President
Mark Renn
5027 Garton Rd
Castle Rock, CO 80104
(303) 887 6070
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Elected Director
Term Expires: December 31, 2023
Mark Renn - President
I’m a lifelong horseman. I grew up with draft horses on the family farm. I’ve shown and bred Arabians, Morgans and now for the past 10 years, Peruvians. From my ranch in Colorado I compete in shows, host clinics and welcome fellow Peruvian enthusiasts as well as potential new owners.
For the past decade I’ve been an officer on the board of directors for the Centennial State Peruvian Horse Club. I’m a board member for Colorado Horse Power, a therapeutic riding center that’s run from my ranch. I served in each position (chairman, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, etc.) of the board of directors of the Colorado Business Council, the Denver Better Business Bureau and the Better Business Bureau Foundation. I also run my own career consulting service.
I’m well-versed in the intricacies and processes of nonprofit boards as well as running a successful business. I’ve been in the breed long enough to develop a deep appreciation for its history and a vested interest in its future.
First Vice President
Edith Gandy
P.O. Box 866
Anthony, FL 32617
(863) 678 7083
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Elected Director
Term Expires December 31, 2021
Edith Gandy - First Vice President
I have been involved in Peruvian Horses for most of my adult life. I have bred, shown and judged this amazing breed and made lifelong friends along the way. I have served on the board of both regional and national breed organizations including serving as President of the AAOBPPH during the merger to form NAPHA and later as President of NAPHA.
I believe that the Peruvian Horse is at a critical point in its history in the U.S., and if elected to the board, my goals would be to increase the visibility of our breed, to retain and better serve our existing members and to focus on ways to attract and engage the next generation of owners and breeders.
2nd Vice President
Gail Benson
4600 Vista Lane
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 338 3658
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Elected Director
Term Expires: December 31, 2021
Gail M. Benson - 2nd Vice President
My interest in Peruvian Horses began in 1978 when I first saw them in the Rose Bowl Parade. After several trips to ranches and shows in California, I began to select my foundation mares.
I have bred over 100 horses in the last 40 years and have had multiple National champions. I usually show in both regional and national shows. Presently, I have over 40 horses on the ranch.
I am a retired orthopedic surgeon and a founder of three successful medical businesses including a specialty surgical hospital, a surgical management company and a hospital company traded on the public Toronto stock exchange. I am involved in land development in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where my family and I are based.
Good frienders, Dr Jorge Galante and Jack Zehren are my role models for enlarging and improving the North American Peruvian Horse Association. I look forward to serving on the board.
Thank you for your support.
Gail M. Benson
Treasurer
Heidi Opdyke
862-266-2081
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Elected Director
Term Expires: December 31, 2021
Heidi Opdyke - Treasurer
My introduction to the Peruvian horse was over 15 years ago on a riding holiday on the altiplano of Peru. It was there that I met ‘my husband to be’ Paul, and rode the magnificent Peruvian horse. I decided then, that “someday” I would own a Peruvian Horse. We now own 4 Peruvians: a stallion, a gelding and two mares, all of which we show and trail ride. My stallion is also being shown side saddle. Our daughter, Grace, is a Junior competitor, riding the mares.
I have been riding horses for more than 47 years. Showing horses extensively in England to the top level, riding most disciplines, astride and aside. I am an advanced side saddle instructor for 30+ years and am currently a certified advanced side saddle instructor, from the Side Saddle Association (UK), which qualifies me to train and examine instructor candidates.
I currently live in Moneta, Virginia with my husband and daughter, after relocating from California, six years ago. Prior to moving to the central valley of California, we lived in northern, rural New Jersey. I moved to the US from the UK in 2003. My daughter Grace is in
eighth grade and my husband Paul, retired from a career in Human Resources, works on our farm. Paul and I regularly fox hunted with Spring Valley Hounds in New Jersey, Los Altos Hounds in California and Bedford County Hunt in VA.
I have competed regionally and at the nationals over the past 5 years and have delivered a very good show record including PVFP El Amanecer – Medal de Oro. Additionally, I have been active in promoting the Peruvian Horse at local horse shows, performed demonstrations at Nationals as well as local fairs and community events. I am currently the President of the Mid Atlantic Peruvian Horse Club and also serve on the Central States Board.
Director
Jose Vasquez
509-703-0727
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Elected Director
Term Expires: December 31, 2022
Jose Vasquez
Jose Vasquez has been riding Peruvian horses for more than 25 years. His family goes back to the Hacienda Palomino and Cayalti. Throughout the years he spent significant time learning more about the Peruvian breed from his family and other mentors in his career. Jose is a graduate of Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. Currently working as a commercial loan officer for a local Credit Union and during his free time, he keeps extending his learnings on the Peruvian Horse by training with his dad at CampoBello Peruvians in Deer Park, WA. He currently serves as a Vice President for the Northwest Peruvian Horse Club board of directors and the North American Peruvian Horses Association board of directors.
Jose has shown in Peru, Canada, and the United States. Winner of multiple championships, Jose’s passion for our breed has led him to pursue his career as a judge so he can contribute his knowledge and at the same time learn from all Peruvian enthusiasts. Since 2015 after recovering his judges card, Jose has judged four large shows around the United States. He looks forward to a great career within this breed.
Secretary
Joy Larsen-Ritter
218-838–9700
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Term Expires December 31, 2021
Joy Larsen Ritter- Secretary
My husband and I started in the Peruvian Breed a little over 10 years ago. We were trail riders and I needed to change to a smooth riding horse to be able to continue riding. Once we found the Peruvian we feel in love. We joined the Northern Lights Peruvian Horse Club so we could learn as much as we could about the Peruvian. Now we enjoy trail riding, showing & breeding the Peruvian horse.
I am currently the Secretary for the Northern Lights Peruvian Horse Club & Show Committee Member for the Fiesta Del Norte/Northern Lights Peruvian Horse Double Show.
I am also CEO/President of Ritter & Ritter Sewer Service, Inc the company I own with my husband.
Board Member
Alice M. Wolf
8232 McCarver Lane
Bryan, TX 77808-4187
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Phone: 979-280-0113
Cell: 979-820-3910 (Best number)
Elected Director
Term Expires: December 31, 2023
Alice M. Wolf, DVM, DACVIM, DABVP
My husband, James Johnson and I are both veterinarians. We own Coyote Creek Ranch in Bryan, Texas and have been owners and breeders of Peruvian Horses for over 25 years. I have previously served on the NAPHA Board of Directors and as a member of the NAPHA Registration Committee. I have actively shown our horses in Performance and Breeding classes at Peruvian shows at both the Regional and National level. I participated in both recent NAPHA Cyber Shows. I have also shown in Open Gaited shows to help introduce others to our breed. I am an active JOR member and enjoy trail riding. Most of my horse training takes place on our ranch trails. Our ranch hosted the very first NAPHA sanctioned trail test and I would like to see these trail test events continue. I am member of the Texas Ladies Aside Peruvian Sidesaddle Drill team and I have also ridden in many parades with this group including twice riding in the Rose Parade in California. I look forward to serving all of the members of NAPHA.
