Heidi Trowbridge - Member

Heidi Trowbridge has been an animal lover since she can remember. Growing up in San Diego, her family loved camping and hiking the temperate climate this region provided.  Heidi has always been in awe of Horses. At the age of 12, she was allowed to buy an old Appaloosa which she loved for almost 25 years. 

As she got older her love for animals grew stronger. In her late teens she rescued a black thoroughbred with a bowed tendon off the Santa Anita racetrack.  And that story repeated itself many times. 

After many lessons and scores of bruises, I finally started learning how to work with these intelligent but reactive creatures. 

On the professional side, Heidi went to 2 years of law school at the University of San Diego and worked with the US attorneys Office and Farmers Insurance in-house counsel.  After realizing attorneys weren’t the animals she held near and dear to her heart, she went and worked at a wild animal rehabilitation center in Ramona called the Fund for Animals. Mostly we worked on large wild carnivores that were sick or injured that came through their hospital for care or humane euthanasia. After 5 years of wildlife rehabilitation she was picked up by the San Diego Zoo to help them build their Animal Shows. She got to know some of the most fascinating and complex animals ever.  Heidi stayed with the Wild Animal Park and the Zoo for 15 years and she has some of the most interesting and heartfelt stories to tell her grandchildren!  

In 2014 Heidi started her own saddle fitting and equine massage business. That currently is such a fulfilling job in that she can help horses feel better and stay sound through a properly fitting saddle and bodywork.

Heidi says, “After all the work I’ve done, I’m still at it, albeit, a bit slower. No more crazy, mad hippos, wolves and wild cats, for they are too fast and dangerous for me now. Now, I will forever be helping horses. 💕”

Kyle, since she can remember, has been a compassionate animal lover and defender of those that cannot speak for themselves. She will not be quiet if she sees someone abusing an animal. It often gets her in trouble, but someone has to speak up. Once Kyle saw a coyote in the middle median on a road with a broken back, and she immediately took him to a vet to be euthanized, which shows her heartfelt concern for any animal in need. She bought her first horse when she was in the eighth grade with her own money she earned from babysitting.

Kyle first met Ann when she adopted a magical Friesian named Noche and moved him to her beautiful “sanctuary-like” ranch for horses at Ann’s Escola Del Sol. He was absolutely miserable at every other facility. When she finally found Ann’s ranch, it was the first time her horse was very happy, content, and relaxed.

Kyle shared, “I have always wanted my own animal rescue, but I am incredibly grateful to be able to help Ann in her fantastic endeavor.”

Kyle Belding - Member

Marcy Millar - Member

Marcy has an affinity for animals.  They are her passion and openly states that she’d rather spend time with animals than many humans on most days.  Living with animals is a life worth living and animals bring out the best in her because they keep her mind, body and spirit full.

At an early age she has been involved with 4H raising and training Guide Dogs for the Blind, FFA, loving and caring for animals of all types.  Rescuing, fundraising, sponsoring and rehoming abandoned, abused and unwanted animals of all kinds has been an important facet of her life. Currently involved in the San Diego Zoo’s Ocelot fundraising group & the SD Humane society in addition to T.A.L.E.S.

Marcy is a “lifelong learner” earning her Masters’ Degree in education. Her professional life is that of a physical education, science and drama middle school teacher for over 30 years.  She has been privileged to share her love of animals throughout her career by sponsoring animals in her science room, after school animal lovers’ programs, clubs and activities.  Additionally, Marcy has provided animal lovers camps at her former ranch in Ramona fostering others of all ages to learn about a variety of animals from birds, dogs, horses, cattle, cats, sheep, reptiles and more.  Marcy has taught horseback riding lesson (a variety of styles) for nearly thirty-five years off and on, most successfully with beginning riders.

Marcy has owned and ridden horses since she was under the tender age of ten and continuing today.  As an adult, taking her love of community, public service, and horses to the next level by riding for the San Diego County Sheriff’s mounted patrol for ten years.  She was involved in training other San Diego County Volunteer Mounted unit riders and their horses donating time, money and knowledge to help promote positive social outreach and extra eyes and ears to her community.  Additionally, riding in countless parades for both the SD County Sheriff’s department and a local Friesian parade group for well over ten years.  

Her personal goal participating in T.A.L.E.S. is to aid in the fundraising, entertainment and promotion of the well-being of horses.  After all, she is a horse on the Chinese calendar!

Birgitta Hufnagel aka Robin Hood

Horses have been an essential part of Birgitt'a’s life from way back to when she dragged her father to the fairgrounds for pony rides. She also had the blessing of wonderful neighbors who were horse breeders and just had an extra one for her to compete on with the equestrian team while atteneding medical school in Germany. It took a little while for Birgitta to reconnect with horses after moving her life to the USA. For many years now, she has been enjoying a lot of her ‘free time’ with her oldie but “goldie” 26 year old thoroughbred mare Coda and her upcoming and quite the handful but very gorgeous 8 year old Andaburger Rubino. Birgitta states, “The welfare of our equine friends and family members is very close to my heart. I feel honored to be part of TALES and help in its quest.”

