2024 PNWWDA Executive Board
President: Jessy Olson
Jessy Olson is a life long equestrian, but in last decade has been a professional Western Dressage and Traditional Dressage professional who has completed to FEI. A USDF bronze medalist and “L” judge graduate, as well as a USEF “r” apprentice currently for the western dressage judges program, she is dedicated to the education and partnership of the horse and rider. She is currently also the Vice President of the GMO The Lower Puget Sound Dressage Club, who was one of the first clubs in the Northwest to offer western dressage as well as hold educational events such as a through the levels symposium.
With a full training and lesson program in Port Orchard, Washington, Jessy also is an active competitor in rated and schooling shows with many client horses as well. She has students who have placed in both disciplines with various breeds. One of her proudest accomplishments was training her unstarted mustang as initially an endurance horse, then taking him up to Third level in USDF earning her bronze and Level 3 in WD. She trains with several FEI judges who are also “R” judges who have a passion for both. She believes that dressage is for all breeds and all riders and loves that western dressage truly embodies that. Jessy is honored to help start building the PNWWDA community and to be apart of it.
Jessy Olson is a life long equestrian, but in last decade has been a professional Western Dressage and Traditional Dressage professional who has completed to FEI. A USDF bronze medalist and “L” judge graduate, as well as a USEF “r” apprentice currently for the western dressage judges program, she is dedicated to the education and partnership of the horse and rider. She is currently also the Vice President of the GMO The Lower Puget Sound Dressage Club, who was one of the first clubs in the Northwest to offer western dressage as well as hold educational events such as a through the levels symposium.
With a full training and lesson program in Port Orchard, Washington, Jessy also is an active competitor in rated and schooling shows with many client horses as well. She has students who have placed in both disciplines with various breeds. One of her proudest accomplishments was training her unstarted mustang as initially an endurance horse, then taking him up to Third level in USDF earning her bronze and Level 3 in WD. She trains with several FEI judges who are also “R” judges who have a passion for both. She believes that dressage is for all breeds and all riders and loves that western dressage truly embodies that. Jessy is honored to help start building the PNWWDA community and to be apart of it.
Vice-President 1: Stacy Sutton
Stacy Sutton is a Trainer, Instructor, Clinician, and Competitor with a passion for Western and Classical Dressage. She is a long time member of the Western Dressage Association of America, past Western Dressage Association of America California Affiliate, a CAWDA Mentor, a graduate of the WDAA Train the Trainers program, and attended the WDAA Judges Seminar as a means to further expand her knowledge. Stacy has served as a past board member with the California Dressage Society Valley Oaks Chapter and has assisted with running the USDF L Program.
Stacy and her students successfully compete in Western Dressage Shows, having won multiple show series Championships, consistently won Championships and top placings in the California State High-point Awards Program. Stacy earned her CAWDA Bronze & Silver Medals, and her Bronze Freestyle Medal. Stacy served with the CAWDA board members offering advice, provided educational materials for program expansion, and organized and participated in multiple educational Western Dressage demonstrations. Stacy successfully competed in the WDAA World Show in Oklahoma, competes in National recognized USEF/WDAA Western Dressage shows in and out of her State and has participated in and won multiple awards in Virtual shows and the WDAA International Online Show. Stacy and her students have been competing and earning top scores in the ODS League shows and have encouraged more show managers to offer WD at established shows as well as hosting new shows at her training barn in Medford, Oregon.
Having relocated to Williams, Oregon in January of 2023, Stacy was inspired to expand Western Dressage opportunities in her new home State and beyond by starting the Pacific Northwest Western Dressage Association Affiliate. Stacy is so excited to join forces with the newly appointed and wonderfully talented board to fulfill the PNWWDA mission!
Stacy Sutton is a Trainer, Instructor, Clinician, and Competitor with a passion for Western and Classical Dressage. She is a long time member of the Western Dressage Association of America, past Western Dressage Association of America California Affiliate, a CAWDA Mentor, a graduate of the WDAA Train the Trainers program, and attended the WDAA Judges Seminar as a means to further expand her knowledge. Stacy has served as a past board member with the California Dressage Society Valley Oaks Chapter and has assisted with running the USDF L Program.
