Board of Directors
LaDonna Smith, President
“Every time someone says “Aw, he’s just a range mutt mustang,” I just cringe. Some of the best horses I have known have been mustangs. They are sound, smart, willing, beautiful and, above all, they are survivors despite the hostile political and environmental climates in which they live. As an avid trail rider, my mustang covers more than just distance. He is my time machine. He takes me to our rustic past to forgotten logging railways, abandoned mines and early settlements. He brings me back to nature from backcountry to high country, through pristine forests, across deserts and throughout the foothills.”
LaDonna’s equestrian experience and education have contributed to her developing the vision of the American Mustang Foundation and provides her with the passion and drive to see it succeed. Her experiences and education include the following:
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California with a BS in Agriculture Education and a Minor in Agribusiness. During her studies, she spent several months studying wild horses on the range and ultimately created an extensive wild horse public information brochure.
- Employed as an outfitter and back country trail guide in the Eastern Sierras
- Guided rides at the Wild Horse Sanctuary. Duties included coordinating and guiding the ride program, wrote newsletters, public correspondence and fundraising.
- Attended the Non-Profit Resource Center. Attended classes and workshops offered by the Sacramento Non-Profit Resource Center for education in board development, fund raising, grant research and marketing.
- Toured wild horse territories and living history museums throughout the US.
- Founded Precision Industrial Engraving, Inc. – Founder and CEO successfully operating for 9 years.
Julie Bourriague
With over twenty years of success with direct sales and marketing in a wide range of products and services. Julie co- founded BS Out West, a western events production company. With values based on our western heritage and life style, she and her business partner strive to keep our western roots alive with multiple yearly events showcasing cowboy and cowgirls talents along with ranching skills and horse-handling abilities. She is responsible for not only the production of such events but also as a full time Sponsorship Coordinator for local fairs, rodeos and other western events through out Northern California for the past seven years.
Julie has grown up with horses and shown them for many years. To this day she endeavors to further her horsemanship knowledge by attending local clinics and classes; she was recently certified in Horsemanship 3 skills. Her love for horses, the equine industry, and local recreation inspired her to establish the Divide Horsemen's Association (DHA), a 501C3 non-profit organization, in 2002; she currently serves as President. DHA has been responsible for spearheading numerous area trail improvements and expanding the interests of local equestrians. Through her involvement with DHA, she has developed strong relationships with folks at the Bureau of Land Management, the American River Conservancy, the Sierra Economic Development Corporation (SEDCorp), the Georgetown Divide Recreation District and various El Dorado County agencies.
She was past Director of California High School Rodeo Association in District 3 with 185 members. She is currently a Director for the Auburn Wild West Stampede. Julie is also a member of the Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, the American Paint Horse Association, and the Association of Rodeo Committees.
Julie's well rounded approach to people, animals, the horse industry and her true belief in our western heritage, she brings years of experience working within the community and brings numerous strengths and a strong work ethic to the American Mustang Foundation.
Scott Drake, Treasurer
Scott is a credentialed Teacher, licensed Real Estate Broker, entrepreneur and businessman, exceptional horse trainer, and facilities planner/designer with extensive experience with a developing variety of equestrian facilities. His strengths for this project lie in his ability to encapsulate many and varied dreams and goals into a viable “big picture”, then develop a plan of action. His understanding of efficient facility planning and layout, attention to detail, experience in teaching people and training horses as well as his management, financial, and business sense make him a valuable member of the American Mustang Foundation.