Your New Board

Elected:

TINSLEY COHEN

Photo Credit: Catherine Knight Photography

Growing up, I was a horseless, horse-crazy kid, forcing my dog to jump over broomsticks in the backyard. As an adult, dressage instantly appealed to me because the competition is with oneself, and the scoring system is clear and articulated.  Last year I moved from Boston to California and was at once impressed by the sheer number of dressage shows within an hour’s drive. So much in the horse community happens because of volunteer power, I’m happy to add my skills to the mix.  Currently, I am the Executive Director of a non-profit;  in addition to an ability to get things done, I bring event planning and administrative experience to the table.

WENDY MORRIS

I began my riding career as an adult, initially with a focus on trail riding, but quickly became interested in Dressage, which has been my passion for the last 18 years.  I have supported the CDS EB Chapter by volunteering at shows and the Western Saddlery sale, and have maintained a connection with my trail riding roots through membership in the Tri-Valley Trailblazers.  As a CDS EB Board member, I hope to identify and implement methods for encouraging greater participation in club activities by all chapter members.

CONNIE DAHL

Dressage is a developing passion for me.  I originally got involved in the CDS EB chapter as a show volunteer. It was fun and a fabulous opportunity to meet dressage enthusiasts, and be closer to the action than just as a spectator.  Last year I stepped up to the plate to fill the Board vacancy of the Treasurer position.  Additionally, I took on the job of being the chapter’s Volunteer Coordinator.  As the Board Treasurer, I have been able to apply my professional skills in cost analysis and budget planning in an effort to standardize the chapter’s finance policy and practices.  Outside of the dressage world, I have been a long time pony Club Leader, having held several leadership positions in the organization.  For six years I have owned and operated my own barn, Three Horse Farms, in the Tassajara Valley, where I am building a vibrant, thriving riding program for adults and kids.

KRIS KALSTOM

I am the owner and manager of Denville-Kanani Ranch.  A former eventer, I have more recently focused on dressage, managing numerous shows at my barn with the help of some great volunteers.  I ride a home-bred mare, and I am currently working on getting her to second level.  I have served on the boards of both the Appaloosa Sport Horse Association and the North American Selle Francais Association. For the past ten years, my major philanthropic efforts have been the tutoring of my foreman’s two daughters, now 12 and 15 years old.  As the girls are older and more independent now, I have become involved with Habitat for Humanity.  In my limited free time I enjoy going to plays, the gym, and spending time with friends and family.  I have not been lately involved with the CDS EB chapter, but I have enjoyed managing dressage shows at Denville, attended by many chapter members.  As I will be ending my breeding business and reducing the number of dressage shows at the barn, I am enthusiastic about taking on a larger role in the dressage community.

ROBIN KATHERMAN

I have been a member of CDS for over 20 years, first in San Diego and later here in the East Bay.  I was previously a member of the EB CDS chapter board, and served as Treasurer for 4 years, under Chapter Chair, Liz Lewis.  While I was on the board, and since then, I have remained an active show volunteer assisting all the show secretaries.  I have volunteered before shows and/or during shows at every chapter show held in the East Bay since beginning my involvement with the chapter.  My riding resume spans many decades – most of which were spent as an eventing competitor.  Recently, I changed my focus in riding solely to dressage and with a new horse I was able to quickly qualify for the Amateur Championships.  It was on this horse, Flea, that I received the opportunity to ride with Rachel Saavedra in the 2008 Amateur Clinic.

EMILY MCDONALD

I am an avid Dressage rider and have been a chapter member for close to ten years.  I have ridden several horses in our chapter shows, local clinics and the annual championships.  I have really enjoyed participating in the many opportunities our chapter has offered over the years, and have benefited from the relationships and friendships I have forged with other chapter members.   In my non-riding life I am a teacher at a Montessori Elementary School.   I am currently continuing my education through a Saint Mary’s College Master’s Program.  I am looking forward to blending my love of dressage AND education by serving on the chapter board in the area of Dressage Education.

AMY MEZEY

Like many other CDS members, I have been a horse and riding enthusiast since childhood.  I cut my teeth on riding learning western trail, but moved on in adulthood to hunters and jumpers, and then finally to Dressage.  It wasn’t until my two sons were born that I was able to buy my first horse, an unpredictable but good hearted thoroughbred whom I shared with my husband, also an avid rider.  Since then Philip and I have owned two more horses, however for the past two years we have been horse-less, catching rides on school masters and the horses of kind friends.  We have trained with Laurie Moore for nine years.  Besides riding dressage, I love to ride cross-country recreationally, having done so in Northern Ireland ten times since 1988.  Professionally, I worked in the non-profit field of Development for fifteen years before dedicating myself full-time to raising my family.  I have been a CDS member and volunteer for nine years, serving for four and half of those years as Chapter Secretary.

AMY RIKER

I am the owner of three horses, and I have been riding Dressage with trainer, Kelly Casey, for the past two years. I am currently showing first level on my 14 year old Swedish mare, who miraculously fully recovered from a hairline fracture of the knee. I hope to move up to second, and possibly even third level next year. I also own a 7 year old American Warmblood mare who events and is in full training with Hillary Ludwig of Flying L Farms.  I also compete on my 14 year old gelding.  He has been trained through Intermediare I and is a lot of fun.  He is my equine partner with whom I hope to get my Bronze medal. Outside of riding I have a busy career as Marketing Manager for Internet Services at Wells Fargo.  I have been on the CDS EB board for the past two years, leading the sponsorship and fundraising initiatives.  For the 2010-11 term, I would like to focus on community outreach by partnering with the East Bay boarding facilities and encouraging everyone to get involved with the chapter.

LINDA STALCUP

As most young girls I had always loved horses, but being able to afford one then was not feasible for my family.  As I approached mid-life I decided if I budgeted carefully I could consider buying and supporting one myself.  My first horse was Adam, a National Show Horse with a specialty in versatility.  We enjoyed many years of Half-Arabian ring competition, however as Adam approached a well-earned, full retirement four years ago I needed to think about the next phase of my riding life.  Having always admired the precision of  Dressage riders, I was lucky to find Franz, a kind and generous Rhinelander.  For the past five years Franz and I have been learning to appreciate the dedication, hard work and rewards of this fantastic sport.  When not riding, I work as an Administrative Assistant for a Financial Services firm in San Francisco.

ANN ZEREGA

I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t have a strong interest in horses and riding.  I began taking riding lessons in my late twenties and then re-started lessons after I completed my certificate in Web Design in 2001.  I purchased my current equine partner, Dixie, and it has been so much fun!  When Dixie (track name, Dancin’ Dixie Chix) and I entered two CDS East Bay shows in 2008, I was impressed by how well the shows were run and how patient the show secretary was with my “newbie” questions.  When Renee Silva asked me if I would be willing to help with the CDS East Bay Website, I thought it would be a great opportunity to support a wonderful organization.  I have been serving as the CDS East Bay Webmaster Co-Chair since November of 2008.

Tagged as: California Dressage Society East Bay Chapter, CDS East Bay Board, Dressage