The Presenters at Equine Affaire®

Jonathan Field is a horseman, published author, and renowned international clinician. He grew up in both English and Western saddles before becoming a full-time cowboy on one of the largest cattle ranches in Canada. Field has dedicated his life to helping people develop the skills to have a connection with horses. His foundation training program is embraced by people around the world - from those new to horses or regaining their confidence, to elite competitors and industry professionals alike. Overcoming obstacles, creating an environment where learning can thrive, and having fun while doing it are trademarks of his unique style.
Field has been featured on national television including CBS and the Red Bull Media House. He is a recipient of the highly respected Jack Brainard Horseman’s award, and has taught alongside top equestrian coaches and Olympic medalists in eventing, jumping, and reining. He is also a two-time Road to the Horse finalist, a TEDx presenter, and stunt man in several major motion pictures. He is also the published author of “The Art of Liberty Training for Horses" and has produced more than a dozen digital training films.

In 1982, Pat Parelli began creating a natural horsemanship program to improve the relationship between humans and horses. Parelli promoted the concept of love, language, and leadership. Parelli’s desire to spread this knowledge to the world rose up in him after watching his mentors Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt work with horses. In 1984, Parelli began teaching clinics, and in 1991, he coined the name Natural Horsemanship. Natural Horsemanship has become a viable and important aspect of the international horse industry and continues to expand and influence the way in which horses are trained. Parelli provides amazing talent for both training horses and teaching people. Today, Parelli Natural Horsemanship and the program have spread to 76 countries, over a million people, and have improved the lives of horses around the world. For more information about Pat Parelli and Parelli Natural Horsemanship, please visit Parelli.com.

Steve Lantvit is a multiple World Champion and Reserve title winner in ranch horse competition who believes in training versatile, well-rounded, and capable horses and riders through confidence, mutual respect, and solid communication. As an award-winning clinician and trainer, he builds confidence in horses and riders through crosstraining and exposure to a variety of situations, improving their performance and attitude whether on the trail or in the show ring. Lantvit has used his decades of experience in the horse industry to create his own line of training aids for the everyday horse person, including training DVDs, tack, and other equipment. He travels the country teaching clinics in addition to training horses, teaching lessons, and hosting clinics at his ranch in LaPorte, IN. Lantvit also shares his training insights through a weekly television series, Sure in the Saddle, on RFD-TV.

Lorie Duff is an internationally renowned Canadian equestrian trainer and clinician, a Canadian provincial equine judge, an equine business consultant, and a motivational speaker. Born and raised on a scenic dairy farm, Lorie credits her parents and “the simple farm life” with how she developed her philosophy of horsemanship. Lorie’s philosophies of communication, trust, and respect help establish a safe and solid inter-disciplinary platform. The philosophy supports and enhances the continued mutual learning of humans and horses who can work together. Her successful program has taken her throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. In 2007, Lorie relocated to Ontario with her two children, where she started Liberty Lane Farm. Continuing to refine her training methods, Lorie travels across Canada, the USA, and into Europe in order to teach students and help as many people as she can through clinics.

Scott Purdum created his Advantage Horsemanship™ educational training program with a goal to assist others in expanding their horsemanship knowledge and bring horses and people together through mutual trust and respect. Purdum’s passion for horses as a youth riding hunter and pleasure horses led him to an internship with top-rated Quarter Horse trainer, Ken Adkins, of West Virginia, and studies in equine science at the University of Maryland. He has authored several articles featuring problem-solving training exercises and also produced the popular training DVD, Where Do We Start? Purdum resides in Union Bridge, MD, where he offers clinics, trains horses, runs a Professional Trainer program, and provides riding instruction. In addition, he travels throughout the country offering large group sessions and one-on-one instruction.

Based in Templeton, CA, Gina Miles is a top international eventing competitor. Some of her many successes include an Olympic silver medal as well as bronze and silver medals at the Pan American Games. Miles began riding at the age of seven and was an active United States Pony Club member, earning her “A” rating. Following high school, Miles obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Crop Science at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Paired with her mount, McKinlaigh, in 1997, the Irish Sport Horse gelding and California born rider began a winning streak that led them to victories at numerous competitions on the West Coast and reached the three star level in 2001. In 2008, she was named the Chronicle of the Horse Overall Horseman of the Year. She was also the 2006 USEA Gold Cup Champion and the 2006 USET Fall Champion. Miles is a United States Eventing Association ICP Level III Certified Instructor and has earned her United States Dressage Federation Silver Medal.

Nona Garson is an internationally respected show jumping and hunter competitor known for her skill and accomplishments. Her career includes numerous national Grand Prix wins, membership on the 2000 United States Olympic team and Pan American Games team, and participation as the United States representative on the team that won the 1997 Nations’ Cup at Rotterdam, Holland. In 1998, Garson was named the Leading Lady Rider in La Baule, France. She currently owns and operates The Ridge Farm located in Tewksbury, NJ, Asbury, NJ, and Wellington, FL.

