Filipe Masetti is a world-renowned Long Rider, award-winning filmmaker, and best-selling author. The Brazilian born cowboy is the youngest person in the world to cross the Americas on horseback and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. In 2020 he was chosen as the Calgary Stampede’s Grand Marshal and ‘white-hatted’ by Mayor Naheed Nenshi. He is the author of the international best-sellers, Long Ride Home (soon to be a motion picture), Long Ride to the End of the World and Last Long Ride. In 2022 Filipe released his feature Documentary, The Long Rider, on Amazon Prime Canada. The film which tells his 8-year ride from Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina has garnered 19 international awards, including the coveted Western Heritage Award, and received much acclaim from critics! It will come out around the world in 2023. The first pair of boots he wore on his Long Ride are on display at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto and two statues, more than five meters tall, have been erected in Brazil to celebrate his feat.

Kelsey Wendling has served at the Kansas Tourism Agritourism Manager since 2021. Agritourism attracts tourists who participate in activities on a working farm, ranch, or at a lodge, outfitter, winery, or other agricultural operation. These activities might include outdoor recreation, activities, educational experiences, or opportunities to shop, dine or stay in Kansas, all while supporting Kansas agricultural producers. These activities help to sustain the rural way of life and keep more producers on our Kansas lands.

Buckeye by birth and Kansan by choice, Mary began her energy therapy (Reiki) training in 2009 in Los Angeles and began working with rescued farm animals. It proved so rewarding she devoted her practice to animals and their caregivers. Mary completed her first Master certification in 2012 and relocated to Denver where she volunteered as a vet tech at Dumb Friends League, a dog/cat rescue; and as a Reiki practitioner at Cat Care Society. She quickly became a horse lover and from 2014-2021, offered energy therapy to the horses at Zuma’s Rescue Ranch, an equine sanctuary in Littleton. It proved to be a life-changing experience. She also volunteered at Medicine Horse Program in Boulder, an equine assisted therapy facility. In 2020, Mary was a speaker at Denver’s Rocky Mountain Horse Expo. She is devoted to increasing awareness of the many benefits of energy therapy to both horses and their owners. “My goal is to strengthen the bond between horse and owner through a better understanding of the energy exchange between horses and humans, how horses are stressed, and help both owner and horse create a stronger partnership based on trust.” Tom Dorrance and Buck Brannaman are her sources of inspiration. In March 2021, she relocated to Kansas to be near her family. Her practice is based in Olathe.

Michael Green is a driven and passionate business developer with a vision to leave a lasting impact. At the young age of 29, he has already established himself as a leader in the industry and is committed to connecting people with purpose driven brands. With a focus on fostering relationships and creating meaningful connections, Michael is dedicated to helping both individuals and organizations achieve their goals and reach new heights. His unwavering commitment to excellence and his drive to make a difference are what sets him apart and makes him a valuable asset to any team.

Ross Peddicord has served as Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board, since 2011. He previously covered horse racing for the Baltimore Sun for 18 years and is former co‐publisher of Maryland Life Magazine. He has served as a Past President of the Maryland Tourism Coalition. He is a lifelong horseman who briefly rode amateur steeplechase races, fox hunted and bred and raced Thoroughbreds for the track, eventing, and the show ring. ross.peddicord@maryland.gov

Raised in the northern Kansas town of Downs on his family’s farm. Ryan began at an early age to be involved with all parts of his dad Craig Cole’s operation. Returning home after college to join the family business Ryan began a twenty-three years and counting partnership with his parents raising, training, and showing American quarter horses. Along with his wife LaRhea Ryan is proud to raise his son Sage on the family farm. While Cole Training Stables today focuses on Ranch Versatility, Cowhorse, and rope horses they continue to train and coach nonpros and youth in a variety of events including English, halter, western pleasure, and western all around. “We’ve always had a very diversified clientele so the rise in popularity of the Ranch Riding and Ranch Horse Versatility fit us to a Tee.” Horses and Riders trained and coached by Ryan and Craig have consistently placed in the top five at the AQHA VRH World show, and have made multiple finals appearances and top fives at the AQHA and AQHYA world championships shows. Ryan is a, many time Kansas Quarter Horse Association high point winner, multiple top ten finisher at the AQHA world show, AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Reserve World Champion LTD Open Working Ranch Horse, and has won money in The NRCHA, team roping, and various open ranch horse contests and associations. From their facility in Downs Cole Training offers training, showing, sales, Lessons, and stands their stallion Farra Rey Time to the public. When not training and showing Ryan is active in his community serving as a 4h leader, elder in his church, and attending his sons activities.