Stacy and her students successfully compete in Western Dressage Shows, having won multiple show series Championships, consistently won Championships and top placings in the California State High-point Awards Program. Stacy earned her CAWDA Bronze & Silver Medals, and her Bronze Freestyle Medal. Stacy served with the CAWDA board members offering advice, provided educational materials for program expansion, and organized and participated in multiple educational Western Dressage demonstrations. Stacy successfully competed in the WDAA World Show in Oklahoma, competes in National recognized USEF/WDAA Western Dressage shows in and out of her State and has participated in and won multiple awards in Virtual shows and the WDAA International Online Show. Stacy and her students have been competing and earning top scores in the ODS League shows and have encouraged more show managers to offer WD at established shows as well as hosting new shows at her training barn in Medford, Oregon.
Having relocated to Williams, Oregon in January of 2023, Stacy was inspired to expand Western Dressage opportunities in her new home State and beyond by starting the Pacific Northwest Western Dressage Association Affiliate. Stacy is so excited to join forces with the newly appointed and wonderfully talented board to fulfill the PNWWDA mission!
Vice-President 2: Donna Longacre
Donna is a USDF Silver Medalist, having shown and ridden Nationally thru the FEI levels. She has a Riding Master Certificate, Bachelor of Equestrian Science, and was awarded a USET scholarship to study dressage in Europe. She has taught several college programs and is an Intermediate Centered Riding Instructor.
Donna currently enjoys traveling and judging horse shows, with licensees in Arabian, Dressage, Western, and Western Dressage. She owns and operates a small boarding facility in Longview, WA where she teaches Dressage, jumping, western, and other disciplines. She is also involved with Pony Club, and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association.
Donna's motto has always been “Dressage as a Foundation for ALL riding”. She enjoys the study of biomechanics as it relates to riding, training, and performance. Donna has more than 40 years of experience teaching, judging and training behind her.
Donna is a USDF Silver Medalist, having shown and ridden Nationally thru the FEI levels. She has a Riding Master Certificate, Bachelor of Equestrian Science, and was awarded a USET scholarship to study dressage in Europe. She has taught several college programs and is an Intermediate Centered Riding Instructor.
Donna currently enjoys traveling and judging horse shows, with licensees in Arabian, Dressage, Western, and Western Dressage. She owns and operates a small boarding facility in Longview, WA where she teaches Dressage, jumping, western, and other disciplines. She is also involved with Pony Club, and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association.
Donna's motto has always been “Dressage as a Foundation for ALL riding”. She enjoys the study of biomechanics as it relates to riding, training, and performance. Donna has more than 40 years of experience teaching, judging and training behind her.
Secretary: Beth Bonham
Hello Western Dressage community! My name is Beth Bonham, and I'm proud to be a founding member and Board Secretary for the emerging PNWWDA. Although I'm new to Western Dressage, I love the mission of putting the horse first and feel that this is a wonderful background for any discipline.
I've been owned by Arabian horses since the mid-80s and have had everything from pasture pets to a champion race horse. My love has always been the Sport Horse disciplines, although I've rarely been a competitor. Most of my show life has consisted of being a professional show announcer and volunteering in many aspects of show management.
Aside from horses, I feed my soul with music and have sung with Confluence Chorus for 14 years. They are also a non-profit, and I've served on their Board as Vice President and am currently on the Bylaws Committee.
I'm honored to be part of this wonderful group. I look forward to helping it to grow into a thriving Affiliate and watching all of your paths in the Western Dressage world!
Hello Western Dressage community! My name is Beth Bonham, and I'm proud to be a founding member and Board Secretary for the emerging PNWWDA. Although I'm new to Western Dressage, I love the mission of putting the horse first and feel that this is a wonderful background for any discipline.