Bill Warren works out of Warren-McMullin Dressage in Wellington, FL, alongside Bill McMullin. Warren has earned his USDF bronze, silver, and gold medals and is a FEI 4* judge. He is also a USEF ‘S’ dressage judge. Warren has trained several horses to the Grand Prix level and worked with many FEI riders.

Born February 20th, 1963, Sterling Graburn has been involved with horses all of his life. He spent his early childhood competing in combined training, in part as a member of the Radnor Hunt Pony Club, adding combined driving in his teens. He owes his strong dressage foundation to his mother, who was always a dressage trainer first. Beginning his driving career in 1978, Graburn participated in his first international event in 1984 as navigator for the four-in-hand of Emil-Bernhard Jung, a member of the American team, at the World Four-in-Hand Championships in Szilvasvarad, Hungary. In 1993, he again was navigator, this time for numerous times National Pair Champion Lawrence Poulin, at Gladstone, New Jersey, for the World Pairs Championship. Graburn was groom/navigator for Wendy Ying, DVM at the 2005 World Pony Championships at Catton Hall, England. Since 2006, Graburn has competed in three World Championships, being the highest placed US driver in all three. Sterling continues to train and compete in both Pleasure and Combined Driving, with singles, pairs, tandems, unicorns and four-in-hands. Since late 2020, he has been located in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, where he trains and develops top level driving and sport horses.

Jane Karol has worked as a dressage trainer for more than thirty years, competing nationally and internationally from training level to Grand Prix. Her most significant accomplishment to date is winning the Developing Grand Prix National Championships aboard her mare, Sunshine Tour. Karol has developed more than twelve horses from training level to Grand Prix level and has helped many riders move from training to the FEI levels of dressage. In addition to her riding accomplishments, Karol has a doctorate in clinical psychology. She is the trainer at Bear Spot Farm in Concord, MA., and also runs the Bear Spot Foundation for equine facilitated psychotherapy. Karol has written several articles for various publications, including Dressage Today, Sage Publications, and the Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma.

Chad Crider of Huntingdon, TN, has more than 30 years of experience in the equine industry. He began showing horses at the age of 12 and is now recognized as one of the foremost competitors in barrel racing and pole bending competition. During his stellar career, Crider has received numerous honors, which include being the 2013 AQHA Sr. Barrel Racing World Champion and arena record holder, as well as two previous World Champion titles, four Reserve World Champion titles, five Congress wins, and five AQHA High Point wins. He was also a member of the winning United States team at the Barrel Racing World Cup in Verona, Italy, from 2006-2008 and Barretos, Brazil in 2010. Crider is a highly sought after clinician who has given presentations in both the United States and internationally. Clinics conducted by Crider are known for their relaxed atmosphere and abundance of individual attention as he not only strives to help his students become better competitors, but better all-around horsemen as well.

Leslie Lopardo has been working with horses for over 40 years, starting young horses and training horses and riders. Her greatest passions have been Western training and competition and dressage. Today, she has combined her love of dressage with her foundation in Western training and works as a trainer and a judge in Western dressage. She is a USEF Large “R” judge in Western dressage. In June 2022, she judged the Northeast Western Dressage Championships. Lopardo is a member of AQHA, WDAA, USDF, USEF, and NEDA. She has received numerous AQHA national top ten awards through the years, with multiple awards in the state associations of Connecticut and Massachusetts. In addition to riding, training, and competing, Lopardo is a published author and has served as a contributing editor for the Equine Journal and the Horseman’s Yankee Pedlar.

Karen Black is the trainer and coach at Clark Performance Horses in Winchendon, MA. A lifelong horse owner, Black spent her childhood attending 4-H shows, team pennings, and gymkhanas. As an adult, she began competing in hunter/jumpers, AQHA hunter under saddle, and Western pleasure. When she experienced her first ride on a reining horse, she became hooked on Western performance horses. As her passion for reining grew, she coached Non Pros and youths in National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) competitions to World Championships and multiple top ten finishes. When reined cow horse competition became popular in the northeast, Black fell in love with the sport. Her reining background and extensive show travel experience have served her well in her transition to showing cowed horses. Today, she’s a clinician as well as a coach for Non Pros and youths in reined cow horse. She has won multiple National Reined Cow Horse Association Northeast Regional Championships.

