Program Manager for Mid-South REACH and Office of Research at the University of Louisville
Sunny Side Pony Club in Midsouth Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
About 30 years since I joined as a member.
How did you get involved with the organization?
I am an alum with my H-B HM and C-3 EV certifications.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
Watching young people grow into responsible adults and meeting people that have similar interests.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
Helping the organization be sustainable while holding true to our mission and values.
What professional equine industry experience do you have outside of Pony Club?
I have Evented through the CCI 2* level and have a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Bronze Medal.
Rae started asking her very suburban family for a horse when she was three. At 12, persistence paid off and she got her own horse in her backyard and has never been horseless since. Jericho Forest Pony Club was active in her hometown in Massachusetts. She joined and graduated as a B with the same horse from age 12. College, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, marriage to Bruce, and three children followed. Her older children were active youth members and Trevor graduated as an H and Marlie continues as a member as an HA. One is an Air Force pilot and the other is an NE, CA, and RIC of the Lake Shore Region and teaches riding and trains horses. Rae's youngest could correctly answer any HM question posed to him, but never joined USPC. She has been a parent, Sponsor, DC, VRS, and, most recently, RS for 18 years. Rally, Testing, and Camp Organizer have been yearly activities.
National level activities include being Secretary for the Board of Governors, chairing the Board of Governor’s Strategic Planning Committee, resource for Marketing and Communications Committee, long term member of the Instruction Council's Visiting Instruction Committee, member of the Activities Council’s Discipline Promotions Committee, as well as other Board and Council volunteer positions. Council’s Discipline Promotions Committee, as well as other Board and Council volunteer positions.
CEO of the United States Eventing Association, Inc.
Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club, Maryland Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
Since 1982
How did you get involved with the organization?
As a young Pony Club member, I began at Fresno Pony Club as an unrated member.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
The horsemanship lessons, and the camaraderie with my peers.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
I truly want to reconnect my sport, Eventing, more closely with the USPC. Additionally, as a pony club father and alumni I believe I bring a unique perspective to the arena.
What professional equine industry experience do you have outside of Pony Club?
Much of my career has been in a somewhat unique position with executive level equine industry experience. As the CEO of the USEA and previously as the Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board (a statewide governmental commodity board within the MD Department of Agriculture) I have financial, administrative, management, marketing, media, communications, membership, development, and other relevant experience of use to USPC. Finally, as an Intermediate/CCI2* athlete and former Intercollegiate coach I can couple my business/leadership accomplishments with actual life experiences.
Lorelle Carpenter spent fifteen years at Dover Saddlery building a cohesive marketing team that tripled the sales of the company through digital and analog marketing driving both online and retail store channels. With a solid track record of leading teams through change, she is a master at creating long term value through development of customers who become raving fans. Her experience spans both consumer and business-to-business, both in the USA and internationally. Currently President of Schneider Saddlery, she moved through CFO, CMO and COO roles to lead the Schneiders team to achieve sustained double-digit growth for the past seven years.
Lorelle has been riding since the age of two and her equestrian experience spans multiple disciplines. Through childhood she was involved in 4H, taught riding at camp, and competed in the New England State finals. Her family bred Arabians and Quarter Horses, and at sixteen she won Top Ten at the Arabian National Horse Show. She was a starting player on the National Champion NCAA University of Connecticut Polo Team for four years. For several years, she lived in England where she trained point-to-point steeplechase horses and imported Irish show jumpers. Both of her daughters were members of Monadnock, Groton, and Bath Pony Clubs as they moved across the country. Both girls were competitive in Tetrathlon and competed on Quiz teams at Champs. Lorelle currently shares her farm outside of Cleveland, Ohio with her husband, Ken, and her three horses: a Connemara, a Hanoverian, and an American Warmblood.
Lorelle holds a BS in Business Administration with a Major in Marketing from the University of Connecticut.
Consultant, Professor, Business Owner, Farmer
Maryland Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
55 years.
How did you get involved with the organization?
Fiddler's Green Pony Club at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, of the Leavenworth Hunt Club
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
Leader and life skills development
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
Greater inclusion and access
Hunter/Jumper/Equitation Coach and Trainer
Heartland Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
25 years as an adult. I was also a member as a child.
How did you get involved with the organization?
I was asked by a local DC if I was interested in bringing my students in to a small club that was struggling because of low numbers.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
The unmounted education.
