I've been an active member of CHJA as an adult for about a year now, and I am a licensed social worker with the state of CO, as well as holding a BSW from Colorado State and MSW from the University of Michigan in social work. I am currently 30yo and have been riding since I was 12yo, with experience in the western pleasure world but primarily focused in the hunter/jumpers. My equine experience has been a very long personal journey that has lead me to where I am today with a strong desire to ensure the success of CHJA for riders of all ages and targeted disciplines.  Professionally, in addition to having extensive experience working with non-profits in my social work capacity, I also have the privilege of sitting on a family foundation that dedicates its giving rounds to focusing on a variety of social justice issues. This experience has allowed me to learn about and gain a better understanding of the many facets of how a non-profit organization is structured internally, as well as how financial and program funding decisions are made. As a now-active member of CHJA, with a history of participating in CHJA related events over the past 20 years as exclusively a non-member, it is clear the importance of including board members with a broad worldview perspective and horsemanship experience to make essential decisions that are best suited to serve the overall experience and well-being of members so invested in participating in what this organization has to offer. I believe in the educational mission of CHJA, as well as the committment to establishing a strong scholarship program for young riders underneath the CHJF, which has the potential to grow beyond its current giving capacity with the right fundraising/fund-directing opportunities to include riders that fall under multiple umbrellas of experience. I am confident that my highly varied professional experience, coupled with a desire to see CHJA flourish and grow in educational and competitive ways for its members, would serve the board well, and in a no nonsense, goal driven way.

As a previous member of the CHJA board, I would love the opportunity to serve this tight-knit community again. As a Colorado business owner and equine professional with students that compete at the local and national level, I hope to help CHJA continue to elevate the programs and opportunities it provides that our membership is hungry for.

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 have served on the CHJA board for the past two years and have greatly enjoy the opportunity to give back to the sport, particularly our hunter/jumper community in Colorado.  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. I have brought my experience in higher education as well as 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.  As part of CHJA's Education Committee, I have helped launch the Professional Mentorship Program to strengthen our CHJA professional's horsemanship knowledge as well as helped to revamp and expand the Member Benefits clinic to include a greater breadth and accessibility of educational opportunities for our members.   If reelected to the CHJA board I would continue to combine my passion for education with my experiences as a competitor and trainer to serve CHJA's membership and to further grow and expand educational opportunities for junior, amateur, and professional CHJA members.