Vice Presidential Candidate: Jeff Lindberg

Jeff Lindberg owns and operates Bishop’s Gate Farm LLC, a dressage training facility established in December of 2000. A USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold medalist, Jeff started riding as a boy in his native New Mexico. In 1983, he took the first of many clinics from Charles de Kunffy, whose influence continues to impact Jeff’s riding today. Jeff earned Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania in 1992, and a Master’s degree in Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY in 1995. While practicing as an architect, he continued to pursue his dressage riding and training, and in 2000 opened his own facility to work as a professional trainer and instructor. The analytical, reflective and visual nature of Jeff’s schooling as a mathematician and architect influences the way he works with horses and riders. Over the years, Jeff has been fortunate to receive instruction from many notable equestrians. In addition to Charles de Kunffy, he has also been taught by Karl Mikolka, Kay Meredith, Lois Heyerdahl, Tina Konyot, Jennifer Baumert, Paul Belasik, Francois Lemaire de Ruffieu, Sarah Geike, Renate Lansburgh, Sherry Ackerman, Bettina Drummond, Kathy Rowse, Ilse Schwarz and many others. Jeff has also worked with a wide variety of breeds and recognizes the unique gifts and challenges of each horse. (The USDF website discloses that he has been in 429 competitions on 34 different horses, and his business records show that over 120 horses have been in training to date.) Because of the range of his experience, Jeff’s training and teaching is often able to help riders and horses find solutions to problems that may have seemed previously complex, frustrating or intractable.

Recording Secretary Candidate: Christy Lemoine

I've been an avid equestrian since I was a child trying a little bit of everything equestrian. In the last few years I have had the pleasure of focusing on Dressage, and participating as a member of ENYDCTA in some of the events geared toward dressage and combined training. I have assisted with the membership and point calculations for the last several years for the Western New England Professional Horseman's Association, so tracking membership is nothing new to me. I have also served as a secretary for that organization for the last year and a half, and would be excited to assist ENYDCTA in a similar way. I look forward to helping keep ENYDCTA going strong.

Corresponding Secretary Candidate: Kimberly Eckerle

Hello my name is Kimberley Eckerle. I’m a licensed veterinary technician. I’ve been riding for over 20 years and have a young OTTB gelding named Sven. Yes, he’s named after the reindeer in Frozen! I’ve been a member of ENYDCTA for a few years now, mostly in the background but I’d like to get more involved by becoming a board member. I think I would make a good Corresponding Secretary because I’m organized and have some new ideas on using our social media platforms to reach out to more members.

Treasurer Candidate: Jennifer Saunders

Being a member (on and off) of ENYDCTA over the last ten years I have enjoyed many learning opportunities provided by the club and would like to see these opportunities continue for other riders.   

I am the Chief Executive Officer for Liberty ARC, a role I have held since 2014. Liberty is a not-for-profit corporation with a $58 million budget providing supports to persons with disabilities in Montgomery County, New York. Liberty supports approximately 750 individuals with disabilities by offering residential, day, vocational and family support services. Liberty has been accredited by the Council in Quality and Leadership, an Organization we learned about at an ANCOR conference, since 2004.

Liberty’s subsidiaries include Choices for Community Living, Inc. providing residential and day services to persons with disabilities in the State of Delaware: New Dimensions in Living, Inc. providing medical and dental services to 5,000 patients in need through an Article 28 clinic located in Amsterdam, NY: and Liberty Foundation a private foundation dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families in Montgomery County, NY.

Prior to serving as Chief Executive Officer I held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Liberty ARC for eight years. My education includes a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and I obtained my Certificate of Public Accounting (currently inactive) and worked in public accounting for ten years prior to moving into the not-for-profit industry.   

I would very much like to further contribute towards ENYDCTA’s mission and would be honored to serve in the role of Treasurer on ENYDCTA’s Board of Directors. 

Treasurer Candidate: Cathy Trinkle

My name is Cathy Trinkle, mother of Abigail Trinkle, who is a member of ENYDCTA.   I would like to nominate myself for the position of Treasurer.  

