meet the people behind the rescues

Debra West is a seasoned professional and horsewoman with an authentic love for animals and a true passion for protecting the vulnerable. She 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 most vulnerable equines as a population in great need of relief, protection and advocacy. 92.3% of equines sent to slaughter are mostly healthy according to the USDA.

“Our goal is to improve the lives of America's most vulnerable equines.  We do that by rescuing some from the slaughter industry and advocating for enhanced equine protections on a national level. The animals we rescue are transported to our Utah ranch where we 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. The eventual goal is to rehome most into qualified and caring forever homes,” Debra explained. “The American Equine is an icon of freedom, a partner in developing this country. We owe the horse a lot and the mistreatment and slaughter of these gracious animals is abhorrent and simply 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, photography and exploring the American West.  debra@libertysanctuary.org

Summer oversees and implements our training program at Liberty. From compassionate behavioral solutions to refining performance horses, there isn't much Summer hasn’t done in her 25 years working with horses. She has been a professional trainer for 9 years with background in a variety of English and Western disciplines including Eventing, Reining, Western Pleasure, Ranch Versatility, Liberty method, gentling Mustangs and rescues, and equine therapy. This is why Summer develops truly well-rounded and versatile horses. She has a unique intuition and talent for recognizing the needs of the horse and a passion for Liberty’s mission. 

summerraintraining@gmail.com

Originally from Colorado, Juli cultivated a love for horses and the American West from an early age. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Boulder, she moved to Chicago, where she built a successful career in hospitality sales and marketing with Four Seasons and Swissotel Corporation. Later, she married her husband, Rob, and together they raised their three children—Grey, Kendall, and Ben.

In 2018, while living in Illinois, Juli met Emily Reichman, founder of Hope Lives Youth Ranch; an equine mentoring program for teens.  Inspired by Emily’s vision, she became actively involved with the ranch, helping with horse care, fundraising and marketing. Today, she continues to support Hope Lives as a board member.

In 2022, with their children grown, Juli and Rob returned to the West to embrace a life closer to nature. Shortly after, she discovered Liberty Sanctuary and began volunteering in 2023. Passionate about Liberty’s mission, she is dedicated to assisting Debra in saving America’s equines and enjoys working alongside fellow horse enthusiasts. In winter, Juli also works part time on the mountain at Deer Valley Ski Resort.  We are so thrilled to have Juli help manage Volunteer Activities at Liberty! juli@libertysanctuary.org

Born and raised here in Utah – my passion for horses goes back to my youngest years.  At my school library I think the only book I ever checked out (week after week) was The Encyclopedia of The Horse. It is a mystery to this day why I should have fallen so deeply in love with horses – my first memory of horses was getting bucked off one! Nevertheless, I begged endlessly for anything horse related. A highlight of my childhood was Western riding lessons from a local horsewoman who gave all her students a thorough education in horse behavior, riding etiquette, and the flora and fauna of our beautiful mountains. My greatest horse achievement was in 6th grade when I managed to stay seated on my cousin’s prize rodeo horse for an event in pole bending (it was a big leap up from trail riding, okay!). 

I was pleasantly surprised when I found Liberty Sanctuary and reignited my childhood passion for all things equine. My greatest passion is lifelong learning and aha moments! I truly enjoy sharing and gaining knowledge within the Liberty Sanctuary community. dacia@libertysanctuary.org

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 manages 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.

scott@libertysanctuary.org 

Devon ...

Dr. Blair Lybbert is the owner of Park City Equine and spent his youth helping with his family’s horse-training business in Alberta, Canada, and later in Gainesville, TX.

He attended veterinary school at Texas A&M University after graduating from Brigham Young University in 2004 and relocated his family to Elko NV upon completion of a year-long equine-only internship at Retama Equine Hospital in San Antonio TX.

The Lybbert family arrived in Utah during the summer of 2014 to establish Park City Equine Center. Dr. Lybbert and his wife Heidi became the owners of PCEC in October 2019 and enjoy continuing to grow the practice and serve this part of Utah.  https://www.parkcityequinecenter.com/

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.  https://heberlawyers.com/