Sue Beth Bunn
South Region

Her adult involvement with United States Pony Clubs includes coaching and club instructor positions, as well as District Commissioner; service Regional committees or as an officer (in several Regions); and as a National Examiner for several years. She was inducted into the USPC Academy of Achievement in 2002.  She served on the USPC Board of Governors from 2008 until 2011 as the Vice President, Instruction. From 2011 to 2019, she was a Chair or member of several USPC Board Committees. She also served as Secretary, USPC. She is now the Vice President, Regional Administration. Between 2015 to today, she is part of the Maryland Region leadership team, to include a few years as the Regional Supervisor.

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.

I met my husband, Mike, when I was a senior in high school.  We have two children, Brianna 22 and Michael 20.  Brianna and I ride and do Pony Club together.  Mike & Michael play and coach hockey and Brianna and I are their biggest fans.

I hold a BS in Biology and a Masters of Science in Applied Biotechnology.  After completing my bachelors degree, I worked at an Environmental Chemistry Company as a Project Coordinator until our daughter was born.  Then I spent 21 years working for my father in law as the Operations Manager for his Metal Distributorship.  Both of our children grew up coming to the office with me everyday until they were old enough to stay home alone after school.  I actually started my masters degree while we were at USPC Convention in Seattle in 2020 and completed it in 2 years being one of the first 3 graduates of my program.  I now work as a Project Manager in the Commercialization Team for Genus IntelliGen Technologies.  We are are cattle genetics company specializing in AI technologies.  I work to set up new labs for our company and our customers as well as implement new technologies and improvements within all of the existing labs. 

I have also spent many years volunteering in other organizations - Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, hockey, school & church.  I find myself working on event planning for many of these organizations, such as dinner auctions & golf outings.

I started riding at the age of 9.  I had always wanted a horse and to ride, and when we moved to WI, the father of one of my brother's new friends was a horse trainer.  I was jokingly invited to clean stalls on Saturday in exchange for riding.  I showed up with a bag lunch and continued to show up every Saturday.  Soon enough I was riding training horses and helping give lessons, and eventually was helping as an assistant stable manager.  I started competing on the local hunter jumper circuit, and local open shows.  We started an all equine 4-H club at the stable and I competed in 4-H shows, County Fair and State from the age of 12 until I aged out of 4-H at 18.  I also enjoyed competing in the 4-H Hippology competitions going to State and then onto Nationals.

My dream of horse ownership came true when I was 13 when I purchased a black 12 year old Quarter Horse/Arabian mare.  I owned Ebony until she passed at 34 years old.  I had the privilege to see my own children ride her.  After I was married, we also owned a Thoroughbred mare that was bred by my husband's uncle.  I started to look for a horse for our daughter, and equine educational opportunities.  Sue Audley, the owner of Horse Emporium, our local tack shop, suggested I check out Pony Club.  We ended up purchasing our golden boy, Chance, and joining Pony Club.  We fell in love with Pony Club.

I served as the treasurer for Run O' the Mill for 7 years, before taking over as DC for the last 4 years.  In 2023 I am transitioning back to treasurer and mentoring our new DC.  I am also the show manager for our fundraiser horse shows.  I have been VRS for Lake Shore Region for the last 8 years where my focus is organizing our rally's, coordinating championships attendance for our region, and monitoring concussion & training compliance.  I have been working with Erin Woodall on the USPC Championships team for the last 4 years.

I look forward to bringing my professional experience in work, volunteering, and horses to the USPC Board of Governors.

White, a graduate of the Genesee Valley Pony Club in the Western New York region has always had a passion for veterinary science and equestrian sports from a young age. Pony Club was a great outlet for both! I began riding pony hunters, but that wasn’t enough I needed speed and I absolutely loved spending every moment in the barn from mucking stalls to grooming, onto bandaging legs – I wanted to do it all. My mother found the local Pony Club and off I went into Eventing and Foxhunting!

A graduate of Alfred University, I rode on the hunt seat team and through the college’s internship
program was able to be a working student for various top riders and intern at veterinary clinics
furthering my passion for horse health. As I began my professional career in fundraising, my time
became more limited and I found it easier to transition back to showing AQHA show horses.

Professionally I have previously served in various fund-raising capacities for the Rochester Regional Health Foundation, the University of Rochester, Keuka College, and the St. John's Foundation. I also served as a public relations assistant for the Equine Marketing Group/Reichert Celebration and for the Alfred University Equestrian Center.

