BEHS Officer, BOD and Volunteer Coordinator Profiles

Regina Anderson

Regina Anderson owns Windy Hill Farm in Hays County just a short drive SE of Austin, Texas. Regina was always very much a city lady for the first 50 years of her life and never had a serious interest in horses, although she was always a dog and cat lover/caretaker. Her daughter Courtney became horse crazy 12 years ago and Regina's initial connection to horses was paying board and watching her daughter ride and excel in horsemanship. Then in 2000 her daughters horse became sick, was diagnosed with EPM, and was scheduled to be euthanized. Regina didn't want this to happen and through the Internet found Jennifer Williams and LSER. To make a long story short, because of the help received from Jennifer (referrals to other professionals, ideas, etc.) that horse is not only still here today, but she's active and healthy! Regina then joined LSER out of gratitude which started the beginning of a new volunteer career and passion for horses and horse rescue. She then sold her house in the city in 2002 and moved out to the country - the horse passion had struck and stuck! Regina served several officer positions with LSER from 2000-2003, resigned her last officer position in 2003 due to a family illness, but remained active as a volunteer, foster home, and inspector after that. When LSER was dissolved in February 2005 due to a merger with another rescue, Regina helped found Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society and has served as VP of BEHS and is now a Director. Regina's paying career is in the insurance field and she has worked in the insurance industry for 35 years as a policy coverage technical resource and does a lot of Internet research and has a professional designation in insurance. Currently, that once city lady shares her farm with her daughter's horse, adopted BEHS horse, 2 horses that she once fostered for LSER and then adopted, 4 goats, 1 sheep, rooster and chickens, 5 dogs, 8 cats, and a ferret.

Elizabeth Beverly

Elizabeth has been Executive Vice President of BEHS since March 2007, not long after assuming the responsibilities of Bluebonnet Horse Expo Coordinator. She has been a member of BEHS since it's inception, and was previously a member of LSER, where she was a foster home and Compassionate Kids Coordinator. Elizabeth has continued to be a foster home for Bluebonnet, and enjoys helping her fosters find their forever homes, including her first foster, Penny, who she fell in love with and adopted for her children.

Elizabeth first sat on a horse at the age of 3, and to her parent's dismay, she refused to get down. This sparked an insatiable love for horses that finally led her to riding lessons beginning at the age of 10. She rode at least weekly from then on, and her father, perhaps foolishly, purchased her first horse on the day she loaded the mare up in her trailer to go with her to college. Elizabeth received her degree in Animal Science, Pre-Vet from Virginia Tech, and loved her first post-graduate job of being the barn manager at Four Winds Farm in Nokesville, VA. (www.fourwindsfarm.us). Elizabeth showed her first horse, Sweet Persuasion, in the local hunter circuit to year-end grand championships in Adult Amateur and Pleasure Hunters. Caring for several colics and injuries as barn manager led her to being an Equine Veterinary Technician at the Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, VA, which soon led her to an opportunity to teach Animal Science for Fairfax County Public Schools. Although her teaching was primarily about small animals, she did trailer two of her horses to her city school one day for her students to see and touch a real horse.

Only a few weeks after getting married, she trailered her 3 horses across the nation from Virginia to Oregon for her husband's new job. Elizabeth planned the trip so that the horses could get out of the trailer every night to stretch their legs, and thankfully, all three loaded back up every morning to continue their five day journey. A year later, her husband transferred to Austin, and Elizabeth loaded up her three horses for another cross-country trip to Texas. Elizabeth now resides on 23 acres outside Austin with her husband, two children, six horses and three dogs.

Floe Copeland

Floe says, " To say I never met a horse I didn't like would be an understatement. They have been a vital point of my existence for the past 50 years."