Michael Gascon is a fifth-generation equestrian who grew up on and now works at his family’s Horse Haven Paso Fino ranch in Poplarville, MS. In addition to training and showing his family’s horses to more than 50 National and Grand National titles, Gascon also enjoys trail riding, working cattle, running barrels, and practicing for mounted shooting. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching people as well as horses, and now offers clinics and training to gaited and non-gaited equestrian teams. In addition to training at home, Gascon runs horsemanship retreats and travels the country conducting clinics and participating in equine performance groups. He also recently launched a new TV show, “The Horse Guru”, which can be found on Farm And Ranch Television, ROKU TV, Amazon FireTV, Chromecast, and Apple TV.

Sally Batton was the head coach of the Dartmouth College Division I Varsity Equestrian Team for 30 years, coaching dozens of riders to regional, zone, and national titles. She is the past Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association National Steward, and in 2013, was presented with the IHSA Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions and leadership within the organization. In 2020, Coach Batton was inducted into the inaugural class of the IHSA Hall of Fame.
Batton is a certified instructor with both the United States Hunter Jumper Association and the American Riding Instructor’s Association (ARIA); in 2008, she was named ARIA Instructor of the Year. She is the Founder and President of the Athletic Equestrian League, an organization which offers horsemanship education and competition opportunities to English and Western riders from first grade through adult. She is also the host of the Athletic Equestrian Riding in College Podcast. Batton holds an Equestrian Studies degree from Lake Erie College and a master’s degree in Communications from Fairleigh-Dickinson University. Batton has also written two books: “Polocrosse: Australian Made, Internationally Played”; and, along with co-writer Christina Keim, “The Athletic Equestrian,” a Horse & Rider Books publication.

Ty Evans, along with his wife, Skye, and daughters, Ellie and Swayzee, spend 9-10 months each year traveling all over the United States, Canada, and Australia, teaching mulemanship clinics. These clinics are geared towards helping riders and their mules get along a little better. Evans enjoys helping individuals establish a partnership with the mule and develop a clear communication line between one another. Evans teaches a style of mulemanship that works well for mules and also applies to horses and donkeys. The Evanses’ motto is: “Helping people with mule problems, and mules with people problems.” At their clinics, the main goal is to bring out the best in mules and people.

Resonant Riding is built on a relationship between two trainers with a long history of Icelandic tradition, a passion for classical dressage training, and interest in flow theory and the creative process. Benson met Brandt at an Icelandic horse training center in Kentucky, run by Guðmar Pétursson and his family, and quickly became Brandt’s mentor.
Benson went on to become the first American to graduate all three years at Hólar University in Iceland as a horse trainer and riding instructor. Her passion for the performing arts, education, and promotion of the Icelandic horse has led her to become one of the most recognized clinicians and performers in the industry. Brandt became the second American to graduate all three years at Hólar University.
After working together for several years on the Knights of Iceland show team, Brandt and Benson decided to start collaborating on a training business together. In 2017, they began building what is now Resonant Riding.

Joyleen Seymour of Brentwood, NH has been riding for 51 years. She has evented through Preliminary, foxhunted, started racehorses, competed through 2nd level dressage, and has been playing mounted games for 13 years. She is also a local event judge, a certified IMGA chief referee, and has been teaching balance seat for 40 years. Seymour rides South Ridge Chloe, a 14 hand, 21 year old Connemara mare. Seymour trained Chloe for games and they have been partners for 9 years. They ride in the Over 25 division at MGAA competitions.

Kristen Soto of Copper Hill Equestrian Center in West Suffield, CT, is founder, coach, and trainer of the state’s only competitive vaulting team. Originally from California where vaulting is a popular and well-regarded equestrian sport, Soto has been vaulting professionally for more than 20 years. In 2015, she and her husband, Brent Soto, established the Copper Hill Vaulting Team. The team has competed throughout New England, showing off their skills at Equine Affaire, the Eastern States Exposition, and the American Vaulting Association’s Region 9 Championships. Kristen Soto maintains that, when it comes to improving horsemanship, sometimes being backwards with your hands out helps. She believes all disciplines can benefit from adding vaulting to a training regimen to regain confidence, improve balance, and find harmony with their horses.

Terry Jenkins was bitten by the horse bug at a very early age and she has been involved with horses ever since. In 1986 she began TJ Stables, a successful entry-level riding facility in Chatham Kent in Ontario, Canada, and in 1992 she founded the Acceptional Riders therapeutic riding program—a program that services more than 150 individuals with specific needs. For her tireless work with her therapeutic riding program, Jenkins was the recipient of a “YMCA Woman of Excellence” award. But just as important is the second hat that Terry Jenkins wears in the horse world as the creator, captain, and mentor of the charismatic and award-winning Canadian Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team. Since its inception in 2002, the Canadian Cowgirls team has traveled throughout Canada and the United States promoting patriotism and dazzling audiences at every venue. The team received the 2006 “Ontario Sports Award” for outstanding sport contributions, was voted the Best Mounted Unit at the Kentucky Derby parade two years in a row, and won the Best Horse award at the Calgary Stampede parade.

