Sarah Strong
Social Media Director
Sarah Strong is a graduate of William Woods University with a Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Equestrian Science. She is originally from Louisville, Kentucky and has participated as an exhibitor in the horse industry for sixteen years. Sarah has shown Saddlebreds all over the country including at the World Championship Horse Show and the American Royal National Horse Show. Although Saddlebreds are her passion, she has ridden western, hunter jumper, and even played polo. Sarah is certified in Domestic Violence Advocacy and has worked with underserved populations including the homeless community of downtown Louisville. She also worked in Kansas City for a nonprofit called Pawsabilities that provides employment training to young adults with developmental disabilities where she developed and implemented an educational program that taught life skills and helped participants find employment opportunities
RENA ELSWICK
Development
Rena was born and raised in Greenup, Kentucky. Her first exposure to horses was when she was a small girl. Her grandfather and uncles were horse traders. She used to sneak off to the county fair and tell the old guys in the stables who her grampa was and they would let her rider their horses, unbeknownst to her parent. As an adult Ms. Elswick became involved with Quarter Horses, riding Western Pleasure, Barrel Racing, English, Hunter and Jumper, and Halter. Ms. Elswick was appointed to the Kentucky harness racing commission and eventually became the first female harness racing (USTA) judge in Kentucky and one of the few in the nation. In the last 10 years, Ms. Elswick has expanded her equine horizons with American Saddlebred horses, regularly attending clinics to hone her skills in this area.
Ms. Elswick believes in the mission of HorseSensing. She also has a personal reason for wanting to be involved-Her son is a successful recovering addict.
EDIE WOOTON
Development
Being a contract grant writer specializing in small, nonprofit organizations has allowed me to utilize my various skills and provided me an inspiring purpose in my life. I have a passion for helping small businesses and nonprofit organizations find and secure funding to make their programs thrive.
I offer more than 20 years of experience in grant writing, administrative support, budget and database management, fundraising, program coordination, social media marketing and event planning for nonprofit, small start-up, and corporate organizations. Through this work, I have established excellent relationships with several of our city’s nonprofit, government, and community organizations.
C. REID MCLELLAN, PH.D.
Education Consultant, Groom Elite, The Elite Program
C. Reid McLellan, PhD is the Executive Director of Groom Elite. Dr. McLellan received a B.S. degree in Animal Science from Louisiana State University and a M.S. and PhD from Oklahoma State University. During his 14.5 years as professor and Head of Animal Industries at Louisiana Tech University, McLellan founded and directed a national award winning B.S. degree granting Equine Specialty program in which senior students were licensed as trainers by the Louisiana Racing Commission and trained racehorses on the University's half-mile training track.
Dr. Mac left the University in 1988 and trained a small public stable while teaching his youngest son, Brett, now a popular and accomplished assistant trainer based out of Churchill Downs. From 1995 to 2005, McLellan was Racing Education Manager at Sam Houston Race Park where he conducted nightly fan education seminars, taught employees about the racing business, taught regular Trainers' Exam Prep Classes to aspiring trainers and wrote a popular tip sheet. In 2006 McLellan was hired by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to write the curriculum for the North American Racing Academy that includes Chris McCarron's Jockey School. HorseSensing is fortunate to have Dr. Mac and his Groom Elite certification program on our team.
PHILLIP CRITTENDON
Education Director
American Saddlebred/Hackney Pony Show Horse Industry
Phillip started his career with show horses with the famed Charles and Helen Crabtree. His lifelong experience caring for these Peacocks of the Show Ring along with his gentle manner and great teaching skills as well as past experience helping disadvantaged youth make Phillip one of HorseSensing's greatest assets. Saddlebred trainers are willing to fly Philiip him out of state for horse shows rather than hire someone local because they know what a great horse caretaker he is. He is meticulous and kind with the horses and doesn’t miss a thing. He also has the nickname of "Mayor of Shelbyville." This is because Phillip knows everyone and everyone knows him. He is warm and outgoing which makes him a pleasure to be around in addition to be very best ASB Caretaker around.
BILLY BOB TAYLOR
Education Director-Thoroughbred and Harness Racing Industry
Billy Bob was raised with Standardbreds, Thoroughbreds, Saddlebreds, draft horses, mixed breed horses and mules. He became a great trainer of both Standardbred and Thoroughbred race horses. He also trained horses for the Pennsylvania Dept of Corrections. His brother, Joe Taylor went on to found the famous Taylor Made Farm where California Chrome now stands stud. He is a gifted horseman from foaling to The Red Mile and Keeneland.
OUR TEAM
HorseSensing is lucky enough to have an enthusiastic group of people wanting to pass the knowledge of their lifetime on to others.
DAVID BRODER
Addiction Treatment Specialist
With years behind him working in addiction treatment, David is an expert in facilitating process groups and mentoring people onto a better life path. His quiet and powerful presence have helped many to overcome their addictions. He loves horses and dogs and working on the farm. David is an avid fisherman and regularly goes on long range fishing trips. He welcomes info on secret fishing spots in Kentucky.
SALLY BRODER, PSY.D.
Executive Director
Sally Broder, Psy.D. is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with offices in San Francisco and Los Altos, California as well as Bagdad, Kentucky. She is also a lifelong horsewoman. Sally began her professional equine career at the age of 15. She went to work for a horse trainer in Rancho Sante Fe, California and spent the next several years working with beautiful show horses. Even back then, she felt the healing power in horses and was developing ideas about how to pass this to others. Several years later she embarked on her career in the fields of, first, substance abuse treatment then more broadly clinical psychology and the treatment of trauma. She brings together her knowledge and skill of both psychology and horses with HorseSensing.
"There are three things people need to change their lives, walk a new healthy path and stick with it-hope, purpose and a sense of belonging. Working with horses gives a person all three. Horses are magic!"
--Sally Broder, Psy.D.