Colorado Horse Development Authority
Board of Directors

The Colorado Horse Development Authority is a non-profit organization that was created by an Act of the State Legislature to ensure the strength of the State’s horse industry through research, education, and promotion. The Town Meeting series, sponsored by the Colorado Horse Development Authority, is designed to educate those individuals interested in the state’s horse industry about critical issues facing their industry. For more information about the Colorado Horse Development Authority and its activities, please contact the Colorado Horse Office at 303-292-4981

Brian Kitchen, Executive Director
Colorado Horse Development Authority
(303)292-4981
fax (303) 293-2412
e-mail chda@chda.org

Current Officers and Appointees

Colorado Horse Development Authority
Jim Heird - President
Galen Hill - Vice President
Tina Estes - Secretary
Gerald Martinez - Treasurer
Brian Kitchen - Executive Director

Meet the Board

	Dr. Marv Beeman,
	Dr. Edward Blach
	Norm Brown, Norman Brown is a current board member, as well as a past president of COHOCO, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo, past president and current member of the Colorado Horse Development Authority Board, initiated the Equine Facilities Survey (1992 & 1998) and the first Equine Economic Impact Survey completed in 1999.
	Dr. Jill Cook
	Tina Estes
	Dr. John M. Harris, Dr. Harris graduated from Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1964. He was drafted into the U. S. Army and was assigned to an army base in Germany where he was in charge of food inspection and practicing veterinary medicine on the pets of the military. After his discharge in 1966 he began a large animal practice in Grand Junction. In 1978 he sold the large animal portion of the practice and began plans to build a modern equine hospital. The new hospital was completed in 1984. He is an active member in the American Assciation of Equine ractitioners and former board of director. He is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Colorado Veterinary Medical Association,which he served as past president. He served on the State Board of Veterinary Medicine for 9 years. Dr. Harris was named "Veterinarian of the Year" for 2004 by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association. He enjoys traveling, fishing, and gardening. He is married to Bonnie and they have four chidren and 3 grandchildren.
	Joseph Hatch
	Dr. James C. Heird, Dr. Jim Heird is the Director of Teaching and Outreach for the Equine Center. Dr. Heird is an approved judge for the American Quarter Horse Association, serves as a member of the executive committee of the National Western Stock Show and is also a member of the State Brand Board Committee.
	Charles Henry, Charles Henry has a degree in Technical Journalism ('70) from Colorado State University. His work has appeared in numerous print publications and other media. In addition to contract writing, photography, videos, advertising, and other forms of communications, he manages three associations, two of which are natural resource oriented and one, the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association (CDGRA), serves dude and guest ranches in Colorado. CDGRA ranches own more than 3,000 head of horses (nearly 3% of the total herd in Colorado) and are a vital part of the horse recreation and tourism industry in Colorado. CDGRA members host more than 12,000 guests each summer and nearly all are horseback during their stay.
	Galen Hill, Galen Hill has served on the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association for 12 years and served as Vice President of Racing and on the executive committee of the RMQHA for 3 years. He is a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He is also an active member of the Colorado Horse-Racing Association.
	Leslie Lange, Leslie Lange is a judge and director for the American Quarter Horse Association, as well as being the 2003 AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the year. She serves as a director for the RMQHA and the National Western Stock Show. She and her husband, Tom, have trained numerous AQHA & APHA World Champions.
	Gerald Martinez
	Laura Miller - 2007, Laura Miller is the owner/operator of Rancho Loco Enterprises, Inc., breeders of American Quarter Horse Association and American Paint Horse Association horses, and sellers of human and livestock nutritional supplements. Laura is an active member of the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, National Team Penning Championships, Rocky Mountain Team Penning Association and Team Pen America.

CHDA Board Rotation

Term Expires in 2007

Name     Represents Dr. Marv Beeman   -  State Horse Show Assoc. Galen Hill   -  Breed/Discipline Laura Miller   -  Breed/Discipline

Term Expires in 2008

Name     Represents Dr. Jill Cook   -  Colorado Veterinary Medical Assoc. Tina Estes   -  Breed/Discipline Joe Hatch   -  Horse Industry Support Service Leslie Lange   -  Breed/Discipline

Term Expires in 2009

Name     Represents Dr. Edward Blach   -  Horse Industry Support Service Norm Brown   -  State Wide Horse Org. Dr. John Harris   -  Horse Industry Support Service Dr. James Heird   -  University Equine Ext. Service Gerald Martinez   -  Breed/Discipline