I am well-versed in fundraising and marketing and maintain a long-lasting commitment to equine health and soundness. I am fortunate to now combine my passion for fundraising and equine health within my current role as Director of Development for the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation. A resident of Frankfort, KY; I live with my husband Kevin (who also works in the equine industry at Mt. Brilliant Farm), 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 3 horses. We enjoy our spare time showing our horses at AQHA competitions across the country.

Terry Anderson

Terry has devoted her professional career to providing investment and insurance solutions to both corporations and individuals. Her current business practice provides innovative solutions to qualified and non-qualified retirement plan needs. In addition to her extensive investment experience, Terry provides her clients cutting edge fiduciary and compliance information on legislative, case law and regulatory changes. Designations held: AIFA, CLU, CEBS, CPFA

Industry Awards include:
Financial Times Top 401Retirement Advisors: 2017, 2018, 2019
NAPA’s Top Women Advisors: 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021
Education: BS from The American University
Hobbies: Foxhunting with Goshen Hounds, supporting local riding events & playing with my grandchildren.

Dawn  Bellinger
Virginia Region
 

Dawn is a graduate of River Bend Pony Club in the Virginia Region which her father helped to organize and her daughter Ann is a graduate H-A. River Bend is proud to be celebrating their 50th birthday in 2022! Dawn has served in many capacities including Jt. DC, Webmaster, and Treasurer of River Bend since her daughter joined in 2001. She continues to serve as an advisor to the club’s DC.

At the regional level, Dawn has served over the years as Treasurer, Membership Coordinator, Webmaster and a Vice-RS. At the National level, Dawn has served on the USPC Advisory Council and is currently a member of the Board of Directors. Growing up eventing and hunting in Virginia, Dawn now enjoys an occasional trail ride with friends, gardening, hiking, and biking as well as spending time at her beach house in Delaware.

Rae Birr, DVM
Lake Shore Region
 

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 in the Air Force 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 17 years. Rally, Testing, and Camp Organizer have been yearly activities.

National level activities include chairing the Board of Governor’s Strategic Planning Committee, resource for Marketing and Communications Committee of  Committee, long term member of the Instruction Council’s Visiting Instruction Committee, member of the newly formed Activities Council’s Discipline Promotions Committee, as well as other Board and Council volunteer positions.

Olivia Crespo
New Jersey Region

Olivia Crespo is the incoming Advisor of the 2022 National Youth Board.  Olivia has been an active member of the United States Pony Club in the New Jersey Region with her hometown club Pineland Riders.  She has been a member of the USPC for 13 years, and has achieved her H-B and B Eventing certifications; all on catch ride horses!

Olivia has recently graduated with her B.A. in Law and Justice at Rowan University in December of 2020! Her equestrian aspirations are to compete at Advanced Level in Eventing and achieve her H-A and A Eventing certifications within the next few years. Olivia has also started her own Equestrian program in the state of New Jersey, OC Equestrian LLC, and looks forward to spreading the horsemanship, sportsmanship, team-mentality, and community she has learned about through the United States Pony Club with her students in years to come.

Nancy Grout
White Mountain Region

Nancy is a graduate A from Squamscott Pony Club near the Seacoast of New Hampshire. She followed her sister Lori, also a graduate A, into the horse world. Nancy began showing medium pony hunters and participating in 4-H. Pony Club instruction introduced her to Dressage and Eventing, which led to several regional and national A and B rallies. As an Area I USEA competitor for 35+ years, she has qualified each horse she trained for the Area Championships and AEC’s, as well as nationally ranking as a Master Amateur rider in USEA. She continues to event and to compete in Eventing and Dressage in the New England area.

Nationally, she has served as a RIC, Chief Horse Management Judge, Horse Management Committee member, Instruction Committee member, Chair of the former C-3/HB Committee, and National Examiner Committee member.

Emily is a member of Roanoke Valley Pony Club in the Old Dominion Region. She has been in Pony Club since 2017 and she is a C-2 HM and C-1 Western. She also has certifications in Dressage, Hunt Seat, and Eventing. Throughout her time in USPC she has been very active volunteering at fundraising shows, competing in rallies, and taking on leadership roles nationally and in her region. To her, Pony Club is more than just another horse club, it is a family, a community, and it was an open door that allowed her to grow in her horse knowledge. She seeks to serve the organization as a whole and share the Pony Club experience with others.

