Kirsten is the owner of Sunridge Ranch, along with her husband Shawn, and is a licensed Equine Facilitator, painter, author, and international keynote speaker. After losing a child in a tragic accident and, as a front-line prosecutor, collapsing under the weight of human cruelty and suffering, Kirsten left what had been the perfect job, set out to rebuild her life, and in the process re-wrote the script on self care for criminal justice professionals.  

As the founding Chair of the national prosecutor wellbeing task force, author of Thriving Through Chaos — Staying Well in the Trenches of Trauma, and thirty years as a trial attorney – elected three times as the District (County) Attorney – Kirsten is a renowned expert in the field of personal and organizational wellbeing, traveling around the country facilitating resilience-skills training. A lifelong horseperson and Montanan, Kirsten and her family have called Sunridge Ranch home for the past twenty years. 

Our horses are the heart and soul of our programs. They are excited to welcome you to the ranch!

Chloe is our small but mighty – and sassy – chestnut mare. A former lesson horse and Omoksee competitor, Chloe has gently taught the ways of the horse to countless children throughout the valley. Now in semi-retirement, she keeps the two geldings in line and maintains over-the-fence friendships with the local wild horses who visit frequently.

Mr. Valentino, or Tino for short, is the newest addition to the Sunridge herd. At 16 hands, Tino is the largest equine in the herd but also the most sensitive, making him a true gentle giant. Tino is the first to greet us with a whinny every morning and genuinely loves attention from his human companions.