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 Laura Stoikos - President

Laura began her love affair with horses at the tender age of four, and as her passion blossomed, began showing and competing not long after. Her experiences with observing and learning behavioral equine issues, led her to begin her saddle breaking career before the age of ten. Her younger days were spent competing and showing at equine events across the USA, bringing home championship trophies at various state and national levels and placing in the world championships in Western showing.

Before moving to Australia, her equine career varied greatly. Her attributes in the field led her to gain experience in showmanship instruction, judging and coaching for various levels of riders; along with the breaking and show training of young horses in many fields.  She became known for her training with equine behavioral issues, and along with her experience in the Arabian Racing Industry, she was hired as a breaker and pre-trainer for a Thoroughbred racing stud in Victoria.

 After many years of witnessing a non existent life for ex racehorses in Australia, her pledge to re-educate and re-home these animals outside of the racing industry, has become her main priority. With the formation of Cedar Springs Horses Inc. her passion continues, as she battles to save one of our Australian Icons; the Australian (Thoroughbred and Standardbred) Race Horse. Her experiences have led her to save literally thousands of horses from an uncertain death.

 Dale O’Toole – Vice President

Dales’ love of animals also began at a very young age, taught mainly by his mother who was passionate volunteer at the Lort Smith Animal Hospital in Melbourne, Victoria.  He is now an avid supporter of various animal welfare organisations, and has the general belief that we all need to assist in helping all animals who cannot speak for themselves.  Dale is a firm advocate of animal ‘cruelty-free’ living and strives to enhance the lives of not only our equine friends, but for all of the animals that need our aide. Dale’s vast experience in Risk Management, as well as other environmental issues has boasted a tremendous credit to our group.

 Margaret Mulheron – Public Officer/Secretary

From an early age, Margaret had always felt that by being born in such a fortunate country, she had much to offer those less fortunate in the world.  Her efforts began with launching herself down many paths, but her final work in the community services sectors left her frustrated with the lack of effort of those around her.  Her common conception of various organisations in the past has been that everyone spoke about it, but lacked the ‘action’ when things just needed to be done.  So after an extended search for her very special ‘hands- on’ role, she decided that it was the animals that especially needed our aide. She wanted the opportunity to stand for those creatures that had voices that most could not hear, nor understand.

Margaret knew from the moment that she was born, she could not live without animals in her life.  Her first experiences of falling from a tree, by attempting to save a dead bird, left her with the strong ambition that no animal was not worth helping.  Her common thread with the group is her strong passion for horses and her opportunity to provide advocacy for an animal that was born merely for human entertainment.

Her experiences with government documents as well as the paperwork needed to run our not for profit incorporation, assists us in rallying our cause to the outside world.  Her determined view of offering a ‘second chance’ to any horse bred for racing, has provided us with another vital pair of caring hands around our stables. Margaret has also introduced her own children to respect the animals around us, as well as introducing them to the proper care and well being of horses.  With her own horse Tara to help her along the way, Margaret has been an incredible asset to our team. Margaret’s other title is President of picking out the CSH boxes!

  Rebecca Alsop– Treasurer

Rebecca's details coming soon

 Trish O’Donnell – Volunteer, Equine Rehabilitation

Trish combines over 33 years of experience with horses. Her knowledge and caring determination, has assisted our group with rehabilitating many neglected equine cases that have passed through our stables.  Her focus lies with the care and rehabilitation of our abused horses, and she lovingly provides these horses with a safe and temporary home until they are healthy enough to continue on through our program.

Trish is also a licensed and practicing Animal Natural Therapy Practitioner, and her duties to date have greatly assisted our program with helping many horses that needed an extra dose of attention and love.

Trish takes charge when it comes to creating our newsletter and is always open to answering questions on general equine care and feeding routines.  Along with Trish’s skills in the saddle, her creative talent with our newsletters, and her caring nature with the horses that so desperately need it, she has been a tremendous asset to our program.

Nadine Wileman - Volunteer, Equine Care