive Director – Rocky Mountain Regional Center – Boulder, CO – Torbit is a professional biologist working on issues that impact wildlife habitats across the west, on endangered species issues, coordinates work on global warming in the Rockies, and as an instructor for NWF’s conservation education efforts. He also leads NWF’s national efforts on conserving public lands and partnering with Native American Tribes on climate and wildlife issues affecting their reservations and treaty lands.
Sue Wallis, Wyoming State Representative, Unified Equine - rancher, writer, and legislator from a six generation ranch and rodeo family in northern Wyoming, Wallis has been a leader in the effort to bring common sense and pragmatic, moral, and ethical solutions to the controversies swirling around horses and horse people in the United States.
Arlen Washines, Yakama Nations – Arlen has been involved with solving the problem of excess feral horses on reservation lands for a number of years, and was, until recently, the Chairman of the Northwest Tribal Horse Coalition. The Yakama Nations are currently struggling to find a solution to more than 10,000 feral horses that are destroying their sacred plants and salmon fisheries.
Jennifer Woods, Livestock Handling Specialist –Based out of Blackie, Alberta, Canada, Woods obtained an Animal Science degree from Colorado State University. While attending university, Dr. Temple Grandin was one of her professors whom she continues to collaborate. Jennifer has extensive experience with cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, elk and bison. Since 1998, Woods has worked closely with and consulted to the livestock industry and government across North America and Europe. She specializes in livestock handling and behavior, commercial transportation of livestock, facility design, euthanasia and she is an internationally recognized for her Livestock Emergency Response program that focuses on commercial livestock trailer accidents. Most recently, she has been responsible for the development and implementation of the Equine Humane Handling and Assessment Tool for use in horse processing facilities.
Johnny Zamrzla, California Horse Council – Johnny is a successful California businessman who is one of the leaders reviving the California Horse Council. He is also very active in promoting PRCA rodeo, and Professional Bull Riding events.
Everyone could have simply used the link to the website, clicked on featured speakers, read the list, and saved me the trouble of cut and paste but the NAHSC is not known for their ability to navigate the information they are offered. Besides I thought the full effect of the varied backgrounds of all involved individuals was more noticeable this way.
For those of you in the “other camp”, I’ve heard rumor Madeleine Pickens is financing a trailer with videos depicting the evils of slaughter. Guess she didn’t get to the Programs section to read about the National Do Not Slaughter Registry just yet.
John Falen, President, Public Lands Council – is a commercial cow-calf operator from Orovada, Nevada“Public lands ranchers are not only the stewards of our rangelands and providers of food and fiber for our nation. They represent and promote the great American tradition of freedom.” —John Falen
Karen Budd Falen, Attorney – Karen with her husband Frank Falen, is the owner of the Budd-Falen Law Offices, L.L.C. located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Before moving back to Wyoming, Karen served for three years in the Reagan Administration, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., as a Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. She later served as a law clerk to the Assistant Solicitor for Water and Power. Karen has also worked as an attorney at Mountain States Legal Foundation, a conservative public interest legal foundation located in Denver, Colorado. In addition to representing local governments and private citizens, Karen currently serves as legal counsel to the Arizona\New Mexico Coalition of Counties for Stable Economic Growth. Karen was one of the authors of the first local land use plans written for Catron County, New Mexico, the first local government to recognize its right to full participation as a decision maker in federal agency decision making processes. Karen grew up as a fifth generation rancher on a family-owned ranch in Big Piney, Wyoming.
Dennis Foster, Executive Director, Masters of Fox Hounds Association – A retired military intelligence officer, special operations and Provost Marshal, Dennis has become an internationally renowned expert on the radical agenda and tactics of animal rights organizations worldwide. Col. Foster also sits on the Board of the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), the Animal Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), the International Union of Hunting with Hounds (IUHH) and is on the Horse Welfare Committee and Unwanted Horse committee of the American Horse Counsel, AHC.
