Just a Love for Horses

We are a small, private, equine rescue and retraining facility located roughly 40 miles southeast of Kansas City, Missouri. Currently, we do not hold non-profit status, but our paperwork is in process. We can assure you, however, nothing about rescue turns a profit - every dollar we receive, every material contribution, all goes to the horses, and we add a lot out of our own pockets as well. A very lot.

All our board members share a love for horses, and this love unites us on our purpose. It keeps us going through the hard times and energizes us further in the uplifting times. Each member contributes not only to the governance of Twin Oaks, but is out on the farm working and also active with promotions. Our children are also engaged and committed and spend long hours doing everything from the "dirty work" to spending time creating bonds with our herd. In many ways, this is a family effort, and we all comprise one big family.

---

President & Secretary - Val

Our president's life has revolved around horses since she was 16 and took her first official riding lesson. She has worked as a veterinary technician, managed a non-profit equine rescue, actively worked on the 2006 anti-slaughter campaign, held the position of secretary for PMU FANI, and raised and trained horses for decades. She handles the majority of on-site facility care, together with her teenage son, Garrett. She has been in the trenches saving horses from the slaughter pipeline and actively assists fundraising efforts to help horses into homes and rescues from a Colorado lot. She is the primary trainer for the facility, saddle-breaking and retraining with an emphasis on dressage and jumping. Many know her online from her psuedonym Claire Ashgrove, award-winning bestselling author.

Vice President & Treasurer - William

William came into horses later in life, but quickly developed a passion for them. He has put in countless volunteer hours, networked where necessary, and oversees the development of the facility, working with projects such as maintenance, upgrades, and repairs. He is also active in the training activities and stays hands-on with the horses as much as possible. He also helps evaluate our english riding horses and the untrained goofballs who need to learn how to be a horse.

Outreach Coordinator - Chris

Chris has enjoyed horses for many years and with her family has spent countless hours on the farm helping out and learning. She is active in community outreach, working with our members, the board, and organizations to create events, generate donations, and promote our rescue operations. She also helps coordinate volunteer efforts and participates with our summer youth program.

Youth Program Coordinator - April

As a lifetime rider, competitor, and general horse-lover, April knows her way around not only the farm but the horses as well. She has been invested in the farm for years, helping wherever and whenever needed. Now, as a formal role, she coordinates our summer youth program by helping evaluate equine partners, pairing kids, and being hands-on when needed for our week-long day camps. She also helps evaluate our western horses.

Quarantine Operations - Amanda

Amanda has been on the farm since she was in her teens, originally delivering hay with her family. Coming from a diverse riding background, she is hands-on with our training needs, helps oversee feeding programs, and manages our quarantine operations, carefully monitoring care and health needs. She also helps with our summer youth horsemanship program and evaluates horses for western disciplines.

Western Discipline Coordinator - Melissa

Melissa has been training and competing with Val since they were teens and has participated in many ventures through the years. Coming from a diverse riding background, she competent in many disciplines, including but not limited to Saddle Seat, Barrells, Western Pleasure, Hunters, Reining, and Working Cow. Her diverse skill set is most beneficial for our horses that are not competitive in English disciplines. She also is invaluable to intake and transport arrangements.

Youth Ambassador - Garrett

Garrett is our president's eldest son and has grown up with horses. His passion really flared to life when he experienced his first horse show, and since then he has been actively riding and helping with the much-needed care and maintence of both the horses and the facility. He is hands on daily and never hesitates to help instruct other volunteers - no matter their age - and teach them about safety, individual horse personalities, and all that's going on.

Youth Ambassador - Pierce

Pierce is our president's youngest son and has also grown up with horses, however, his preference has been for the smaller critters. He is just getting his feet beneath him with the horses and enjoys our well-broke equine residents. He helps with daily tasks, grounds maintenance, but will often be found more enthusiastically caring for the small animal strays that end up in our care.