USAWE Committees

The Affiliates Committee oversees the USAWE Affiliate Program, providing independent local individuals and organizations involved in Working Equitation the opportunity to be officially recognized as a USAWE Affiliate.

Affiliate Organizations Committee
Email:  AffiliateOrganizations@usawe.org
Chair: Stephanie Dobiss

Members:
Tracy Betteridge
Barbara Crawford
Beth Harrison
Willa Rose

USAWE recognizes the performance achievements of horses and riders who compete in USAWE licensed Working Equitation competitions held in the United States and our International members who compete under USAWE licensed judges. The goals of our Award Programs include promoting the sport, encouraging horse and rider development, and honoring the incredible partnerships between Working Equitation horses and riders.

Awards Committee
Email:  AwardsCommitteeChair@usawe.org
Chair:  Katie Garrett

Members:
Julie Alonzo
Mindy Finelli
Alexa Maine
Pat Melton
Nancy Meola
Brenna Reimer

Breed Awards
Email:  BreedAwards@usawe.org
Mindy Finelli

Championship Evaluation Committee
Western Zone:  Regional Directors 1 and 2
Central Zone:  Regional Directors 3, 4 and 5
Eastern Zone:  Regional Directors 6 and 7

Plus a Competitions Committee Representative
who does not reside in the zone.

11/29/23 BOD motion stipulates that for Regional or Multi-Regional Championships (beginning in 2025) this committee be comprised of:

– A competitions committee member not residing in that region(s)
– One At-large Director
– Regional Director(s) from the region(s) covered by the Championship competition

The Competitions Committee is responsible for ensuring the smooth and successful execution of the USAWE competition licensing process and utilizing effective and transparent communication with the board, committee members, committee chairs, and show managers. This committee collaborates with various other committees to ensure that our competitions are fair, enjoyable, and
efficient for all participants.

Competitions Committee
Bylaws stipulate 1 or more members
Email:  CompetitionsCommitteeChair@usawe.org
Chair:  Laurie Ridgeway

Members:
Julie Alonzo
Mary Duffy
Emily Elias
Kim Hillyer
Julie Lindman
Alexa Maine
Lisa Mathis
Lynsey Moritz

Documents Administrator
Email:  CompetitionsDocuments@usawe.org
Laurie Ridgeway

Gira Administrators
Email:  Gira@usawe.org
Julie Alonzo
Emily Callihan

The Education Committee is responsible for developing and disseminating educational opportunities for USAWE members.

Education Committee
Email: educommitteechair@usawe.org
Chair:  Holly Linz

Members:
Sara Barnwell
Darcy Miller
Julie Lamberton
Alanna Light
Janet Phinney
Sarah Pinney
Mehgan Truppner
Janice Kall

The Elections Committee organizes the election of officers and directors for USAWE each year.

Elections Committee
Bylaws stipulate 3 or more members
Email:  elections@usawe.org
Chair:  J. Derrick Richardson 

The Ethics Committee has oversight regarding alleged violations of the Code of Conduct, Codes of Ethics, Social Media Policy, Conflict of Interest Policy, Confidentiality Agreements, and inquiries regarding amateur status.

Ethics Committee
Policies stipulate 4-8 members (one Regional Director)
Email:  Ethics@usawe.org
Chair:  Dan Dahlke

Members:
Sara Barnwell (Regional Director)
Marcy Buffington
Ali Kermeen
Adair Soho
Heather Higgins

Financial Oversight Committee
Bylaws stipulate 2 or more members
Email:  FinancialOversight@usawe.org
Chair:  TBA

Members:
Katherine Adams
Barbara Crawford
Phyllis Laderman

The Horse Recording Committee maintains the records for USAWE Recorded Horses to assist in show management, awards tracking, and as a historical reference.

Horse Recording Committee
Email:  HorseRecording@usawe.org
Chair:  Mindy Finelli

The USAWE International Committee (IC) was established to develop and support the organization’s top riders for international competition. The committee is responsible for:

• Developing a USAWE High Performance Rider program for competitors interested in international competition.
• Facilitating and supporting WAWE Qualifier & International shows.
• Developing and recommending the annual USAWE budget for International and High Performance Rider activities.
• Creating selection criteria for 2026 International Team selection.
• Managing the selection process for the 2026 International Team.
• Identifying and coordinating coaching and other training activities for High Performance Riders.
• Identifying candidates for International Team Coach and Chef d’ Equipe.
• Recommending and establishing USAWE’s National Tack and Attire requirements for 2026 International Competition.
• Working with the Board of Directors to plan and develop sponsorship opportunities to support the International Team.
• Communicating with Working Equitation organizations outside of the United States.