Aside from Pony Club, Emily is very active in the equestrian world due to her desire to pursue horses as a career. She has a business that she co-founded along with her sister called Sisters Horsing Around. As a part of Sisters Horsing Around, she co-hosts their YouTube channel where they share educational information about horses. They are also partnered with the STAND Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, that serves youth in underserved communities where she provides equine instruction with an emphasis on safety and good horsemanship.

Ray Ingandela
Sunshine Region
 

“Tampa Bay Ray” has been a Pony Club dad and volunteer since daughter, Stacey I. Johnson joined Sleeping Giant Pony Club in the New York/Upper Connecticut Region in March of 1990. Three years later, they moved to Suncoast Pony Club in the Sunshine Region. He’s filled all sorts of shoes since then including JtDC, DC and, more famously, the announcer for Championships and Festival since 2001. His wife, Kathy, is the “Lunch Lady” at Festival and Champs.

Ray has always been interested in horses, even though he was from a non-horsey family. When he attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, he discovered there was a riding team that completed in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. He realized he could take Horsemanship classes as well. Unbeknownst to Ray, the instructor and team coach was none other than Capt. Jack Fritz. Ray became captain of the IHSA team and learned well under Fritz.

Nicole Ligon
Eastern Pennsylvania Region
 

Nicole Ligon is an “A” graduate from Pickering Hunt Pony Club in the Eastern Pennsylvania Region. She serves as the Regional Instruction Coordinator for her region and is an Apprentice National Examiner. She has been Chair of the National Youth Board, participated in National Youth Congress, the Visiting Instruction Program, and has participated in the Inter-Pacific Exchange Team as a team member in Canada 2015 and as a coach in Hong Kong in 2019.

Nicole is extremely passionate about the upper level opportunities that USPC has given her and about encouraging other members to seek out those opportunities for themselves. Outside of USPC, Nicole competes and trains horses and riders out of Firefly Farm. She is a 2* level eventer and USDF Bronze Medalist. She enjoys baking, playing volleyball, listening to podcasts, and traveling.

Becky Logsdon
Midsouth Region

Becky became involved in Pony Club in 1994 when her daughter Lindy joined Flying Changes Pony Club in the MidSouth Region. She began volunteering at the club level when she helped the club organize the MidSouth Region KnowDown rallies in the mid-1990s, through the transition to the "Quiz" format, and to the present time where she still plays a part in being part of the team that organizes a very large regional Quiz rally.

After serving as the club treasurer for several years, Becky added the job of MidSouth Region secretary in 2002, along the way became a Chief Horse Management Judge, a VRS, the regional host liaison for the 2011 Nashville, TN annual meeting and the 2018 Louisville Equine Symposium and Convention, and served as the RS for the MidSouth Region from 2012 through 2016.

With a professional background in medical imaging diagnostics, when Becky wasn't doing Pony Club things she was working as the Administrative Director for a hospital-based multi-specialty cardiac and electro-diagnostic service until her retirement in 2010.

Currently, she is still one of the MidSouth region VRSs, a CHMJ, and recently completed a three-year term as one of the two co-chairs of the Horse Management Committee and now humbly serves as the Vice President of Instruction.  Becky strives to keep an open mind, to listen and learn and is willing to accept that there are many ways to achieve the same goal.

SueAnn McClelland
Northwest Region

SueAnn has been involved with USPC for the past 28 years as club Treasurer, DC, Regional Treasurer, Vice RS, and RS. SueAnn has served on several national committees including Safety, NYC/AA, Volunteer Development, D1-C2 Instruction, Policy, Governance, Finance, and Audit Committees. She has watched several generations of youth, as well as adults, grow up in Pony Club.

SueAnn has felt great satisfaction watching members develop sound judgment, leadership skills, and awareness of their community. She has learned that all of this personal growth is accomplished through their love of horses and desire to become better riders and caretakers of their equine partners. She shares this love for horses and is continually impressed with the positive influence this organization has on and through its members. She is the proud parent of Lena, a USPC H member and VRS of the Rocky Mountain Region.

Professionally, SueAnn works in the Commercial Real Estate Division of HomeStreet Bank as a Senior Loan Closer. She currently lives in Kingston, Washington with her husband Jeff, two horses, a Corgi, two cats and 6 chickens.

