Founder of the
American Horse Defense Fund
Click here to visit the memorial page at the American Horse Defense Fund Web site
Katrina "Trina" Bellak is an attorney who has been riding and
working with horses for 34 years (as of 2001). Self-described horse person
first, attorney-lobbyist second, she has loved horses since age two. She has
ridden mostly English in hunters, jumpers, combined training and dabbling in
dressage. As a youngster, she also participated in gymkhanas where she tried
barrel racing and pole bending.
Her introduction into animal protection was at the young age of 12. She was already learning to ride when she received a mailing exposing the ugly truth that the U. S. government was conducting brutal and lethal round ups of wild Mustangs, who once captured, were sold for pet food and for human consumption overseas. Outraged, Trina gathered two friends and held bakes sales and used book sales to raise money. The girls raised $300 which they sent to Wild Horse Annie, founder of the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros, and legendary defender of the wild horses. The girls received a letter telling them they had sent so much money that they could come to Nevada and pick out a wild Mustang to adopt.
Although it was not feasible for the 12 year olds, as fate would have it, decades later, Trina found herself at a wild horse & burro adoption in 1997 while she was a staffer for the Humane Society of the United States. That day, she went home with a real wild Mustang--she named Sonoma Star, a two year old filly from north central Nevada. Although it was emotionally wrenching to see first-hand the frightened displaced wild horses and burros on display for virtually anyone to adopt for $125, Trina made the decision that if these animals were going to go to private homes, she could at least offer one an excellent domestic future. Today, Sonoma is a happy, well adjusted domesticated horse who has competed in her first show where she won two first place ribbons, two seconds and a third in jumping and on the flat.
Trina at a national conference - July 2001
Trina became very interested in the plight of our nation's wild horses and burros several years ago and now AHDF will work to better protect these fine, deserving national treasures. Trina's love of animals and unceasing desire to see all animals treated well, led her to work for the Humane Society of the U.S. where she was associate director of federal affairs for six years. She lobbied Congress and the federal Agencies on horse issues including gaining passage of the only bill ever to become law on the humane transport of horses to slaughter, prevention of weakening of the rules protecting Tennessee Walkers (and other gaited horses) from soring, and better protection of wild horses and burros. Trina currently owns her Mustang and two warmblood/TB crosses, and is a certified Wild Horse Least-Resistance Training Mentor.
Reproduced from the American Horse Defense Fund Web site, November 2006,
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In Memory of Trina
Bellak
This past Memorial Day weekend, we lost a true champion for the equine world.
Trina Bellak, founder and president of the American Horse Defense Fund (AHDF),
lost her long battle with the effects of breast cancer. She passed away on
Sunday, May 28, 2006. In her true spirit, Trina fought to the end for the horses
she so loved, pushing for legislative changes to protect them from the horrors
of slaughter. AHDF and the horse community have lost a dedicated and passionate
horsewoman and horse advocate, and we have all lost a friend.
As with many little girls, Trina fell in love with horses when she could barely
reach the pony stirrups. Yet her passion never faltered as she grew older Trina
continued her personal, hands-on involvement with horses through more than 30
years of training both the horses and the riders and caring for her own equine
companions. Trina also fell in love with her adopted state of Hawaii, and after
moving there in 2003, she opened the Pono Kona Art Shoppe where she could
showcase her art and those of other Hawaii residents.
Trina received her juris doctor from Tulane Law School and worked for a member
of the US Congress and in the West Wing of the White House during the Clinton
Administration. Realizing that all species deserved legal and political
protection, she joined the legislative staff of The Humane Society of the United
States and dedicated herself to the advancement of animal welfare through
legislative and legal initiatives.
Never giving up in her drive to combat all forms of equine abuse, Trina parlayed
her personal and professional experience into the founding of AHDF in 2000.
Dedicated to the protection of all equines, AHDF became the premier national
organization focused solely on the welfare of horses and burros, whether in the
wild or domestic settings or in the show ring or the backyard. Through the AHDF,
Trina used her legal education and her experience on Capitol Hill to work with
members of Congress and federal agencies to shape the legislation and
regulations that are working to increase the protection of horses throughout our
nation.
Trina’s enthusiasm and never-ending energy and passion for the equines have left
an indelible mark on anyone who has ever known her. Her perseverance and bold
advocacy in the struggle for equine protection will continue to leave an
indelible mark on anyone who will continue her fight. Trina’s legacy will live
on, and her beloved horses and burros will benefit from the tireless dedication
and life-work of Trina Bellak.
Reproduced from the In Defense of Animals Web site, November 2006
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This page was uploaded by Barry D. Friedman, in loving memory of Trina Bellak.