Oldham County Equine Council Board of Directors

The following Oldham County citizens involved in equine businesses or activities have volunteered to served as Board Members for the Oldham County Equine Council.  The board will finalized the Council's mission and goals, develop by-laws, form committees, and prioritize issues.

If you or others are interested in serving on the Board or serving on a committee in the future, please contact Mary Lowry at 228-9539, or email her at altavista@aol.com.

The Oldham County Equine Council Board includes:

Mary Lowry

Ashley Bowles

Alf Caldwell

Brett Donner

Whitney Drury

Tawana Edwards

Sandy Gerbino

Susan Harris

Diana Hinto-Beard

Kathy Hockersmith

Betsy Lavin

Del Lowell

Traci Missun

Duane Murner

Lori Osborne

Emily Ragan

Sara Rankin

Maggie Rataj

 

News from our July 17 Board Meetings

During our July 17, 2007 Board Meeting, Shelley Prete provided a presentation on Exceptional Equitation and its riding facilities for special needs children.  Exceptional Equitation is a horseback-riding program formed, as a non-profit organization to meet the recreational and therapeutic needs of children with disabilities. The program offers special riding lessons and other experiences for children who have disabilities. Prearranged sessions provide for visits to Spruce Point farm by school groups such as special education classes and other private agencies. The program includes instruction in riding, horse care, stable management and familiarization with a varied assortment of farm animals. Program goals are designed to meet the individual’s need in recreation, therapy or vocational training, through the use of horses and riding. It has significantly impacted the lives of many children, their families and volunteers who have participated in the program. The program operates under the direction of Ms. Prete, who has a BS in Elementary Education and an MA in Special Education, University of Louisville. Ms. Prete is a Special Education teacher, and has many years of equine experience. She has been in charge of the program since its inception.

Exceptional Equitation is located at Spruce Point Farm, on fifteen beautiful acres in Oldham County, Kentucky. The farm is two and one-half miles from the LaGrange exit off I-71. The distance from Louisville is approximately 22 miles. Visits to the facility are by appointment only.  Exceptional Equitation is a non-profit tax-exempt program, funded primarily by contributions, grants and donations.

Ashley Bowles provided a presentation on Bella Della, Inc.  Operating out of Goshen Crest Farm, Bella Della Inc. provides occupation therapy, hippotherapy, and therapeutic riding. 

Barbara Rosenman at Oldham County Animal Control briefed attendees on the county's role and authority in addressing reports of abused or abandoned horses. 

We will try to include a presentation on one of Oldham County's equine businesses, operations, organizations or club each month to educate our entire equine community on what's happening in the horse community in the county.