Christopher D. Whitney, (President)

Christopher D. Whitney is a lawyer in private practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His family ranched in Ridgway, Colorado when he was in high school. After a long detour in private practice in Washington, D.C. and as an executive officer and general counsel to several public companies located in Nevada and New Jersey, Chris returned to Colorado and horses 12 years ago. He is the president of the Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance and a member of the Board of Directors of the Pikes Peak Range Riders Foundation. He is the current president of the Colorado Horse Council and a former Director of the American Youth Horse Council and of the Penrose Equestrian Center (now the Norris-Penrose Event Center) Advisory Board. Twice recognized by his peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America®, he is a member of the American, Colorado and El Paso County Bar Associations. He received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Colorado and his law degree from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. He served in Vietnam and was a Presidential Translator on the Washington-Moscow “Hot Line” while in the United State Air Force. An experienced trail rider, Chris owns a quarter horse, which is both his avocation and his hobby.

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Kathleen Burke, (Vice President)

Christy Landwehr, (Secretary)

Christy Landwehr has been active in the horse industry for over 25 years. Hunter/jumper, dressage, native costume, side saddle, western pleasure, hunter pleasure, barrel racing, endurance riding and saddle seat equitation are just some of the disciplines Christy has competed in at the local, regional and national levels. She has been teaching children and adults how to ride for over 20 years. Christy is a Master Level Riding Instructor through the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) www.CHA-ahse.org and has taught students in 4-H and Pony Club. She is the Past President of the American Youth Horse Council (AYHC) www.AYHC.com and an AQHA Professional Horseman www.AQHA.com. She also founded, competed on and coached the University of Colorado at Boulder Intercollegiate Horse Show Association equestrian team. She is a member of the Aurora Horsemen’s Association and puts on shows for the club and a member of Colorado Horse Council.

With an undergraduate degree in public relations and speech communication from California State University Fullerton and a master’s degree in mass communication and journalism from University of Colorado at Boulder, Christy has vast experience in marketing and sales. She was the Sponsorship and Youth Programs Manager for the Arabian Horse Association, a trainer for Skill Path Seminars, and the Development Director for the Urban Farm that works with at-risk youth in Denver. Currently, she is the CEO for the Certified Horsemanship Association. She is also a clinic instructor and site accreditator for the organization. Christy lives on a 10-acre horse ranch in Aurora, Colorado with her husband – John, her two sons – Sean (5) and Kyle (3), two horses – AQHA mare Zips Silver Sis and APHC gelding Chip Off the Dot, and a dog and cat. You can reach Christy at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Victoria Long, (Treasurer)

Victoria brings to the Colorado Horse Council a solid business background as Principal and Owner of The Solution Experts, a financial advisory and tax planning firm Providing Solutions for Life Planning. Victoria has been involved in the equine industry in Colorado for over twenty years first as a competitor and now as a pursuer of the pleasure experience offered by the beautiful Colorado backcountry. As a past 4-H Horse Leader and National Western Stock Show Volunteer she knows the importance of preserving the equine heritage of this country. Being a local business owner she is dedicated to making Colorado not only her home but her outdoor playground. Active in several local riding clubs as well as owner of the equine bed and breakfast The Wine Glass Ranch LLC, she keeps a finger on the pulse of what affects equine enthusiasts. In addition to her financial advisory and tax planning practice she has her feet firmly planted in agriculture by raising sheep and training stock dogs for competition.

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Bill Scebbi, (Executive Director)

Norman E. (Norm) Brown,

Occupation: County Extension Agent retired (30+ years) –17 years PA, 13 years CO

Currently involved with family horse operation – breeding Arabian horses, dressage and training.

Years in horse industry:50+ years

Meet Norman E. (Norm) Brown »

Julie Chaney,

Julie is an avid trail rider after years in the show ring starting in 4-H and moving to Western and English Pleasure, APHA and finally Reining. She has been involved with horses over 40 years.

Currently Julie is the Chairman of the Back Country Horsemen of Colorado and Public Lands Committee Chair. She is also a Director representing Colorado on the BCHA National Board where she sits on the Public Lands Committee. She is also a Director on the Board for the Front Range Back Country Horsemen and their Public Lands Committee Chair. Julie holds certifications in Trail Crew Leadership, FS Chainsaw and Crosscut and Leave No Trace. She has recently been asked to represent BCHA on the National Network of Wilderness Stewardship Groups. She was a contributing author for Saddle Up, Colorado, a statewide trails and travel guide published for equestrians.

Julie has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University. She has been married to Jim for 28 years and they have a son, Greg, serving in the Marines in Okinawa, Japan. They moved to Colorado from Central Illinois in 1983.

Paul Crockett,

Andrew Dean, DVM,

David J. Denniston, Ph.D.,

Occupation: Associate Professor of CSU's Equine Science Program

Years in horse industry: over 20 years

Meet David J. Denniston, Ph.D. »

Brad Ettleman,

Brad Ettleman is the Horse Show Manager at the National Western Stock Show, where he has raised the awareness and prestige of the show nationwide, resulting in more than 16,000 entries in the 2005 National Western Horse Show. Brad also oversees a large portion of the National Western Complex activities, focusing on agricultural events.

