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  • Minutes October 2025

    11/18/2025 11:51 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Oct 7, 2025 | NCDCTA BOD Meeting - Virtual

    Attendees:Helen Ingersoll Amy Brumbach Heather Turner Jordan McKenzie-Solis Ellie Balakrishnan Heather Boyer Charlotte Meli Katherine Thornton Mandi Martyn   Absent: Lisa Chisholm Ali LaTorre Will Barrus

    President, Helen Ingersoll, called the meeting to order at 7:03

    Heather Boyer read the NCDCTA Charter. 

    NCDCTA BOARD TEAM CHARTER:

    • We the board of the NCDCTA hold the following values as guiding principles to carry out the mission of our organization.
    • To educate, promote camaraderie and recognize achievement in dressage and eventing.
    • Respect, Humility, Patience, Self Awareness, Supportiveness, Accountability, Listening, Generosity, and Helpfulness
    • Communication that is: Clear, Flexible, Ongoing, Supportive, Constructive and Safe while celebrating brave efforts to question and disagree.
    • Decision making that is shared. Roles that can be flexible and board members that are engaged, present, and share appreciation for and with one another, freely.

    Reports:

    • Membership Secretary Report: Will Barrus
    • HOY updated as of 9/29
    • Website to be launched for membership renewal on 11/15/25
    • Will send out email about how all that’s needed is one score to qualify for Dressage championships 
    • President Report: Helen Ingersoll
    • Ensuring that NCDCTA high score ribbons get to Cassidy for Fall Finale
    • Ensuring other high score ribbons are sent out
    • Order ribbons for Winter Solstice
    • Winter Solstice prizelist to be coming in the next week 
    • Treasurer Report: Heather Turner
    • Balance of $34,557.39 in accounts (down from ~48K last month due to festival)
    • Vice President Report: Amy Brumbach
    • Membership numbers as of 10/9/2025
    • Adult Amateur: 373
    • Jr/YR: 116
    • Open: 136
    • Total Members: 625
    • Paid Horses: 360
    • Volunteer Card Horses: 90
    • Total Horses: 450
    • Other member information of interest
    • New Members: 141
    • Renewing Members: 386
    • Reactivated Members: 98
    • Dressage Only: 361
    • Western Dressage: 76
    • Dressage & Eventing: 192
    • Eventing Only: 53
    • Breeding: 31
    • Lifetime Members: 6
    • Trainers: 68
    • Officials: 27
    • E-News ONLY: 74
    • Female: 582
    • Male: 26
    • Gender Unknown: 17
    • Other Horse Information of Interest
    • New Horses: 179
    • Renewing Horses: 230
    • Reactivated Horses: 41
    • Volunteer Card Information
    • Outstanding Volunteer Cards: 2712
    • Festival report:
    • Without ticket adjustment: Lost $6K (festival and harvest moon combined)
    • Final financial report pending
    • Show helped earn money and offset cost of festival 
    • Stabling and haul ins helped offset costs of festival 
    • CHP did amazing job! Were excited about the festival and schooling show and want to continue relationship
    • Participants happy with CHP and stabling
    • 2 had never been to CHP and enjoyed the venue
    • Disappointed in spectator ticket sales
    • Need to strategize how to do it differently for next time 
    • Several people came to gate to shop but not interested in spectator ticket 
    • Considering large sponsor for next time
    • Clinicians were well received and was a well rounded group
    • Enjoyed the panel questions and are promoting the NCDCTA through posting on personal pages
    • Planning to upload panel questions/answers to NCDCTA YouTube
    • Lectures 
    • Plan to schedule them during lunch breaks, etc 
    • Harvest Moon schooling show was well run by Margaret and CHP
    • Planning to put survey together for participants and ticket holder 
    • Shout out to Ellie for hard work with hospitality
    • Shout out to Heather Boyer for hard work with sponsors and vendors 
    • Eventing Report: Katherine Thornton
    • Actions
    • COMPLETED = Meeting with Margaret Crevar for logistics planning for Eventing Championship
    • UNDERWAY: Seeking co-chair for 2026 and expanding the CTLT to be more inclusive statewide
    • UNDERWAY – “one pager” describing benefits of membership for eventers
    • PROPOSED: Tik Maynard Clinic and Keynote Speaker for Gala
    • PROPOSED: Lifetime Achievement Award for Roisin O’Rahilly (and others) as NCDCTA Founder (they must be NCDCTA member)
    • PROPOSED: Awards for Farriers and Vets in NC, voted on by members and awarded at Banquet
    • FOCUSED ON: Eventing Championship
    • Emailed out “you are qualified” and tracking those who have indicated they will compete
    • Tracking who’s signing up for championships so that appropriate awards go out
    • Large group in novice and beginner novice divisions for champs
    • Will provide mums, decorations and snacks
    • NCDCTA has pop up tents (Amy will bring)
    • HT has 103 qualified and CT has 72 qualified