Mathew Ainsworth was born and raised in New England, working on local dairy and agricultural farms in Deerfield, MA. Upon graduating the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, he began to build his experience operating heavy equipment and becoming a project manager for an event company that worked from coast to coast, including Canada. Following that, he was hired by a footing installation company to help install new GGT footing for a local private school, and later promoted to head installer, which has taken him from the Carolinas to Maine working on many different farms, institutions, and universities throughout the East Coast. Staying current with new technology and time-tested proven methods, he will provide you with a finished product that will exceed your expectations. Ainsworth is excited to begin a new chapter by starting Stillwater Arenas and providing clients with a product that is a step above the rest.

Pamela Allen-LeBlanc started out as a young child riding in Pony Club. Wanting to develop a deeper relationship with horses, she studied natural horsemanship, Reiki, animal communication, animal Reiki, and essential oils, and worked with several trainers. Eventually she opened Hidden Brook Farm in Durham Bridge, New Brunswick, Canada, where she works with horses and horse lovers on horsemanship, animal communication, and Reiki. She also developed her own line of essential oils for horses and humans. Allen-LeBlanc is a member of the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association, a centered riding instructor, a licensed Reiki Master Teacher with the International Center for Reiki Training, and a contributing author to Reiki News magazine, Reiki for Animals book, and the ICRT Animal Reiki course. She is also the host of the “Reiki from the Farm™" podcast. In addition to teaching from her farm and online, Allen-LeBlanc travels throughout North America, Australia, and the United Kingdom to teach horse enthusiasts about the benefits of animal communication, Reiki, and essential oils, and how these methods can improve relationships with horses.

Rebecca Barrett is the instructor and owner of EquiFirst Aid East Coast, a licensed affiliate for EquiFirst Aid USA. EquiFirst Aid USA has produced written manuals such as “Equine Health and Emergency First Aid,” “Disaster Planning for Farms, Stables, and Ag Businesses,” “Livestock Handling for First Responders,” and other equine and agriculturally-oriented educational materials. Barrett has owned horses for twelve years. She became an equine first aid instructor within the past year and is now a newly-licensed affiliate for EquiFirst Aid USA. Her company, EquiFirst Aid East Coast, handles the East Coast expansion of EquiFirst Aid USA. Barrett has created manuals and classroom sessions all about equine health and emergency first aid as well as disaster planning and emergency preparedness. Barrett is passionate about providing education to the equestrian public about such topics as trailering and when to call the vet and what horse owners can do during an emergency situation. EquiFirst Aid East Coast is also qualified and certified to train EquiFirst Aid USA instructors.

Danielle Bertuccio is a lifelong equestrienne with a passion for working with the special needs community. In addition to working as an adjunct instructor of philosophy at Suffolk County Community College, Bertuccio is a riding instructor at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, a therapeutic riding facility in Islandia, NY. She earned a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, is a Certified Autism Specialist and a Certified Behavior Instructor for Autism-Level 1. Bertuccio was able to combine her love of teaching with her passion for working with the special needs community by joining Pal-O-Mine Equestrian in 2015. She currently instructs students in adaptive riding and unmounted horsemanship.

Samantha Brooks, PhD, is an associate professor of equine physiology at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla. She is the co-author of “Horse Genetics” (2nd and 3rd edition) and has developed many genetic tests for equine coat colors, variation in growth and body size, and diseases. Her specific area of expertise is developing genetic and genomic tools to improve the health, welfare, and performance of the horse. She received the 2017 Award for Excellence in Research for Assistant Professors from the University of Florida Provosts Office. An avid equestrian, Brooks rode for the University of Kentucky’s equestrian team in college and today, she competes recreationally in eventing with her own homebred Traditional Irish Sport Horse. She is also the faculty advisor for the University of Florida Equestrian Teams.

Karin Bump currently works as the Executive Director of Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension in Madison County, NY. Prior to assuming this role, she retired from her previous position as a Full Professor at Cazenovia College, where she taught and studied topics within the equine discipline. Bump is the Founder and Director of the National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics, an organization that focuses on increasing collaboration between colleges and universities with equine undergraduate programs. Recently, she has used her knowledge of equine academic programs to launch Equine Academics, an online resource for students, parents, and guidance counselors, with a free database of equine academic offerings in the United States. Bump earned her Bachelor of Science in companion animal biology and Master of Science in equine exercise physiology and nutrition from the University of Illinois. She later completed her doctorate in higher education and policy studies at the University of Albany. She is also a certified Professional Animal Scientist through the American Registry of Professionals in Animal Science.

