LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Dr. Glenn Benjamin of Upper Lake has been elected as the Lake County Horse Council’s interim president, following the resignation of Virginia Vovchuk.

Dr. Benjamin, Cornell University graduate and practicing veterinarian for 52 years, began his career in California as a restorative equine surgeon.

One of Safari West’s founders in Santa Rosa, and proud owner of a herd of Percherons, Benjamin, and his wife Dana DiRicco, care for and show their beautiful draft horses all over the Western U.S. and Canada, and among the herd are grand champions and reserve champions at Grass Valley and Calgary competitions.

Active in the SPCA and local Farm Bureau, Benjamin is a hard-working advocate for horses and other animals in Lake County.

Virginia Vovchuk leaves the board of directors after leading the organization since November 2012.

She will continue her volunteer support of the Horse Council, and retains a place on the Westside Community Park Board, working towards the development of a community equestrian center in Lakeport.

In the last year and a half, LCHC reached a total of 150 memberships, and the board’s fundraising efforts doubled revenues for the nonprofit Horse Council, enabling sponsorship of local equestrian activities.

A dedicated group of volunteers was responsible for organizing three major events that made LCHC a recognized organization in the community: The Fiesta of the Horse, the Horse Faire at Kelseyville’s Pear Festival and the Highland Springs Poker Run.

LCHC became a member of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, furthering its partnerships with local businesses and building awareness through marketing.

The LCHC Web site and equine calendar were relaunched and improved. A grant from AQHA and Tractor Supply made possible important trail preservation work at Highland Springs.

The Horse Council was founded in 2009 by a group of equine enthusiasts representing a variety of disciplines and interests.

They agreed on a common set of goals and articulated their mission as follows:

• Promote and preserve the horse as agriculture, industry and recreation;
• Inform the public about horse community goals, projects and events;
• Promote educational programs for the horse industry;
• Support private and public equine facilities and activities;
• Serve as a liaison between the horse industry, the community, and government agencies;
• Promote all aspects of the equine industry.

Go to www.lakecountyhorsecouncil.com for more information and the calendar.