I am a self employed Accountant with more than 25 years of experience who would be willing to share my skills for the support of this club.  Currently, I work part time and have several healthcare clients who I use Quickbooks to manage their finances.  At my largest client, I am contracted to be their Director of Finance.  Previous to being self employed, I was Director of Finance & then CFO of a large multi specialty physician group for over 10 years.  I have my Masters in Business Administration from the College Of St. Rose and Bachelor's in Accounting from Siena College.  

My history with ENYDCTA goes back to the early 1990s when I myself was a rider and member of the club.  I participated in schooling shows and Dressage at Saratoga Shows for several years on my horse Patton.  After entering the workforce, my riding continued but I did not compete anymore and enjoyed riding more leisurely up to about 5 years ago.  My daughter is now the rider in our family, but I continue to take care of an older horse who is retired and a rescue pony at our farm.

If you have any further questions or need any additional information, I am happy to provide additional details.

Piaffe Flyer Editor Candidate: Alyson Worthington

Like many of us, I was a horse crazy kid that my parents had to literally drag out of the barn. Life “happened” and I stopped riding for a while, but have always loved horses. About 6 years ago - 4 kids, a career and what feels like a lifetime later - l was fortunate to have a 6 month old foal come into my life.  That event opened a new chapter in my equestrian journey, ignited my passion and captured my heart.  Since then, my herd has grown to 7 which are a mix of disciplines, breeds and ages. That 6 month old foal has matured into a lovely mare, trained by my husband and I. My mare and I have prevailed and grown through some learning moments /challenges, and been rewarded with the formation of an incredible bond.  Over the past 18 months, we have been riding dressage and plan to start showing next season, plus will begin some eventing! 

This new chapter has seen my love of learning grow into a passion, and every night my “down time” is spent studying to increase my knowledge. I love all sorts of online programs, master classes, books and the USDF educational library! I study riding, but also general horsemanship and care, the dressage training scale, mindset and skill building for both horse and rider, biomechanics, rider position, wild horse behavior, exercises, stretches and massage for my horse, etc.  Honestly, about 2 years ago I may have said dressage was beautiful, but not “my thing” - I was wrong!! After studying the training scale in connection with some biomechanics, I now understand how every discipline, horse and rider will absolutely benefit from dressage. It is a critical foundation for successful horsemanship in all areas, and aids in both horse and rider health and soundness by promoting balance and thus reducing joint stress.  Additionally, I have also studied in the Equine Sciences Academy, which has a heavy focus on natural horsemanship, wild horse and herd behavior. I have also spent time volunteering at an equine hospital and shadowing a barefoot farrier in an effort to learn more about structures within the hoof and how they impact gaits and movement.  

My day job is in commercial real estate, and that plus being a mom to 4 kids- doesn’t always allow the amount of “in saddle” time I would like. I think writing the Piaffe Flyer would be an area that I can contribute and - hopefully- add value to all of you plus future members. I also believe it is important to help all current and future members understand why dressage is so fundamental and important, so we can continue to grow a strong ENYDCTA membership that is supportive, inclusive and learns from each other.  I like to write, and look forward to collaborating to continue this wonderful newsletter/flyer. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. 

Volunteer Coordinator Candidate: Beth DeWitt

Our Current Volunteer Coordinator; Elizabeth “Beth” Dewitt is graduate of SUNY Morrisville for Equine Science and a lifelong resident of the Capital Region. She has been a member of numerous organizations starting back in High School, she has helped coordinate several large events throughout the years. You may have seen her these past 4 years at many of our events.  Beth’s passion in the Equine world is finding forever homes for OTTB helping with ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption. She is very detail orientedand will have things done ahead of schedule.

Member at Large Candidate: Denise Film 

Denise Film has been actively involved with the ENYDCTA organization for the past two years as a member-at-large. She is a graduate A level United States Pony Club member, and has been the District Commissioner for Battenkill Pony Club for more than 25 years. She teaches riding and trains horses at her County Line Farm in Buskirk NY. Her daughter Molly Czub is very active in the ENYDCTA club as well as the USDF and USEA groups. She competes in dressage and eventing as a Jr Young Rider. Denise feels she is an asset to the ENYDCTA membership as she and Molly are active in both disciplines serviced by the club.