What professional equine industry experience do you have outside of Pony Club?
I have been a profession in the industry for 47 years. I am a former DC and RS. I am an Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) and an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) coach. I am a Regional President and on the National Rules committee of IEA. I am a Regional President, a Zone Chair and sit on several committees for the IHSA. I operate a lesson and training barn in mid central Illinois. I am a member of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the United States Hunter jumper Association (USHJA) and sit on a few national committees for the USHJA.
Sali Gear grew up in Pony Club in St. Croix U.S.V.I. , which really operated much like today's Riding Centers. After graduating from the University of Florida, she received her Naval commission and went to flight school. After primary she was selected for the jet training in Kingsville, TX, and was one of the first women through the tactical combat pipeline. Sali served for 20 years and retired as a CDR in 2004. She went on to run her own defense contracting company and ran a training and lesson program at her own farm in Virginia Beach. The correlation between riding and flying reminded her of the skies and, in 2015, she went back to her other passion of flying, first for United Airlines and now for Air Transport International where she operates Boeings 757 and 767 aircraft for Amazon and the military. Her job takes her around the country and the world. When she's not flying, she is sailing with her husband or rescuing dogs through her non-profit, Island Dog Rescue.
Senior Software Engineer, Couchbase, Inc.
Saratogo Pony Club, Middle California Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
I started as a youth member around 1983 or so, thus 40+ years.
How did you get involved with the organization?
I learned to ride relatively late, age 15, when my family was planning to go on a pack trip. The whole family took lessons, but it really clicked for me, and I wanted to keep on with it after the trip. None of the rest of the family had any horse background, so I looked for horse opportunities in my town and found Jericho Forest Pony Club. They were tremendously helpful in developing my horse knowledge and riding abilities. After aging out at 21, I was inactive for a number of years, but started volunteering again when my daughter was old enough to join, and have been active ever since.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
The focus on care and respect for horses.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
The issue of greatest concern to me is the long-term decline in membership. I don't know why it's happening, and what can be done to turn it around, but I'd like to work on anything that could identify the causes and address them.
What professional equine industry experience do you have outside of Pony Club?
I hold the British Horse Society Intermediate Instructor certification.
Jocelyn is an H-B HM/C-2 DR member of Tidewater Pony Club in the Delmarva Region. She has been an active member of the United States Pony Clubs since 2014 participating and volunteering at rallies, teaching members, helping organize events such as clinics, fundraising, and more. She has attended Championships every year since 2016 either competing in Dressage with her horse “Sky’s The Limit”, being an Assistant Horse Management Judge, volunteering, or stable managing. In both years Jocelyn has stable managed for her team, and they have received first place. More recently, she has been taking on bigger roles such as Youth Board President for her club and region, participating in the National Youth Congress, and being a member of the National Youth Board. While in Pony Club Jocelyn has been guided by two Chief Horse Management Judges and a National Examiner and plans on becoming a Chief herself along with passing her “A” certification in Dressage.
Pony Club has had an influential impact on Jocelyn’s life such as becoming more outgoing as a person and finding lifelong friendships. On top of that, also allowed her to expand her knowledge and love for horses. She plans to be involved with Pony Club for a long while and hopes to show others how great of an organization it is. Outside of horses, Jocelyn enjoys volunteering, reading, photography, and going to concerts. She plans to pursue a career in concert photography.
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Executive Director
Clayton Canyon Pony Club, Middle California Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
46 years
How did you get involved with the organization?
I started as a member of Norfolk Hunt Pony Club in what was then Eastern New England Region (now part of Central New England Region.)
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
I'd have to say the shared passion for sportsmanship, stewardship, and leadership through horsemanship.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
More "entryways" to connect with Pony Club.
What professional equine industry experience do you have outside of Pony Club?
Ran an Eventing farm for 30 years
Sedate Kohler is a graduate H-HM from Racine County Pony Club in Lake Shore Region. Growing up, she enjoyed attending rallies, first as a rider and then later as AHMJ, and being a club representative on the LSR Youth Board (LSRYB). As she got older, she found her niche in leadership roles, as Chair of the LSRYB, and teaching around the region. Through the Pony Club program and its multitude of UL opportunities, she participated in the National Youth Congress, served as a representative on the National Youth Board, and then as Chair, and was a Visiting Instructor in Iowa, Alaska, and Maine. In the past few years, she has been an AHMJ at Championships and an instructor at D-Camp at Festival.
