Christine grew up on Cape Cod and has been involved with horses since she was eight years old. She’s owned her 23-year-old Paint gelding, Drew, since he was three and spent her youth competing with him. After earning her Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business Management with a specialization in Equine Management from Cazenovia College, she fell in love with Central New York and made it her permanent home in 2014. In 2022, her dream came true when she brought Drew home to retire on her own small farm.
Christine now specializes in nonprofit accounting and enjoys helping organizations set up strong financial systems and policies. She lives in Cazenovia with her boyfriend, three horses, three barn cats, and one spoiled house cat. In her free time, she loves spending time on her farm, golfing, snowmobiling, and reading. She’s excited to bring her equine background and accounting expertise to Sunshine Horses, Inc.

Treasurer
Maggie Bocsor

In April 2020, a friend announced that Sunshine Horses, Inc. was looking for a Treasurer. Maggie’s experience in Financial Administration for nonprofit agencies was a perfect fit. Her passion is serving those who are passionate about horses, live music, and land and water conservation. She is now building and strengthening nonprofit organizations that will live on in the future and continue to carry on their mission and serve their communities. She is a strong member of the Sunshine Horses team and continues to help and support them as they grow!

Secretary
Cindy Albro

Cindy has been a volunteer at Sunshine Horses for six years and currently serves as Secretary on the Sunshine Board of Directors. She has done it all from mucking stalls, feeding and watering horses, leading them in and out of pastures, grooming and LOVING them! She also enjoys contributing to whatever needs to be done to keep the farm running. Her favorite saying that she feels best describes her time at Sunshine is, "Whoever said Disney World is the 'Happiest Place on Earth', has never been to Sunshine Horses!" And while the horse that has impacted her life the most (Sisko), has since crossed over the 'Rainbow Bridge', his memory, and the everlasting friendships she has made with the other volunteers at Sunshine Horses will remain with her forever!

Events and Fundraising
Dianne Sestak

Dianne has been a volunteer with Sunshine Horses for 13 years. A retired Kindergarten teacher of 37 years, she combined her love for children and animals by creating classroom fundraisers to support the horses and bringing her students to visit the farm. She now channels her creativity into organizing events — especially the annual Gala — and managing Sunshine’s website and social media. Most importantly, Dianne is passionate about engaging the community and sharing Sunshine’s mission of Helping Horses, Helping People.

Attorney
Ashley Hayes

Ashley, a former attorney with Hancock Estabrook LLP, handled complex litigation cases before joining the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2017. Most recently, she served as an Interlocutory Attorney with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, addressing procedural and substantive issues in trademark disputes.
A lifelong horse enthusiast, Ashley began riding at age 8 in Purcellville, VA, showing in hunter divisions, fox hunting, and competing in various disciplines. While attending Syracuse University, she rode for the equestrian team and later co-owned Beacon Hill Farm in Cato, NY, a successful full-care boarding facility. After taking time away to focus on family and career, Ashley is happily reconnecting with horses as a Monday morning volunteer.

Other Key Members

Equine Care Committee
Beth Smart

Beth is the Chairperson for the Equine Care Committee (ECC) and the Adoption Representative. She has been with Sunshine for 11 years and just loves it. She and her family have adopted several of Sunshine’s horses.
Horse care is her thing!

Facilities Manager
Mike Tebo

Mike was interested in horses at an early age. He competed in Gymkana events at small, local horse shows. While living in Ogdensburg, NY, he owned 22 acres with a house and barn that he took care of. After moving to Syracuse in 1989 for a job promotion, his priorities changed with having a family and job responsibilities. After 42 years in the grocery business, he retired in 2019.
He found out about Sunshine Horses when he attended the Uptown Hoedown in 2021. He is currently the Facilities Manager responsible for all maintenance issues on the farm, coordinating volunteer groups interested in helping out with tasks ranging from fence building, fence painting, building structures for storing sawdust, run in sheds etc.

Volunteer Coordinator
Dianna Wellmon

Diana came to Sunshine a little over 2 years ago after seeing an advertisement on a billboard. She is a retired Medical Laboratory Technician and Co-Founder of Women Transcending Boundaries.
She oversees the Volunteer Committee which orients new volunteers and facilitates all volunteer related activities and concerns. Coordinating tours and working with the many outside organizations who are interested in doing projects at Sunshine are also part of her responsibilities.
She has had the good fortune of owning two amazing horses in the past and have witnessed first hand the healing power of connecting with horses. Helping Horses , Helping People can be seen daily at Sunshine Horses.