The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) welcomed four new board members at the 2019 CHA International Conference held at Houghton College near Buffalo, New York. Joining the CHA Board of Directors are Jessica Hersey, Kristin Jaworski, Katrina Lechlitner, and Amanda Reardon. Candidates for the board seats were introduced and voted on during the general membership meeting.
Jessica Hersey, from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is a CHA Lifetime member and a Master Instructor/Assistant Certifier. Her skill set includes over 20 years of teaching and training in addition to prior board experience. She is the former Vice President and Board of Directors member for the Maine Cowboy Mounted Shooters, and Vice President/Outreach Officer of the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Hampshire. Involved in many different areas of the equine industry she has held memberships in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, Cowboy Sports Association, United Mounted Shooters, Mustang Heritage Foundation, FN Verlag, US Equestrian Federation, American Youth Horse Council, IHSA, state chapters, and regional clubs. Jessica has also earned two business degrees and is currently completing a Master of Education in Equestrian Education from William Woods University.
Kristin Jaworski, from Fort Worth, Texas, 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 now a CHA Certified Instructor. When asked what she was looked forward to the most she said it was to be more involved in the association to inspire people and generate awareness and excitement for those who want to explore their dreams with horsemanship.
Katrina Lechlitner, from Reed City, Michigan, grew up very active in the American Quarter Horse Association and has been at SpringHill Camps as Ranch Director since 2005. She is a CHA Certified Instructor and has been involved in a 4-H Horse Leaders Group for the past 5 years. Katrina became certified when she joined SpringHill Camp and continues to use CHA as a resource, not only for herself, but SpringHill as an organization, local 4-H Extension, and others seeking a starting point.
Katrina had this to say about joining the CHA Board of Directors, “My desire to be involved on the board is because safe, positive experiences with horses is important to me and I continue to let that lead my decisions in my own career and the areas I volunteer. Secondly, I value education and creative presentation of information to students and leaders. The access to resources and continued education builds stronger programs. Lastly, I understand that building a base of individuals who will continue to represent CHA with the esteem that I have come to respect is important to move forward during the next 50 years!”
Amanda Reardon, from Lexington, Kentucky, started her riding career over 20 years ago as a young pony clubber, advancing over the years to competitive riding with high school and college teams. At 18, she became a CHA Certified Horseback Riding Instructor. Amanda has worked as a teaching assistant for the University of Kentucky’s Equine Handling courses, taught lessons and camps at a Lexington lesson farm, and has spent time working in the Thoroughbred breeding industry. Earning a degree in Equine Science/Management and a minor in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky she joined the Kentucky Horse Park staff immediately following graduation where she manages the Equine Education Department.
In her time at the Kentucky Horse Park Amanda has developed, planned, and executed four years of summer camps and teaches over 100 children every summer. She also started and runs the first riding lesson program at the Park. Amanda recently earned her CHA Master Level Certification and is moving forward with her education and practices to earn her CHA Clinician status. She envisions hosting clinics at the park once again, as they were held when she started her involvement with CHA in 2011.
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; Beth Long, YMCA, Kentucky; Katie Reynolds, American Quarter Horse Association, Amarillo, TX; and James Rickner, Champ Chippewa, KS.
The CHA Executive Board consists of: President Tammi Gainer, Pegasus Farm and PATH International, Alliance, OH; President Elect Dr. Bob Coleman, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; 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 Beth Powers, YMCA and American Camp Association, Bellefontaine, 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, Certified Horsemanship Association, please visit www.CHA.horseor call 859-259-3399. To find a certified horseback riding instructor or accredited equine facility near you, visitwww.CHAinstructors.com
