United States Eventing Association

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club) announced the election of the current slate of the USPC Board of Governors, who were all confirmed at the 2026 USPC Convention, held January 28–February 1, 2026, at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Lincolnshire, Ill., outside of Chicago. Leading the Board is a new President, Deborah (Deb) Kirsch, and a New First Vice President, Heather Rosenker. The new slate also includes two new Board of Governors members and four new Advisory Committee members. In addition, seven USPC members between the ages of 18 and 23 joined the USPC National Youth Board (NYB), a special board with members serving as liaisons between the youth membership of USPC and the Board of Governors.

New USPC President

Deb Kirsch is a lifelong Pony Club leader with a B Eventing certification whose 46‑year journey with USPC spans local, regional, and national roles. A Norfolk Hunt Pony Club alum, she has served as Regional Supervisor (RS) and Vice RS of the Southeastern New England Region, Joint District Commissioner (JtDC) and Secretary of Barnstable Pony Club, and Treasurer for USPC, the Middle California Region, and Clayton Canyon Pony Club. In 2023, she was honored as an inductee of the USPC Academy of Achievement.

A Boston University graduate with a BA in psychology, Kirsch spent three decades owning and operating Looking Glass Farm in Middleborough, Mass., where she taught, trained, coached, and continued her deep Pony Club involvement. Alongside her equestrian career, she discovered a passion for nonprofit leadership and now serves as Executive Director of Temple Isaiah, a nationally recognized synagogue in the East Bay of San Francisco, known for innovative education, engagement, and social justice work.

Kirsch lives in Moraga, Calif., with her husband, two of their three children, two dogs, a cat, and three horses—including a homebred from Looking Glass Farm and an adopted wild Mustang. She cherishes USPC’s commitment to sportsmanship, stewardship, and leadership through horsemanship, and is inspired to create even more pathways for horse enthusiasts to connect with Pony Club.

New USPC First Vice President

Heather Beldon Rosenker of Basye, Va., is first and foremost a lifelong horsewoman whose leadership is grounded in the barn, not just the boardroom. A USPC Life Member, she began her equestrian journey with Somerset Hills Pony Club in New Jersey, where years spent mucking stalls, braiding manes, studying horse management, and riding cross-country, equitation, and foxhunting shaped both her character and her career. She went on to earn her “A” certification—the organization’s highest level—signifying excellence in horsemanship, horse care, and leadership.

For Rosenker, the mission is simple: put horses at the heart of learning. “I am committed to positioning USPC as the leading authority in horsemanship and equine education in the country,” said Rosenker about the change she hopes to bring to the organization.

Since joining the USPC Board of Governors in 2022, Rosenker has focused on strengthening the organization’s programs that develop confident riders, knowledgeable caretakers, and thoughtful stewards of the horse. Now serving as First Vice President, she brings a horse-first perspective to the Executive Committee and multiple leadership councils, working to expand access to the high-quality equine education nationwide that USPC is known for.

Professionally, Rosenker is a senior communications and public relations executive and founder of HBR & Associates, LLC, but she credits Pony Club—and the life lessons learned in the saddle—for teaching the responsibility, resilience, and teamwork that have defined her success. In recognition of both her equestrian and professional impact, she was named a 2015 USPC Academy of Achievement honoree.

She has spent her career developing clear communications for the public good, and in 2018, she and her late husband, Mark, had the Mark and Heather Rosenker Center for Political Communication and Civic Leadership at the University of Maryland named in their honor.

New USPC Board Members

The following individuals were welcomed as new members of the USPC Board of Governors:

Kim Lowman Vollmer, of South Beloit, Ill., is an alum and life member of USPC residing in the North Central Prairie Region. She joined Pony Club when she was 9 years old and achieved her “A” Eventing certification at 17 years of age while a member of Kinnikinnick Pony Club, which was started by her parents and other families in the North Central Prairie Region. In addition, she also won the A-level National Rally the first time it was held at the Kentucky Horse Park in 1978.

She would go on to become an elementary school educator and has worn various hats within the horse community as an adult, including as a foxhunter, a hunter/jumper competitor on the A and B circuits, a 4-H participant and instructor, a supporter of her local therapeutic riding center, and an owner of several rescue horses.

As a member and later as a volunteer, she has held various roles, which include serving as a National Examiner for 40+ years, serving as a Horse Management Judge, and in her early 20s and 30s, she was very active conducting and organizing upper-level clinics in her region. She has also helped organize rallies and served on various USPC committees, including serving as Chair of various Instruction committees. In addition, she was also an editor of the USPC Manuals of Horsemanship, along with Susan Harris.

In 2021, Lowman Vollmer was honored with the USPC Founders Award, which honors volunteers who have been involved with USPC at the local, regional, and the national level for more than 20 years. She was also honored in 2004 with the USPC Local Legends Award, which also honors longtime volunteerism.

As of late, you can find Lowman Vollmer serving as one of the Horse Management volunteers during a USPC Convention as she helps teach attendees hands-on horse care. “I love the education—seeing the lightbulb go on for riders as they learn and grow,” she said. “The learning never stops, no matter your age or level.

“I would like to see Pony Club continue to thrive by reaching out and expanding our horizons—sharing the many great things we have to offer equestrians everywhere,” she continued about her hopes for her time on the Board. “It is also important to me that we continue to emphasize solid horsemanship, quality equine care, and the highest standards of horse welfare.”

