Horse Lovers Summit 2027 Speakers

Meet Your Speaker: Angela Beck

Angela Beck’s lifelong passion for horses began at just five years old when she climbed onto her first pony—and more than fifty years later, that passion remains as strong as ever.

Her connection to NetPosse traces back to 1980, when saddles were stolen from her family’s barn. Sixteen years later, she faced the unthinkable again when two of her horses disappeared in separate civil disputes within the same year. Thanks to determination and persistence, both horses were safely recovered. These early experiences sparked Angela’s interest in equine theft prevention and recovery long before she ever joined NetPosse.

When the internet began taking shape in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Angela discovered the story of Idaho and started following NetPosse’s work closely. In 2005, she met founder Debi Metcalfe at the Alabama Horse Fair—a meeting that marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship and a decade of dedicated volunteer work.

Angela quickly became Debi’s right-hand partner. For the next ten years, she immersed herself in every aspect of the organization: assisting victims and law enforcement, writing stories and press releases, designing flyers, building website code, developing products, managing eBay listings, attending equine events, and presenting at clinics. She balanced this demanding volunteer workload with a full-time job, becoming a respected expert in horse theft along the way.
In 2015, Angela stepped back from active volunteering due to family obligations, but her heart—and her loyalty to NetPosse and Debi—never wavered.

Although Angela has never shown horses or competed professionally, her equine experience is remarkably diverse. She has done mounted shooting, ridden in parades, staffed pony rides, camped with horses, trail‑ridden across multiple states, worked with mustangs and other unhandled horses, rescued horses, and assisted in numerous missing‑horse recoveries. Her hands‑on work has given her a deep, practical understanding of equine behavior and the challenges horse owners face.

And those saddles she replaced after the 1980 theft? They were stolen again in 2006—while Angela was in North Carolina working with Debi and NetPosse. Those cases remain active reports on the website today.

Currently, Angela works in public relations for law enforcement and lives with her family on 40 acres in Montgomery County, Alabama, surrounded by their dogs, cats, and horses.

Meet Your Speaker: Rose Cushing
Rose Cushing is a dynamic force in the equestrian and media worlds. She is the publisher of Southeast Hoofbeats Magazine—“the magazine for serious equestrians.” Her passion for storytelling extends across multiple platforms as the host of two globally enjoyed equestrian podcasts, Today’s Horsewoman and Today’s Horsemen.

A true multi‑disciplinary creator, Rose is also an author, an award‑winning documentary filmmaker, a television producer, and the founder of Cushing Media. Through her work, she has showcased countless equine professionals, horse enthusiasts, and industry innovators.

As a certified herbalist, Rose owns and operates Half Moon Farms, where she crafts and curates a line of chemical‑free bath and beauty products. This spring, she is launching a series of Back‑to‑Basics Expos, focusing on homesteading, traditional skills, and sustainable, self‑sufficient living.

Rose is also the owner of Cushing Publishing, a boutique traditional publishing company currently working with approximately 50 authors across a wide range of genres and topics.

Her leadership and dedication to the equine community extend far beyond her businesses. Rose has served on the North Carolina Horse Council Board, its Executive Committee, and the South Carolina Horse Council. Her contributions earned her nominations to the NC Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame in both 2022 and 2024.

With her diverse expertise, creative vision, and lifelong commitment to the equine world, Rose continues to inspire, educate, and elevate the communities she serves.

Meet Your Speaker:  Wayne Williams

Wayne Williams, respected announcer and director, brings decades of experience in radio, television, and the equine industry. A lifelong horseman since age six, Wayne has appeared in major parades including the Indianapolis 500 Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade, shown in Open and Palomino shows, and—together with his wife Pat—pays tribute to Roy Rogers and Dale Evans through authentic horseback performances.

Since 1985, Wayne has dedicated his career entirely to the equine world, becoming known as the “Voice of Many Horse Fairs.” He has announced more than 20 major horse expos across the U.S. and Canada, from Sacramento to Baltimore, including Horse World Expo and Equitana USA. His credits include serving as Equine Entertainment MC at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, producing and directing events for the Rose Parade’s Equestfest, working with the Indy 500 Parade and Culver Military Academies, and being the long-time voice of BreyerFest at the Kentucky Horse Park. He also directs and hosts popular evening shows such as “Theater Equus” at Horse World Expo, the “Mane Event” in Denver, and “Horses at Night” for the North Dakota Horse Expo.

A long-time supporter of Stolen Horse International and a close friend to its founders, Wayne’s relationship with Debi Metcalfe began many years ago as both frequently spoke at the same events nationwide, forming a valued professional and personal bond.

When not announcing, Wayne enjoys trail riding, camping, and parade participation with his wife Pat. He also hosts the long-running “Speaking of Horses” TV and Radio program, available on FRTV Farm n Ranch Streaming, Fire TV, Roku, Google Play, and Equus Television. He has a new book, "50 Years Behind the Mic", coming out soon.

Please note that more speakers will be included as their biographies and photographs are received.