Sally Batton was Director of Riding at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH and head coach of the Varsity Equestrian Team for 30 years. She was named the American Riding Instructor’s Association 2008 Instructor of the Year, was awarded the 2013 Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Lifetime Achievement Award, was inducted in the 2020 IHSA Hall of Fame class and is the Founder of the Athletic Equestrian League. In 2022, Sally Batton’s book, The Athletic Equestrian was published. Whether competing in the show ring or riding at home on the trail, every rider wants to be more secure and balanced in the saddle. This innovative guide uses highly effective exercises honed over Coach Sally’s 35 year coaching career.

Learn how to take your enjoyment of trail riding to a whole new level through competitive trail riding (CTR). This family friendly equine sport incorporates strategy, pacing, teamwork, conditioning, soundness, agility, and equestrian skills. Since 1961, the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) has sanctioned rides in six regions across North America, helping riders of all ages learn the sport of competitive trail riding. Alongside other equine enthusiasts, you can deepen the relationship with your horse while learning new skills and setting your own competitive goals in a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment. CTR is not a race, but rather a timed event. It is a distance sport competition over a measured trail that is completed within a window of time. It is a great family activity open to riders ages 8+ and all equine breeds. Presenters – Sarah J. Smith, Executive Director NATRC, Ruby Rinne, first time Jr competitor, John Zeliff, President NATRC, Marla Stucky and Marilyn Marston, multi-National NATRC Champions, and NATRC members Kristen Schmalzried and Cheryl Bohling.

Currently serving on the KQHA Board of Directors, Susan has many years of experience in the show world with multiple organizations.

Born into a Montana ranching family, Tammy’s grandmother instilled in her the values of ranching life, a deep respect for nature and the practical skills needed to succeed. Tammy married Curt and together they deepened their horsemanship and developed innovative, gentle, and effective stockmanship skills. Over the years, Tammy discovered yoga and its parallels to horsemanship. She has hosted dozens of horsemanship and yoga retreats across the United States and abroad. Tammy’s goal in her horsemanship and yoga retreats is to help women gain confidence—confidence in the saddle, but also in their everyday lives. In 2018 she founded Art of the Cowgirl, a non-profit organization with a mission to provide funding for educational opportunities for emerging artists.

Speaking of Horses

Wendy Bowles is a conservation worker at Kanopolis State Park near Marquette, KS. She has worked at Kanopolis State Park for 32 years. Prior to employment with the state of Kansas, Wendy worked as a field biologist at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Denver, CO. She is a graduate of Colorado State University and has a B.S. in Wildlife Biology. When Wendy started at Kanopolis there were 1.5 miles of mapped established trails. After working with Ellen Querner and NATRC in 1992 for a NATRC ride, Wendy requested to keep the trails that she and Ellen had laid out and open them for public use. Since 1992, these trails have been mowed and marked, giving Kanopolis 27+ miles of trail open to equestrians. This was the beginning of the equestrian trails and campgrounds in Kansas State Parks. Over the years, Wendy has received approximately $580,000 in grants, primarily from the National Recreation Trail Grants Program. The money has been used to build the Rockin’ K Horse Campground, purchase of equipment and signage and making repairs to the trails and campgrounds. Wendy has done private consulting on trail construction projects in western Kansas. Currently, Wendy serves as the Naturalist at Kanopolis, presenting nature programs to thousands of participants each year. Wendy’s motto, “Make an effort to learn something new every day and a conscious effort to learn from everyone you meet.”