Colleen Campbell has been training horses and dogs and teaching people how to build a better partnership with their animals for 20 years. Campbell specializes in teaching people how to understand equine and canine body language and how people affect horses, dogs, and people with body language and emotions. She focuses on bringing fun into training and learning so people and animals want to learn and stay engaged with the lessons. Campbell started learning about and following centered riding when she was doing an internship at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm. While attending UMASS Amherst, she met her mentor, Joe Delano, who taught her about natural horsemanship training and reining. With her background in centered riding and natural horsemanship, she developed Horsemanship Yoga to help people learn feel and get more comfortable and confident in the saddle. Campbell owns Serendipity Farm in Sunderland, MA, where she trains horses for ranch riding and runs Equine Assisted Therapy, Equine Assisted Learning, Canine Assisted therapy and Canine Assisted Learning programs for Heroes, Horses and Hounds. Campbell also owns and runs Heroes Boarding and Training center in Whately, MA, where she teaches people how to train ESA, companion, and service dogs.

Jenny Cournoyer is a certified magna wave practitioner and owner of Grey Mare Magna Wave in Jefferson, MA. A lifelong equestrian, Cournoyer grew up riding and showing draft horses, primarily Shires and Belgians, with her family. She continues to show Belgians professionally for Rock Bottom Farms in Stow, MA, and breeds and shows Shires through her family's Squantum Shires business. Cournoyer became certified to treat humans, horses, and small animals using the Magna Wave Maxx, a Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy device that performs high performance physiotherapy, and started her own practice, Grey Mare Magna Wave, in January 2019. Through this company, Cournoyer works on horses with all sorts of backgrounds to help them feel their best through magna wave technology.

The world needs people who will look at things differently, shake things up, and inspire new ways of thinking. As an equine education specialist, author, and master teacher of nearly 30 years, Jennifer does just that. She brings a totally unique perspective to the arena. Seventeen years ago, she discovered brain-based learning. Ten years ago, she hopped back in the saddle after a life-altering accident. The rest, they say, is history. Born into a horse loving family, Jennifer has had the innate ability to relate to horses at their level from the very beginning. After nearly two decades of studying brain research, she now has the science to back up her methods and understandings as she interacts, competes on, and trains her horses. Using what she has learned about teaching humans as a guide, she has successfully translated that information into the equine world. Her passion is palpable in her clinics as she teaches participants the horse brain/human brain connection; where stronger partnerships begin.

Mandee Flanders is the owner, founder, producer, and host of The Leadline Podcast, which is part of the Horse Radio Network. The Leadline hosts virtual and live networking events for equestrian professionals. Utilizing more than ten years’ worth of experience as an events manager, Flanders produces engaging opportunities for horse business owners to build valuable connections in the industry.
Flanders has managed marketing programs for clients like Google, Liberty Mutual, and Ralph Lauren. She has also presented on marketing and entrepreneurship at various business conferences, networking lunches, and colleges. Her first horse-related business was an online magazine called Horse Family, where she wrote dozens of articles and conducted on-camera interviews with top equine professionals, including John Lyons, Stacy Westfall, and others.

Richard Godbee, PhD, PAS, Dipl. ACAS - Nutrition, earned his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and his master’s degree in Ruminant Nutrition from the University of Georgia. He received his Ph. in animal nutrition/nutritional biochemistry with an emphasis in equine from Colorado State University. During his professional career, Godbee has served as a faculty or adjunct faculty member at several universities. Godbee’s research interest includes the effect of nutrition on immunity and inflammation. He has traveled both nationally and internationally as a speaker and is also widely published in peer-reviewed journals and popular press. Board certified in animal nutrition by the American College of Animal Science, Godbee is a Professional Animal Scientist in the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists with a specialty in Horses. He is also a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, American Society of Animal Science and the Equine Science Society. Godbee founded Equi-University, an education-based website dedicated to improving horses’ lives through owner education. An avid horseman and competitor, he owns and shows cutting horses.

John Haime is a world-class performance coach who works with some of the world’s leading athletes and executives. He advises top performers in sports, business, and entertainment build mental and emotional muscle so they can maximize their abilities. Haime develops performers with a winning formula of performance psychology, emotional intelligence, sport psychology, neuroscience, communication and executive coaching. His company, John Haime Performance, has generated breakthrough results for clients in major professional sports leagues, including FEI, NFL, NHL, NBA, PGA Tour, ATP Tennis and MLS. For the past seven years, he has worked with hundreds of equestrian clients, from young hunter riders and adult beginners to the world’s top show jumping, dressage, and eventing athletes. He has coached Nations Cup winners, Grand Prix winners, and national champions. He is the Author of the highly acclaimed “Ride Big” – a collaboration with some of equestrian sport’s leading riders to address the “confidence crisis” in the sport. He is also the author of You Are a Contender! Build Emotional Muscle to Perform Better and Achieve More … in Business, Sports and Life. More about Haime can be found at (johnhaime.com).