Katherine Minthorn Good Luck, Umatilla Tribe, Intertribal Agricultural Agency – Katherine (pronounced kath-er-een) represents the Northwest Region for the Intertribal Agriculture Council and is highly qualified to ensure northwest Tribes are informed of USDA program availability. She raises and races quarter horses, and is the tribal liaison for United Horsemen and the United Organizations of the Horse.
Chris Gould, Canada, World Breeding Federation of Sport Horses – Chairman Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association – As the founding Chairman of the CWHBA and a pioneer, breeder of Warmblood horses in Canada, Chris has been involved in industry organizations in a number of capacities. Member of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses, Audit Committee; he is a former Equine Canada director and inaugural Chairman of its Breeds and Industry Council, as well as a member of the Ethics and Welfare Committee and chair of the Government Relations and Horse Id and Traceability Committees.
Dr. Temple Grandin, Grandin Livestock Systems – doctor of animal science and professor at Colorado State University, bestselling author, and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. As a person with high-functioning autism, Grandin is also widely noted for her work in autism advocacy. Grandin is considered a philosophical leader of both the animal welfare and autism advocacy movements. Both movements commonly cite her work regarding animal welfare, neurology, and philosophy. She knows all too well the anxiety of feeling threatened by everything in her surroundings, and of being dismissed and feared, which motivates her in her quest to promote humane livestock handling processes. Her business, Grandin Livestock Systems, focuses on how to improve standards in slaughter plants and livestock farms.
“I think using animals for food is an ethical thing to do, but we’ve got to do it right. We’ve got to give those animals a decent life and we’ve got to give them a painless death. We owe the animal respect.” —Temple Grandin
Dr. Kim Houlding, DVM – Madrid Veterinary Clinic, Madrid, Iowa - Dr. Houlding will be addressing problems surrounding the shortage of euthanasia drugs, and speaking to her experiences in investigating animal abuse cases.
Larry Johnson, Coalition for Nevada’s Wildlife – Besides being a long time leader in wildlife conservation in Nevada, Larry was, until recently, a member of the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Committee.
Tyson Rope Larson, Nebraska State Senator, Rope Horse Trainer – Tyson Rope Larson is a 5th generation Nebraskan. His distinctive middle name is a marker of this heritage: Tyson was so-named because he was born into and raised on his family’s horse ranch. Tyson currently lives just outside of O’Neill, where he helps his grandfather with training and roping on the family’s horses. Tyson has just been elected to his first term as a Nebraska State Senator, is the youngest state senator in the nation, and intends to make pro horse industry legislation his priority in Nebraska’s unique unicameral Senate.
Rob Leach, Australia, horse trainer - Growing up in the Australian snowy mountains, Rob was always headed in the direction of becoming a top horseman. Raised on a property just outside Mansfield, Victoria, where “The Man From Snowy River” movies were filmed, Rob first learned to ride mustering (gathering) cattle out of the high country with some of the last of the old-time mountain cattlemen. Rob started competing at an early age, successful at different disciplines including eventing, showjumping, bronc riding and Australia’s premier horse sport – campdrafting. Rob is now based at a horse training operation, Whitney’s Wild Oak Ranch near Exeter, California. Here, Rob is concentrating on starting two-year olds for reined cow horse and cutting competitions, horse sale preparation and showing at NRCHA and NCHA aged events.
Bob Loomis, National Reining Horse Assn – Bob and Pam Loomis are top breeders of Quarter Horses, and base their program around reining horses. They also raise Longhorn cattle.
