New Officers Will Continue Mission of Colorado Horse Council

Left to right: Front row: Officers: Kathleen Burke, Kathie Riley, Bill Scebbi, Cindy Schonholtz
Second row: Norm Brown, Jill Montgomery, Kadija Haynes, Andrew Dean, Dorothy Nepa, Julie Chaney, Mark Dawson
Back row: Cody Hollingsworth, Dave Denniston, Chris Whitney, Brad Ettleman, Fred Wehrli, Dennis Kuehl.
Board members not in photo: Paul Crockett, Victoria Long, Bill Conrad, Dick Lepak.

The 2007 annual meeting of the Colorado Horse Council in November brought some changes: elected as officers for 2007-08 were Kathie Riley, president; Kathleen Burke, vice-president; Bill Scebbi, treasurer; and Cindy Schonholtz, secretary. In addition, the board welcomed three additional members, Mark Dawson, Cody Hollingsworth and Dennis Kuehl.

While the faces might be changing, the CHC board remains steadfast to the association’s aims. Incoming president Kathie Riley believes the Colorado Horse Council already operates in “an exemplary fashion.” “It’s a wonderful organization,” Ms. Riley says. “I intend to work toward increasing membership and continued growth for our programs and influence.” Ms. Riley is an attorney with a practice in civil litigation, with an emphasis in agriculture and rural law. She and her family enjoy their Quarter Horses and Paints, and are actively involved in 4-H programs.

Retiring president Christopher D. Whitney will remain on the board. Under Mr. Whitney’s leadership, the Colorado Horse Council strengthened its lobbying efforts on behalf of the Centennial State’s $1.6 billion horse industry, broke new ground in electronic outreach, acquired new sponsorships, and gained wide recognition as the most effective voice for the state’s horses and horsemen.

Mr. Whitney expressed great respect for the incoming officers. “It is a smart, energetic, experienced, dedicated group, and one that will work well with the Board of Directors as well as with [CHC Executive Director] Brian Kitchen and his staff and consultants.” Citing numerous issues on the CHC horizon, such as pending legislation, the problem of unwanted horses, urban sprawl and access to trails, Mr. Whitney is confident that the CHC Board will continue “to formulate and implement policies and programs designed to ensure the equine industry a meaningful place at the table when the horse’s, and Colorado’s, future are discussed.”

For more information about the Colorado Horse Council, visit coloradohorsecouncil.com or call (303) 292-4981. Membership in the CHC includes excellent benefits and supports the goals of an organization that works diligently to benefit Colorado’s equine interests.