The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) has new leadership on its board for the end of 2020 and into 2021. We are excited to introduce them.
Dr. Bob Coleman is the new CHA President. Dr. Coleman graduated from the University of Manitoba with a bachelor’s in Agriculture with a major in Animal Sciences, he then gained a Masters of Science. He worked in the Canadian feed industry as a nutritionist for two major feed companies. He then became the extension horse specialist for Alberta Agriculture and completed his PhD at the University of Alberta with a focus in Equine Nutrition. He is now the University of Kentucky’s equine extension specialist in Lexington. He also teaches in the Equine Science and Management program, advises undergraduate students, and served as the program’s director of undergraduate studies until May 2017. He has researched voluntary forage intake of horses and the use of rotational grazing practices to meet maintenance needs of adult horses. He has worked with University of Minnesota faculty to develop the Healthy Horse app, which helps owners to estimate their horse’s current and ideal body weight. He is a CHA Site Visitor Trainer for the CHA Equine Facility Accreditation Program.
“I am honored and excited to be the incoming CHA president as CHA brings together people from all aspects of the industry to help those they meet have a safe experience with horses and those experiences do change lives,” says Dr. Coleman. “It is not just those new to horses this impacts, but all of us.”
Kristin Jaworski is the new CHA President-Elect. She is from Fort Worth, TX and is the Director of the Fort Worth Herd where she manages and directs the world’s only twice daily longhorn cattle drive. She grew up raising mules and horses in northern Arizona and later graduated with her Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership from Tarleton State University. Since 2002 she has expanded all aspects of The Herd, including educational programs, facility operations, and horsemanship to support the economy and raise awareness of western heritage. Kristin was introduced to CHA through The Herd program and is a CHA Certified Instructor and a CHA Equine Facility Manager Certifier.
“The Certified Horsemanship Association has remained true to its why statement, by changing my life through safe experiences with horses, members of the organization, education and volunteers,” says Jaworski. “CHA has professionally influenced me as a rider and encouraged me to become a steward of the organization and I am honored to be elected President Elect. I believe in the excellence that this organization represents in the horse industry and am honored to serve.”
Katie Reynolds was elected to a second term on the CHA Board of Directors. Katie is the Director of Youth Development & AQHYA at the American Quarter Horse Association. In this role since July of 2016, Katie is responsible for engaging a youth membership of more than 22,000, developing a diverse portfolio of programs and educational resources, and providing career and leadership development opportunities to tomorrow’s industry leaders. Katie is a graduate of Colorado State University. Katie spent several years as the Youth Programs Coordinator for Arabian Horse Association in Denver, Colorado, where she created programs, increased fundraising revenues, and advanced youth leadership development. It was during those years that Katie established a deep personal commitment to youth involvement. In 2008, Katie joined the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo as the Horse Show Director. There, Katie launched competitive events resulting in an increase of more than 260% in youth participation, worked with a committee of more than 500 volunteers, and managed a wide assortment of world-class events for thousands of exhibitors. A native of Wisconsin, Katie is a lifelong horseman. She resides in Canyon, Texas with her husband and their three children.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to continue serving as a board member of CHA,” says Katie Reynolds. “CHA’s mission is so important and I look forward to helping advance the association’s objectives in the coming years.”
Returning CHA Board members include: Hayley Eberle, Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, Oklahoma City, OK; Teddy Franke, Camp Morrow, Pine Hollow, OR; Susan Garside, YMCA Camp Noah, Canal Fulton, OH; Jessica Hersey, Cowboy Mounted Shooting, Gettysburg, PA; Katrina Lechlitner, Spring Hills Camp, Reed City, MI; Amanda Reardon, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY; and James Rickner, Camp Chippewa, KS.
The rest of the CHA Executive Board consist of: Vice President of New Initiatives Anne Brzezicki, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, Murfreesboro, TN; Vice President of Regional Relations Jennifer Eaton, Interscholastic Equestrian Association, Groveland, MA; Secretary Elizabeth Duffy, Camp America, Eatonton, GA; Treasurer Terry Williams, Blanchester, OH; and Past President Tammi Gainer, Pegasus Farm and PATH International, Alliance, OH.
CHA Instructors Change Lives Through Safe Experiences with Horses. The purpose of CHA is to promote excellence in safety and education for the benefit of the horse industry. CHA certifies instructors and trail guides, accredits equestrian facilities, publishes educational manuals, produces educational horsemanship DVDs and YouTube Safety shorts, and hosts regional and international conferences. For more information on the largest certifying body of riding instructors and barn managers in North America and to find a certified equine professional or accredited equine facility near you, please visit CHA.horse.