Currently, Sedate enjoys teaching locally and has a few of her own students, one of whom rides Sedate's warmblood mare, Bella, who she developed and campaigned through Training level eventing. She is really enjoying watching & guiding Bella as she teaches a young rider the ropes of the sport.
Professionally, Sedate is a science teacher & department head in south-central WI. She teaches Biology, AP Biology, and Science & Society, a unique new course she is designing. She holds B.S. degrees in Biology and Science Communication, and a M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction.
Senior CRE Closing Administrator
Northwest Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
30 years
How did you get involved with the organization?
I became involved when my daughter became a member.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
I love that USPC helps its members develop leadership skills, teamwork and to be better riders and caretakers of their equine partners. I also love that members and leaders experience a sense of community and develop life long friendships.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
As a member of the Board I plan to contribute and support the strategies for the long term sustainability of USPC.
Project Manager Commercialization Team - ABS Global
Run O' the Mill Pony Club, Lake Shore Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
15 years
How did you get involved with the organization?
My daughter joined in 2010. Having grown up in 4-H and at a barn where I received a lot of education, I was looking for an equine education program for my daughter since we were at a general boarding barn and we chose our Pony Club over other organizations we considered. With so many ways to volunteer in Pony Club I was soon neck deep in helping the club and the region serving as Club Treasurer and District Commissioner, Vice Regional Supervisor and now Regional Supervisor, along with National roles.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
I love seeing how the program truly transforms the members - youth and adults alike.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
I want to help increase the visibility and value of the USPC program to other equine organizations and help to tailor the USPC program to the needs and wants of our membership to drive member retention and satisfaction.
Community Volunteer
Horse & Hound Pony Club and The Midwest Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
31 years
How did you get involved with the organization?
I joined as a participating member when I was 9 years old.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
I absolutely love that Pony Club builds an amazing community of exceptional equestrians. As a former-youth member, the friendships and experience I gained truly helped shape my life in meaningful, continuing and unwavering ways. As an adult and leader, I've grown increasingly appreciative of how the Horse Management skills gained in USPC makes its members much better providers and stewards for the horses and ponies they love. And as a Pony Club educator and mom, I delight in watching friendships, role models and support systems grow from shared passion and interest.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
As a new member I'm eager to learn about more about the challenges the organization is facing and try my hardest to help solve them. I'm excited to continue the work of putting USPC's strong foundation, beliefs and values into action for its members in meaningful, fun and accessible ways that continue the legacy of exceptional horsemanship and sportsmanship. I'd love to explore additional ways to build strong USPC communities (which I think are really needed in a changing world). In addition, I look forward to continuing the work of the DEIA committee, especially as it comes to highlighting how inclusion efforts can easily be (and in many cases is already) incorporated at the local levels.
What professional equine industry experience do you have outside of Pony Club?
I own a private barn and have a passion for caring for geriatric horses. I've also had experience with adopting and rehabbing neglected horses.
Lori is a lifelong volunteer. She grew up in Lancaster County, Virginia, and as a young girl developed a passion for horses. At the age of 9, she was given her first pony, Sugar. When she went off to college, she had to leave horses behind. It wasn't until after getting married and moving to Chesapeake, Virginia that she reconnected with horses by volunteering with a therapeutic riding program. She soon became the volunteer coordinator and later, the program director. Lori also served on the board of the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia. Lori began volunteering with Pony Club in 1997, when her daughter, Victoria, joined Crescent Bay Pony Club. Lori served as Jt. DC and DC of Crescent Bay before becoming Vice RS, and later RS, of the Old Dominion Region. In 2018 Lori was honored to receive the USPC Local Legend award from the Old Dominion Region. Lori is currently the Chair of the Development Committee. She has also served on several other USPC committees such as the USPC Leadership & Support Committee, the 2020 USPC Organizational Structure Task Force, and the USPC Strategic Planning Committee. She also served as the local host organizer for the 2022 USPC Convention in Norfolk, Virginia.
College student at University of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken County Pony Club, Carolina Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
I have been a part of Pony Club since the end of 2019, so about 5 years
How did you get involved with the organization?