Frank Losey – Franklin W. Losey is an attorney licensed to practice law in the States of Ohio and Kentucky and also licensed to appear before the U.S. Supreme Court who has submitted written legal briefs that have been considered by the U.S. Supreme Court. He has served as a United States Air Force Judge Advocate; was assigned to the Pentagon as the Director of Civil Law, where he supervised over 100 military and civilian attorneys; provided legal guidance to the Air Force Chief of Staff and other General Officers assigned to the Pentagon. Since 1990 Mr. Losey has interfaced with Presidents of multi-billion dollar corporations, Members of Congress and their key staff, and senior members of the Executive Branch of our Government. During this period he successfully orchestrated actual statutory changes to Title 10 (Armed Forces), Title 18 (Crimes and Criminal Procedure – Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act), Title 26 (Internal Revenue Code), and Title 41 (Public Contracts) of the U.S. Code. He was also successful in effecting changes to regulations promulgated by the Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Agriculture, OSHA, EPA and the International Maritime Organization and has spoken on behalf of the U.S. Government at an Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). For the last two years Mr. Losey has been leading the effort to expose to the Internal Revenue Service the excessive and prohibited lobbying activities of the Humane Society of the U.S., and his passion for representing responsible dog breeders is based on his commitment to repay Chaucer, his beloved Yorkie, who he treasured for over 18 years, and who came from a breeder in Missouri.
Denissa Malott, Trail Ride Business Owner – Denissa operates a trail riding business in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. For many years she operated equine businesses in state parks in Indiana.
Gary Moyer, National Association of Conservation Districts Board Member – Gary Moyer is a 4th generation Northwest Colorado native. He comes from a Forest products industry background. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Forest products and he currently owns and operates a tree growing operation in Northwest Colorado. He has been a member of the White River Conservation District for 4+ years and is the Vice President of the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts. Additionally, he is the National Association of Conservation Districts from Colorado. He is also the Vice chairman of the Western Coalition of Conservation Districts which represents 17 Western States. He attended the legislative conference the past two years representing Colorado in Washington, D.C. and spoke to the Wild horse issue and other Western natural resource issues.
G.B. Oliver, Executive Vice President, Paragon Foundation – The Paragon Foundation was founded on the idea that it is the responsibility of government to protect the rights of fellow Americans, as written in the Constitution, as well as the responsibility of every American to make sure the government remained true to its purpose. Understanding that knowledge is power, Mr. Oliver will wrap up the Summit of the Horse in a way that seeks to arm landowners, land managers, horse owners and horse industry professionals with the information and negotiating skills necessary to protect their property.’
Bill & Jann Parker, Billings Livestock Horse Sales – Bill and Jann are the Horse Sale Managers at Billings Livestock where they continue to operate a monthly sale that is renowned nationwide.
Mindy Patterson, The Cavalry Group – Mindy was campaign manager for The Alliance for Truth campaign which was at the forefront opposing the HSUS driven Missouri 2010 Proposition B which passed by a slim margin of 1.6%. Mindy currently serves as the director of The Cavalry Group, an organization working to help livestock producers, agricultural interests and animal owners fight against the radical animal rights movement nationwide. She also serves as the Director of Communications for the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners (MOFED), and sits on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Equine Council.
Ike Sankey, Sankey Pro Rodeos – Sankey Rodeo Company, of Joliet, Montana, is celebrating its 29th Anniversary in the rodeo business. Started in 1978 in Rosehill, Kansas, by Ike and his father, Bud, Sankey Rodeo Company has grown into one of the most prominent stock contracting firms in the PRCA. Sankey Rodeo Company has had more livestock selected to go to the WNFR in Las Vegas during the past ten years than any other stock contracting company.
Ted Robinson, Working Cow Horses – is the winningest rider in the history of the reined cow horse, with seven NRCHA (National Reined Cow Horse Association) Open Snaffle Bit Futurity World Championships and two World’s Greatest Horseman titles to his name. Ted Robinson has broken every record in the NRCHA
David Solum, Solum Brothers, Mid America Equine Sales – David is a breeder of Quarter Horses, and involved in facilitating production and dispersal sales.
Manuel Sada, Criadores de Caballos Deportivos Mexicanos AC, Mexico – Manuel is involved in the sport horse industry in Mexico.
Brian Sandoval, Governor of Nevada, (or his designee) – Governor-elect of the state of Nevada since November 2010, and is currently an attorney in private practice with the prominent Nevada law firm Jones Vargas. Sandoval was a former judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada.. Prior to his service as a federal judge, he served as the Nevada Attorney General, the youngest chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission and a state legislator. Sandoval was also the first Hispanic candidate elected to statewide office in Nevada.
