President (Appointed)
Paul Opdyke
(540) 266-2604
Email: [email protected]
Elected Director
Term Expires: December 31, 2025
Paul Opdyke
My introduction to the Peruvian Horse was over 20 years ago on a riding holiday on the altiplano of Peru. This was a highly anticipated trip as I had studied Latin American history and culture in college and learned to ride on a gaited horse some 10 years earlier. The countryside and riding experience on the magnificent Peruvian Horse were
outstanding. Completely unanticipated was that on this trip, I met ‘my wife to be’ Heidi! There was no question that “someday” I (now we) would own a Peruvian Horse. We now own 3 Peruvians: a stallion, a gelding, and a mare, all of which we show and trail ride.
My business experience and roles in non-profit horse clubs can help with the challenges now facing NAPHA. Most of my career has been spent in turn-around situations with financial, operational and resource issues in a global pharmaceutical company. I was a senior member of site, regional and corporate teams. In addition to these roles, I have had significant horse club experience. The hunt club in which I rode had the challenge of an ‘aging out’ membership with a shrinking number of riders. As a hunt master, we were able to grow the membership and revenue to successfully end the decline.
In recent years I managed the Mid-Atlantic Horse Club shows. We made the small shows very profitable, established a relationship with the Peruvian Embassy and had great sponsorship and community involvement. I also managed the 2021 Gait Away Show in St. Louis.
Most recently I helped with the transitions of NAPHA Secretary role. Access to basic financial information, accounts and processes were difficult. Most of these issues have been resolved with increasing transparency of financial data.
The greatest challenge NAPHA faces from my perspective is promotion of the breed and the increase our membership. Many of the regional clubs/shows continue to struggle to have successful shows in terms of numbers of exhibitors, volunteers, and members. Working together, I am confident that we can reverse this trend to successfully promote
our breed and grow our membership.
First Vice President (Elected Director)
Edie Gandy
Email: mailto:[email protected]
Term Expires December 31, 2026
Edie Gandy - First Vice President
I have had a passion for the Peruvian Horse for most of my adult life. It is an amazing breed, yet its numbers in the U.S. have been steadily declining. We have fewer breeders and fewer NAPHA members
than we had ten years ago and that trend needs to be reversed. I wish there were a simple answer regarding what the NAPHA Board needs to do to turn things around, but the truth of the matter is that the Board alone cannot do it. For years we have looked to a handful of people on the Board to solve the organization’s problems. The truth of the matter is that, no matter how dedicated and hard-working, the Board alone cannot grow the organization.
NAPHA has to grow from the bottom up, not the top down. That means that the starting point is the regional clubs and regional representation. We need to support and strengthen local clubs to help them to welcome and encourage new owners and breeders. Additionally, we need to find a way for individual members who care about the breed and its future to become more engaged and involved in supporting the organization with their time and talents. NAPHA has limited financial resources and needs
volunteers now more than ever. We need fewer members complaining and asking “What can NAPHA do for me?” and more asking what they can do for the organization and the Peruvian Horse.
I don’t have all the answers as to how to make that happen, but I know is that if we don’t try to make some positive changes, things are unlikely to improve. I’m running for the Board with the primary goal of listening to members and working to bring people together around our common goal of preserving and promoting the Peruvian Horse.
Treasurer
Bonnie Gallegos
Appointed Director
Term Expires: December 31, 2026
Bonnie Gallegos - Treasurer
For over 40 years I have been an active member of the Peruvian Horse Community and had the privilege to work for some of the most famous breeders of Peruvian Horses in the USA. Those incredible breeders include West View Farms LLC, owned by Gene Pepe, Rocking M Ranch, owned by Mike and Linda Mewhinney, and Free Oaks Farms, owned by the late Jerry Freeman.
Since then, for more than 20 years, I have owned and operated a successful business known as the Bonnie Gallegos Training Center located in Ramona, California. In my business I train my own horses, those of clients, and give lessons to new horse owners. While many of you see me in the show arena, one of my favorite tasks is training horses for trails so they may be versatile both in and out of competition. This has also proven to make these horses great riding companions for their owners.