Pony Club was recommended to me by a local trainer as a way to get more involved in horses and learn how to properly care for them.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
The teaching of the fundamentals and making sure that no one is allowed to progress without learning the basics of horse care and welfare.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
I would love to work towards a change in the involvement of the upper-level members. Too often I see members 16 years and older leave Pony Club because they feel it is not worth their time. I also see members leaving because they do not feel like there are enough benefits, or they are not getting anything out of it. I would love to examine in depth the reasons for older members leaving, and what we can do to keep them engaged. Older members play a vital role in bringing in new members and I hate to see them leaving.
What professional equine industry experience do you have outside of Pony Club?
I was an assistant barn manager for a 40-horse boarding barn in Arizona. I was a working student for Morgan Batton, 3* eventer in Aiken SC, for a year and a half. I have extensive experience in grooming, braiding, and riding for many professionals in the eventing, dressage, and fox hunting disciplines.
President, HBR & Associates LLC
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
Member of the Somerset Hills Pony Club from 1966-1979, Board member 2022-current.
How did you get involved with the organization?
Through my riding instructor in New Jersey.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
Structured education and building life skills.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
I am working to make USPC the recognized leader of horsemanship and equine education in the country.
Eric’s family is passionate about the equine community and industry. He is an avid Pony Club dad and horse husband for his wife, Nikki. Eric’s time is spent supporting his daughter’s (Lilli) Pony Club experience through their local Club along with volunteering with his wife to help organize the local Tet Rally for the region. Eric has through his family been a spectator or watched (and groomed & misc help) his wife and daughter through their competitions with too many early mornings to count. Being in Kentucky, they frequent the Kentucky Horse Park but have also had wonderful adventures to places like Tryon, WEC, Maryland’s Fairhill, and horse farms big and small throughout. As an equine family, they have gotten to experience Champs, Convention, Regions, Quiz, and all the many great events throughout USPC. They have a small farm in Kentucky where they spend time taking care of horses, ponies, donkeys, and a few chickens.
Eric has spent his career in building capacity by helping bring vision, strategy, and execution together—always trying to make things better.
Eric's experience ranges from Enterprise Healthcare with 600+ facilities to launching startups. He has direct experience in standing up Equine Surgery Centers and veterinary Pharmacies, and his previous roles includes: Partner at a national services firm with Fortune 100 clients, COO of a mobile software innovation company where he focuses on growth of the company along with a $3 million partnership with the White House as part of an initiative to build a skilled technology workforce, Vice President in a national technology company building a Telehealth platform, a director in a $1.6 billion dollar healthcare system, Executive Director for a regional public/ private partnership, consulted with global clients, and held ownership in multiple ventures.
Some of Seto’s career highlights include: lead the asset divestiture ($30+ million) for a national non-profit to a global sale creating a new endowment; build and launch a surgery center with PE back partners; overseeing operations of a public/ private partnership with $53 million impact; consulted for an United Nations sanctioned NGO; create and funded the first Department of Labor certified Technology Apprenticeship training in Kentucky; developed national partnership with IRS, WalMart, Citi, Intuit, Ford Foundation, and other national brands; co-lead development around Healthcare Innovation and Nursing Facilities; launched a $500,000.00 first time homeownership program for employees; started a rehab/ wheelchair seating initiative for adult and pediatric patients; and raise over $1 million dollars in philanthropy for children in need. He has served as advisor and national speaker on topics ranging from modern workforce, financial stability, innovation, partnerships, scale & sustainability, and volunteerism for groups such as Intuit Foundation, National League of Cities, United Way Worldwide, National Community Tax Coalition, and Points of Light Institute.
Eric holds two Bachelor’s degrees in Business from the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH as well as continuing education around Healthcare and Technology related topics. He was named a Business First "Forty Under 40" honoree, civic award by Internal Revenue Service, and earned citations from Mayors and Governors. He is active in American College of Healthcare Executives, Kentucky Hospital Association, Health Enterprise Network, and serves on the Board for Boy Scouts of America Lincoln Heritage Council, a Trustee for Bernheim Trust, Board of Governors for United States Pony Club, Board Member for EEI, Inc an international 5* competition, and Family Scholar House along with committee work with various civic organizations.
Retired teacher and volunteer
Saint Croix Pony Club, Sunshine Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
44 years
How did you get involved with the organization?
