Next Board Meeting

October 16 6:30 PM

11409 Business Park Circle Suite 210
Firestone, CO

Board of Directors

Jill Pelzel

President

I have been serving on the Board for many years now. CHJA has one of the strongest local circuits in the country, and I love being a part of this fantastic organization.   I enjoy being able to give back to my CHJA Community, and making improvements to our industry.  Besides my involvement with the Board, I run a busy farm in northern Colorado, coach an IEA team,  and have 3 grown kids and a bunch of fur babies. 

Rebecca Johnson

Vice President, Fall Finale (chair), Medal Finals, Officials, Show Standards

I would like to serve the members of CHJA through participation on the board as I have the experience as a previous board member, trainer, competitor and show manger to help guide the organization in a way that best serves the majority of it's members.  I enjoy the camaraderie and sportsmanship that CHJA brings to the Colorado horse scene.  I take my voting responsibilities very seriously and try to serve CHJA and in members in a responsible and ethical manner.

Devon Nutt

Secretary, Fall Finale, Junior Committee (chair), Medal Finals, Nominations, Rules & Specs

I’m Devon Nutt, a trainer in Littleton, CO with In Stride Inc. I’ve been a CHJA member for as long as I can remember, and have served on the board in the past. I enjoy helping the organization, and in the past have taken particular interest in supporting our CHJA juniors and the Medal Finals. I look forward to more potential opportunities to help the membership and CHJA events.

Lisa Munro

Treasurer, Marketing (Chair), Education (Chair), Nominations (Chair)

My name is Lisa Munro and I live in Longmont, Colo. with my husband – Will, horse – Cat, cat – Horse, and our two kids, Carter and Blakely. I have served on the CHJA board since 2019 as the Treasurer, Marketing Chair and Education Chair where I have assisted in hiring our Marketing Manager and revamping CHJA’s marketing plan through social media, email communication and branding and launched the Education committee where we have implemented new education programs to benefit CHJA members. I have a bachelor’s degree in advertising and master’s degree in sport management – sport marketing is one of my many passions and I’ve loved being a volunteer on CHJA’s board for the past four years. I’ve been riding and actively involved with horses for over 25 years and have been competing with my heart horse, Cat, for 18 years. Cat and I competed throughout the CA show circuit through high school, participated in Zone 10’s EAP in 2009 and then rode for Fresno State’s NCAA equestrian team from 2009-2013. In 2016, after moving to Colorado from California, I started Horse d’oeuvres, a horse treat business that has been a childhood dream of mine. In 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 I co-taught a horsemanship camp for the USHJA horsemanship quiz challenge with my trainer, Kristin Jacob, where we’ve had multiple girls qualify and attend nationals. I have also qualified for the USHJA HQC Adult Nationals three years in a row. In September of 2017, I was listed on The Plaid Horse Magazine’s 30 under 30 list for my success with Horse d’oeuvres and the USHJA horsemanship quiz challenge.

Amy Henze

Member Benefits

I grew up in the Coloradan equestrian community being closely tied to CHJA and the A-Rated circuit for over 30 years. From pony club to showing the usef circuit it feels like I’ve spent more hours in the saddle than out of it. However, these days I’m mostly training a wonderful group of talented horses and riders from the ground. I’m honored to have helped them grow from young starting horses  to the 3’6 hunters and jumpers consistently earning multiple awards and year end accolades. You will almost always find me at the barn. I have run North Ridge Farm for over 15 years where my approach to training has been a focus on the welfare of the horse and safety and progression of my riders. I am incredibly proud of my team and I am always happy to bring on new enthusiastic members.

Carol O'Meara

Rules and Specifications (Chair), Show Standards (Chair), Fall Finale, Medal Finals, Nominations, Officials

I am honored to be a nominee for the CHJA Board of Directors. I am a current board member and a very active participant. For many years I have served as Chair of the Rules and Specs Committee and Chair of the Show Standards Committee. I have also been on staff at the Copper Penny Horse Show , volunteered as Show Secretary at the Colorado Classic Finale Show, served as both volunteer and staff at Medal Finals, and have served as a volunteer at the Year End Banquet. I was a founder of the Colorado Hunter Jumper Foundation and serve as the CHJF Secretary Treasurer. I work as Show Secretary for multiple horse shows All of these activities have allowed me to gain insight and experience with all of the major programs of CHJA. I offer dependability, experience and commitment to our association and would appreciate your vote.

