My name is Denise Lester, and I am proud to serve as President of the Cascadia Morgan Horse Alliance.

My love for Morgan horses began when I was 12 years old, riding in Catherine Cloud’s lesson program alongside people I still call friend and fellow horseman! Morgans have been a part of my life ever since.

Today, I am fortunate to own four Morgan horses that call my home farm home. Over the years, these incredible horses have shaped my passion for the breed and inspired my commitment to preserving and promoting everything that makes the Morgan so special.

I am honored to work alongside an amazing group of volunteers, members, and supporters who share a passion for growing the Morgan horse community throughout the Pacific Northwest. I look forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces to our events and helping ensure a bright future for the breed we all love.

Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have had Morgan horses since I was 8 and have become the breed I'm most passionate about. Their versatility, intelligence, athleticism, and willing disposition make them incredible partners, whether you're competing, working, or simply enjoying a ride.

On my ranch in eastern Washington, my Morgans are true all around horses. I use them for showing, cow work, trail riding, obstacle challenges, packing, parades and just about anything else I ask of them. I especially enjoy showing the versatility of the breed and demonstrating that a Morgan can excel both in and out of the show ring. My goal is to raise and develop horses that are dependable, level-headed, and capable of tackling a wide variety of jobs while still being enjoyable family horses.

Outside of horses, I hold a bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration and a master's degree in Psychology, and I enjoy trap shooting, long range shokting, hunting, writing books and doing things with my kids. I'm excited to serve our Morgan community and look forward to helping promote this remarkable breed while supporting our members and encouraging new enthusiasts to experience everything Morgans have to offer. I believe one of the greatest strengths of the Morgan horse is its ability to bring people together—from lifelong breeders and competitors to families discovering the breed for the first time.

For those who don’t know me, my name is Kendra, and I have a deep passion for the Morgan horse breed and its bright future. My first horse back riding lesson was on a Morgan, and I’ve been in love with them ever since.

I started taking lessons with Catherine Cloud when I was 7 and I was riding in her program until she retired in late 2020. Every lesson horse was very different, and taught me so much. But a kind and willing gelding named ‘Magic’ turned to become my favorite.

I was always the little girl that asked for a horse every year for Christmas. While I was very spoiled every Christmas, I never got a horse of my own. Until late 2020 and I was graciously offered to take ownership of the sweetest gelding on Earth. A precious, barely 15 hand, red bay Morgan by the name of ‘Mystic Isles Magician’. I dove into horse ownership head first and it has been such a rewarding journey.

I believe Morgans are truly special for their versatility, intelligence, and willing nature. I am dedicated to supporting and promoting the breed while helping ensure Morgan horses continue to thrive for generations to come. I have a previous background in sales. As a hairdresser these days, chit chatting and making connections with people around me is where I thrive.

I’m excited to bring the Morgan community together and make BC Morgan horse show bigger and better than ever! I'm honored to be part of the Cascadia Morgan Horse Alliance and look forward to connecting with others who share a love for these incredible horses.

Kimberly has dedicated much of her life to public service, volunteer leadership, and community engagement. She previously served as a K-9 Support Volunteer with the Arlington Police Department, where she coordinated fundraising efforts, organized community events, secured equipment and supplies, and developed outreach programs with local schools and businesses. She also planned and managed high-profile events that strengthened relationships between law enforcement and the community.

Later, Kimberly served with the Lake Stevens Police Department as a Domestic Violence Coordinator, continuing her commitment to supporting individuals and families during difficult times while helping connect community members with critical resources and services.

In addition to her public service work, Kimberly has been a lifelong horse owner and advocate for the equine community. Although her role within the horse show world has been relatively small, her passion for horses and dedication to their future is unwavering. She is deeply invested in doing whatever she can to support and strengthen the horse industry, promote responsible stewardship, and contribute to organizations that preserve and advance the Morgan horse breed.

Kimberly brings a strong background in leadership, event coordination, fundraising, volunteer management, and community outreach. Her commitment to service, combined with her lifelong love of horses, makes her a valuable advocate for both her community and the equine world.

Heather Jellerson I've been a horse girl from the moment I knew what a horse was. At age 6, I spoke in whinnies, neighs and snorts - driving my parents to get me into a lesson program! At age 11, I bought my first horse—a 16.2-hand Thoroughbred/Percheron mare I'd been taking lessons on for 4 years. I sold her on at age 14, and bought an unbroke half-Arabian mare, deciding to train her myself. Thankfully, she was willing and had a very mild buck, so everything worked out fine. Looking back, that experience taught me confidence, patience, and the value of taking calculated risks.

Eventually, life took me away from horses as I headed off to college, career, family. I have worked for nonprofits, restaurants and state and local governments.  I eventually launched my own landscape design/build/maintenance company—bonus: there are far fewer bureaucrats in the plant world!

That leap of faith turned into 26 years of loving plants, plant people and creativity. I now work with my husband in my company, and while we're known for creating beautiful outdoor spaces, I've always believed landscaping is really about building community. We design and build gathering places for family dinners and life celebrations, and the landscapes we maintain are welcoming spaces where neighbors connect. For me, the work has never been just about plants and pavers—it's about creating places where people make memories.

That makes it a short jump to my goals for volunteering at Cascadia. Throughout my life, horses were never far from my heart. When my daughter fell in love with horses at ages 3, I was ecstatic!  We landed in the Morgan community in 2017, which makes me the newbie in the group. As a Junior Exhibitor parent, I got involved by volunteering at shows and working behind the scenes, while developing a deep appreciation for the many people whose dedication makes our Morgan community thrive. Today, our family owns three Morgan geldings, each overflowing with personality. Last year, I climbed back into the show ring myself, fulfilling the dream of showing my own Morgan. 

I'm incredibly excited about the team we're building and the opportunity to create something that will serve exhibitors, trainers, breeders, and spectators throughout the Pacific Northwest. Reviving the BC Morgan Horse Show is about more than bringing back a horse show—it's about strengthening our community, celebrating an extraordinary breed, and creating new traditions for the next generation. . I can't wait to help add another great show—or maybe even two—to the Pacific Northwest horse show calendar.