My boys were members of Anawan Pony Club in the Central New England Region.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
Community, teamwork and education.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
Broading the global picture for USPC and the Pony Club International Alliance (PCIA).
What professional equine industry experience do you have outside of Pony Club?
Membership in the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the United States Dressage Federation (USDF).
Jennifer is mom to a son, Michael, whose horse experience is limited to wearing cowboy boots while he is three. She also has two Pony Club daughters, Aubrey (H-A) and Spencer (H-B). Jennifer is a grandmother to Brycen, Hunter, Sawyer, Brooklyn Rylee and Noah. She and her husband Kevin reside in Chehalis, Washington where they manage their truss manufacturing company.
Like most young girls, Jennifer had a love for horses and at age 12, she received her first horse for Christmas. It was a wonderful life-altering gift. She rode and competed locally through her high school years and then as a young adult gave up horses for work, marriage, and family. In 1997 she became involved with Pony Club when she signed her daughters up for membership. She quickly became a valued volunteer and leader when she stepped up to the plate to do whatever she could for her local club and its members.
Asia Thayer grew up in the Pacific Northwest; active with horses since the age of 8 and a member of the USPC and 4H. Asia has been involved in the USPC for over 30 years as a member and leadership roles including RIC, national RIC committee, instruction council, co-chair national testing committee, member of the Board of Governors, and national examiner testing through the A level in eventing, dressage, and show jumping. Asia is an active competitor and coach within the USDF and USEA where she competed at the FEI level. Outside of equine industry, she earned her master’s degree in Biology and Graduate Certificate in Public Health Genetics. Asia owns an equine boarding and training facility in Gig Harbor, WA.
Educator and Reading Specialist
Southern California Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
Since around 1975
How did you get involved with the organization?
I joined Pony Club as a youth when a new club (Centaur) opened in our community. I had been riding for years through 4-H and for owners of Arabian and Morgan breeding barns. Learning to jump on my own mount with quality instruction really appealed to me. Through USPC I discovered Combined Training along with Pony Club friendships and was hooked. I remained a member until aging out at 21 with an H-A Certification which at that time included a B Eventing Certification. I returned to USPC when my children joined and have stayed involved ever since.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
I love so many things about Pony Club. Our organization's focus on horse-centered and safe horsemanship and riding is unparalleled in the equine industry. USPC's focus on teamwork and the development of skills, both horse-related and more broadly applied as life skills, are what have kept me involved for many years.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
As a mostly retired educator, my equine involvement consists of personal and not professional relationships with mostly retired horses and a burro adopted from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Jan has been involved in Pony Club for over twenty-five years. She served as Secretary for three years and ten years as District Commissioner of Keeneland Pony Club in Lexington, Kentucky. Currently, Jan is a Vice Regional Supervisor of the Midsouth Region and is the current VP of Activities. Jan served four years on the Games Committee and four years on the Eventing Committee. She enjoys volunteering at Horse Trials in the Lexington area and is the secretary for two USEA Horse Trials.
Jan and her husband, Mike, have one daughter, Marty, who is a graduate "A" Pony Club member. She has previously served on the Board of Governors for 15 years. Jan owns and operates a 59-acre boarding facility with mostly eventers. Jan considers herself very lucky to live in the heart of Horse Country and to have the USPC National Office in her backyard.
Electrical Engineer
Star Valley Pony Cub, Intermountain Region
How long have you been involved with Pony Club?
40 years
How did you get involved with the organization?
My mother wanted to find something I liked to do riding horses, so I wouldn’t rodeo. I found a passion for Eventing and my natural type-A personality kept me trying for more. Much later I learned to love Dressage. I’ve ridden horses since before I could walk and have never been without a horse in the span of my memories.
What is your favorite thing about the organization?
The easily defensible structure and logical complexity that is standardized and shared as a fraternal membership that lets members know and understand other members in just a few words. No matter where you go, Pony Club is an in and a connection to all things horse and some things even beyond horse.
As a member of the Board, what change are you working to bring to the organization?
I want to strengthen the organization and that element that binds all Pony Club members together as natural kin.
What professional equine industry experience do you have outside of Pony Club?
I try to support the equine industry more through participation and lower level efforts that typically don’t culminate in professional efforts. I have instructed for the last 30 years but not as a profession.