Daniel Schiefen

Copper Penny, Member Benefits

I am a lifelong horse enthusiast who really believes in what Chja represents.  I believe it is important to give back to an organization that has done so much for me and so many others. 

Jen Lewis

Officials (chair), Nominations, Show Standards

I have been a member of CHJA for so long that my membership number is in the very low 100’s. I grew up riding and fox-hunting in southeastern Pennsylvania, then got to Colorado as fast as I could. Thirty-five years later I have worn many hats for the hunter jumper sport, including: past board member, Equitation committee, competitor, trainer, owner, mother and “r” judge. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help the Colorado Hunter Jumper community, keeping in mind that horse and rider welfare are my top priority.

Kristin Jacob

Education (chair), Strategic Planning

Horses and the sport of show jumping have been my life-long passion. After a successful Jr. career on the West Coast, I moved to Colorado to pursue my education, ultimately earning a Ph.D. in geochemistry. Upon graduating, I followed my dreams and started my own equestrian business, Blue Star Farms, which has grown into one of the top “A” rated hunter/jumper programs in northern Colorado. I have competed myself to the Grand Prix level and have piloted and coached many riders and horses to both CHJA and USHJA Zone year-end championships in the hunter, jumper, and equation divisions. My barn has been a four-time winner of the Zone 8 USHJA Stable Challenge, I have sent multiple riders to the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals, and am a USHJA Trainer Certification Program certified trainer. I am at the point in my career where I would greatly enjoy the opportunity to give back to the sport that I love and to which I have dedicated my life. In particular, I am passionate about education in our sport because I believe it promotes a deeper understanding, appreciation, and empathy for the horse which in turn increases the welfare of our equine partners. If elected to the CHJA board, I would bring my experience in higher education combined with the knowledge I have gained though my participation in several of the USHJA’s educational programs to the CHJA community to support this organization’s education initiative. Furthermore, I would bring my extensive experience and perspective from being a CHJA member whose main focus is attending the “A/AA” shows. In addition to my passion for sharing and promoting education, I have a curiosity to take new opportunities what will increase my own learning. I believe that a position on the CHJA board will provide me with a new intellectual challenge, will help me grow personally, will broaden my professional circle, and will allow me to interact with and learn from leaders and influential people within our sport. I would have a great interest in learning more about CHJA’s various committees and how I could serve to make the greatest positive impact on CHJA. This experience would be an asset to me for the rest of my career; it would be the next step in growing my stewardship for the sport and most importantly the horse, and in the future fostering that value in other riders and young horsemen. If elected to the CHJA board I would bring my passion for education, my experiences as a competitor and trainer, and a bright and hard working attitude to support CHJA’s mission which strongly aligns with my values and priorities.

Laurie Grayson

Officials (chair), Nominations, Rules & Specs

I have been a board member in past years. I have been the point counter . Chair of the licensed official committee and helped to initiate the criteria for recognized rules representative and testing for approved judges.I am currently the zone 8 chairman of USHJA and feel it would be better to be on the board to help share information between the two organizations.

Linnea Throckmorton

Member Benefits (chair), Strategic Planning Committee (Chair), Fall Finale, Nominations, Sponsorship

Hello! I have been on the CHJA Board for the last four years. My family has served the CHJA community for three generations, and I have been honored to continue to do this as a board member. As a family, we have a diverse background of being trainers, horseshow managers, barn managers and even amateurs. I try to bring our collective ideas and a desire for community building to every meeting and advocate for things that bridge gaps between our different types of members, while promoting quality horseshows and experiences.

Marion Maybank

Rules & Specs, Strategic Planning

I’ve run 1000 horse horse shows to 30 horse horse shows in 12 different states and am a R judge and have been all over the country with that. I’ve organized Pony Finals, Medal Finals, USEF Jr Hunter Finals, NCEA Finals, worked in the main offices of 3 different world games and run 30 horse local shows. I’ve seen it all. I was the hunter and collegiate director for usef for 6 years (organizer for the NCEA creation and the high school athlete program) as well as creating the point qualifying system for numerous National finals. I’ve had a lot of experience trying things and failing, trying them and succeeding, so I can save a lot of time and effort on things that I know do and don’t work and why. 

