Catherine Craft Ebsen

In Loving Memory of Cathy Ebsen

Catherine “Cathy” Ebsen, beloved sister, horsewoman, entrepreneur, community leader, and creative spirit, passed away peacefully in Thousand Oaks, California. Her life was a rich tapestry of passion, purpose, and service—to people, animals, and her community.

Cathy’s lifelong love of horses began in the 1960s when she and her sister Bonnie purchased their first mare, Poco Sierra. Together, they began showing and breeding American Quarter Horses, building a legacy that would span decades. From Duster’s Hussler and Barnaby Chex to Pass The Mahogandas (“Luna”) and Sleepin In Overdrive, Cathy’s horses reflected her deep understanding of equine partnership—beauty, intelligence, and athleticism working in harmony. Her success in the show arena, including a 1975 National Horse Show Championship at the Cow Palace, earned her a respected place in the West Coast performance horse community.

Professionally, Cathy combined creativity with independence. After a successful career in publishing, she launched her first company, Web Services Etc., in 2000, pioneering web design for the equine industry. In 2005, she shifted toward holistic health and nutrition, becoming an Independent Distributor for Dynamite Specialty Products under the mentorship of Van Harding. She later founded Animal and Human Nutrition 101, guided by her mission: “Living a Healthier Life Through Better Nutrition for All Living Things.”

Cathy’s commitment to community ran deep. In 1982, following a devastating brush fire in the Santa Monica Mountains, she joined her father, Buddy Ebsen, and family friend Allen Emerson to form ARSON WATCH—a volunteer organization dedicated to preventing and reporting wildfires across the Topanga, Calabasas, Agoura, Cornell, and Malibu areas. Through countless volunteer patrols, Cathy and her colleagues helped protect thousands of acres of open space and homes from destruction—a lasting testament to the Ebsen family’s spirit of service.

In 2003, Cathy honored her parents’ theatrical legacy by founding a Christian theater company that performed throughout Southern California. Every time she stepped into the spotlight, she felt her father’s presence reminding her to “be on time” and “know your lines.”

In her later years, Cathy embraced a peaceful rhythm of life in Thousand Oaks, surrounded by family, friends, and the horses she loved. She balanced her work in nutrition with a deep appreciation for nature, faith, and the enduring bonds of community.

Cathy is survived by her sisters, Alix, Bonnie, and Kiki Ebsen; her brother, Dustin Ebsen; brothers-in-law, Tom Abel, Steve Wallace, and Bruce Jackson, sister-in-law, Donna Ebsen, her nieces, nephews, and grand nephews, John, Rylee, Jennifer, Shelby, Matthew, Callen & River, friends, clients, and colleagues who were touched by her kindness, creativity, and integrity. Her legacy lives on—in every healthy life she inspired, every horse she nurtured, and every hillside kept safe by the vigilance of ARSON WATCH volunteers.

Cathy’s life was a reflection of devotion—to her animals, her family, her faith, and her community. Her spirit remains an enduring light, reminding us all to live with purpose, compassion, and grace.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following charities:
Simi Valley, CA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Antioch Church, Simi Valley, CA
American Quarter Horse Association, Amarillo, TX
UC Davis Center for Equine Health, Davis, CA