At 6 years of age, Holly Holleran started riding Saddleseat on Morgans, Arabians, and Saddlebreds, earning a National title in hunt seat equitation. In her teens, she got into 4-H, hunter/ jumpers, eventing, fox hunting, galloping racehorses, and polo. Upon graduating from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, Holleran coached the Men’s and Women’s polo teams, earning the college a National Championship. Becoming a certified polo umpire, she also coached the University of Virginia Interscholastic team to a reserve national title.
Involved with many breeds and disciplines over the years, she saw the same chronic health and nutrition problems across the country: notably, founder, laminitis, and colic. After adopting her first donkey, she set out to discover why those issues were so common and to find out how to prevent them. After working for years with several veterinarians who specialized in preventative and remedial supplements and back to basics nutrition, her passion is to share this knowledge through a common sense, cost-effective approach. Holleran does this through her YouTube videos and by teaching seminars around the country helping to make donkeys, mules, horses, ponies, and people healthier.

Bethany Iles started trick riding at just nine years old. Despite not being raised in a horse or rodeo family, the lifestyle captivated her. At ten, she and her twin and her little sister began performing at rodeos across the Midwest in trick and Roman riding acts. When she was 18, Iles decided to pursue trick riding full time, earning her PRCA card. Iles She and Rider Kiesner joined forces when she was 19. Since then, they have performed at many big events such as the Mountain State Circuit Finals, Prairie Circuit Finals, Great Lakes Circuit Finals, the American Royal in Kanas City, Missouri, Road to the Horse, and others. Their biggest accomplishment so far has been winning the title of the 2020 PRCA Dress Act of the Year. Iles loves the art of trick riding and aims to honor the sport and the women who came before her.

Cynthia Keating, the national account manager for Polysols GGT Footing, grew up in Wellesley, MA, but has traveled and lived throughout the country. Her numerous accomplishments include running her own riding school and camps in New Hampshire; managing and training at Princess Anne Farms in Virginia Beach, Virginia; being secretary to the Pennsylvania Jumper Association, treasurer for the New Hampshire horse council, and co-committee chairperson for the New Hampshire Hunter Jumper Association (NHHJA) Medal Finals and Hunter Invitational horse show. She also earned her colors and led second flight as field master for the Wentworth Hunt Club. To top it all off, she has achieved a Level Two riding instructor certification with the American Riding Instructor’s Association. Before becoming the National Account Manager for GGT Footing™, Keating worked for Sidelines magazine for two and a half years, and she also worked for Phelps Media Group. Residing in Aiken, SC, Keating is keen on sharing her knowledge about the benefits of good footing with equestrians of all disciplines.

Rider Kiesner grew up as a 5th generation cowboy. As a kid, he began competing in youth and little britches rodeos and won his first buckle when he was just five years old. When he was nine, he received a Will Rogers trick roping kit for Christmas. By pushing the living room furniture back out of his way and watching instructional videos over and over, Kiesner mastered each trick. He started performing locally the next summer, and by eleven, he was performing in professional rodeos. By age 28, Kiesner had already collected two World Champion All Around Western Performer titles, four World Champion Trick Roper titles, and two World Champion Gun Spinner titles.
Today, Kiesner competes at international competitions in trick roping and gun spinning, and he continues to practice the cowboy skills of trick roping, gun spinning, and whip-cracking daily. He has performed in all 50 states as well as in Canada, Mexico, Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Oman, Dubai, Lebanon, and France. He has been featured in the National Finals Rodeo seven times, in Cheyenne Frontier Days nine times, and in Cavalia, the Prairie Circuit Finals, and the California Circuit Finals.

Piper Klemm, PhD, is the owner and publisher of The Plaid Horse. Her mission is to educate young equestrians in every facet of our industry and to empower young women in particular to find their voices and stories—and to share
them. She has spent her entire career focusing on education through various channels, including The Plaidcast, North America’s most listenedto horse show podcast; as a professor at Clarkson University and St. Lawrence University; co-authoring the “Show Strides” book series; and by providing educational articles, grants, and experiential learning opportunities for riders of all ages and levels. She earned her PhD in Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. Klemm lives in Canton, New York, with her husband, Adam Hill. She owns a fleet of lease ponies, and competes in the
Amateur Hunter divisions with MTM Sandwich.