Sarah V Watson

Sponsorship (Chair), MKR Equitation Grant (chair), Copper Penny (Chair), CHJF

Having served on the board of directors for the last few years, I feel I bring a younger perspective to a long time organization. I've seen how things have run, and how they could run in the future to help continue bringing our organization more current. Having managed sponsorship for CHJA I have helped to raise funds to allow our membership to get their most out of their memberships. 

Tricia Lombardo

Juniors (chair), Fall Finale, MKR Equitation Grant, Nominations

I have enjoyed being on the board the past two years. I have especially liked being the head of the JR committee this past year, and have a lot of ideas for the juniors in the coming years, including clinics, service projects, rider spotlights, fun junior activities, and opportunities for juniors to give back to CHJA through volunteer positions. Juniors are our future CHJA members so it is important to include them in the organization. I would really love the chance to continue my position with CHJA, as I have some good ideas and a lot more to give to my position. In addition, I think it is nice to have an amateur on the board, as I bring a different perspective.

Valerie Williams

Medal Finals (Chair), CHJF (Chair), Fall Finale

As a lifetime member of CHJA, I have had the privilege of sitting on the board for 6 previous terms. I would love to continue to serve on the board in order to help better the experiences and opportunities for the membership. 
I have enjoyed watching the growth and accomplishments of CHJA from the prospective of a trainer, breeder, owner, rider and Mom.  While sitting on the board I have been able to work on various positions and committees including the Equitation Committee, Medal Finals including Chair, Treasurer and developing the Trainers Educational Grant in order to support CHJA trainers in continuing education.
For the past 32 years, I have been the resident trainer at Shiloh Farms in Golden under the name of Flat Irons Farm. I have had many students participate in CHJA functions at every level and know that we are fortunate to have an organization like CHJA to provide guidance, leadership and balance in our community. 

Alexis Nichols

Staff: Marketing Co-Chair

Betsy Cvetic

Staff: Webmaster

I am currently a business member of CHJA.  I was an adult amateur member of CHJA for many years with my son Chris Lozyniak.  I competed  as an adult amateur in hunter and jumper divisions at both Group I and Group II level shows in Colorado with Tracye Ferguson. My son Chris competed actively in pony hunters, also with Tracye.  Even though I am no longer an active competitor, I am a passionate horse person, and am thrilled to be serving you as your webmaster.  I welcome your input, and am always here ready to help. If you need assistance with the website, don't hesitate to call me at 303-887-5348.

Franci Martin

Staff: Awards and Year End Banquet

My name is Franci Martin (Taub) and I live in Denver with my husband, son, two dogs, the ever living fish, and my mare Sugar. I have been riding for 39 years and grew up in Ohio competing on the A circuit. In 2010 I started The Grey Tail benefitting The Baco Fund. A new and used tack shop where the profits support The Baco Fund, a non-profit 501 c 3. The Baco Fund helps horse owners with emergency vet bills. I am a huge supporter of local 4-H groups, Westernaires, CHJA shows, and IEA.

I have been the CHJA banquet manager for several yeas. I love planning the end of the year banquet for the CHJA members. Please contact me if you have any banquet questions. I always look forward to planning another great event for the CHJA community.

Kirsten Turner

Staff: Member Support Manager

I've been a member of CHJA for the past several years.  I am both a long time horse owner and a mother of competitors.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be CHJA's point counter these past few years and am looking forward to the challenges of the upcoming competition year.  I strive to have the points posted both accurately and timely.  If you haven't already, you can friend CHJA on Facebook to see posts of when the points for a particular show have become available on the CHJA website.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding points, please don't hesitate to contact me at membersupport@chja.org.

Terri Sassano

Staff: Finance Director

Terri was originally from New Jersey. She moved to Colorado at the age of 6, and grew up in Grand Junction. Terri got her first pony after moving to Colorado, she has been horse crazy ever since. The horse craze is multigenerational. Her mom and daughter also love horses and participate in equine activities. Terri stayed in Grand Junction after graduating high school and attended Mesa State College where she received her Bachelor of Science in accounting. She has been a CPA in public practice for over 20 years, and founded Streamline Accounting, Inc. in 1994. She operated Streamline for over 20 years in Grand Junction, before making the move to Erie, CO in 2016. Terri received a real estate brokers license in 2013, (no longer active), and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation in 2014. She is a member of the AICPA, the world's largest member association representing the accounting profession, and was a presenter for Lorman Education Services for a couple years.