Members of the National OPRC Board of Directors

President: Shiela Haviland

La Plata , MD
Email: president@oprc.us
This position will be up for re-election in Jan. 2012 (Job Description)

I'm a military brat, born and raised in Wiesbaden, Germany. My father bought our first horse when I was about eight. That first horse experience was NOT optimal for a kid, but I loved riding so much that I ignored the fact that our three year old Hanoverian was determined to give me a run for my money, every single time I rode him. My father provided me with the best riding instruction our money could buy and the rest was up to me. After years of tears and numerous injuries, at 15 I couldn't take it any more and vowed to never look at another horse again.

As it is in many horse families, horses are in our blood. Once my daughters were old enough to know what a horse was, my father was more than happy to put them in the saddle. That started my love affair with horses all over again. All I had to do was smell them and feel their warm muzzle and I was hooked.

My oldest daughter joined the United States Pony Club and I fulfilled my duties as a Pony Club mom. I served as a joint-DC, as the Maryland Regional Secretary, the local/regional Webmaster and anything else that needed to be done.

Even though I enjoyed my time as a Pony Club mom, I couldn't wait to concentrate on my own riding again. I saw OPRC as exactly what I needed.  So far, I’ve been right.  OPRC has given me the opportunity to try things with my horse, that I only dreamed of and the people are so accepting. 

Vice President : Stephanie Dahne

Chester, PA
vp@oprc.us
This position will be up for re-election in Jan. 2014 (Job Description)

I grew up in Clearfield. PA and fell in love with horses at a very early age bouncing on an ottoman in my Grandmother’s living room following along Saturday mornings with the Lone Ranger, Zorro, Gene Autry and My Friend Flicka. I did not get many chances to ride when I was young and got my chance when we moved to Chester County Pa when I was 15. My mother enrolled me in riding lessons.

While attending Moore College Of art And Design in Philadelphia, PA, I met a lady with 7 thoroughbreds off the track with no one but herself to ride them. She liked the way I rode and asked me to ride with her. I was able to pick my rides for the most part and for 13 years I helped train the TBs for fox hunters and jumpers. What a way to expand your knowledge with horses and riding. I was able to Hunt with the Pickering, Kimberton and Bellwood Hunts as Her groom for many years of excitement. She had been a professional Whipper-In with Mr. Stewarts Cheshire Fox Hounds and started her own pack which we hunted near Reading as Oley Valley Hounds. I was a Whipper-In for the hunt from 1986 until 1992.

After marrying in 1993 and getting settled in I started riding again in 1995 with a friend who was rescuing TBs from the track. I got my own TB in 1998, an 8 year old grandson of Seattle Slew named Wynter’s Slew. I had been riding him for 2 years and we began a wonderful relationship, which has continued for 12 years so far. We have ridden in Baby Novice events, jumping and hunter shows, Paperchases, trail rides and OPRC Rallies.

I found out about The Old Peoples Riding Club in 2001. A friend saw an article in Practical Horseman and brought a group of us together. I became the first President of our Brass Ring Riding Club, an activities coordinator, membership coordinator and President yet again. The OPRC has been a fabulous club to meet wonderful talented riders that share there knowledge, are helpful and supportive too.

Member at Large: Sue Berry

As a kid, I grew up in suburban Virginia as a horse crazy tomboy. I took lessons and would ride with several friends, but never had my own horse until many years later. I am currently enjoying that first horse! For the last seven years I have had the amazing pleasure to share a relationship with a really fun gelding named, sometimes appropriately, Rebel! I have gained many wonderful human friends and quite an education in the process!

I have been blessed in this life to have overcome challenges, have a wonderful family, and experienced many different things and places. My husband and I have built a great little farmette that we share with our dogs, cats, goats and "the horse". We are anxiously awaiting the birth of our second Grandchild in the spring of 2012.

Over the last couple of years, several of my friends and I had talked about getting together to do things and ride. It seemed we could never get the whole group out at the same time. Then one of my friends suggested we attend a meeting of a group called the Old Peoples Riding Club in nearby Southern Maryland. We attended a few meetings and were ready to join, but decided to begin our own chapter in Virginia. The Still Hot To Trot OPRC was established in January of 2011, with Shiela Haviland as our fabulous mentor. I willingly accepted the nomination to be the President of the group. I must say that I am proud of our first year! Our membership has grown tremendously and we have had several very successful events! We are now planning events for the coming year and making the commitment as a group to get out and do those things we never thought we would! We are looking forward to another fun, educational and busy year! I am really happy and honored to be part of an organization that so strongly promotes and supports the education of its members in all things equine.

Member at Large: Karen Freeman

Dallas, OR
Email: ratings@oprc.us
This position will be up for re-election in Jan. 2012

As a child, I dreamed of galloping through fields and jumping logs on my own horse. A few riding lessons during my Jr. High years in Birmingham, Mich. were as close as I ever came to that growing up.

22 years ago, we moved to the countryside in Dallas, Or. One year later, we purchased our first horse, a POA for the kids. How we didn't kill the poor pony I don't know. With 21 years now of owning and learning about horses, it is a miracle that she did survive our incompetence. I see OPRC as such a great tool to help people to acquire the knowledge needed to be good, responsible horse owners. It is such a great way to meet other people with like interest and gather the support needed in the ups and downs of horse ownership.

Secretary: Susan Geiger

I have always loved horses but other than an occasional ride at a local horse rental place as a child I really didn't start riding until I was in my 40s. I decided I wanted to learn while I could still get up after a fall. I am now almost 65 and still feel the same way. I have had 2 serious accidents resulting in broken bones but I still have a love for horses and riding. Much of the credit for that goes to the support from friends I have met through local chapters of OPRC.

My husband rides also and has been very supportive through the years. We are fortunate enough to have our horses at home and we have learned a tremendous amount together.

We joined OPRC about 10 years ago. We have made many friends and have learned from the programs and camaraderie. I hope I can provide the same for new members of OPRC.

Treasurer: Courtney Nathan-Materdomini

Chester County, PA
Email: treasurer@oprc.us
This position will be up for re-election in Jan. 2012 (Job Description)

A few years ago, I jumped at the chance to end my 20 year hiatus from riding when I learned of a Mom“s Riding Class offered at a local barn. Fast forward two years, and I am now the proud owner of an adorable Welsh/Thoroughbred cross named Phoenix.

I live in beautiful Chester County, Pennsylvania with my husband and two children and our 80 pound Golden doodle named Daisy. In between riding and driving my kids to various activities, I am an actuary and consultant for a large employee benefits consulting firm. Phoenix is my "therapy" - I would certainly lose my mind without him!

I was introduced to the OPRC by another horse crazy friend. It is wonderful to be around so many other adults who share and understand my own passion and love affair with the incredible world of horses.