I've been owned by Arabian horses since the mid-80s and have had everything from pasture pets to a champion race horse. My love has always been the Sport Horse disciplines, although I've rarely been a competitor. Most of my show life has consisted of being a professional show announcer and volunteering in many aspects of show management.
Aside from horses, I feed my soul with music and have sung with Confluence Chorus for 14 years. They are also a non-profit, and I've served on their Board as Vice President and am currently on the Bylaws Committee.
I'm honored to be part of this wonderful group. I look forward to helping it to grow into a thriving Affiliate and watching all of your paths in the Western Dressage world!
Treasurer: Dianna Berry-Jones
Dianna Berry-Jones has an accomplished 40+ year real estate career in both commercial & residential. For the past 8 yrs., she has been the Asset Manager for the Housing Authority of Jackson County in Medford, Oregon. She holds her CPM designation, and has been on multiple real estate boards in all capacities, such as SWICRE, CREW, WCR, BOMA, and IREM. Dianna has also chaired numerous committees.
Dianna’s favorite past time is her horses, especially her registered Arabian mare, KS Glimmer of Hope. Dianna embarked on the Western Dressage journey for the first time in 2023 as an Adult Amateur and completely "drank the Western Dressage Cool-Aid" and hasn't looked back since.
Dianna is an active member of USEF, USDF, AHA, AHACO, ODS, WDAA and GHRA and is the 2024 Treasurer for AHACO and PNWWDA. Glimmer has enrolled in the WDAA Lifetime Points. Dianna is very happy to assist the PNWWDA in helping Western Dressage grow!
Dianna Berry-Jones has an accomplished 40+ year real estate career in both commercial & residential. For the past 8 yrs., she has been the Asset Manager for the Housing Authority of Jackson County in Medford, Oregon. She holds her CPM designation, and has been on multiple real estate boards in all capacities, such as SWICRE, CREW, WCR, BOMA, and IREM. Dianna has also chaired numerous committees.
Dianna’s favorite past time is her horses, especially her registered Arabian mare, KS Glimmer of Hope. Dianna embarked on the Western Dressage journey for the first time in 2023 as an Adult Amateur and completely "drank the Western Dressage Cool-Aid" and hasn't looked back since.
Dianna is an active member of USEF, USDF, AHA, AHACO, ODS, WDAA and GHRA and is the 2024 Treasurer for AHACO and PNWWDA. Glimmer has enrolled in the WDAA Lifetime Points. Dianna is very happy to assist the PNWWDA in helping Western Dressage grow!
Board Of Directors: Open for one additional Director, please join us!
PNWWDA BOD Application form: docs.google.com/forms/d/1xSoRD1M5bVWQowaG8orZnoh8JJhnXLkt4WoPzt7lxoc/edit
| PNWWDA Call For BOD Nominations Letter |
2024 PNWWDA Board Of Directors
Jessy Olson, Stacy Sutton, Donna Longacre, Beth Bonham, Dianna Berry-Jones, and:
Leanne Roth:
I have been a member of WDAA for the past several years and have been actively showing Western Dressage since 2018. I have been a part of the Morgan Horse Community from childhood.
I show both my Morgans that I keep at home, Sea Cloud Second Chance (Chance) and Heavens Outlaw Rockstar (Rocky) in Basic and Intro Western Dressage. I have also competed in online Western Dressage shows. I show in Morgan A rated shows that offer Open Breed Western Dressage classes and in 2019, won Overall High Point Morgan Western Dressage at the Oregon Horse Center.
I have served on the Morgan Horse Association of Oregon Board 2017-2018. I was on a few committees including the sponsorship committee and started a new program called the Morgan Horse Ride & Drive Program.
I feel like we do not have enough exposure to Western Dressage events here in the Pacific Northwest, and I am hoping to change this by promoting Western Dressage through the work of PNWWDA.
I am very excited about this new affiliation and would like to help in any way I can to make sure it is a success on promoting Western Dressage in this area! .
I have been a member of WDAA for the past several years and have been actively showing Western Dressage since 2018. I have been a part of the Morgan Horse Community from childhood.
