ENYDCTA Ltd - Board Members & Coordinators

Eastern New York

Dressage & Combined Training

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Board Members & Coordinators

Meet our 2025/2026 Board Members!

President | Joy Black

Joy’s passion for horses ignited during her youth while riding alongside the esteemed Carol Lavell in her home state of Vermont. As part of her dedication to equestrian education, she has volunteered for Dressage4Kids (D4K) for over a decade. During this time, she played an integral role in the development and administration of written exams at the annual D4K youth festival. She is also an accomplished graduate of the United States Dressage Federation's (USDF) L program, has achieved her USDF bronze medal and is currently halfway toward her silver medal, with her equine partner, Bimini. Currently, Joy makes her home in the Duanesburg, New York region while maintaining a full-time position as a physician assistant. She eagerly looks forward to continue serving as President of ENYDCTA.

Vice President | Chris Chariton

Chris is a lifelong horse lover and amateur hunt seat rider who found a new passion in dressage a few years ago—thanks to the inspiration of her beloved KWPN grey mare. Chris has been an involved member, regularly attending clinics and embracing the educational opportunities and sense of community ENYDCTA provides. Her volunteer work began with managing ENYDCTA’s social media, which she later expanded to include sponsor recruitment. She currently serves on the planning committee for the Inaugural Jumping Symposium. Now “mostly retired” from a career as a marketing executive, Chris brings valuable professional experience to her board candidacy. When not at the barn, she enjoys travel, reading and spending time with her corgi and daughters.

Welcome Chris!!

Treasurer | Stephanie Watson

Stephanie graduated from SUNY Cobleskill in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. She currently serves as the Director of Operations and Human Resources for the NYS Senate Majority Conference, where she oversees financial management, tracking incoming and outgoing funds for 17 NYS Senate campaigns across the state.

In addition to her professional achievements, Stephanie has an extensive history of volunteer service. She has served as Treasurer for several organizations and as the National Quartermaster for the Guardian Belles Law Enforcement Riding Club. Her passion for supporting organizations in need and making a positive impact has been a consistent theme in her life.

Stephanie is excited to contribute to ENYDCTA, an organization that perfectly aligns with her love of horses, dressage, and commitment to giving back to her community.

Recording Secretary | Rita Moore

Rita has devoted hours and hours to ENYDCTA and has been an organizer for many of our events with her super organizational skills. She shows an interest in those she meets and is supportive. She is like the club mom. Rita was also ENYDCTA’s member of the year for 2022.

Her volunteer service goes beyond ENYDCTA. She has fostered many dogs through Homeword Bound and was very involved with a program for middle school students with the NASA STEP program introducing students to opportunities in science, math, and technology.

Not only is Rita on the ENYDCTA board, she is also active as a board member of the Hudson-Mohawk Weavers' Guild. She is a retired librarian from the Schenectady city school system and picked up riding after her retirement and owns and rides a Hanoverian mare named Flower and will soon be boarding at Bishop Gate Farm in Ballston Spa. ENYDCTA is fortunate to have her on our team.

Corresponding Secretary | Open Position

We are looking for a dedicated, organized individual to serve as ENYDCTA’s Corresponding Secretary. This role is responsible for managing association correspondence, supporting publicity efforts, and serving as a team lead for membership recruitment, retention, and promotion. Outreach may include social media engagement, representing ENYDCTA at local equestrian events, assisting with marketing materials, and helping develop new ideas to grow our community. The Corresponding Secretary will also assume the duties of the Recording Secretary when they are absent or unable to serve. The time commitment is approximately 1–2 hours per week.

Piaffe Flyer Editor | Madison Corcoran

Madison graduated from Union College in Schenectady, NY with a bachelor’s degree in English and Geology. She works as a public relations specialist for a healthcare technology company. Her work emphasizes the complete understanding of an organization’s key audiences, building strong relationships with stakeholders and sustaining positive brand perception.

When she’s not working, she spends most of her time as an adult amateur: slowly (but surely) bringing her gelding along through the lower levels of dressage.

She has served as the interim Piaffe Flyer Editor since the spring of 2024, and looks forward to continuing to create a newsletter that helps to tell the story of ENYDCTA while providing important information to its members.

Volunteer Coordinator | Open Position

If you are detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about our mission, we encourage you to apply. Your dedication will be a valuable contribution to our team. Specific duties may be flexible, centered on the unique skills and passions of the individual filling the role. The time commitment for these responsibilities would be a minimum of 1-2 hours a week.

Member-At-Large | Joan Fleser

Joan has been a member of ENYDCTA since it’s second year in existence. She has served as President and is currently on the ENYDCTA Board. In the past Joan has been either the Manager or Secretary for Dressage at Saratoga CDI-W, ENYDCTA Horse Trials, organized clinics, and Year End Awards. Currently, Joan’s focus over the last 3 years is the organizing of the ENYDCTA Virtual Dressage Show. Joan is also a USEF TD for Eventing and Dressage, a USEF Eventing Judge and an FEI Judge and Chief Steward for Eventing and Dressage. She has officiated at 2 Olympics, World Championships, Aachen, and many other FEI competitions around the world.

