MEET LIBERTY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Debra acquired the property known as Liberty Ranch in 2015 and lovingly developed it with her husband, Scott Horner, creating an infrastructure to accommodate animals in need. This was the foundation of Liberty Sanctuary which she founded in 2022 after identifying America’s Forgotten Equines as a population in need of relief, protection and advocacy.
 

“Our goal is to help save equines from dire circumstances and slaughter. We raise funds to bail them out of kill pens and transport them to our Utah ranch where we can vet them, care for them and work to build trust so they can have a chance at fulfilling lives.  We are on the horse’s timetable – trust is built slowly and steadily. Our dedicated group of volunteers are tireless in their passion and work ethic helping to gentle and care for the animals. The eventual goal is to rehome the majority into qualified and caring forever homes,” Debra explained. “The majority of equines sent to slaughter are mostly healthy according to the USDA. The mistreatment and slaughter of these gracious animals is abhorrent and must end.”
 

Always an animal lover, Debra moved to Utah from the east coast over 20 years ago where she left a career in marketing. She has enjoyed working for companies like Warner Records, BMG, Viacom, Sony Music, Mark Burnett Productions and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. She has also contributed to a variety of local nonprofits before launching Liberty Sanctuary. Debra is an enthusiastic and versatile professional and has had the opportunity to work with a range of respected colleagues from artists to C-suite executives.  
 

At home in the mountains, Debra enjoys life with her husband and animals, skiing, and exploring the outdoors.

Ashley Dudas is a student of The Horse. Specializing in Equine Behavior and Psychology, with a solid background in Natural Horsemanship, as well as young horse training and development. Ashley started her career with horses in the English Performance World, when she met a horse who demanded she change her approach entirely. At first she thought the horse was the problem…as it turns out, the horse that changed her life was just terrified of the world, and completely misunderstood. Once Ashley’s eyes were opened to the world of Horsemanship as an Art Form, the relationship with her first Super Horse was saved. Ashley is dedicated to helping horses and the humans who love them reach their full potential. Her passion is to help individuals develop the habits and skills they need to effectively communicate and understand their equine partners and achieve the level of horsemanship and partnership they are dreaming of! Ashley decided to move to Utah with her fiancé, Chance, and her horse Romeo exclusively to work with Liberty’s horses and people.  www.thesavvyequestrian.com

Scott grew up in rural New Jersey and made his way out west in the mid 80’s while serving in the United States Air Force.  After a decade in the Salt Lake Valley, he relocated to Heber City and began caring for and enjoying horses with his wife, Debra.   

While typically more at home setting World Records on his racing motorcycle with several hundred horsepower beneath him, Scott has found much joy with just a single horsepower and interacting with the animals and volunteers. 

At Liberty Sanctuary, Scott supports daily operations and handles many of the infrastructure projects.   In the corrals his calm energy and patience working with the horses is very beneficial in building trust and positive human interaction with all of the rescues. With equines and other animals we rescue, Scott has a true gift and plays a leadership role in making animals feel secure. 

Josh began practicing law at the international law firm of Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago in 2002. There he focused his practice on preparation and trial before federal and state courts of cases involving a broad range of business-oriented substantive law issues. Those issues included breach of contract, torts, products liability, employment matters, construction litigation, real estate and insurance overage. From 2006 to 2012, Josh continued his litigation practice in Atlanta, most recently at Rogers & Hardin, LLP. He has experience defending financial institutions, manufacturers and sellers of consumer products and services, and other large corporate clients. He has represented them in individual suits, class actions, qui tam claims and other complex cases in venues across the nation, including courts located in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, California, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Texas, Delaware, New Mexico, Louisiana and Utah. Josh has also cost-effectively resolved numerous commercial disputes for clients by pursuing creative litigation strategies, and by obtaining favorable results short of trial through arbitration, mediation and negotiation. 

Scott Beckstead

Kris