ABOUT WARHORSE LEGACY FOUNDATION
The Warhorse Legacy
Warhorse Legacy Foundation was founded in Northwest Arkansas in 2018 by three women whose passion for serving veterans and their families collided with their passion for horses. Betty Jones founded the Arkansas Equine Foundation in 2001. She was then recruited to develop a program for veterans by another local NWA nonprofit. Valorie Jones was raised around horses, and came out of management in both cruise ships and the nonprofit sector. Valorie and Betty came together with an anonymous Angel Donor who had worked with Betty for 15 years on horse welfare projects. In early spring of 2018, these three women developed an idea to found a therapeutic recreation organization for veterans in the hills of the Ozarks. Warhorse Legacy Foundation was incorporated in July of 2018, and WLF purchased Warhorse Ranch in late 2018. From there, WLF has been developing the Ranch to meet the needs of veterans’ and their families.
STAFF
Valorie Jones | President and CEO
Formerly the Associate Director of Production at Walton Arts Center, Valorie has more than fifteen years in public assembly operations and management, as well as eight years in nonprofit management with one of the state’s largest and fastest growing nonprofits. In addition, Valorie brings previous experience running a large-scale equine operation that included over twenty horses on more than 1,000 acres. Valorie served as a volunteer for the Arkansas Equine Foundation and the Arkansas Horse Council for more than 15 years. She studied equestrian sports at home and abroad under instructors certified by the British Horse Society.
Karen Davis | Director of Equine Programs
Karen Davis serves as the Director of Equine Programs.
Danny Belcher | Consultant in Farm Management
Danny is retired from the University of Arkansas where he served as the Supervisor of the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center for 16 years. He holds a master’s degree in animal sciences from Oklahoma State University and had an accomplished career managing some of the largest and most esteemed ranches in the country.
Dr. Nancy Jack | Consultant and Equine Specialist
Nancy is an emeritus professor from the University of Arkansas where she developed the curriculum for the University’s current equine sciences program. Dr. Jack was a founding member of the Arkansas Equine Foundation and the Second Careers for Horses program.
Roy Everett | Business Manager
Roy is a veteran of the Arkansas National Guard, serving from 2000 to 2005 with Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment. After serving, Roy began a career in finance and administration, notably working at Walton Arts Center from ___ to 2020. Initially, Roy was a member of the WLF Board of Directors. However, in late 2020 he transitioned off of the board into a paid staff position as the Business Manager at WLF.