Cody Hollingsworth,

Dennis W. Kuehl,

Occupation: Public Education

Years in horse industry: Lifetime but for the last 31 years we have owned, bred and trained Belgian Horses. We have promoted the Draft Horses through parades, shows and workshops. We have organized and managed Draft Horse Shows and Workshops in the west. For at least ten years, we even partnered with the late Steve Bowers in Draft Horse Workshops

Meet Dennis W. Kuehl »

Khadija K. Haynes,

Occupation: Chief of Staff, Colorado Senate Majority

Years in horse industry: 20+

Meet Khadija K. Haynes »

Dick Lepak,

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Occupation: Transportation Manager- LTL Trucking

Years in horse industry: 41 plus years in horse industry

Meet Dick Lepak »

Jill Montgomery,

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Occupation: Ranch Manager, Turkey Creek Ranch, Fort Carson, CO, United States Army
Owner, JRAM Enterprises – Equine Industry Consulting Firm

Years in horse industry: 31

Meet Jill Montgomery »

Dorothy Nepa,

Dorothy Nepa lives in Westcliffe where she continues to raise and train trail horses, an adventure she began thirty-five years ago. She belongs to Back Country Horsemen of Colorado, the Jefferson County Horse Council, the ApHC and other horse clubs. She has volunteered at the National Western Stock Show for 17 years and is a Director in the Western Stock Show Association.

Andrea R. Raschke,

Horses aren’t just for the wealthy or for people who live in the country. I firmly believe that the equine community should continually reach out to the public to maintain the horse’s establishment in the urban environment, provide volunteer opportunities, promote horse-related events, and actively participate in equine organizations. Our shared goal should be focused on preserving the equine lifestyle for future generations, educating others about the positive impact horses have on our area’s economy, and enriching the lives of those who love them.

Meet Andrea Raschke »

Kathie Riley,

Kathie Troudt Riley is an attorney in private practice in Loveland, Colorado. She has been involved in the horse industry since childhood. Kathie is active in the Colorado Bar Association serving as vice-chair for the Agricultural and Rural Law Council and sitting on the Litigation Council. She is also a member of the Larimer County Bar Association and a mediator for the Colorado Agricultural Mediation Program. Kathie has served on the Larimer County Fair Board, Larimer County Animal Task Force, CSU/Larimer County Cooperative Extension Horticulture/Agriculture Advisory Committee, and Colorado Pet Overpopulation Authority. Kathie has a diverse background in the law as a former assistant attorney general, deputy district attorney and a major in the Judge Advocate General’s Corp of the United States Army and Colorado National Guard. She and her family participate in Larimer County 4-H programs, including the horse programs. Kathie is a frequent speaker concerning agricultural and rural law issues. She and her family own and ride AQHA and APHA horses, primarily in western riding. They also use their horses in ranch horse work and team roping. When she is not occupied as a “horse show mom”, she enjoys many outdoor activities including skiing and snowmobiling.

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tel: (970) 663-6316
fax: (970) 663-6239

Cindy Schonholtz,

Cindy serves as a consultant to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association handling livestock welfare issues as well as being the Program Manager for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. She assists the PRCA by monitoring animal welfare and animal rights issues, educating the public and livestock industry regarding animal welfare issues facing rodeo, networking with veterinary and livestock organizations, assisting PRCA members with animal health issues, and overseeing the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Animal Welfare Committee. Additionally she handles government relations for the PRCA relating to animal issues and has led the effort to defeat many bans on rodeo including those introduced in the State of Connecticut, County of Santa Clara, CA and City and County of San Francisco, CA. In addition to her work with the PRCA, Cindy serves as the Executive Director of the American Youth Horse Council, a networking organization that serves and promotes the youth horse industry in the United States.

Cindy enjoys working with the Colorado Horse Council in order to help protect and grow the horse industry in Colorado. She serves as the President of the Animal Welfare Council, Vice President of the National Animal Interest Alliance and on the board of the Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance. Additionally, she is a member of the Public Policy Committee for the American Quarter Horse Association. 

Cindy is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She owns a registered quarter horse and has competed in horse shows and rodeos. 

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tel: (719) 594-9778
fax: (775) 256-0382

Fred Wehrli,

Fred Wehrli is the owner of Western Equipment & Supply Company. He and his wife Jan own and run Spring Meadow Farm, where they breed and raise fine Rocky Mountain Horses south east of Larkspur.

Fred has served on the Colorado Horse Council Board of Directors for ten years and was its president in 1999 and 2000. Fred currently serves on the Membership and the Awards Committees and is Chairman of the Sign Committee. Fred and his wife Jan are charter members of the Central Colorado Quarter Horse Assn., Fred is a past president and they both continue to serve on the board. Fred is also past president of the Colorado Driving Society, Colorado’s largest and most active carriage driving club. He helped found the Douglas-Elbert County Horse Council and currently is its President. He is also a member of the Douglas County Animal Response Team (CART), an organization providing an ongoing, coordinated program with respect to evacuation and protection of domestic animals before, during and after an emergency situation. Fred is a member of the National Western and it’s Silver Spur Club. He and Jan are also members of the Parker-Elizabeth Riding Club and the Rocky Mountain Regional Rocky Mountain Horse Association.

Dan Williams - Lobbyist,

Laura K. Locke - Lobbyist,