Laurie Crane-Schmelzer serves as Secretary of the Ivey Ranch Board of Directors, and if you’ve been to a Ranch event, there’s a good chance she was there with a camera.
From Parent to Board Member
In 2011, Laurie dropped off her then-11-year-old daughter for orientation at Ivey Ranch. A year later, she decided to get involved herself and signed up for Volunteer Orientation, excited to spend time with her daughter and learn more about horses. She was helping out around the Ranch wherever she could when she was asked to join the Board of Directors in 2013, and she has been actively involved ever since.
Documenting Life at the Ranch
As her daughter grew up at Ivey, Laurie began photographing the Ranch’s programs and sharing them on social media. You’ll find her at just about every event, including the Western Hoedown, Meet and Greets, and summer camp, as well as capturing everyday life around the Ranch.
Her full-time job is at Cal State San Marcos, and Ivey Ranch has been part of her Super STEM Saturday event since it started in 2013. Visitors take part in activities about the health and wellness of horses and learn about the benefits of equine therapy.
Beyond the Board
In addition to serving as Board Secretary, Laurie is a Lesson Aide, helps with Barn Buddies, is part of the small team that cares for the barn cats, and looks after our Free Little Library. You may even find her up a ladder pruning the pepper trees.
She also serves as the Ranch’s liaison to the San Diego Veterans Coalition and our military-affiliated community.
What she loves most is taking a weekly break to ride with some of her favorite horses and great friends.
Get Involved at Ivey Ranch
Like Laurie, many of our volunteers get started at a single orientation. Our next Volunteer Orientation is Saturday, October 31, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM.