I have always been an “animal” person. Growing up in Kentucky, I always loved seeing the horses in their fields as I drove along the road. After spending five years volunteering in animal rescue for a local humane society, I wanted to help unwanted and abused horses in some way.

Not long after that, I received a letter from the Kentucky Equine Humane Center. Having worked with them a few years ago, I thought about working with them again. I designed a hat for the Breeders Cup, which did quite well in a silent auction. I drove down to their farm just outside of Nicholasville and fell in love.

Executive Director Karen Gustin showed me around the facility. Immediately, I fell in love with the horses at KYEHC and wanted to help. Karen and I discussed ways to help. What was born of that discussion was the Hats, Horses and Hope line that will benefit the KYECH. 15% of the sale price goes directly to KYEHC.

The first hat of the series that sold was Joey. Oddly enough, Joey was the horse at KYEHC that immediately stole my heart. The victim of abuse, he had a severe case of rain rot, more parasites than the vets had ever seen, two puncture wounds and a right eye that had to be removed. Joey is a strong 2 year old and making progress daily.