Donald A. McLean, Jr, DVM, MPH
Maryland Region
 

Dr. McLean is a 1983 graduate of Colorado State University Veterinary School. He also holds an MPH from Boston University and is a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Dr. McLean retired after 14 years as Epidemiologist, USDA APHIS Veterinary Services in 2016. Prior to his position with USDA, Dr. McLean was the Allegheny District Veterinary Commander at Carlisle Barracks. Dr. McLean was married to Susan C. Gould (deceased) and they have two sons, James, and Trey (Donald III).

Dr. McLean’s interests and hobbies include Eventing, Fox Hunting, woodworking, old cars, and working on their small farm in Wagener, SC.  He and Susan worked with children in Pony Club; he is a past member of the HM Committee, past VP of Carrollton Hounds Fox Chasing Club, has been a long time USEF Eventing Technical Delegate, is an FEI steward, and was an assistant scoutmaster with BSA Troop 333.

Debbie Mcleod
Midwest Region
 

Debbie is the retired Youth Collection Development Librarian of the 13-branch Johnson County (KS) Library System and currently teaches Children’s Literature at Johnson County Community College. She has had a lifelong passion for horses, and could never get enough of them growing up. She passed on her passion to her daughters, Cathie (C-3 graduate) and Betsy (C-2 graduate) who are Life Members and still involved as instructors, coaches, and judges in Pony Club.

Debbie has been involved with Pony Club since 1994 and has been a Joint DC of Mill Creek and DC of Mission Valley Pony Clubs, both in Midwest Region. In 1999, she organized the first Games Rally in the Midwest region. She has also been involved in the organization of Mill Creek Pony Club Horse Trials, Midwest Region Mega Rally, and Quiz. She is a Past VP of Activities, Mounted Games Chair,  organizer of USPC National Mounted Games Championships, and Prince Philip and Presidents Cups. She also organized the USPC 2006 Annual Meeting, which was in Kansas City, and is organizing the 2023 Convention in St. Louis. She and her husband, Brad, currently have 3 rescue horses, a pony, a mini donkey, and a 32-year-old Arab mare. They recently adopted Rocket, a white shepherd/cattle dog mix. Life is full!

Heather Rosenker is a seasoned, accomplished strategic communicator experienced in the federal, state, association, and corporate communications arenas. Ms. Rosenker is known for managing her clients’ reputations and brands in today’s challenging environment. She is respected for her keen ability to offer realistic and meaningful counsel resulting in measurable, positive impact.

Horses were a stable part of Heather’s formative years, having started riding when she was seven years old. Heather joined and participated in the Somerset Hills Pony Club where she rallied, and she earned her ‘A’ rating. She is a Life Member and was recognized by the Alumni Academy of Achievement in 2015. She was a Pony Club volunteer instructor at Somerset Hills and Arapahoe Pony Clubs (while she was attending the University of Denver). She hunted with New Jersey’s Essex Fox Hounds and showed equitation and hunter/jumpers, culminating with qualifications at both the finals for the Medal and ASPCA Maclay.

Over the years, Heather has helped to leg up horses for friends and periodically hunted. The time and learnings from living with horses gave her a leg up in her personal and professional career. It taught her to be confident, resilient, prepared, and respectful to all (horses in particular). Heather also was a member of the Junior League of Northern Virginia and served on the Board of Directors of Bryce Resort in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

Heather is the founder and principal of HBR & Associates, LLC, a public relations consulting firm. Prior to beginning her own business, she enjoyed a successful professional career that includes: an appointment as the chief executive officer of a federal commission which reviewed the Commerce clause application to transactions on the Internet; and senior strategic public affairs and communications positions within the federal government to include the White House Council on Environmental Quality, IRS and Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration. A corporate stint at General Motors and the GM Foundation’s strategic communications operation and many years at public relations firms including Fleishman-Hillard International Communications.

Susan H Smith
Central New England Region

Susan first became involved with Pony Club years ago when son Peter joined Anawan Pony Club, Eastern New England Region. As an enthusiastic volunteer, she quickly became DC, later RS, and joined the BOG for two Terms being VPRA for one of those terms. Since then has largely developed the International Exchange Program and is the USPC representative for the Pony Club International Alliance. During the years away from the BOG, she has remained on the International Exchange Committee, Development Committee, and PCIA.

Outside of Pony Club Sue has served on The Nature Conservancy Caribbean Board for the last ten years, four of those years as the Board Chair. Interest in the Caribbean and conservation largely has come from the years of living in this part of the world. In St Croix, she is active with the St Croix Pony Club. Sue and her husband, Austin live in Rhode Island, Cape Cod, and St Croix.

