Why HORSEPOWER?
Equines have for centuries benefited the world and served to advance the human condition. It’s impossible to think about our lives today without gratitude for their service and usefulness, and wonderment at their astonishing speed, agility, power, and gracefulness. Yet, for all their value and the joy they bring to us, horses and their equine kin often suffer from inhumane treatment by the very industries that they benefit.
That’s why HORSEPOWER was established: to protect equine health and welfare, raise awareness about inhumane practices, and effect change in public policy. We are the engine to give horses a voice.
Changing policy requires raising awareness and understanding, cultivating strong relationships, and building and sustaining like-minded coalitions to keep the drumbeat. Horse Power ensures that the care and protection of equines becomes and stays a priority in the halls of the state capitol.
Our Leadership
The founders of HORSEPOWER, Inc., have come together to use their expertise in the fields of advocacy, coalition building, education, policy reform and organizing to build a presence and visibility for equine welfare issues in our political arenas.
Karin Carreau - Spencer | Founder and Chair
Karin Carreau - Spencer is thrilled to combine her enthusiasm for policy work with her passion for horses. As a lifelong horse lover, equestrian and advocate, she possesses an understanding of the issues, a deep knowledge of the legislative and political process and the tools necessary to address the vital concerns related to equine welfare.
Carreau-Spencer has over 20 years of lobbying and public policy experience at the state capitol and has built a track record of success. Throughout her career, she has given voice to underrepresented populations and those who serve them, delivering victories on high-profile, landmark initiatives including Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility, Mental Health Parity, Social Work Licensure Implementation, LGBTQ protections, and insurance reporting mandates.
Carreau-Spencer has navigated both policy and fiscal budget terrain for her clients including funding for broad reaching juvenile justice reforms, the provision of mental health services, loan forgiveness expansion, and scope of professional practice implementation. She has insightfully identified areas of opportunity for clients in the budget and as a result has secured millions in funding for (a program she created) the state’s (nationally recognized and replicated) Veterans’ Mental Health Training Initiative the Problem Gambling Partnership, the Raise the Age Navigator Program and services to at risk youth, among others.
Carreau - Spencer graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York, Albany in 2000 with a B.S. in Social Welfare and in 2001, with a Master of Social Welfare (concentration in policy and administration). Ms. Carreau has also co-developed and taught a graduate level course on social work policy at the State University of New York, Albany.
Penny Ploughman | Director
Penny Ploughman is an attorney, sociologist, horsewoman, artisan, and published photographer.
She is currently Senior Counsel at the State University of New York’s Office of the General Counsel and represents SUNY Canton, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Delhi, and SUNY Maritime. Penny has worked for Skidmore College, the New York State Appellate Division, Third Department, Albany County - Child Protective Services, SUNY Brockport and SUNY Buffalo.
Penny is also a leather artisan/saddlery designer and repairer and has been awarded U.S. Patents for two of her designs. Penny started Ploughman’s Saddle & Bridle Repair, LLC in 2006 and Ploughman’s Saddlery & Belts in 2008.
Penny’s love of horses started when she was a child and continues to the present day. She bought her first horse in 2003, a Morgan gelding, named Magic, who she continues to enjoy. She is a member of the New York State Horse Council, the Morgan Horse Association, and the Saratoga Driving Association.
Penny is a graduate of SUNY Buffalo Law School, SUNY Buffalo Graduate School (Sociology –MA and Ph.D.) and SUNY Buffalo undergraduate school (Sociology - BA). She lives in Albany, NY. When she is not working, she can be found with her Jack Russell, Jake and her Morgan, Magic.
Katelyn Galbraith | Member of Legislative Committee on Horsepower
Katelyn Galbraith comes to the HORSEPOWER Legislative Committee with a great deal of experience in negotiation and government relations, with over a decade of experience in grassroots advocacy, communications, crisis management, coalition-building, and economic development. She is a graduate of Russell Sage College and holds a Juris Doctorate from Western New England College School of Law.
Cheryl rings | Director
Cheryl Rings is a horsewoman, artist, and nature enthusiast. Her mission is to distill the complexities of the world into simple, beautiful narratives and designs that serve to enhance the natural world and the creatures that call it home. Whether recounting her latest equestrian adventure or assisting clients in articulating intricate legislative issues, Cheryl's goal is to leave her audience with both an emotional and cognitive understanding of the subject at hand.
