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The Board of Directors are proposing the attached bylaw changes which will be voted on by Organizational Members at the April 8th, 2025 Annual Meeting.
Trevor Walton Trevor Walton is seeking a second term on the Michigan Horse Council board of directors. He has been the Equine Activities and Nominations chair. Trevor is a lifelong professional in the equine world, specifically the show aspect of it. He is proud to be a part of the MHC commitment to all things horse. Julie Pooler Julie was born in Bozeman, Montana, so it’s no surprise that she loves the outdoors!
Julie and her husband, Vic are embarking on the adventure of owning a ranch and moving their herd and pups to wide open spaces. She was previously the Ranch Director at D Bar A Ranch in Metamora, MI where she helped bring equine programs and opportunities to the community and school districts in the area. Including partnerships that offered “birding on horseback!” Prior to her work at the ranch, Julie was the Program Director at the Equine Center for Learning (formerly known as Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center). She was able to build curriculum and programming to support students, pre-k through high school. The center became an equine assisted, experiential learning facility under her direction. She has also built extensive community partnerships, creating opportunities for work based learning, internships (including field work at the collegiate level), volunteer groups and projects relevant to need. Prior to her work at the Equine Center for Learning, she was a Learning and Education Specialist/Human Resources Manager and has experience in operations and facilities management. Her experience with horses began as a child on a Morgan horse farm. The owners of the farm allowed her to groom and ride their prize winning show horses, which is where her heart became attached to the equine world. Julie is also a Continuous Quality Improvement Academy graduate and certified trainer with Partners in Leadership. She currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Michigan Horse Council. She has also served as Vice President and Youth Chair. Julie’s interests include anything horse, family, cooking, exercise, gardening, and people! Terri DelbridgeTerri is a Regional and National Arabian judge and has judged Scottsdale, US Nationals, and the Mpumalanga Regional in Parys, South Africa. She also judges 4-H and High School. Having such a wide range of experience at many levels, she also enjoys sharing her knowledge offering lessons and coaching both at home and at shows. Terri is an experienced clinician and can offer her expertise in many areas from a judge’s perspective. She is happiest when she is working with someone sitting on a horse. Even if your goal is having a more enjoyable trail riding partner. She even offers yoga classes on horseback. She was recently voted back on the Arabian Horse Association of Michigan’s board where she is a past president. Terri looks forward to again serving the Arabian community. Angella ShermanMy first experiences riding horses were at Camp Ohiyesa in Holly and at my friend’s in our back yards, and around the neighborhood in Rose Center growing up. I was definitely bitten by the horse bug! I was active for many years in our local 4H club showing goats and rabbits. During my high school and early college years I was quite focused on my studies, but I rode at local stables whenever I could. I spent many long years schooling, raising a family, and starting a career at General Motors as a Diesel Development Engineer. Finally, at the age of 49, I was able to get my first horse, Cody. Wanting to learn more about horse care and ownership, I started taking barefoot trimming classes and have learned so much! These courses have taught me about not only hoof care, anatomy, and pathology, but also about the link between all the systems in the horse from skeletal, muscular, nervous and how they all relate to the feet! I have found over the last five years of horse ownership that I love trail riding and horse camping. Living in Southeast Michigan has made me realize how fortunate I am to have so many beautiful trail systems within an hour’s drive! In 2023 I was one of the Southeast Trails Representatives for the MHC Trails Committee and have made many new friends in this role. There are so many trails advocates in Michigan and we are so fortunate to have the resources and areas to ride that we do. I want to make sure these areas are preserved for the future. I look forward to advocating for trails and educating shared users on trail safety and etiquette for all users. I am also very interested in sustainable trail design and implementation and am taking steps to become more involved in the legislative area of the horse industry to support these efforts. Lora ThorsbyLora has been involved with horses for 48 years. Accomplishments included AHSA Horse of the Year, AHA Region Champion, PTHA World Champion, AHA Rider of Honor and various national and