Horses Offering Opportunities for the Future, Inc. -HOOF KY

DIRECTORS

DIANE FREDERICK (Executive Director)
hoofky@gmail.com

A native of Akron, Ohio, Diane received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation at Kent State University. She moved to Louisville, Kentucky in 1982, at which time her love for horses was ignited. She has been involved in every facet of Saddlebred riding; horse owner, groom, camp coordinator, instructor and competitive rider. She has also worked as an executive assistant at RoseHaven, a center for women and children in crisis. It was at RoseHaven that Diane was inspired to begin the HOOF KY program. In addition, she has been in charge of and has assisted in planning many charitable fundraisers. Diane is currently employed at Woodcraft.

VALERIE BLACKWELL (President)

As a military dependent, Valerie lived in several foreign countries as a child and attended high school in Orlando, Florida. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University and Her Master's in Education from the University of Louisville. She has been employed for the past 27 years at the Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent Program as an individual and group therapist, adoption counselor, and Champion for Children advocate. Valerie has served her community in several capacities including Habitat for Humanity, Director of Public Affairs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Kentucky Indiana area for 13 years and President of the Young Women's Organization for her church. She has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Center for Interfaith Relations chairing several community events, and in 2007 served as the Chair for the nationally acclaimed Festival of Faiths. She is a member of the American Saddlebred Horse Association and is a competitive rider and driver.


DEANNA BRANGERS

DeAnna Brangers has been in love with horses since her childhood, growing up on a farm in Campbellsville, KY. DeAnna graduated from Campbellsville University with a degree in Political Science. She has worked professionally as an executive recruiter, small businessperson and consultant. She has spent the last eleven years in her most prized role as a stay at home mom. DeAnna was appointed by Governor Ernie Fletcher and re-appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to serve on the Kentucky State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children. She is currently the Chairman of the panel. Additionally, she has served on several committees for the Kentucky Department of Education on issues concerning children with special needs. DeAnna serves on the Kosair Children's Hospital American Girl Fashion Show Committee, helps the 4-H club at the Louisville Equestrian Center and is involved with many other activities. She is thrilled that her youngest daughters have inherited her love of horses and is looking forward to watching other young people have the opportunity to discover the world of horses.

KAREN DAVIDENKOFF (Secretary)

Karen grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. Her love of horses began at a very young age when her grandfather would pile her and her cousins on the bare back of an old grey sway-backed mare named Dixie and led the trio around the yard. She always dreamed of showing horses competitively, and she has achieved that goal, showing her horse Black Water Surprise in the Western Division. A graduate of Indiana University with degrees in Education and a Masters in Business Administration from Bellarmine University, she has taught elementary school in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. After retiring from Jefferson County Public Schools, she worked part-time as an intervention teacher. Currently she works part-time as a teaching assistant in New Albany, Indiana. She is an elder at Park Christian Church.


MARY GLOVER

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Mary is a graduate of the University of Louisville with a degree in Management. She is a Human Resource Analyst with Humana, Inc. She has always had a passion for horses. Mary has been riding since childhood and has been riding Saddlebred horses for ten years. She believes everyone should have the chance to enjoy these magnificent creatures as they offer many opportunities.

MARK KLAN

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Mark developed an appreciation for “horse culture” at an early age. Mark completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry and biology at Bellarmine College, and his doctorate in toxicology and pharmacology at the University of Louisville. After moving to North Carolina for a fellowship at Duke University, Mark began riding and playing polo with the Rougemont (NC) Polo Club. After living in Chicago, Illinois and Portland, Maine, Mark moved back to Kentucky in 1995 to establish his own business. With nearly 25 years of experience playing polo, Mark has a deep interest in promoting polo at the junior, scholastic, collegiate, and adult level. Mark coaches the University of Louisville Polo Club, is active in the Louisville Polo Club and continues to travel to play polo around the country.

KATY BROWN RUEFF

A native of Louisville, Katy graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1983. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and a minor in Communications from DePaul University, Katy returned to Louisville to join her family’s real estate development and management business. She is currently the managing partner of the multi-family division of Brown Capital, LLLP. A licensed realtor, Katy has served on the board and is the current Vice President of the Louisville Apartment Association. Katy’s introduction to horses came with her eldest daughter’s 6th birthday pony party at Rock Creek Riding Club. She and her two daughters have been riding and showing Saddlebreds for 13 years, have been involved with 4H, and are all members of ASHA and USEF. Katy currently owns Saddlebred show horses and a Friesian horse.


BILL SMITHWICK

Bill has worked with abused, neglected, and victimized children for over 20 years. Most recently he served as President and CEO of Sunrise Children’s Services, a state wide child welfare agency serving children and families across Kentucky through a broad continuum of services. He is no stranger to horses, having several of his own as a young boy in central Florida where he grew up. His son Bryce who has also showed Saddlebreds earned his degree from William Woods University and is now a Saddlebred trainer. Bill believes horses and kids go well together, having seen first-hand how therapeutic being around horses can be for children.


LINDSAY SOWELL (Treasurer)

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lindsay began riding horses at the age of four and competing at the age of five. Lindsay’s grandparents owned Thoroughbred racehorses and her mother owned and operated an American Saddlebred training and lesson facility in Tulsa. Having shown American Saddlebreds all over the country, she has won four World Championships in Louisville and five championships in the Western Division at the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show. Lindsay received a BA in Psychology and Master’s Degree in Education (Counseling) at the University of Oklahoma. She worked with emotionally disturbed children at a psychiatric facility in Oklahoma City and later worked as a counselor with underprivileged children at the Division of Youth Services outside of Little Rock, Arkansas. Currently she is a member of the ASHA, UPHA and a competitive rider in the Western Division.


JORDAN P. SUCHER

Jordan has been around horses his entire life. As a member of the 4H club growing up, Jordan has always wanted to give back and share with others the great experiences he had being around horses throughout his childhood. Jordan is in his fourth year on the U of L men’s basketball staff as executive assistant to Coach Rick Pitino. Jordan coordinates the basketball office, assists with team travel arrangements and coordinates Coach Pitino’s personal schedule. Prior to joining the Cardinals’ staff, Jordan worked three years for Nelligan Sports Marketing, one year with the Horizon League Property in Indianapolis, Indiana and two years at U of L. He was a four-year basketball letterman at Centre College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and history in 2004.