Floe wasn't born in a horse family like many folks who are horse crazy. But she grew up riding the arm of a rocking chair presenting it was her horse as she watched such greats as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans on TV. Trigger was, of course, her all time favorite horsel. She says her bubble burst many years later when she found out there were a number of Triggers used for those black and white movies. Floe watched every cowboy picture show that came out and watched all of them on television. She loved Gene Autrey, Lash Larue, The Red Ryder, Lone Ranger,and years later Marshall Dillon, Little Joe on Bonanza and Paladin, "Have Gun Will Travel." Although Floe liked the cowboys, but she mostly liked the horses!

Floe begged for a horse from the time she could speak her first words. However, it was just her Mother, who was a nurse, and Floe. They lived in town and had no place to keep a horse. Besides that she had never even been close to a live horse. When Floe was 12 years old, her brother bought a house at the edge of town with a small acerage. Floe says she pleaded with her Mother once again for that horse as now it would have a place to live. Floe's Mother, who had heard just about all she wanted to hear about a horse finally told Floe that she had an insurance policy she could cash in and maybe it would be enough to buy some kind of horse for me. Floe's Mother said she would have to find a way to make the money to feed and take care of it. That Friday she came home and handed Floe $250.00 in cash. Floe's mom reminded her that they knew nothing about horses, but pointed out that there was a sale at the auction barn that night. Floe's Mother told her that if you could find a horse for $250, she could buy it.

Floe's Mother had to work that night, so her brother drove her to the auction to buy a horse. The place was packed with buyers and the bidding was going fast. Floe had never been to any kind of auction before and her brother quickly told me to keep my hands down or that would end up buying something they didn't want. Floe and her brother crowded into two seats where they had to try to see the horses going thru the ring across the top of cowboy hats and through thick cigar smoke. Floe says that all the horses were beautiful to her and she hated the way the men at the gate kept pushing them and yelling at them and poking them with a stick that made them jump. Floe's brother told her that it was a cattle prod and that it gave the horses a shock to move them on out quicky. Floe overheard folks talking about most of these horses coming from a big round-up way up in North Dakota. Most had never seen a person until they were caught and crowded onto the big truck to travel all the way to Childress, Texas.

Floe tried to understand the bidding, but the auctioneer went so fast. Ever once in a while she heard one being sold for $300.00 or more. There was talk all around us that they were going to the killers. Floe didn't know what that meant and didn't want to ask. Many of the horses came through in bunches of five or six at a time.

Finally the crowd cleared out a bit and we got a better seat. The horses started coming in single file again.

No one was leading or handling the horses at all and Floe wasn't sure why. Then she saw her, the most beautiful little Appaloosa mare she had ever laid eyes on. She was snorting and rearing and her eyes were as big as dinner plates. Floe told her brother this is the one she wanted. He told her that they would try to bid. It started low but rose quickly.

There were several folks who liked her apparently. Finally the bidding got down to Floe and one other man. The bid was getting close to the $250 Floe had to spend, and she wanted the little amre so badly but was afraid she was gone. Floe's brother jumped up and went back and talked to the man bidding against her. He came back and stood up and said $250.00 for the mare. The auctioneer looked at the other bidder and he shock his head no. SOLD!!! to the little lady up here on the front row. Floe was so excited that she almsot passed out! The story of that sweet mare and Floe's struggle to learn about horses is a whole 'nother story.

Floe says that that was the beginning of real life for her and to this day, at age 61, she still thinks of her little Tequilla mare and thank the Lord for all she taught her and for allowing her to enter the world of horses.

Kathy Falkner

Kathy is a native Texan and lived in the Dallas metroplex until the late 90's when she moved to East Texas. She became involved in horses in 2006 when she found an old, malnourished mare, and arranged to donate her to BEHS. Kathy immediately became a member and began conducting inspections and investigations, then volunteered for the position of Inspection Coordinator.

Although Kathy didn't become involved with horses until later in life, she has loved animals since childhood. While living in Dallas, her home was always open to orphaned, abandoned and homeless critters. In addition to the parade of cats and dogs that found their way to her, she includes squirrels, ferrets, prairie dogs, birds and reptiles on her list of former charges.