state titles. In her spare time Lora has served as MHSA secretary, AHAM director, EMAA youth director, Michigan Judges Advisory Committee, and a 4-H Leader. Additionally Lora has served as a Michigan 4-H judge for over 30 years. Melissa DeWittI am interested in your Trails Development spot in your association! I have experience doing this in Dalton Equestrian park, just north of Muskegon. I started riding when I was very young, took a 15 year hiatus and then got involved again. I primarily trail ride, nothing like it! I have two horses, Casey girl and Mustard. My husband, Wyatt, will occasionally join me on his horse for a ride, but mostly I ride with friends or solo.I have met so many amazing individuals through Michigan Horse Council and riding. When I am not riding, I am working. I work for the local Hospice company and for myself, doing in-home private duty caregiving. My passion for end-of-life care and horses came together when I started the annual “Horses for Harbor Hospice” fundraiser ride. My goal is to get a hippotherapy program up and going to add to the grief services we offer through the Scolnik Center for Grief and Healing. In the last two years, we have raised over $20,000 towards that goal. Happy Trails! Gail HilbrandBorn and raised in Hudsonville, Michigan I have enjoyed my horse passion in many different adventures such as 4-H, local showing, national showing, and training riding. Trail riding is the most exciting adventure of all. It has taken me up Mount Rushmore in the Ozark Mountains and across the state of Michigan. Trail riding in Michigan is talked about across the United States. Everyone asks about the Shore to Shore ride in Michigan. I wish to support the trail riding in Michigan. Sasha GloverI have had the privilege to serve the Michigan Horse Council for 3 years in the position of communications chair and board secretary. Additionally, I have served the Michigan Horse Expo committee as their communications director overseeing ticket sales, marketing, and answering general inquiries.
In addition to the Michigan Horse Council I had the privilege to serve the Michigan Quarter Horse Association for over 10 years along with volunteer through Webberville High School as a FFA co-advisor. I have always been impressed with how Michigan Horse Council has the ability to connect with all disciplines, economies, and passion of the equine industry across the state of Michigan. I look forward to the opportunity to serve Michigan Horse Council further. SEPTEMBER 29 -OCTOBER 1, 2023 HOSTED AT: D BAR D RANCH, 7064 E 64TH ST., CHASE, MI 49623 JOIN THE MICHIGAN HORSE COUNCIL AND EQUINE TRAIL ENTHUSIASTS FOR THE 2023 STATEWIDE TRAIL RIDE WEEKEND! THIS EVENT WILL BE HOSTED AT THE BEAUTIFUL D BAR D RANCH WHERE CAMPING ACCOMMODATIONS CAN BE MADE ALONG WITH ACCESS TO VARIOUS TRAILS THAT CAN BE RIDDEN AT YOUR OWN PACE OR WITH GROUPS! Weekend Activities Include: ➢ Guided group trail rides or ride the trails on your own. ➢ Clinics by Tim Younglove - The Michigan Cowboy. ➢ Friday evening campfire with live music. ➢ MHC Ride Challenge awards banquet, BBQ dinner, live auction, and barn dance featuring Borderline Band (Separate ticketed event $25 per ticket) ➢ Cowboy service and pancake breakfast on Sunday - benefit for the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center, hosted by D Bar D Ranch. Registration: Event registration can be completed online here. Registration includes the opportunity to be a part of the guided trail rides, clinics and activities. Camping/Overnight Accommodations Camping/overnight accommodations can be completed with D Bar D Ranch. By submitting your registration with MHC this DOES NOT confirm accommodations at D Bar D Ranch. Bathrooms and showers available on site. PH: 231-878-2155 | Email: [email protected] | Web: dbardranchmichigan.com Additional Michigan Trail Riding Possibilities: https://www.mtra.org P.O. Box 22008, Lansing, MI 48909 | PH: 517-252-2630 Email: [email protected] | Web: michiganhorsecouncil.com
 At the 2023 Michigan Horse Council Annual Meeting hosted at the MSU Pavilion on April 11th the organizational members voted to approve the following additions of board members which included Brittany Bennett, Renee Evoy, and Kallie Meyers. Bennett and Evoy were elected to their first two-year term and Kallie Meyers will continue in her position on the board with her second two-year term. “It is truly a privilege to be working alongside such talented equine enthusiasts” said Michigan Horse Council President, Inger Lanese. The mission of the Michigan Horse Council is to provide individuals and organizations with a central authority that will support, encourage, supplement, and coordinate the efforts of those presently engaged in the constructive conservation, development, and promotion of the horse industry and horse community in the state of Michigan along with educate and inform individuals and organizations through all available media, educational programs, cooperation, and advocate the conservation and promotion of the horse industry and community.  |