    • COMPLETED - Order Eventing Championship Ribbons from Hodges
    • Katherine to follow up with Hodges, supposed to be sent to her 
    • NOT YET STARTED - Begin process for “Organizer Standards” program based on USEA Organizer Committee work (via CT LT team…. )
    • COMPLETED USEA Area 2 – Overall Relationship
    • TABLED, Get Area 2 eventing championships at CHP – doesn’t fit with the Strategic Plan for CHP
    • COMPLETED - Requested eventer emails to stimulate membership from USEA
    • Completed Identify scholarship opportunities, and clinic support 
    • Completed-Reached out re eventing clinician for Fall Festival and did receive a list of names
    • TABLED – written interview with Woodge/David – potential 2026 clinicians
    • COMPLETED Eventing Championship plan
    • Hold Championship at Nov War Horse
    • Use HOY qualifying points tracking system – approved with Will
    • Post standings somewhere on the website as we go along (excel spreadsheet)
    • COMPLETED an NCDCTA eventing-specific calendar workbook, checked it with organizers and with Will
    • Communications:
    • Ongoing FAQ emails to stimulate membership
    • Sent FAQ#1 , #2, #3 with good response
    • Started FB posts – “Why Combined Test” (Future topics include: Benefits of NCDCTA membership; Why school XC?)
    • Beginning education campaign about CTs and their value to encourage beginning and aging competitors
    • Drafted second newsletter article, “Moving up isn’t necessarily the point” for eventing
    • Want to add FENCE and venue in Virginia as NCDCTA schooling show venues 
    • Show support for these venues by providing sponsorships 
    • Gala Report: Ellie Balakrishnan
    • Working with Will to determine number of prizes and ribbons needed 
    • Continues to look for prize sponsors 
    • Plan to increase quality of prizes for HOY and championship show
    • Consider 5 Star Western pad and also buckles 
    • Plan to award volunteer of the year and lifetime achievement 
    • Katherine met with founding member of NCDCTA and set up original horse trials in southern pines area 
    • Consider service provider award (vet and/or farrier) that are nominated/voted on by membership 
    • Consider Tik Maynard as keynote speaker and clinic on same weekend
    • Clinic would be 15 participants (3 groups of 5)
    • Would be $3-4K for both clinic and keynote speaker 
    • Jr/Yr Report: Mandi Martyn
    • 1 applicant and awardee for festival 
    • 5 applicants for Nov WHES scholarship
    • Consider awarding 2 scholarships (currently only 1)
    • Signing up for Nov WHES championship with be additional point on rubric
    • Competition Report: 
    • Winter Solstice: Dec 12-14, recognized dressage show
    • Will count for 2025 HOY and 2026 USDF/USEF
    • Division of labor:
    • Heather B available in mornings and evenings for setup and tear downs
    • Helen plans to create list of needs to send to group and have assignments for next BOD meeting 
    • Volunteer Report: Charlotte Meli
    • It was difficult to find volunteers for Friday, since many people were working. Saturday and Sunday was a bit easier, but it is still a challenge. People who were participating in the clinic were willing to help which was great!
    • Having incentives other than just a volunteer card might help, such as offering goodie bags. 
    • I am starting to build the spreadsheet for volunteer assignments for champs, I anticipate it being a large show and we will need a lot of help. 
    • Sponsorship Report: Heather Boyer 
    • Reaching out to sponsors about banners
    • Getting the flow of social media posts rolling 
    • Updated sponsorship packet created and sent 
    • Communication Report: Lisa Chisholm 
    • Social media sponsorships: with the exception of one remaining obligation for each Diamond & Platinum sponsors, ALL required social media posts have been either published or scheduled through 2025. (the reason being that posts can only be scheduled 29 days in advance and some sponsors will go into December. I will schedule them before the end of the year!) The sponsorship fulfillment tracker has been updated to reflect the dates. 
    • Website: worked with Will to reformat terms and conditions for website. Building out other content. Incredibly grateful for Will's input and guidance. 
    • Newsletter:
    • President's Message - from Helen
    • Recap of Equine festival - or basic info so that I can write one up. How many attendees? How many sponsors? How many vendors? (Amy or Ali?)
    • Scholarship winner writeup from Equine Festival - Mandi? 
    • Reminder for NCDCTA L Program - last chance/signup?
    • Sponsor Advertising - @Heather Boyer I am certain I do not have all of the adds I need for this issue. 
    • Eventing content - Katherine?
    • HOY Updates/Reminders (got this already!)
    • Gala preview/coming up - when are tickets going on sale? 
    • Dressage Report: Ali LaTorre 
    • L Program: We have 20 participants and 13 auditors. We would love to get more auditors!