Ariana Dickey, of Columbus, Ohio, is the current Chair of the USPC National Youth Board and of the Pony Club International Alliance (PCIA) Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Dickey is a college student at Ohio State University (OSU) working on a dual degree in international studies and Chinese with a dual specialty in international relations and diplomacy, as well as East Asian studies, and a minor in security and intelligence. In addition, she is a member of the OSU Pistol team and earned All American Honorable Mention in Standard Pistol shooting at the Intercollegiate Pistol Championship as a freshman, along with her team taking championship honors.

As a USPC member for the past 14 years, Dickey has earned her H-B in Horse Management and her C-2 in Eventing and also in Dressage. Her shooting skills have been put to good use in Tetrathlon (riding, shooting, running, and swimming), the sport that originated in Pony Club, and she is the 2022 USPC Tetrathlon National Champion, and competed on the 2025 USPC team in the PCIA Tetrathlon Exchange.

“I originally joined Pony Club because I wanted to be part of a community that valued horsemanship, leadership, and lifelong learning,” said Dickey. “I also got invited by our family friends who told me it would be a great opportunity to meet new people. What began as riding lessons and rallies soon turned into opportunities to serve in youth leadership roles, represent my region, and mentor younger members. It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

Her favorite thing about Pony Club is the sense of community. “No matter where you go, you can always find people who share the same passion for horses and learning,” she said. “The friendships, mentorship, and support within Pony club make it feel like a second family.”

As a member of the NYB, Dickey said she is working to strengthen communication between youth members and leadership at all levels. “My goal is to ensure that every member feels heard and connected, whether they’re just starting out or preparing for upper-level certifications,” she added. “I want to help Pony Club be a space where ideas flow both ways, where youth voices shape the organization’s future as much as its traditions do. I also want to encourage collaboration and sharing ideas across regions and countries, which being a member of the PCIA YAC makes it easier to do.”

2026 USPC Board of Governors and Advisory Committee Updates

Additional Executive Committee changes include the end of Jennifer Sweet’s presidency as Kirsch took the reins as USPC President on Sunday, February 1, and Rosenker became First Vice President. Shelley Nevins, of Waukesha, Wis., serves as Vice President of Activities; Sarah Andres, of Floyds Knob, Ind., as Vice President of Instruction; Rae Birr, of Manistique, Mich., as Vice President of Regional Administration; Lori Pickett, of Chesapeake, Va., as Secretary; and SueAnn McClelland, of Kingston, Wash., as Treasurer.

In addition to the Executive Committee and the new members above, the following are also current USPC Board of Governors members:

• Rob Burk, Columbia, Md.
• Lorelle Carpenter, Mentor, Ohio
• Lorelei Coplen, Carlisle, Pa.
• Terri Foreman, St. Joseph, Ill.
• Sali Gear, Virginia Beach, Va.
• Eben Haber, Cupertino, Calif.
• Sarah Pence, Spring Hill, Kan.
• Marissa Redmond, Windsor, S.C.
• Eric Seto, Shelbyville, Ky.
• Sue Smith, Eastham, Mass.
• Asia Thayer, Wauna, Wash.
• Bo Varnado, Ramona, Calif.
• Jan Whitehouse, Nicholasville, Ky.
• Stony Yakovac, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho
  
  Retiring Board members include Sedate Kohler, of Madison, Wis.; Jocelyn Hunt, of Easton, Md., and Jennifer Sweet, of Chehalis, Wash. The United States Pony Clubs would like to thank all for their years of service on the Board, and all retiring Board members will continue on to the Advisory Committee. In addition, Nancy Grout, of Plainfield, N.H., has been added to the Advisory Committee.
In addition, USPC would like to thank Lydia Eilinger, of Alpharetta, Ga., for her time on the Advisory Committee.

USPC National Youth Board

Every year, the NYB adds new members in the fall, and those members begin their new roles during the official in-person meeting at the USPC Convention. This year’s new members include:

• Anne Laurel Dempsey, Raleigh, N.C., Carolina Region
• Jolene Grover, Ashburn, Va., Virginia Region
• Ruby Lewis, Elgin, Texas, Rio Grande Region (Vice Chair)
• Isabella Mensik, Placentia, Calif., Southern California Region
• Chloe Platt, Kailua, Hawaii, Hawaii Region
• Kyra Steinrock, Prospect, Ky., Midsouth Region
• Melissa Tilden, Columbus, Ind., Heartland Region

They join the following members either in their second or an optional third year on the NYB:

• Ariana Dickey, Columbus, Ohio, Capital Region (2nd term, Chair)
• Isabelle Dow, Yarmouth, Maine, Northeast Region (3rd term, Treasurer)
• Kate Gerth, San Luis Obispo, Calif., Northwest Region (3rd term, Social Media Coordinator)
• Lindsey Groves, Goldsboro, Md., Delmarva Region (2nd term, Secretary)
• Meghan Hill, Petaluma, Calif., Sierra Pacific Region (2nd term)
• Mason Konesky, Bowling Green, Ohio, Great Lakes Region (2nd term)
• Sydney Langley, Tryon, N.C., Carolina Region (2nd term)
• Riley Rebholz, Gladstone, Mich., Lake Shore Region (2nd term)

The United States Pony Clubs has been a volunteer-driven organization since its inception in 1954 and encourages alumni and others in the horse industry to engage with the organization as volunteers, either on a one-time or limited basis on up to one of the official leader roles. Learn more about volunteering on the Volunteer Opportunities page on the website or email [email protected].