Who We Are

We are advocates and strategists. Thinkers and doers. A passionate team with full hearts, helping hands and the vision to rescue horses in Colorado and beyond.

FACING THE CHALLENGE.

FACING FORWARD.

To rescue takes passion. To imagine a better world takes courage. Every day, we choose to keep our eyes, minds and gates open to what’s possible for the betterment of horses everywhere. Because, simply said, the status quo is no longer an option.

We are Colorado Horse Rescue, and we believe that it’s up to us — all of us — to create new traditions in the best interest of horses, humans, and the partnerships we share.

Our Team

CALEIGH CALHOUN

EQUINE TRAINER

Caleigh is originally from New Jersey and has 19 years of riding experience. She mainly rode English before moving to Colorado in 2019. Her skills include reining, dressage, colt starting, jumping, roping, and more. She enjoys photography, art, fishing, and spending time with her beloved cat, Violet.

CARLY TERWILLIGER

EQUINE SPECIALIST AND TRAINER

Carly traveled a winding road from Vegas 4-H kid to CHR team member. She studied language and literature, but always felt irresistibly drawn back to horses. After 6 years as a volunteer, she now pours her heart and talents into keeping the herd healthy and helping CHR’s more quirky souls tell their own inspiring tales.

DANA WILLETT

VOLUNTEER MANAGER & EQUINE SPECIALIST

As a former business leader turned "glorified ranch hand," Dana brings serious animal rescue passion to CHR and heart for end-of-life care. Her small nearby farm houses geriatric mare Shakti, donkey Rubius, noisy chickens, feral rescue cats, and a pair of saved-from-the-puppy-mill Bernese Mountain dogs.

GRACE DEGNAN

Placement Program Manager

Self-described horse girl Grace followed her passion all the way to Colorado in 2015 to study Equine Science at Colorado State University. Despite her devoted love for spunky minis and ponies, this California native has shared her life for over ten years with a Painted Quarter Horse named Bandit.

JOSE Cataño

RANCH MANAGER

Jose started at CHR in 2009 and is the resident "jack of all trades." He takes every new to-do in stride, and his work ethic and heart of gold are unparalleled. You can't miss him driving the hay truck or filling waters with his trusty Malinois, Samantha, in tow.

KATHERINE GREGORY

CEO

With 20+ years of corporate experience, an MBA from Kellogg, and a heart so big she’d give you the boots off her feet, Katherine leads CHR with confidence and compassion. Even though her favorite colors are black and gray, she’s the proud mom of a beautiful yellow gelding named Prince Caspian. Also, human daughter Cora.

MARIE Demeulenaere

Equine Trainer

Marie, originally from Normandy, France, moved to the U.S. in 2018 with a passion for horses. With 25 years of English riding experience and a deep knowledge of the French discipline, she believes in the mutual benefits of different riding techniques. She enjoys family time and endurance rides with her paint horse, Bebe.

MEGAN GOHEEN

MARKETING ASSOCIATE

Megan, a Midwest native, merges her lifelong passion for horses with her love of graphic design, photography, and videography at CHR. Volunteer turned staff member, her dedication to rescue horses is unwavering. You can find her painting, hiking, skiing, and exploring the charm of mountain towns.

MORGAN OFFUTT

EQUINE TRAINER

Morgan, a CSU Equine Sciences graduate, has a passion for mustangs and interned with the BLM Wild Horse and Burro program. Her diverse experience includes being a dude ranch wrangler, ranch manager, riding instructor, barrel racer, and teamster. In 2020, she adopted Ivy from CHR, becoming an inseparable trail riding duo.

RACHEL CORBMAN

Equine Services Director

Driven by creativity and opportunity, Rachel has an endless passion for serving the equine community. A lover of hotter horses, Rachel enjoys the bond she shares with her Thoroughbred gelding, Ransome. You can also find Rachel playing in Old Town Erie and spoiling her other four-legged family member, Lab mix named Archer.

TAUREN FEUERSTEIN

Donor Relations Manager

Tauren grew up in Midwestern suburbs and has a B.S in Equine Science from CSU. She eagerly joined the CHR team in 2022 get back to her first love: horses! She is quick to laugh and even quicker to give a hug. When she's not wordsmithing grants, she's likely gushing about her husband, Keaton, and young son, Kade.

TERRI GOON

Database Manager

As she herself has aged (in Terri's words!), Terri has developed a special place in her heart for the elderly animals of this world. She added Mandy, a CHR senior to her life in 2016 connecting her to this place in more ways than one. Data, which she has always found fun to poke through, is just the latest and greatest!

Board Of

Directors

Donnell Heistand – President
Molly Vaughan – Treasurer & Secretary
Dan Burak – Member
Jim Czpiel – Member
Justin Davis – Member
Dr. Tanja Hess – Member
Julie Oelman – Member
Diana Rothman – Member

Our Priorities

Rescue

Imagine a world where no horses fall through the cracks. We see it, and it’s why we actively seek out and take in all types of at-risk horses. We enable owners who have fallen on tough times to rehome their beloved horses without judgement. We also keep our eyes, minds and gates open to horses who would otherwise be sent to slaughter or unsafe conditions via auction or sale.

Our Priorities

Educate

Imagine a time where horses are no longer thought of only as tools or sports equipment. We see it, so we help educate the public on responsible horse ownership, engage with our communities to address the issues facing our industry today, and inspire people to invite horses into their lives—as companions, riding horses or other respected roles.

Our Priorities

Care

Imagine a society that empowers every horse to reach their potential. We see it, and we uphold the highest standards of care, rehabilitation and training to help them get there. Complacency isn’t care, so we work to wake up and unite the equine industry to give every horse the life they deserve. We also lead with compassion, providing responsible last acts of kindness to those in need.

Our Priorities

Adopt

Imagine a culture where every horse is valued. We see it, and every successful adoption brings us closer. Our matching process is strategic by design, creating solid horse-and-human partnerships that last and a return rate that’s remarkably low.

UNITED, WE INSPIRE.

Changing the world is never easy, but together, we can make it happen. See who’s forging ahead alongside CHR.

A YEAR OF ACTION

Potential: unbridled. Check out our 2022 Annual Report to see the strides made by the Rescue this past year.

Hang tight while we go get your horse!