Jennifer Sweet
Northwest Region
 

Jennifer is mom to  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 and Brooklyn. 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.

Candace Tavormina
Great Lakes Region

Candy is a retired Nurse Educator from Mercy College of Ohio where she spent 43 years guiding students along the pathway to becoming registered nurses. Thus her interest in safety for both horses and humans at the regional and national levels. Candy became interested in horses when she was 11 years old and her parents were building a house in the country. One evening a girl came by on a horse and gave her a ride. Soon there was a stable going up along-side that new house!

Candy and husband Joel have 3 children with the two girls showing the most interest in Pony Club. Foxwood was chartered in 1988 with Candy as joint DC; the Great Lakes Region was chartered in 1992 with Candy on the Board. Many years were spent with Candy at the helm of a multitude of leadership roles at all levels of Pony Club. Now 8-year-old granddaughter Elaine is a member of Foxwood with grandma as DC and already certified as D2 HM/D1 trad under grandma's tutelage. Soon another house will be built in the country- maybe a horse trailer will come up this drive!

Asia Thayer
Northwest Region

Asia Thayer grew up in the Pacific Northwest; active with horses since the age of 8 and a member of the USPC and 4H.  Her equine experiences growing up included breeding farm mare and foal care, assisting small and large animal vet care, showing young horses in hand, working studentships across the country, racehorse rehab, and more.

Asia has been involved in the USPC for over 30 years as a member, club level examiner, RIC, NWR board member, co-chair of national RIC committee, member of the national testing committee, member of the instruction council, member of the education task force, co-chair national testing committee, and national examiner testing through the A level in eventing, dressage, and show jumping.

Asia has been an active competitor and coach within the USDF and USEA earning her bronze medal and competing through the FEI 2-star level in eventing. She attained her master’s degree in Biology and Graduate Certificate in Public Health Genetics. Asia owns a boarding and training facility in Gig Harbor, WA.

Allison Thomas
Sunshine Region
 

Allison has been captivated by horses since early childhood. Show ring hunters and equitation were her primary focus growing up in Central Florida. She earned an AA degree at the University of Florida and a BSBA at the University of Central Florida. She then traveled abroad to Europe after graduation landing jobs as a nanny for an FEI dressage rider and exercising steeplechasers for a racing barn. Upon returning stateside, she entered the business world working for over 20 years in the financial industry holding Series 7 and 63 brokerage licenses with a firm serving high net worth individuals globally.

Her nonprofit involvement began after she traveled with Hostelling International USA serving on the Florida Board of Directors. She also served as Activities Coordinator for Osceola County Council on Aging and as a volunteer for Freedom Ride Therapeutic Riding Center.

Allison sells investment rental real estate properties and is the Organizer for 6 annual recognized USEA Horse Trials held at Rocking Horse Stables in Altoona, Florida. She has been married to Mark for 30 years with identical twin Graduate Pony Club daughters Jean and Jane, age 23, both are H-HM, HM, and H Trads. She has been involved with Pony Club since 2007 as DC, RS, Horsemasters, VPRA, and currently serves as the national Treasurer.

Bo Varnado
Southern California Region
 

Bo has loved horses her entire life and first began riding on the trails around her backcountry home in Southern California. She later joined 4-H and then Centaur Pony Club and discovered the excitement of Eventing. Graduating as an H-A while earning a degree in animal physiology from the University of California, San Diego, Bo then worked for a large utility corporation in design, planning, and marketing positions. She switched into the field of education and earned a MA in Literacy and a K-12 teaching certificate.

A huge fan of learning by doing and discovery, the USPC Standards of Proficiency and learning progressions supported by independence fit well with her educational philosophy. Support of USPC through volunteer roles included time as DC, RIC, VRS, and four years as RS of Southern California. Past USPC committee work focused primarily on the instructional aspects of our organization. This effort was fueled by Bo’s belief that USPC has the best learning intentions in our industry with priorities on safety, fun, and always putting your horse first. Bo's other committee involvement focuses on marketing and communication for our organization.

Residing in a rural part of San Diego County with her husband of 34 years, their son and daughter were both members of USPC (D-2 and B Eventing) and will always have well cared for animals in their lives. Bo recently retired from classroom teaching and offers tutoring in early literacy and outdoor learning opportunities. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening, walking on the beach, and caring for the various animals on their small ranch.

Jan Whitehouse
Midsouth Region

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 13 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.