Danny Kroetch is a master saddle fitter with more than 20 years of experience who travels worldwide, fitting saddles and lecturing about the importance of correct saddle fit. After studying the anatomy and biomechanics of the horse, Kroetch’s research led him to develop his own line of innovative, fully-adjustable saddles. His company, DK Saddlery, is currently the largest exporter of English saddles to Europe and Asia, and his saddles are used by some of the world’s top riders. In 2003, Danny Kroetch took part in a 15-month study with Utrecht Veterinary University in the Netherlands, which focused on how incorrectly-fitted saddles affect horses. The findings of this study were published in the Veterinary Journal. Kroetch has also been featured in two Dutch magazines and has had articles in California Riding Magazine, Dressage Today, Warmbloods Today, and other industry publications. In addition to his career in saddle fitting and development, Kroetch runs Carousel Stables, a busy boarding and training facility in Calgary, Alberta.

Tara Mahoney is a licensed professional counselor, certified clinical trauma professional, an Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association Mental Health Specialist with Military Designation, and a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Equine Specialist in Mental Health Learning. She graduated from Boston College with a bachelor’s in psychology and neuroscience and holds a master’s in counseling with concentrations in forensic psychology and veteran’s behavioral health. For the past 10 years, Mahoney has combined her professional calling with her lifetime passion for horses. She has focused her education, experience, and energy into the field of animal-assisted alternative therapies and has presented nationally regarding the tremendous benefits and outcomes. Based out of Lyndeborough, NH, Mahoney founded and now leads the Equine Immersion Project, an organization dedicated to providing equine-assisted services to veterans, active-duty service members, law enforcement, and first responders, as well as their families and supports.

Kerrie Fleming is a licensed massage therapist and certified neural reset therapist with Soul Bodywork in Watertown and Woodbury, Connecticut. She has produced videos via YouTube entitled “Soul Bodywork with Kerrie.” In addition to her work as a massage therapist, Fleming is an enthusiastic equestrian. She spent four years as a working student with Lendon Gray, earned her bronze and silver medals through USDF, and has worked with a number of breeds, including Arabians, Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, Connemaras, and others. Her areas of expertise include horse massage and craniosacral therapy, energy balancing, and body mechanics.

Randel Raub, PhD, is the director of research and nutrition with Kent Nutrition Group. Raub earned his Ph.D. in animal nutrition and physiology from the University of Kentucky in 1987. He has over 53 years of experience working with horses of different disciplines and breeds, including Thoroughbreds, American Quarter Horses, and mules. Raub’s area of expertise is in equine nutritional physiology, particularly as it applies to growth, performance, and medical conditions. Over the course of his work in the industry, he has developed several equine nutrition products and supplements. Raub also contributes to numerous popular press and scientific journals. Although Raub has won several awards, including Faculty of the Year at Kansas State University and a distinguished service award from Land O Lakes/Purina, he says his most significant accomplishment is to have had the privilege to ride good horses.

Frank Reilly, DVM, has practiced exclusively equine medicine and surgery for more than 30 years. He received Bachelor of Science degrees in both biology and veterinary science in 1983 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1987 from the University of Illinois. During his veterinary career, Reilly has worked at multiple racehorse tracks in Florida, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, and his patients have included six world-record holders and multiple track-record holders. He is a member of the AAEP, AVMA, NEAEP, and a board member of the American Association of Professional Farriers. He is also a board member of Ryerss Farm, the oldest horse retirement farm in the USA since 1888. Reilly currently serves as the senior veterinarian at Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Inc. in West Chester, PA. His primary research interests include insulin resistance, COPD, laminitis, joint problems, canker, and vitamin E.

Dr. Dan Moore is a practicing holistic veterinarian based in Unicoi, TN, who is known as The Natural Horse Vet® - or simply “Dr. Dan.” He received a degree in animal science from North Carolina State University prior to earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1980 at Auburn School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Dan is the founder of The Natural Horse Vet®, an online source of information, products, and services about natural alternatives to traditional drugs and chemicals for people, pets, and horses. He has combined more than 20 years of study in the field of herbal nutrition with completion of both professional and advanced courses in veterinary homeopathy and extensive studies in veterinary orthopedic manipulation. Dr. Dan has been featured on RFD-TV’s “At the Clinic” series, as well as on the Outdoor Channel, and has written extensively for numerous publications, including Holistic Horse Magazine, The Natural Horse Magazine, and Equine Wellness Magazine. In addition to his professional career, Dr. Dan has long been active in the Rocky Mountain Horse world where he has won numerous national championships and served in various Board positions within the breed.

In 1985, Jochen Schleese was certified as the youngest master saddler in Europe. As a Certified Master Saddler, Schleese was honored to be named the official saddler for the 1986 World Dressage Championships as well as for the 2005, 2007, and 2009 World Cup Finals. Schleese worked with the Canadian Government to develop a three-year recognized apprenticeship program in the trade of saddlery. He holds a patent on his innovative and unique AdapTree®, and his company, Schleese Saddlery, has won numerous industry and business awards over the past 30 years. Jochen Schleese established Saddlefit 4 Life® in 2006 to train and certify equine professionals using his 80-point diagnostic saddle fit evaluation. He teaches at various equine universities, conferences, and professional trainer associations in North America and Europe and is the author of the best-selling book, “Suffering in Silence: The Saddle Fit Link to Physical and Psychological Trauma in Horses.”