Jason Smith, Warm Springs Tribe, Chairman Northwest Tribal Horse Coalition – Jason comes from many generations of horsemen in his family, and is involved with Pro Team Bronc Riding. He is renowned as a one of the nation’s foremost shank men, or the one who holds the rope on the wild horses. He started wild horse racing competition back in the mid-1980s, with his father, “Book” Smith, who is still active, as a stock supplier. Jason has been working with all of the tribes, in recent years, to find a solution to the problem of excess feral horses on Indian lands.
Dr. Boyd Spratling, DVM, Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Committee – Boyd is a large animal vet based in Elko County, Nevada. He sees first hand the conditions on the range, and the condition of wild horses.
U.S. Representative Charlie Stenholm, Texas (retired) – Stenholm was elected to the House as a Democrat in 1978, representing the 17th District. The district, based in Abilene, was a vast and mostly rural district stretching from San Angelo to the western fringes of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He became one of the most conservative Democrats in the House, belonged to the Blue Dog Coalition and was a leader of the Boll Weevils during the 1980s. His main interests were in agriculture and budget matters. For six years, he was ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. After leaving Congress, Stenholm became a lobbyist, representing various agricultural interests, including the horse meat industry. Since 2005, Stenholm has been a senior policy advisor and lobbyist with Olsson Frank Weeda, a Washington law and lobbying firm that specializes in representing food, drug, and agriculture interests .
Steve Torbit, National Wildlife Federation – Regional Executive Director – Rocky Mountain Regional Center – Boulder, CO – Torbit is a professional biologist working on issues that impact wildlife habitats across the west, on endangered species issues, coordinates work on global warming in the Rockies, and as an instructor for NWF’s conservation education efforts. He also leads NWF’s national efforts on conserving public lands and partnering with Native American Tribes on climate and wildlife issues affecting their reservations and treaty lands.
Sue Wallis, Wyoming State Representative, Unified Equine - rancher, writer, and legislator from a six generation ranch and rodeo family in northern Wyoming, Wallis has been a leader in the effort to bring common sense and pragmatic, moral, and ethical solutions to the controversies swirling around horses and horse people in the United States.
Arlen Washines, Yakama Nations – Arlen has been involved with solving the problem of excess feral horses on reservation lands for a number of years, and was, until recently, the Chairman of the Northwest Tribal Horse Coalition. The Yakama Nations are currently struggling to find a solution to more than 10,000 feral horses that are destroying their sacred plants and salmon fisheries.
Jennifer Woods, Livestock Handling Specialist –Based out of Blackie, Alberta, Canada, Woods obtained an Animal Science degree from Colorado State University. While attending university, Dr. Temple Grandin was one of her professors whom she continues to collaborate. Jennifer has extensive experience with cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, elk and bison. Since 1998, Woods has worked closely with and consulted to the livestock industry and government across North America and Europe. She specializes in livestock handling and behavior, commercial transportation of livestock, facility design, euthanasia and she is an internationally recognized for her Livestock Emergency Response program that focuses on commercial livestock trailer accidents. Most recently, she has been responsible for the development and implementation of the Equine Humane Handling and Assessment Tool for use in horse processing facilities.
Johnny Zamrzla, California Horse Council – Johnny is a successful California businessman who is one of the leaders reviving the California Horse Council. He is also very active in promoting PRCA rodeo, and Professional Bull Riding events.
Everyone could have simply used the link to the website, clicked on featured speakers, read the list, and saved me the trouble of cut and paste but the NAHSC is not known for their ability to navigate the information they are offered. Besides I thought the full effect of the varied backgrounds of all involved individuals was more noticeable this way.
For those of you in the “other camp”, I’ve heard rumor Madeleine Pickens is financing a trailer with videos depicting the evils of slaughter. Guess she didn’t get to the Programs section to read about the National Do Not Slaughter Registry just yet.
By RH1