Kathy's paying job is design engineer in the telephone industry. She has worked for one of the major telecommunications firms for 29 years, but is looking forward to retirement to spend more time at home.

Kathy now lives in Point, Texas, with her husband, one dog, and two BEHS fosters.

Loretta Pinnell

Loretta Pinnell (Lacy) and her husband, Ralph, own Favoring Winds Ranch located in Brazoria County, Texas. She is very active with several equine rescue groups. She joined LSER in October 2001 and performed several behind the scenes volunteer functions. She became the Adoption Coordinator for LSER in November 2004, and listed LSER horses who were available for adoption on several Internet sites, assisted the Vice President - Horse Coordinator in coordinating adoptions, and coordinated the follow up inspections on adopted LSER equines.

After LSER was dissolved in 2005, she helped found Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society in March 2005. She is now the Equine Records Manager and is responsible for maintaining all records for foster horses, adopted horses, foster homes and adoption homes. In addition to these tasks she also takes all phone calls and distributes them to the appropriate person to return. She is also a foster home and volunteers for inspections when she can.

Loretta has loved horses from the day she was born. She spent most of her young life with her grandmother on her farm and she learned to ride before she learned to walk! You could always find Loretta out in the pastures with the horses. She spent a lot of time just sitting and talking to them.

Loretta's companions in her teen years were a rescued off the track Thoroughbred and a Quarter Horse. As a teenager, she helped her aunt saddle train horses. Loretta's life-long dream is to run a ranch where inner-city children and underprivileged kids can come to learn about horses. She's able to make that dream come true with the horses she's adopted from Lone Star Equine Rescue, Inc. and Habitat for Horses. Favoring Winds Ranch has hosted several groups of children - and they plan to host countless more!

Loretta had to wait until she was in her 40s before she could finally have a horse of her own - but Favoring Winds Ranch is now home to three horses adopted from Lone Star Equine Rescue, Inc. Destiny, Tejas and Domingo (Destiny and Domingo have since passed over the Rainbow Bridge, but are remembered and still loved), three miniature horses adopted from Habitat for Horses, Scout, Gypsy and Stitch, and another miniature horse, Bandit, that she bought from a friend. Loretta is also an active foster home and is good at rehabbing the skinnies as well evaluating ground manners and under saddle training. Loretta believes that if you have a dream, it can come true. You must only believe and work towards your dream every day.

Tina Shalmy

Tina has been a member and Arkansas Member representative of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society since it was founded in March 2005. Before joining BEHS she was the Arkansas State Rep for LSER helping to establish it in Arkansas. She was a foster home, inspector and trailer volunteer for over 2 years with LSER until it dissolved February 2005 and will continue in these endeavors with BEHS.

Tina has been riding horses most of her life and was involved in barrel racing and pole bending for a short time when she was 16. Now she enjoys trail riding and just leisurely strolls with her horses at the slower pace. Tina is also a level I trainer for wild horses and a mentor in Arkansas to contact with questions or help with feral/wild horses.

Tina is a Farm Loan officer with USDA, Farm Service Agency and has worked for 18 years with farmers and ranchers specializing in farming operation loans. She and her husband John live on a small farm in Rison, Ar and have 4 children between them, John Jr, Anthony, Jennifer and Jason. They spend their days loving them and their Tennessee Walking Horse, Jessie; Paint, Shyanne; Mini Donkey, Caesar; Bassett Hounds, Rosco and Buster; Yorkie, Puddin, foster horses and a couple wild kitties that have decided to stay.

Michelle Stockton

Michelle has loved horses since her parents took her to riding lessons when she was 9 years old. She got her first horse soon after. She quickly discovered the world of horse shows and began competing in speed events, western pleasure, trail and halter classes. Today, Michelle prefers to ride the trails on her adopted BEHS horse, Harley. She also enjoys showing the kids’ paint horse at the American Indian Horse Registry (AIHR) shows.

Michelle graduated from Texas A&M University in 1991 with a B.S. degree in Psychology and Animal Science. She intended to continue her education in Psychology but got married and ended up becoming a stay at home mom instead!

