PRESS RELEASE - JANUARY 27,  2009

EQUAMORE FOUNDATION CHANGES LEADERSHIP

Jannalee Smithey stepped down as President of the Equamore Foundation during the January 11^th Board of Directors meeting at Ashland’s Eden Farm, which houses the horses cared for by the rescue organization. Replacing her will be one of Equamore’s many volunteers, Nancy Ash of Susanville, CA, who commented, “When you look at Equamore’s accomplishment under Jannalee’s leadership, you realize I have some big shoes to fill.” As enumerated by Linda Davis, Equamore’s executive director, those accomplishments include

• The creation of a state-of-the-art web site web-mastered by Joni Hankin (www.equamore.org)
• An active and effective corps of volunteer “horse guardians” tutored in horse care by Davis and lead by Al Ives
• A fund raising campaign that doubled contributions from local organizations and private individuals.
• The implementation of barn tours to make the public aware of Oregon’s growing problem of abandoned or neglected horses and Equamore’s place in solving it.
• Cooperation with other animal welfare groups including Animal Control, Sanctuary One, Strawberry Mustangs, Emerald Valley Equine Assistance, and the newly formed Oregon Horse Welfare Council.

Davis ended her listing of Smithey’s contributions with: “Jannalee did a wonderful job as president and did a tremendous amount of work creating printed materials, the DVD, physically rescuing and transporting horses, speaking at community events, donating money and hay…the list goes on, and on. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for what she has done for Equamore. Now we need to take the foundation she helped create and find some serious funding.”

The new President takes over an organization in transition, ready to expand its role educating the public in the care of equines and the importance that animals play in the lives of their human caretakers. She will be aided in this endeavor by Linda Davis, who remains as Executive Director, Colleen Dumont, moving from the position of vice-president to secretary, Gene Hall retaining his position as treasurer, and a number of committee chairs who will help the new president in fund raising, education, volunteer programs, and the annual Equamore Festival. The vice-president position remains open as of this publication.

The next board meeting, the first with Nancy Ash as board president, will begin at 5 pm on February 1st at Eden Farm. As with all board meetings, Equamore members at large and the public are welcome. Items to be discussed include Equamore’s fund-raising efforts and its relationship with other animal welfare organizations, including the Oregon Horse Welfare Council.

Currently, the Equamore Foundation cares for Dapples, a Shetland pony found with “slippered” feet, and three Arabian horses confiscated by Animal Control because of their imminent danger of starving to death. Their stories, which captured the hearts of Rogue Valley residents, are just three among the 32 stories of rescued animals currently housed at Eden Farm and under the direct care of the Foundation, their sponsors, and guardians.

Persons wishing to hear these stories are invited to join one of the barn tours, which take place every third Sunday of the month at 12:00. Eden Farm is located on Hwy 66, 2.5 miles from I-5 (Exit 14) on the way to Emigrant Lake. Enter the drive at the green Eden Farm sign between mile markers 3 and 4, proceeding to the arena and barn visible after crossing the bridge over Neil Creek.