    Old Business:

    • None

    New Business:

    • War horse sponsorship for 2026, additional venues outside of War Horse 
    • Plan to increase quality of prizes for HOY and championship show\
    • Consider Tik Maynard as keynote speaker and clinic on same weekend
    • Board composition:
    • Let Helen know if staying or resigning in order to plan for future BOD
    • Heather Turner and Lisa Chisholm planning to resign
    • Will need treasurer and communication chair 
    • Helen putting together nominating committee for executive chairs
    • President nominates other chairs 
    • Flightline show management offers one day level 1 show for $250 and entry fees 
    • Consider expanding to Eastern and Western North Carolina venues
    • Motion to increase NCDCTA November WHES 2025 championship scholarships from 1 to 2. Moved by Mandi Martyn. Heather Boyer seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favour and none opposed. 

    Next meeting: November 4, 2025 @ 7pm - Virtual 

    Helen adjourned the meeting at 8:45pm

    Minutes respectfully submitted by Jordan McKenzie-Solis, Recording Secretary.

    Minutes passed by majority Board vote.

    Action items

    • Post that HOY is up to date through 9/29


  • Minutes September 2025

    11/18/2025 11:45 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Sep 2, 2025 | NCDCTA BOD Meeting - Virtual

    Attendees: Amy Brumbach Heather Turner Ellie Balakrishnan Heather Boyer Charlotte Meli  Ali LaTorre Katherine Thornton Absent: Jordan McKenzie-Solis  Helen Ingersoll  Amanda Delgado Mandi Martyn Lisa Chisholm Will Barrus

    Vice President, Amy Brumbach, called the meeting to order at 7:11pm.

    Reports:

