About Dancer’s Legacy

Dancer’s Legacy Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization working to prevent equine cruelty through advocacy, education and rescue support.

The organization works to stop all aspects of abuse and neglect to horses (and other equines) with emphasis on responsibly ending horse slaughter.

Dancer’s Legacy Foundation is a continuing tribute to a horse named Dancer, rescued and proudly owned by President/Founder Hilary Wood.

Found at a filthy, rundown rental stable in Virginia back in late 1991, Hilary purchased Dancer to spare him an eventual trip to a low-end auction and possible slaughter. The horses where Dancer was kept came and went from area auctions, many ending up at slaughter or in other less than ideal circumstances after being used up as rental horses. Upon purchase, Dancer was underweight with overgrown, cracked hooves and a withdrawn disposition. After improved health and nutritional care, Dancer’s outgoing, loving and often humorous personality slowly emerged.

“The ten years I had Dancer were some of the best in my life; all I had wanted my entire life was a horse – he was everything I could have dreamed of.”

Dancer was the inspiration for Hilary starting a non-profit horse rescue in 1997 and as a further tribute to his time with her, Hilary founded Dancer’s Legacy Foundation as another way to help at-risk horses. The loss of Dancer on October 18, 2001, was both sudden and unexpected. “I will never forget the shock and tremendous sense of loss when I came home and found Dancer dead in the field with no apparent cause,” Hilary recalled.

“It is for all that horse gave to me and to honor his time with me that I have made it a mission to help other abused and neglected horses.”

Dancer’s Legacy Foundation takes a fresh look at the issue of equine welfare. While rescues and sanctuaries play an important role for at-risk horses, they should not be a first line of defense. Creating new and improving existing avenues for horses before they need “rescue” is the main goal of Dancer’s Legacy Foundation.

Our Mission

Dancer’s Legacy Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization working to prevent equine cruelty through advocacy, education and rescue support. The organization works to stop all aspects of abuse and neglect to horses (and other equines) with emphasis on responsibly ending horse slaughter.

Incorporation

Dancer’s Legacy Foundation was incorporated in the state of Colorado on February 27, 2013 and is a 501c3.

Board of Directors/Officers

Laurie Dewey – Laurie has prior experience as both a trainer and small business owner. This experience gives her a good understanding of organizational and program issues for Dancer’s Legacy Foundation. Before moving to Colorado, she operated a hunter/jumper training stable in California for many years. After moving to Colorado, she returned to the amateur ranks of show jumping and currently works in software development. Ms. Dewey ran a successful company which specialized in custom software applications for businesses as well. Ms. Dewey and her husband have fostered and adopted several horses from Front Range Equine Rescue over the past twelve years.

Marion Nagle – Marion has over fifteen years experience working with horse rescue initially on a volunteer basis, to being a foster home, and serving as an education/volunteer/event coordinator with a local rescue organization. With over twenty-five years as an educator, Ms. Nagle has developed curriculums to teach horse enthusiasts about the history and behavior of horses including hands-on experiences at summer camps or other special educational events. Ms. Nagle serves on the Board of Directors for Dancer’s Legacy Foundation and is also its Executive Director and is responsible for educational program support.

Hilary Wood – Hilary has over twenty years’ experience with the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of horses in need. She is the founder of a national horse rescue organization and has implemented many programs to assist abused horses. Ms. Wood has over thirty years’ corporate experience with both large and small companies as well as non-profits. She serves on the Board of Directors for Dancer’s Legacy Foundation and is also its President and is in charge of administrative and organizational tasks.

Adam Ward – Adam has a history of supporting charitable causes including horse rescue. His work in the field of computerized satellite imagery and other technologies helps Dancer’s Legacy with some of its technology issues. Adam has also assisted with fundraising for a nationally known horse rescue and Dancer’s Legacy.