I show both my Morgans that I keep at home, Sea Cloud Second Chance (Chance) and Heavens Outlaw Rockstar (Rocky) in Basic and Intro Western Dressage. I have also competed in online Western Dressage shows. I show in Morgan A rated shows that offer Open Breed Western Dressage classes and in 2019, won Overall High Point Morgan Western Dressage at the Oregon Horse Center.
I have served on the Morgan Horse Association of Oregon Board 2017-2018. I was on a few committees including the sponsorship committee and started a new program called the Morgan Horse Ride & Drive Program.
I feel like we do not have enough exposure to Western Dressage events here in the Pacific Northwest, and I am hoping to change this by promoting Western Dressage through the work of PNWWDA.
I am very excited about this new affiliation and would like to help in any way I can to make sure it is a success on promoting Western Dressage in this area! .
Cat Armitage:
Hello everyone. My name is Cat Armitage and I live in the beautiful Cariboo in a little community called Lone Butte in British Columbia, Canada. I have been involved with horses for as long as I can remember and have owned and bred my own for 55 years. During this time, I have held/hold/or I am working on the following certification/licenses: AHSA Assistant Instructor, B.C. Mountain Trail Judge, Canadian Pony Club National Senior Tester and Instructor, Equestrian Canada English Coach Level 1, EC Senior Basic Dressage Judge, EC Junior Hunter/Jumper Course Designer, EC Technical Delegate (Eventing) – retired, EC General Performance (working on obtaining this status), EC Driving Judge (working on obtaining this status), Horse Council BC Dressage Judge, HCBC Driving Judge, HCBC General Performance Judge, HCBC Hack Judge, HCBC Hunter/Jumper Course Designer, HCBC Cross-Country Designer (retired), National Coaching Certification Program Level II Coach. In addition, I have been a 4-H Leader and a Coach to various Pony Clubs around the Lower Mainland. And I even traveled to Oregon to teach clinics for the Old People’s Pony Club. And all this was done while working full time at a regular job and teaching after work. I have loved every minute of it.
I enjoy traveling around North America judging, designing courses and giving clinics. From 1974 to around 1982 I spent most of my time competing in Three-Day Eventing (and later designing the stadium at FEI competitions in the USA), Dressage, Hunter/Jumpers, Flat (English and Western) Shows and a few Gymkhanas. I was also a Director and Treasurer to Cadora (Canadian National Dressage Organization) and one of the organizers for the Chilliwack International Horse Show which was a huge multi breed/discipline show.
I have been extremely fortunate to have the mentoring from such great Dressage Judges and Coaches such as Jacqui Oldham, Jane Savoir, Lilo Fore, Cara Whitham, Joan Macartney, Brenda Minor, Anne Gribbons and so many more. Jack LeGoff was another individual who helped me with my coaching for Eventing and for hunter/jumper/cross-country course designing Peter Holmes, Pamela Arthur, Sally Ike, Mark Philips, Steve Buchman and many others.
One very memorable coaching experience was being selected as the Coach for the Canadian Pony Club International Rally Team. It has allowed me to travel to China as the coach with a team of three Canadian Pony Club riders and one American Pony Club Rider to compete at the International Pony Club Rally. Happy to say we came second (Silver) in all events! But I think the biggest highlight for me was attending the International Judges Clinic at the DOKR National Equestrian Training Centre in Warendorf, Germany. We started by attending two days of this huge horse show where I spent most of the time in the stands judging dressage tests. Next, we spent two days with the great Christoph Hess presenting and defending our scores and comments/reasons. Let me tell you it was very intimidating considering there were top Judges from all over the world attending.
Since 2004 I have been involved with the committee for the Rising Stars Youth Dressage Show (risingstarsdressage.com). For many years we ran a show at the Chilliwack Heritage Park but have now branched out to be part of bigger shows across Canada. And our focus is not on shows now but on “Equitation”. I developed a dressage equitation score sheet for the youth (which is for 25 years and under). It was a lot of work, emailing back and forth with my friend, FEI 4-star(retired) Dressage Judge Joan Mccartney, who would review the sheet and give me feedback. Then testing different score sheets at shows until finally coming up with the present score sheet. We were then approached by Equestrian Canada, asking if they could incorporate it into their Dressage program.
