Meet Caitlin Oponski-Luca | Entrepreneur and Horse Rescue Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caitlin Oponski-Luca and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caitlin, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always been a passion-driven person so finding a way to both build a small business (horseback trail rides) while also using capital raised to rescue horses was a win-win for me. Unlike most rescues/horse 501c3s, we never had to beg for money. Our horses worked just enough to pay their feed, vet and farrier bills with our seasonal business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a recovering entrepreneur (we decided to close our LLC/Corral West Horse Adventures) this summer to focus solely on our 501c3 horse rescue, Lucky Break Ranch Corp. Over the years with revenue generated by our small business doing seasonal trail rides, we were able to save over 400 slaughter-bound horses. The need for rescue is great and as my husband and my goals have shifted toward starting a family, we were ready to close the door on the Corral West chapter and begin rescuing full time.

Our next goal is to save horses to help save people. Horses are amazing teachers and healers and we can’t wait to find a permanent location to start offering retreats, therapy lessons/programs and more for people who could use a little more love and confidence in their lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Valley is truly hard to beat in the winter. My perfect itinerary if a girlfriend were to come to town would be:

Early coffee from Lux, a sunrise hot air balloon ride with 2FlyUs balloons, a little retail therapy looking for hidden gems like vintage turquoise or fringed leather jackets at one of the local thrift stores, an afternoon Spring Training game, a stop at the Desert Botanical
Garden, a late afternoon horseback ride with the rescues (maybe with some Papago Orange Blossom in the saddle bags) until sunset at one of our amazing parks, and finally: dinner at Etta in Scottsdale for some mind-blowing foccacia.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents who have always been my biggest fans. They worked tirelessly when I was growing up so I could go to horse shows, lessons, etc. and always encouraged us to pursue our dreams while making the world a better place.

Website: LuckyBreakRescue.org

Instagram: Cowgirl.Cait

Image Credits
Rachel Kulla @horsemanshipcollective