Member-At-Large | Laura Adams

Laura have been involved in the equine world since the age of nine, beginning with basic english lessons and progressing through years of hands-on experience at eventing, lesson, and camp facilities. While earning her B.S. in Animal Science (Equine Business concentration) at Clemson University, she worked at the university’s equine center, gaining valuable practical and management skills. After graduation, she served as an assistant manager at a riding facility in south Georgia before completing her M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Science.

In August 2023, Laura joined SUNY Cobleskill as an Assistant Professor in the Animal Science Department. Shortly afterward, she became active with ENYDCTA, volunteering as an event secretary, volunteer organizer, jump crew lead, and event organizer. Participating in ENYDCTA’s clinics and shows has been an invaluable learning experience, and she is eager to continue supporting these educational opportunities for others. Laura is excited to serve as a Member-at-Large on the ENYDCTA board. Welcome Laura!!

Member-At-Large | Allison King

Allison King has been a dressage facility manager and head trainer, an international camp director, and most recently the executive director of the Southlands Foundation, an able-bodied equine based not for profit and land conservation organization. Allison embodies a deep and practical background to communicate from. She perfectly marries her extensive knowledge of equine practice with her business acumen. She is the recording secretary of The Hudson Valley Hunter Jumper Association (HVHJA) is a Member - at- Large for ENYDCTA and has assisted in writing grant requests for them, as well as a Gala Committee member for the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome (ORA).

When she is not teaching, judging, or instructing in a clinic situation, Allison enjoys riding her horses Rouben and Tiger and loves working with her trainer, Tine Zinglersen, Allison has had the pleasure of working with and learning from many well-known instructors: Eric Horgan, Jenny Meyer, Stephen Hayes, Karl Mikolka, Jennifer Baumert, Bill Warren, and Bill McMullin. Allison has acquired her Bronze and Silver Medals from the USDF and is a lifetime member of the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA,) in which she holds an ACI (Assistant Clinic Instructor) certification as a Master Instructor. She is a USDF “L graduate” with distinction. She is looking forward to moving on to the national judging program as an “r” judge in the next few years.

Member-At Large | Andrea McBurnie

Andrea is a USDF Silver Medalist, dressage trainer, and FEI groom. A lifelong horsewoman, she grew up on her family’s horse farm and gained experience across multiple disciplines. She discovered her passion for teaching through the Special Olympics therapeutic riding program where her brother rode, and she volunteered.

Throughout her career, Andrea has supported riders ranging from young beginners to members of the United States Equestrian Team. She is committed to building a collaborative, inclusive community and brings this perspective to her role within our GMO.

Member-At-Large | Ray Whelihan

Ray is an Associate Professor at SUNY Cobleskill, with primary teaching responsibilities in the equine area, including Coach of the Varsity Hunt Seat Equestrian Team. He as over 30 years of faculty service, and supported and encouraged many students to explore and realize their potential to make equestrian involvement a fulfilling lifetime endeavor.

With a preference for plain bay thoroughbreds, and the occasional gallant grey, Ray's philosophy centers on simplicity, correctness, and a less is more approach resulting in manifestation of favorite quotations “Ride your horses so your horses like you” M.O. Page, and “The hardest thing for a rider to do is to sit still, to sit still, and to keep sitting still.” R. Kipling. Through appreciation of the generous nature of the horse, the in-depth study of horsemanship practices intellectually realized over centuries, and incorporating advancements in equine medicine and nutrition, we ask of our horses only what should be asked, in the manner it should be asked, and enjoy our equine relationships to the fullest.

Member-At-Large | Open Position

We are seeking a member-at-large. The specific duties primarily center on the unique skills and passions of the individual filling the role. The time commitment for these responsibilities typically ranges from 1 to 2 hours per week.

Meet our Webmasters!

Webmaster | Peter Tkaczyk

Having grown up on a farm, Peter learned to ride before the age of twelve. He has had a lifelong passion for animals.

Peter graduated in 2021 from Ithaca college with a degree in Writing and minor in Computer Science.

In addition to supporting our website, Peter serves as "scorer extraordinaire" at all of our schooling shows - thank you Peter!!

Webmaster | Jennifer Symon

Driven by a passion for horses that was evident in my walks to nursery school with my imaginary white horse, I started my equestrian journey at the age of six. It is amazing to think that this childhood dream would become a reality over four decades later! My father's connection to a riding stable through his Agway Feed & Grain store gave me the opportunity to start taking lessons at an early age, beginning with hunter/jumpers and later transitioning to dressage as an adult.

Moving to Saratoga Springs, NY in 2002 was a pivotal moment in both my personal life and riding career. The journey has been truly special, not just because of the horses I have had the privilege to learn from, but also the amazing people I have met along the way who have made it even more fulfilling!