Fran Severn is the author of “Riders of a Certain Age,” a guidebook for encouraging older equestrians to enjoy life with their horses, both in and out of the saddle. Inspired by her own experiences of discovering horses later in life, Severn is passionate about inspiring women of all ages to enjoy horses and the equine life. Her goal is to encourage women to discover (or re-discover) their abilities, independence, and self-reliance, all while having the time of their lives with horses and other horse people.
Raised in the city, Severn didn’t get the chance to ride until after she finished college. She started out as an eventer, but soon discovered her heart belonged to dressage, trail riding, and camping with horses. Her equine partners have included an elegant Selle Francais mare, a Dutch Warmblood with the personality of a Labrador retriever, and a Holsteiner gentleman with an adventurous heart. She says her biggest accomplishment is learning how to learn from her horses.
In addition to her equestrian book, Severn has written or produced several guidebooks and walking/driving tours for New England, Washington, DC, the Mid-Atlantic, Australia, and the Delmarva Peninsula. She is also a frequent contributor to Horse Illustrated and the USDF Connection.

Liz Shea grew up with horses and enjoyed riding, taking lessons, and competing in the occasional 4-H show. Today, she is the lead facilitator with Horses Healing Hearts, Inc, a nonprofit organization based in Salisbury, MA. She is a certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator who specializes in working with veterans. When she earned her EAL certification, Shea says her eyes were opened to true communication with horses and she learned how to work with the horse for the benefit of all. Shea continues to learn and develop that skill set and enjoys integrating it into her EAL programs, as well as sharing it with fellow equine entrepreneurs.
Shea also owns Productive By Design, based in Monson, MA, where she works as a productivity coach to help other equine entrepreneurs realize their dreams while avoiding burnout.

Cassandra Shores attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science. Following her time at UNH, Shores attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and completed her clinical work at Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine, obtaining her D.V.M. in 2008. She continued on at Cornell for six months, splitting her time between research on EHV-1 and as an assistant laboratory instructor, before moving to Illinois for her year-long internship at Kendall Road Equine Hospital in Elgin, IL. During her internship, Dr. Shores developed an interest in anesthesia, ophthalmology, and emergency medicine, although she enjoys all aspects of equine veterinary practice. Upon completion of her internship, she pursued her passion by joining a mixed animal practice as their equine emergency associate. Shores is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners. In her spare time, she enjoys pleasure riding on her mare, downhill skiing, fishing, scuba diving, gardening, and spending time with family.

Wayne Williams has a long background in the radio and television industries as a disc jockey and newscaster, as well as in the equine industry. He got involved with horses as a young boy and has appeared in many parades, including the Indianapolis 500 and Rose Bowl parades, and has competed in Open and Palomino shows. He also pays tribute to Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with his wife, Pat, on horseback with silver saddles and costumes of the era. In 1985, he combined his announcing background with horses as the “Voice of Many Horse Fairs.” Williams has emceed at expos throughout the United States and some of the largest events in the country, including the 2010 World Equestrian Games and Breyerfest. Out of his home base in Whitewater, WI, Williams currently hosts “Speaking of Horses,” a television and radio show that features horses and horse people from all corners of the industry.

An attorney from Clifton, NJ, and a passionate equestrian, Fred Win is a model for amateur and para-equestrian riders everywhere. Originally from Myanmar, Win was born with only part of his right leg. He never let that hold him back though, as he won championships in ancient combat mounted technique, show jumping, and riot control mounted parade competitions. In his early twenties Win decided to pursue a legal career and moved to the United States, where he discovered a passion for reining. He has won multiple freestyle reining championships at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, The Run for a Million invitational, and the National Reining Horse Association’s futurity invitational. An undefeated U.S. Equestrian national champion in reining, Win is also an International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) and U.S. Dressage Federation dressage champion. Outside of reining and dressage competition, Win practices liberty, polo, and the art of Spanish dressage.

Donna Woods resides in the horse capital of the world in Ocala, Fla. She is the co-founder and CEO of Photonic Health, a light therapy company dedicated to the health an dwell-being of horses, dogs, and people.
She has been an equine bodyworker since 2004, incorporating several modalities including Chinese medicine, light therapy, Equine Touch, myofascial release, Reiki and emotional and energetic clearing. She is also certified in NLP, hypnosis, an Infinite Possibilities trainer, and an avid horse, dog, and cat mom.