Board of Trustees

FOUNDER

Angela’s passion for horses started at an early age. Angela grew up riding horses which led her to share this love with both daughters. Her youngest daughter instantly formed a strong affection for horses and enjoyed the hunter/jumper circuit for many years. During this time, Angela rescued 2 race horses that were no longer suitable for the race track and were headed to auction.

In 2021, Sam and Angela were introduced. Sam told Angela about Skydog Sanctuary and the amazing work they do rescuing wild horses. Angela reached out to the founder of Skydog Sanctuary, Clare Staples, and she educated Angela about the slaughter pipeline. Angela jumped into action and started construction at the ranch to create a rescue facility for domestic and wild horses. Sam and Angela worked closely to form a vision and create a plan for BARS. During the planning phase, all flowed beautifully, and the pieces fell into place effortlessly. Sam, Dina, Mary, and Louie stepped up and our horse sanctuary was born! With 19 horses and mules rescued in 2022, 2023 looks even more promising for additional rescues.

BOARD MEMBER

Sam‘s introduction to horses came at an early age due to emotional stress caused by his parents divorce. His Dad got him a domestic, unhandled horse and through working with this horse he dealt with his emotions. During this time, Sam learned that he had been given a rare gift to communicate with horses. With this new gift, he was able to gently train horses rather than use known harsh practices “to break” them. This technique is now widely recognized as horse whispering. After his Dad and others witnessed this gentle approach, the word spread and people started bringing horses to Sam to train. Sam’s Dad started buying horses to save them from the kill plant. Sam would would retrain the rescued horses and they would be resold.

Sam was introduced to working with wild horses when his Dad acquired a herd of 12 straight off the BLM. All 12 horses were successfully trained to ride and were sold to new owners.

Sam has worked with many wild and domesticated horses over the years while growing up and later professionally. He has served as a Ranch Manager and Horse Trainer for the local cutting horse industry.

Sam gives thanks to God for giving him the gift of working with horses. It is Sam’s passion to give the horses their best life possible.

Board Member

Dina DiStefano serves as grant writer and contributing photographer for BARS.

Dina’s love of horses was a family passion as her Grandmother and Mother, longtime horse owners, taught her to ride as a child. The bond she felt while grooming and riding horses led to a lifelong appreciation for them.

Dina enjoyed working at both University of California, Irvine and Berkeley on the Chancellor’s Fundraising/Special Events team. At Girl Scouts of Chicago, her fundraising team ran a successful capital campaign that restored two historic campgrounds.

Board Member

Mary Nash serves on the Board of BARS as an all-around horse girl providing support in all needed areas. In her early years, Mary enjoyed riding her horse around the family ranch hitting all the back trails and hills with pure abandonment. Mary’s love of horses grew into a desire to jump obstacles and try her hand at competition. She traded her ranch horse in for a competition horse that excelled and took her to the higher levels of competition. Competing all over the United States from the West Coast to the East Coast and back, with many adventures and experiences along the way.

She rode with the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team from 1978 through 1986. After nearly a decade competing on the team, Mary retired her Olympic horse and started teaching and developing young horses for competition and sales. Currently Mary resides in beautiful Bend, Oregon.

Treasurer and Secretary

Louie graduated from Linfield University and has been a CPA since 2015. Louie maintains our financial reports, provides accounting services, and completes tax filings - just to name a few of the vital tasks he performs for BARS.

Louie previously volunteered with Beaverton Youth Football, Lincoln Youth Football and Embrace Oregon. Louie has been married to his high school sweetheart for 7 years and is the proud Dad of two young children. Louie enjoys spending time outdoors with his family hiking, biking, playing pickle ball and tennis.

Honorary Board Member

Bringing people together to support a cause that is dear to my heart, that is what I love about the work I am doing here.

Aligning myself with Broken Arrow Ranch and Sanctury is an incredible opportunity for me personally. To support and contribute on the board is an honor. Each member is very passionate about equine rescue and committed to influencing and changing legislation that allows the slaughter of these amazing animals.

I am thrilled to serve in any capacity at Broken Arrow Ranch and Sanctuary. Offering my talents, working with the ranch leadership team and spending time with the incredible animals that have been rescued is an amazing experience. One that I will cherish always.

I love horses, always have!! I grew up with them, 4-H and trail riding. My first best friend was Rebel, a chestnut thoroughbred mix. When I was 10 years old, Honey came into our lives. She was a victim of one of the BLM mustang round ups. While I never understood how that could happen or why, I now know. I know that in many cases, these poor animals end up going to slaughter to people whom end up not being able to care for them or provide them a good home. Thankfully, Honey went to a good home and not to slaughter. I watched her live out her 25 years on a large farm and was so amazed by her heart and spirit.

When I am not supporting the ranch, you will find me working as a Home Loan Advisor in Central Oregon and beyond. I have 25 plus years of experience in business development and relationship management. I hope to leverage my abilities to draw awareness to our cause and the inspire others to support Broken Arrow Ranch and Sanctury.

You will also find me Hiking, paddle boarding, entertaining, or spending time with my family and 2 grand children. Like his Nana, my grandson is especially fond of horses too!