Donovan Dobbs
In Town: Donovan Dobbs, of Ozark, Mo., is the first assistant prosecutor for the Christian County Prosecutor’s Office. He has been practicing law since 1991 and has worked in Christian County for the past five years. Donovan received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern State in Oklahoma and went on to law school at the University of Oklahoma. After seven years of schooling, he walked out with a law degree and has been upholding it ever since. He recently switched to prosecuting part time.
In the Country: Donovan and his wife, Lisa, own and operate the 107 Ranch in Ozark, Mo. They own “six and a quarter horses,” the quarter being an adorable miniature horse by the name of Tricks, who has been taught to bow and smile, much to the amusement of ranch visitors. Donovan and Lisa offer riding lessons based on good horsemanship principles and respect for the horse. Donovan is a CHA Certified Level Three Western Riding Instructor and Assistant English Instructor (Certified Horsemanship Association). He takes pride in implementing the Association’s safety standards, ensuring that his lessons are safe as well as fun. The Dobbs also offer equine centered birthday parties and horse training services. “We teach a good foundation,” said Donovan, “and we aren’t going to put anybody on a horse who doesn’t know anything about a horse.” Basic ground skills are taught first at 107 Ranch. A very unique aspect of Donovan and Lisa’s ranch is their ministry program that they incorporate into their horsemanship lessons. Using the horses as teaching tools, Donovan and Lisa help each program participant become a H.E.R.O. “with Humility, Endurance, Relationship and Obedience that begins and ends with Jesus Christ.” Every H.E.R.O. fundamental can be transferred to horsemanship.
Best Time Management Tip: “Do it and get it done,” Donovan laughed. Each aspect of Donovan’s town and country lifestyle takes time, but the variety, he said, balances everything out. “The variety is the best part.”
Story and Photo by Klaire Bruce
