Board of Directors
Trudy Ruth
President
Trudy is currently employed as a commercial real estate/contract paralegal. Her love of horses started at age 9, showing in hunter/jumper and dressage into her early 20’s at which point she took a break to raise a family and establish her career. Trudy resides in Chino Valley with husband George, son Terry, dogs Annabelle and Jesse, and equine partners Grayson and Sal. She was drawn to CVEA to connect with other horse people and began serving on the Board in 2023. Trudy is honored to serve as President, with the goal of continuing to make improvements to the Park and grow both the membership and events held at the Park.
Greg Valenti
Vice President
Greg has been riding horses for over 40 years. He has ridden western and English and learned how to jump. Greg and his wife Lynn love to go out to trail ride, but he has driven horses and mules on drives in the back country in California. He has done limited cow work here in Arizona. Greg was born and raised in Southern California and moved to Arizona in 2015 after retiring from the LAPD as a legal advisor with the Department after serving for 34 years. Greg has been involved with LASER since its inception five years ago. He is currently the President. He is also the Chair of the Yavapai County Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD) and is also a board member of the Arizona Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD). Greg has been a member of CVEP for a few years and has done quite a number of projects for CVEP.
Mary Henry
Treasurer
Mary has been riding horses for over 30 years, learning and training in Southern California. She loves trail riding, and obstacles; and is looking forward to even more and versatile equine sports. She moved to Arizona in 2000 with her horses and dogs. After meeting and marrying her husband Mike, they retired and moved from the Phoenix valley to Prescott in 2016. She is a premier member of CVEP, and is currently a member of the Board. Her experience as a Sr. Administrator and paralegal in commercial banking and real estate development provides a good background for the organizational skills and knowledge of fiduciary responsibilities, which is important for non-profit board positions.
Lynn Valenti
Secretary
Lynn Valenti has been involved with horses from a very young age. She has shown horses in Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail, Hunter/Jumpers and Ranch Riding, and also enjoys riding the trails. She also worked as a backcountry mule packer in the High Sierras. After retiring from Court Reporting, Lynn and her husband Greg moved to Prescott, where Lynn currently competes in Ranch Riding on the AZQHA circuit. Lynn served as Assistant Secretary and Membership Chair for Granite Mountain Riders and has been a Board Member and Volunteer Coordinator for LASER and is currently on the Training Committee and Technology Committee and also manages the LASER website. Lynn also volunteers at Horses with Heart, where she also assisted putting on the first Brave Hearts show event, and has been involved in putting on horse shows for the last three years at Chino Valley Equestrian Park.
Bill Oden
Board Member at Large
Bill Oden grew up with horses, horse shows and rodeo as part of his life and to this day enjoys others who share that same adventure. Bill truly believes in the ‘Cowboy Way and Cowboy Ethics” and when scared to death “ Saddle Up Anyway”. He served two years as President of Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo and is currently the Vice President of the Prescott Frontier Days Foundation. CVEA welcomes the experience and outlook Bill brings to the table as Board Member at Large.
April Durnez
Board Member at Large
Chino Valley Equestrian Park Board Member at Large since 2024. I am passionate about horses and life surrounding horses. I am energetic and enthusiastic when it comes to my passions. I am retired and spend my time between my home, family and friends and my horses and not to mention the Equestrian Park. I support the Equestrian Park in maintaining the arenas and the grounds as well as fund raising. I love meeting the members and their equine and learning to be a better equestrian and partner to my humans and my horses.
Matthew Behl
Board Member at Large
Matt grew up in Congress, Arizona, and moved to Chino Valley after completing his service in the U.S. Army, where he served two tours in Iraq. His connection to ranching and horses has been a constant throughout his life, raising pigs, goats, Chickens and working with his own horses as part of his family’s everyday rhythm. Professionally, Matt has built and grown several successful businesses and spent years in senior operations leadership within emergency medical services. That blend of entrepreneurial experience and disciplined, service-driven leadership guides the practical, community-focused approach he brings to the Equestrian Park Board. Matt lives in Chino Valley with his family and stays active in the Arizona Rangers when he’s not working with animals or flying airplanes. He was drawn to CVEA out of a desire to support the local horse community and contribute to a park that serves riders, families, and future generations. As a board member, he aims to help strengthen the Park, expand community involvement, and support continued improvements and events.
Merilee Mills
Alternate Member at Large
Merilee Mills has lived her entire life with horses by her side. Involving herself with many organizations including 4-H, United States Pony Club and the Extreme CowboyAssociation. She now professionally works as a Social Media Manager and Marketer for an international staffing agency and lends her knowledge to the social media and marketing of CVEA. The Mills family are happily raising their family and horses in Chino Valley, AZ.