Shauna Brown Harris - Secretary

Shauna has been crazy about animals her whole life. Bringing home strays, such as cat, dogs, snakes and lizards.  On one rare occasion a MUD puppy… a.k.a. baby Salamander.

Her first experience with a horse was when she was three years old. Her life changed that day. She was Horse crazy to put It mildly from that day on.

She has been lucky enough to be able to ride all type of horses. She has ridden in many parades and exhibitions in California. The most famous parades are the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena; the Hollywood Christmas Parade; and riding across the Red Carpet on Hollywood Boulevard. 

She has also ridden in the Equesfest in Los Angeles, The Night of the Horse in Del Mar, and countless other equestrian exhibitions. 

Horse are her passion and will be forever.

Dawnell got involved with horses when she was in grade school. Her first pony was a Shetland Pony...a big surprise from Santa!! Needless to say it was a pony that she had fallen in love with, but she knew nothing about owning a horse. She quickly learned from that adorable NAUGHTY LITTLE PONY and continued riding until high school. Dawnell started riding again the last few years here and there, and she still has the love and passion for horses.

Dawnell said, “I like being a part of the T.A.L.E.S. foundation. It is a wonderful way to help our selected organizations in their huge effort to save horses, that may not have been saved if it weren't for these wonderfully dedicated non-profit groups.

Dawnell Riggs-Richey - Member

Julie goes by Jules to her friends, and is Dr. Steele at work. She is the Chair of Pathology at Scripps Clinic, a mom of two boys, three horses, two dogs and a cat. She has always loved horses and She started riding at age 10. She did a little western and a little hunter jumper but then got busy with medical school, the US Navy and raising her two boys. When her oldest son was five, Jules started taking lessons with him and got totally hooked again, this time on dressage. She bought her Friesian mare, Anouk in 2006. She is the matriarch and mother to her two geldings, Henk and Cinco. She is beautiful, even at 22, and she knows it! Jules bought her for dressage but she likes Western better and was a Friesian Western pleasure champion. Her son Henk, also a Friesian, is Jules’ dream dressage horse. He is 12 and is the one that she rides in the quadrille performance. He is a combination of incredible grace and power and dorky personality. They are working on getting the USDF Bronze medal. Then there is Cinco, Anouk's 3 year old son with the Lusitano stallion Xerez. He is a sweet giant who is still just learning the ground rules. And last but not least, there is Blackie pone, a rescued miniature horse who is the sweetest little girl despite being abused by her previous owners. Jules shares, “It is horses like her that we are trying to help with T.A.L.E.S! My character for TALES is Joan of Arc, a heroine whose leadership, unwavering beliefs and fierce determination transcended traditional gender roles and saved her country. Thanks for supporting us.”

Julie Steele - Member

Kate’s lifelong love of horses began when she was just a wee one. She doesn’t know how or why she was so enamored with horses, but she was, and every year when she was tasked with making out her Santa Wish List, it was always very brief: Horse, Pony, Dog...

As fate would have it, in the mid 70s, Kate’s family was transferred to the west coast where they luckily moved next door to another military family, whose daughter just happened to have two horses stabled at Miramar's Fightertown Stables. The daughter was headed off to college and Kate’s dream of spending her days with horses came true and her real-life love affair with the majestic creatures began.

Kate shares, “This enduring love of horses has sustained me and has probably saved my life once or twice. Here it is almost five decades later, and I still can't believe how lucky I am to have a life with horses. It was simply meant to be.”

Kate Malone - Member

Alethia Saladino - Member

A San Diego native growing up at the beach, horses were not a part of Alethia’s life. The occasional drive inland introduced her to a whole new world, the world of horses and equine.  It was then that her love of horses began. Just a short journey from the beach provided a healthy environmental shift that, little did she know then, planted seeds for her future self.

In Alethia’s adult life, horses became a form of therapy that proved to be a grounding presence in consistency, which saved her life in many ways.

Her passion now is all about helping others through the beauty, power and confidence that builds as I work in partnership with horses.  

Alethia shares, “Through intense training with Lusitanos, Working Equitation, Classical Dressage, and Liberty, I have learned invaluable lessons from being ‘a part of the herd.’ My work with mentors in equine, human potential, and horsemanship continues to be my passion and my drive.”

“As an entrepreneur and developer, I have created  “For The Love Of Horses.”  It is the manifestation of all my years of experience and passion gained through the intense work and experience as a horse woman.  My goal is helping others gain the same wisdom that I have been given.... one ride at a time.”