Another great equestrian sport that I love to judge is Mountain Trail. I have to say it is the most difficult equestrian sport that I judge as you have to focus not only on the horse, but the rider as well. You can’t relax for a minute, there is so much to take in. It’s a great sport for English or Western Riders and complements dressage so much.
All in all, I feel so grateful to all for allowing me what I consider an incredible equestrian career. I love being a part of new developing groups and wish all of you out there interested in Western Dressage to “give it a go”!!! Happy riding everyone!!
Hello everyone. My name is Cat Armitage and I live in the beautiful Cariboo in a little community called Lone Butte in British Columbia, Canada. I have been involved with horses for as long as I can remember and have owned and bred my own for 55 years. During this time, I have held/hold/or I am working on the following certification/licenses: AHSA Assistant Instructor, B.C. Mountain Trail Judge, Canadian Pony Club National Senior Tester and Instructor, Equestrian Canada English Coach Level 1, EC Senior Basic Dressage Judge, EC Junior Hunter/Jumper Course Designer, EC Technical Delegate (Eventing) – retired, EC General Performance (working on obtaining this status), EC Driving Judge (working on obtaining this status), Horse Council BC Dressage Judge, HCBC Driving Judge, HCBC General Performance Judge, HCBC Hack Judge, HCBC Hunter/Jumper Course Designer, HCBC Cross-Country Designer (retired), National Coaching Certification Program Level II Coach. In addition, I have been a 4-H Leader and a Coach to various Pony Clubs around the Lower Mainland. And I even traveled to Oregon to teach clinics for the Old People’s Pony Club. And all this was done while working full time at a regular job and teaching after work. I have loved every minute of it.
I enjoy traveling around North America judging, designing courses and giving clinics. From 1974 to around 1982 I spent most of my time competing in Three-Day Eventing (and later designing the stadium at FEI competitions in the USA), Dressage, Hunter/Jumpers, Flat (English and Western) Shows and a few Gymkhanas. I was also a Director and Treasurer to Cadora (Canadian National Dressage Organization) and one of the organizers for the Chilliwack International Horse Show which was a huge multi breed/discipline show.
I have been extremely fortunate to have the mentoring from such great Dressage Judges and Coaches such as Jacqui Oldham, Jane Savoir, Lilo Fore, Cara Whitham, Joan Macartney, Brenda Minor, Anne Gribbons and so many more. Jack LeGoff was another individual who helped me with my coaching for Eventing and for hunter/jumper/cross-country course designing Peter Holmes, Pamela Arthur, Sally Ike, Mark Philips, Steve Buchman and many others.
One very memorable coaching experience was being selected as the Coach for the Canadian Pony Club International Rally Team. It has allowed me to travel to China as the coach with a team of three Canadian Pony Club riders and one American Pony Club Rider to compete at the International Pony Club Rally. Happy to say we came second (Silver) in all events! But I think the biggest highlight for me was attending the International Judges Clinic at the DOKR National Equestrian Training Centre in Warendorf, Germany. We started by attending two days of this huge horse show where I spent most of the time in the stands judging dressage tests. Next, we spent two days with the great Christoph Hess presenting and defending our scores and comments/reasons. Let me tell you it was very intimidating considering there were top Judges from all over the world attending.
Since 2004 I have been involved with the committee for the Rising Stars Youth Dressage Show (risingstarsdressage.com). For many years we ran a show at the Chilliwack Heritage Park but have now branched out to be part of bigger shows across Canada. And our focus is not on shows now but on “Equitation”. I developed a dressage equitation score sheet for the youth (which is for 25 years and under). It was a lot of work, emailing back and forth with my friend, FEI 4-star(retired) Dressage Judge Joan Mccartney, who would review the sheet and give me feedback. Then testing different score sheets at shows until finally coming up with the present score sheet. We were then approached by Equestrian Canada, asking if they could incorporate it into their Dressage program.