Elected Director
Silvia Gomez-Silva
Term Expires: December 31, 2025
Silvia Gomez-Silva - Director
I was born and raised in Miami, FL and currently own a small ranch “Criadero JGS” together with my husband Julio Gomez-Silva, while raising our 2 wonderful boys. I am a graduate from Barry University with a BS in Elementary Education and was also a restaurant owner for seven years; for the last 13 years I have worked for the US Government.
I first met the Peruvian Horse when I met my husband in 2014 and after that the rest has been history. My love for the breed continues to grow more and more each day. I’ve had the chance to meet, ride and compete with lots of wonderful people but more importantly create long lasting friendships. This year I was able to see all the hard work and dedication that goes into putting a show together and had the privilege of being show manager at the Ocala, Fl show.
My hopes for the Peruvian breed is to make people aware that the breed exist by exposing the horse in every way possible to demonstrate their many strengths. I have successfully managed to open a new club in Florida called “Southern States Peruvian Horse Club” in hopes of bringing aficionados, breeders, and new members together. At the same time, I am taking on the reins of a new show to be held in Ocala, FL for 2023.
Lastly, I will collaborate with NAPHA and work side by side with them to ensure the progress and growth of this amazing breed.
Secretary – Elected Director
Bill Willis
Email: [email protected]
Term Expires: December 31, 2028
Bill Willis - Elected Director
I have been involved with the Peruvian Horse breed for over 20 years, serving in leadership. roles such as club secretary for the Southern California Peruvian Paso Horse Club (SCPPHC), the Show Secretary for both the Gold Rush Classic (GRC) and SCPPHC Pacific Coast/Grand Championship shows. My background includes extensive experience on a 501(c)(3) nonprofit board, where I organized fundraising events that raised over $35,000.
I have a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, which combined with my experience as an elementary school principal, contributes to my strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills. These qualities, combined with my passion for the breed and proven ability to manage events and engage communities, uniquely prepare me to contribute to the national board and help promote the future of the Peruvian Horse in the U.S.
2nd Vice President – Elected Director
Janna Loeffler
Janna Loeffler - Elected director
Janna Loeffler, owner of Rancho Loeffler in Orlando, Florida, is a devoted equestrian with a deep love for animals, sharing her home with a dog, two cats, four goats, and three Peruvian horses. Her introduction to the Peruvian horse came in 2000 through Lynne Brookes from Nevada, IA, sparking a lifelong passion for the breed. Janna has been actively involved in showing her Peruvian horses and enjoys recreational trail riding. She has participated in numerous open breed shows, parades, and exhibitions, spreading her enthusiasm for the Peruvian horse. Having lived in Minnesota, California, and Florida, Janna has had the privilege of being part of various Peruvian horse clubs across the United States. She currently competes in western dressage with her mare, HMS Anastacia, and also serves as a NAPHA carded show steward.
Elected Director
Lucho Dapelo
Email: [email protected]
Elected Director
Term Expires: December 31, 2024
Lucho Dapelo - Director
Luis (Lucho) Dapelo the son of Jose Antonio Dapelo V the grandson of Jose Antonio Dapelo M, prominent breeders of Peruvian horses, founders of the National Association in Lima continues’ to carry on the family tradition. Lucho grew up amongst his family’s fighting bulls, cattle and horses obviously with an emphasis on the Peruvian Paso. He was involved in breeding, training and showing in Peru until his move to the United States in 1979.
Since coming the U.S. Lucho has continued in many capacities – trainer, breeder, rider extradentary, International and U.S. judge. He has served on the NAPHA board previously, president and member of the board of directors for numerous clubs.
Lucho continues his breeding program and showing since his marriage to Jeanelle in 2002.
Lucho’s dedication to the bred and all owners of the Peruvian horse can be seen in his platform for running for the NAPHA Board. His knowledge and commitment to the Peruvian horse runs deeps in his veins and heart. He wants nothing more then to bring the Peruvian horse to the forefront of the general public. One of his strongest desires is to bring all owners together, breeders, those who show, those who trail ride, etc. for the betterment of the Peruvian horse.
Lucho wants to share with all his knowledge (via seminars, webinars), passion and dedication to the breed with all.
Administrative Secretary
Becky Oley
Email: [email protected]
Text or Call: 440-785-1179
Mail: 155 Fixler Rd., Wadsworth, OH 44281
Becky Oley - Administrative Secretary
Coming Soon
