The Mitchell Centre - Introduction

Help Us

Events & Education

Directors

Paul Mitchell: Director/President

I have been involved in the horse industry on a professional level for 40 years. I have shown paint horses professionally and have gone from Amateur to National Championships. My wife Brenda and I are current members of the AQHA. I have raised AQHA stallions, Mares and foals. In 1995 and 1996 we supplied horses and participated in the Vulcan Kinsmen Ride for Life. With our help, the Vulcan Kinsmen raised over $7,000.00 for Cystic Fibrosis. I have always had a great love for these majestic animals and I feel it is my calling to do all that I can to help make a difference in the horse industry of today.

Lou Dumesnil: Director/Marketing & Fundraising

I was born and raised on a farm in Ste. Agathe, MB and am familiar with the working horse but only developed a real appreciation for the animals when my horse crazy wife introduced me to the Mitchell Centre in September of 2000 after following her to Alberta. She had been volunteering since April of that year and I decided it was time to do a little myself. That was it, the bug hit and we now have a small farm and four Mitchell Centre horses with the view to train and board horses. I am also the resident cook on the annual fundraising rides. I am a parts and service manager for an RV dealership in Calgary with almost 20 years experience in the RV industry. I have served on different boards and committees such as the executive and the Ways and Means committee for Notre Dame Arena for 9 years prior to moving to the Strathmore area. My wife and I have a few Mitchell Centre cats as well and our hope is to continue to help educate the public and make a difference - "One horse at a time".

Jeff Johnstone: Director/Marketing & Fundraising

Jeff (JR) Johnstone - JR (known by his closest friends) has been a long time volunteer and board director for the Mitchell Centre. Jeff has been involved personally in the agricultural industry for some time. After spending a few years in the amateur and semi-professional rodeo circuit where he first met Paul Mitchell, they renewed there friendship shortly after Paul and Brenda started the Mitchell Centre and haven't looked back since.

Jeff has been raising, training, and riding horses for over twenty years from mountain riding and trail boss for group riding, to showing, working cattle, gymkhanas, parades, and show demonstrations for the appaloosa breed at the Calgary Stampede.
Jeff is a past President and director of one of the local Appaloosa Clubs, past director of the former Alberta Light Horse Association, and past director of the AQHA and Canadian Pinto Horse association, Jeff has had a passion for horses all of his life. His drive, love and care for the Equine along with his knowledge and experience in the planning, engineering, and project management fields is a strong support to the Mitchell Centre.

As a marketing and fundraising director, Jeff brings new strategies and ideas which include the partnership of the Mitchell Centre with one of the leading Tack and Saddle stores in the Calgary area. Jeff is involved in the preparation of some of the seminars and has plans of doing seminars for the Centre. Jeff's background, support and passion for the horse will be one of the back bones for which the Mitchell Centre can grow on.

John Krug: Director/Marketing & Fundraising

I grew up in the country and am familiar with horses, but never really truly appreciated these animals until I started working at the Centre. I’ve been involved with the Mitchell Centre for 6 years now, and have found the time extremely rewarding. Since the first time I went to the Centre I have been amazed by the quality of the horses we have rescued from slaughter and the Mitchell’s dedication to this cause. Being involved with the Mitchell Centre has changed my own lifestyle and focus to the point that I bought a farm in 2002 with the long term goal of helping rescue, board and train horses in support of the Mitchell Centre. I am a professional engineer employed in the Oil and Gas industry since 1996. It is my hope that my experience with other charitable organizations will bring focus and support to the Mitchell Centre.

Thank you for your support and interest in The Mitchell Centre for Equine Rescue and Education.
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