Another great equestrian sport that I love to judge is Mountain Trail. I have to say it is the most difficult equestrian sport that I judge as you have to focus not only on the horse, but the rider as well. You can’t relax for a minute, there is so much to take in. It’s a great sport for English or Western Riders and complements dressage so much.
All in all, I feel so grateful to all for allowing me what I consider an incredible equestrian career. I love being a part of new developing groups and wish all of you out there interested in Western Dressage to “give it a go”!!! Happy riding everyone!!
Sara Breyman:
I've been involved showing Morgan horses over 45 years. I have trained & instructed world champion riders and horses in all divisions. I got my journey started in Western Dressage at the very start of the WDAA when Ellen Dibella personally encouraged me to join, and I haven't looked back since. I've completed at both the WDAA and Morgan Horse World Shows in Western Dressage with my beautiful mare, WPS Holiday Falon, a Holiday Compadre daughter winning multiple championships in Basic, Level 1 and Level 2, and I am working towards level 3.
I absolutely love that the Pacific Northwest Western Dressage Association has formed and look forward to assisting with its grow in the Pacific Northwest Regions!
I've been involved showing Morgan horses over 45 years. I have trained & instructed world champion riders and horses in all divisions. I got my journey started in Western Dressage at the very start of the WDAA when Ellen Dibella personally encouraged me to join, and I haven't looked back since. I've completed at both the WDAA and Morgan Horse World Shows in Western Dressage with my beautiful mare, WPS Holiday Falon, a Holiday Compadre daughter winning multiple championships in Basic, Level 1 and Level 2, and I am working towards level 3.
I absolutely love that the Pacific Northwest Western Dressage Association has formed and look forward to assisting with its grow in the Pacific Northwest Regions!
Ann Marie Avancino, Director At Large:
Ann Marie is a part of a farming and ranching family in Linden, California for 5 generations. Her family owned and trained race horses in Northern California for many years. While in San Diego, Ann Marie co-founded Winner’s Circle Ranch a non-profit organization for at-risk-youth and race horse adoption. Along with a career in youth and young adult ministry the intersecting of ministry and horses has given her over 35 years of creating programs which develop the core of a person and homes for horses.
A life long student of the horse in both english and western riding Ann Marie specializes in starting people on horses, classical western riding and horsemanship for beginning through advanced students.
She is a student at the Classical Stock Seat School of Arizona, CHA Certified Instructor in English, Western and Trail Riding, 2014 and 2016 WDAA Train the Trainer Program Graduate. Accomplishing high point awards in Ranch Riding, and Western Dressage through AQHA, USEF, CAWDA and WDAA. She is also Western Dressage World Champion Level 1 in 2017 and Level 2 in 2018. When the Retired Race Horse Project added Western Dressage to the competition Ann Marie headed to Kentucky where she finished in the top 10 in 2019 and 2021 in the Thoroughbred Makeover. Passionate about Western Dressage and continuing education she embarked on founding the Pacific Northwest Western Dressage Association. In Western Dressage as with all training her focus is on riding as an art for where the main goal is a happy and healthy horse.
A life long student of the horse in both english and western riding Ann Marie specializes in starting people on horses, classical western riding and horsemanship for beginning through advanced students.
She is a student at the Classical Stock Seat School of Arizona, CHA Certified Instructor in English, Western and Trail Riding, 2014 and 2016 WDAA Train the Trainer Program Graduate. Accomplishing high point awards in Ranch Riding, and Western Dressage through AQHA, USEF, CAWDA and WDAA. She is also Western Dressage World Champion Level 1 in 2017 and Level 2 in 2018. When the Retired Race Horse Project added Western Dressage to the competition Ann Marie headed to Kentucky where she finished in the top 10 in 2019 and 2021 in the Thoroughbred Makeover. Passionate about Western Dressage and continuing education she embarked on founding the Pacific Northwest Western Dressage Association. In Western Dressage as with all training her focus is on riding as an art for where the main goal is a happy and healthy horse.