Michelle became involved in animal rescue in 1995 after adopting a shelter dog through a humane society in need of help. She enjoyed working with dogs and cats as an adoption counselor, until she suddenly developed allergies to cats and had to quit the job! Soon after, Michelle discovered that equine rescue groups existed and has been volunteering for such groups ever since. She started working for BEHS in 2006 and plans to stick around for a very long time.

Joanne Terry

Joanne has been a Director of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society since it began in March 2005. Before that, she was a staff member of Lone Star Equine Rescue, Inc. and served as a Regional Representative, foster home and Marketing Coordinator until LSER was dissolved in 2005.

She began taking riding lessons at the age of eight. After a fifteen year absence from horses, she began riding again while living in Moscow, where she rode Arabian stallions as well as some unique Russian breeds, and had the opportunity to ride Olympic show jumpers. When she returned to the United States she became involved in hunter-jumpers before buying a farm and moving to the country. She owns five Paso Finos of various ages. Her Paso mare Larisa has ridden on the Salt Grass Trail Ride for the last several years and is an avid competitor in team sorting. Joanne also has a mule, Jelly Bean, who is the resident clown. Joanne always has BEHS foster horses, too.

Joanne has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a Master’s degree in Business Administration and works as a legal nurse consultant. She lives on her farm in Navasota with an assortment of former stray dogs and cats, in addition to her horses.

Paula Weisskopf

Paula and her husband Mike grew up in a suburb of Houston but knew they were meant for the country. They bought 7 acres in Elgin in 2005, got married, and settled there to get involved with the community. Paula is the Treasurer for the Elgin Humane Society and for her church, as well as owning her own Accounting firm, serving small businesses in the Elgin/Manor/Taylor area. Growing up, she and her sister were always horse crazy. Her parents got her her very own Welsh pony at 7, but the mare was virtually untouchable and had to be sold. Some of her best memories are the summers she spent at Texas A&M with her older sister helping her work with the school's two year olds in their equine program and going to equine science classes. Later on, she would work other people's horses at the various stables her sister boarded, but never had another of her own. When she graduated college in 2002, she decided the very best graduation present to herself would be her very own horse. She went to an equine event in Houston where she saw a booth for LSER and became involved immediately, learning to do inspections and investigations. When Bluebonnet was formed, she decided it was a better fit and continued volunteering. Honey Pot Ranch is the forever home to one gelding, a small herd of Boer goats, 2 rabbits, Charlie, the cat who came with the house, 12 chickens, and three little dogs, Lizzie, Emmy, and Kate.

Jennifer Williams

Jennifer Williams is co-founder and has been President of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society since its inception in March 2005.  Before that, she co-founded Lone Star Equine Rescue, Inc. and served as President from the rescue's formation until it was dissolved in 2005.  During that time, LSER grew from a small organization of 25 members who took in only 8 horses in their first year, to an organization with hundreds of members spread throughout various states.

Jennifer's involvement with horses began with riding lessons at the age of 12, and she's been riding ever since. She's shown Arabians, Quarter Horses, and National Show Horses and rides sidesaddle, saddleseat, huntseat and western pleasure. She's also done some driving and is currently taking dressage lessons on her 10 year old Arabian gelding, Jawhari.

Jennifer earned her BS in Psychology from Northeast Missouri State University in 1996 and earned both a Masters in Animal Science in 2001 and a Ph.D. in 2002 from Texas A&M University. While working on her Masters and Ph.D., Jennifer did research primarily in equine behavior and learning. Jennifer is also an author publishing in EQUUS, the Chronicle of the Horse, The Andalusian Magazine, Young Rider, and other local magazines. Her first book, How to Start and Run a Rescue, is available at howtostartarescue.com. She is currently working on two books and several more articles. Jennifer and her husband, Spencer, share their lives with their two horses Elvis and Jawhari, their Australian Shepherd Maggie, and their cats Oreo, Pepper, Loop, Lil, and Ginger.

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