Cheryl currently holds the position of Government Affairs, Health Policy & Operations Associate at Capital Health Consulting in Albany, NY. In this capacity, she collaborates with medical associations and healthcare organizations, contributing to the tracking and shaping of legislative matters, fostering outreach and internal communication, and crafting distinctive brand identities and messages.
Her background includes prior experiences in public service, retail, and her family's generational recreational business, Lyons Lake in Nassau, NY. Cheryl's volunteer involvement with the Old Chatham Hunt Club further enriches her ability to comprehend issues from multiple angles and communicate effectively with diverse audiences. She thrives on challenges and has achieved remarkable success stories, such as catapulting a small retail shop to the top of Google's first page through SEO optimization and social media marketing.
Cheryl holds a degree in Graphic Design from the Sage College at Albany and is a proud graduate of the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute. Committed to lifelong learning, she diligently stays abreast of the latest developments and trends in equine care and related issues.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Cheryl and her wife have 5 cherished horses on a small farm in Rensselaer County where they can often be found fixing fences, hiking with their rescue dog, Giddy Up, or in the saddle blending their love for horses with a genuine connection to the natural world.
Andrea Smyth | Development Director
Andrea Smyth is an experienced association management executive and policy advocate. Smyth has grown membership and fiscal stability for the organizations she has worked with, and shaped many successful public policy campaigns. A Smyth Advocacy, a boutique advocacy and management services consultancy, was founded in 1999. Smyth is an alum of the University of South Florida and has her Masters in Public Administration from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany.
David Terrio | Treasurer
David Terrio is a president and co-founder of BTQ Financial, a national leader of financial and accounting outsourcing services for the nonprofit sector. David directs the firm’s strategic and operational activities and is responsible for marketing and new ventures.
Prior to establishing BTQ Financial, David was a partner in Burchman Terrio Urban Consultants. Consulting to over thirty nonprofits and government agencies, David played a key role in the development and operations of innovative social service, health and housing programs. Throughout his career, David has worked to develop new financial models and sources of capital and operating funds for the nonprofit sector. David worked for the City of New York’s Department of Real Property, Columbia University School of Social Work, Goddard Riverside Community Center and Hearst Publications.
David is a graduate of Georgetown University and holds an MBA from New York University. He lives in NYC and New Baltimore, NY, and rides in Chatham, NY.
Raymond Daniel Whelihan | Board Member
Ray is an Associate Professor at SUNY Cobleskill with teaching responsibilities in the equine area, including coaching the Varsity Hunt Seat Team. With a Masters in Educational Psychology and Statistics from UAlbany and 30 years of faculty experience at SUNY Cobleskill, Ray has helped many young individuals explore and realize their potential to make equestrian involvement a fulfilling life long endeavor.
Growing up in western Massachusetts with a few horses at home allowed for daily hacks on the many dirt roads, with quality riding instruction, local horse shows and low level eventing. Travelling to north shore Boston in 1975 and watching the likes of Bruce Davidson, Michael Plumb and Princess Anne compete at Ledyard International Three Day Event served as ignition for a burning passion to live a life with horses.
Upon completion of a B.S. degree in Animal Science from UMASS Amherst, Ray entered the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry, including raising horses in New York and Kentucky, representation at sale venues in New York, Maryland and Florida, and importantly galloping race horses at Belmont Park, Saratoga, Oaklawn Park and Keeneland for quality racing operations. Ray’s thoroughbred involvement continues thirty-nine years later.
With a preference for plain bay thoroughbreds, and the occasional gallant grey, Ray has developed many successful horses for eventing, showing and fox hunting. Ray’s approach centers on simplicity, correctness, and less is more resulting in manifestation of one of his favorite sayings “Ride your horses so your horses like you”. Ray’s experience managing horses for optimal health and performance in high stress environments such as racing and long format three day eventing as well as managing second career lesson horses to perform optimally day in and day out enables Ray to bring knowledge and experience in equine welfare to a platform dedicated to the betterment of the horse. Ray believes that only through first understanding the generous nature of the horse and incorporating fundamental horsemanship practices proven effective over a decade, then blending our practices with the tremendous advancements in equine medicine and nutrition, can we ask of our horses only what should be asked and enjoy our equine relationships to the fullest.