International Committee
9/14/22 BOD motion stipulates current President and President Elect serve on this committee. 8/14/24 – This stipulation is removed if a conflict of interest is declared. (i.e., intent to pursue a place on the international competition team.)

Email:  International@usawe.org
Chair:  Barbara Price

Members:
Tracey Erway
Laura Kobrin
Sara MacKenzie
Dawn Metzger

Rotating Members (as of Dec 1, 2025)
USAWE Vice President – Glynna Hoekstra

The mission of the Licensed Officials Committee (LOC) is to create, maintain, and support a robust roster of educated, current, talented, and professional licensed officials to benefit the sport of working equitation in the U.S. The LOC achieves this goal through the development and maintenance of a rigorous curriculum, licensing process, testing protocol, and continuing education.

Licensed Officials Committee
Bylaws stipulate 4 or more members (no more than 2 licensed officials)
Email:  LOC@usawe.org
Chairs:  Christy Reich (LO)

Members:
Kellee Campbell
Marie Maloney (LO)
Leslie Martien
Deb Quillinan (LO)

The Marketing and Promotion committee functions as a working advisory committee to the Board of Directors. It has many touchpoints throughout the organization. The committee’s primary role is to initiate and present organizational marketing, advertising, and other communication strategies to the Board; and to work as a liaison with Board members, organization members, vendors, and strategic alliances. Marketing and Promotion is responsible for external communications for the entire organization.

Marketing and Promotion Committee
Email:  Marketing@usawe.org
Chair: Mary Young

Members:
Audrey Rapp
Kiki Pantaze
Diana Merville
Carey Miller

The Membership Committee oversees every aspect of membership enrollment and profile management for USAWE members.

Membership Committee
Email:  MembershipCommitteeChair@usawe.org
Chair:  Kate Steffes

Membership Processing Team
Email:  Membership@usawe.org

The Professional Development Committee oversees comprehensive programs designed to develop quality Working Equitation Professionals such as instructors, clinicians, coaches, and other industry professionals not provided for by the Licensed Officials Committee (LOC).

Professional Development Committee
Email:  ProDev@usawe.org
Chair:  Beth Harrison

Members:
Polly Limond
Stephanie Hayes
Michelle Lackey
Rose Watt

The Rules committee is tasked with maintaining a complete, accurate, and up-to-date rulebook for Working Equitation in the U.S. The rulebook adheres to WAWE guidelines and incorporates additional requirements appropriate for the sport in this country. The baseline of the document is controlled at all times to ensure that the current version is identifiable and available to all users, and that no unauthorized changes/modifications can be made.

Rules Committee
Bylaws stipulate 4 or more members (including 1 licensed official)
Email:  Rules@usawe.org
Chair:  Amy Star (LO)

Members:
Glynna Hoekstra
Leslie Martien
Alexa Maine
Marie Maloney (LO)

Regional Social Media Editors

Region 1 Director, R1Director@usawe.org
Region 2 Director, R2Director@usawe.org
Region 3 Director, R3Director@usawe.org
Region 4 Director, R4Director@usawe.org
Region 5 Director, R5Director@usawe.org
Region 6 Director, R6Director@usawe.org
Region 7 Director, R7Director@usawe.org

The Strategic Planning Committee oversees…

Strategic Planning Committee
Chair:  Tracey Erway

Members:
Leesa Nero
Glynna Hoekstra
Sara Barnwell

The Website Committee is responsible for creating and managing the usawe.org website.

Website Committee
Email:  WebsiteCommitteeChair@usawe.org
Chair:  Tracey Erway

Members:

Content Editors
Julie Alonzo (Awards)
Mindy Finelli (Competitions)
Audrey Rapp (eNews)

Objectives: To promote opportunities that effectively engage youth in the sport of Working Equitation; to foster and develop engagement through participation, awareness, learning, and development opportunities for young people by encouraging and supporting them to contribute to the sport; to build strong relationships within the USAWE youth community as well as among adult leadership through advocacy and diplomatic measures; to continually and progressively identify youth needs within our Youth committee; to help intergenerational practices that promote greater understanding and build positive communities for youth involvement and retention.

Youth Development Committee
Email:  Youth@usawe.org
Chair:  Kasey Riddle

Members:
Dawn Repp
Kenton Wright