    • President Report: Helen Ingersoll
    • Ribbons came in for Harvest Moon and the High Point (Western Show and schooling show championships). Heather has a list from Cassidy. Eventing ribbons did get ordered, but others were priority/rushed. 
    • Vice President Report: Amy Brumbach
    • Working on the festival!
    • Membership numbers: 
    • Adult Amateur: 365
    • Jr/YR: 116
    • Open: 133
    • Total Members: 614
    • Paid Horses: 353
    • Volunteer Card Horses: 89
    • Total Horses: 442
    • Other member information of interest
    • New Members: 134
    • Renewing Members: 383
    • Reactivated Members: 97
    • Dressage Only: 352
    • Western Dressage: 76
    • Dressage & Eventing: 190
    • Eventing Only: 53
    • Breeding: 31
    • Lifetime Members: 6
    • Trainers: 66
    • Officials: 27
    • E-News ONLY: 72
    • Female: 571
    • Male: 26
    • Gender Unknown: 17
    • Other Horse Information of Interest
    • New Horses: 174
    • Renewing Horses: 228
    • Reactivated Horses: 40
    • Volunteer Card Information
    • Outstanding Volunteer Cards: 2713
    • We are assuming we will get last minute tickets for festival auditing. Currently sitting at 11 tickets.
    • 31 entries for Harvest Moon, but expect more to roll in by closing date (Saturday). We could push to Sunday if we really had to. 
    • Vendors:
    • 6 formally applied and paid:
    • Correct Connect, CV dressage, Kikis Secret Garden, Silver Mane Equine Bodywork, Fair Chase, BEMER Horse Therapy with Elizabeth Ball
    • A few others are interested but have not formally applied/paid. Royal Equine and M&M should be vending as well. 
    • Treasurer Report: Heather Turner
    • Showing balance of $48,378 this month. Income increase is mostly via Strip payment (Festival payments, Harvest Moon, and L Program).
    • Hiccup with Wild Apricot so we can transact with the website instead of third party.
    • May need to change the merchant type on our PayPal account. PayPal assigns the code based on NCDCTA’s description of business. 
    • Volunteer Report: Charlotte Meli
    • We have heard from 7 or 8 riders that are in the festival willing to volunteer around ride times. 
    • Amy will connect with Lisa and Mandi to go over what exactly we can all do at the festival.
    • Heather B is working on two more volunteers for the weekend. 
    • Sponsorship Report: Heather Boyer 
    • In communication with different sponsors to get a collection of banners.
    • Heather will bring her banners to the horse park on Thursday. Amy will plan to be there by two, and riders are not allowed to arrive until 4pm. 
    • Gala Report: Ellie Balakrishnan
    • Katherine introduced Amy and Helen to a friend who was on the board of the NCDCTA previously. Helen suggested we honor lifetime achievement at the banquet. 
    • Wondering if we have thought about a keynote speaker (is it within budget?).We could offer free ticket in exchange for their time and participation. 
    • Heather T says we did a lifetime achievement years ago. We believe there was a speech, so if they are comfortable with it that would be fantastic and a good way to keep the audience engaged throughout the evening.
    • Katherine suggested that we think about alternating or nominating service providers each year to increase ticket sales. 
    • If you nominate someone for an award, you are willing to buy the ticket for someone who comes (so cost does not fall to NCDCTA). 
    • Will mentioned concern about the HOY numbers being on the low side with the self-reporting so we may want to take that into consideration. 
    • Communication Report: Lisa Chisholm 
    • Continuing to build out our new website, terms/conditions, etc. 
    • Next up: build out individual pages and permissions. 
    • Pushing out our newsletter deadline to the end of September to allow for content from the Festival to be used. 
    • Lisa will figure out 1:1 calls to go over feedback on the website.
    • Delays in deadline on website launch, but hoping for November. 
    • Eventing Report: Katherine Thornton
    • Actions: 
    • Meeting with Margaret Crevar for logistics planning for Eventing Championship
    • Emailing folks qualified for Championships to encourage participation
    • Will ALSO send Festival info to this mailing list
    • UNDERWAY – “one pager” describing benefits of membership
    • UNDERWAY – ongoing FB Groups posts to encourage membership
    • NOT YET STARTED - Begin process for “Organizer Standards” program based on USEA Organizer Committee work (via CT LT team…. )
    • Ongoing Discussions USEA Area 2
    • Get Area 2 eventing championships at CHP –
    • Connected with USEA to solicit the bid for the Area 2 Champs at CHP for 2027
    • Sent email to HT organizer at CHP to make that bid (have sent this THREE times with NO response…)
    • UNDERWAY – written interview with Woodge/David – potential 2026 
    • Communications:
    • Ongoing FAQ emails to stimulate membership
    • Sent FAQ#1 , #2, #3 with good response
    • Started FB posts – “Why Combined Test” (Future topics include: Benefits of NCDCTA membership; Why school XC?)
    • Beginning education campaign about CTs and their value to encourage beginning and aging competitors
    • Drafted second newsletter article, “Moving up isn’t necessarily the point” for eventing
    • Activating Social posts – very effectively!
    • Katherine is now focused on eventing championships and how we can get people motivated to rejoin NCDCTA as eventers. 
    • Katherine emailing people who are qualified for championships to encourage participation, answer questions, etc.
    • Moving towards including western part of the state in competitions.
    • War Horse reached out about getting membership certificates for all first place prizes. If we are giving them a certain number of dollars, they should owe us the same $ in return. We should ensure equity in the partnership. 
    • Heather T reminded us to keep in mind we (NCDCTA) still need to pay USDF in membership fees. 
    • Could we work over the next year to develop an internship program to provide extra assistance for our board members around events or functions. 
    • Dressage Report: Ali LaTorre 
    • The L Program has 23 people signed up, and we have room for 7 more. Hoping to get a few more signed up after Heather B’s talk at the festival. 
    • Ali will send out the schedule and program to members of the board for review.
    • Lisa is not able to come down on Friday, so may need to do some finagling to get social media up and going. Seeing if we can get Mandi to get people on board with tagging NCDCTA on social media, etc.
    • Jr/Yr Report: Mandi Martyn
    • Needs to be sent. 
    • Membership Secretary Report: Will Barrus
    • Membership numbers and communication are current. Numbers are slightly below 2024, but only by about 10 members and 20 horses. 
    • HOY will be updated this week and will include submissions up to 8/30/2025. 
    • Progression on the website has been slow, but will pick up this week and continue through the end of September. 
    • A more complete picture of the website will be available for the board to review around the end of September.

    Next meeting: October 7, 2025 @ 7pm - virtual 

    Amy adjourned the meeting at 8:12pm.

    Minutes taken by Ellie Balakrishnan, Member at Large, and submitted by Jordan McKenzie-Solis, Recording secretary. 

    **Minutes passed by majority Board vote.


  • Minutes August 2025

    11/18/2025 11:42 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Aug 5, 2025 | NCDCTA BOD Meeting - Virtual

    Attendees: Helen Ingersoll Amy Brumbach Heather Turner Jordan McKenzie-Solis  Ellie Balakrishnan  Mandi Martyn  Charlotte Meli Absent: Ali LaTorre Lisa Chisholm Heather Boyer Amanda Delgado Will Barrus Katherine Thornton

    President, Helen Ingersoll, called the meeting to order at 7:03

    Reports:

    • President Report: Helen Ingersoll
    • ***
    • Vice President Report: Amy Brumbach
    • Festival Updates:
    • Rider numbers:
    • 6 (need 8) for Dressage
    • 9 (need 12) for Daniel Stewart
    • 8 (need 8) for Hatha Equus
    • 12 (taking 8) for Long Lining
    • Will ask some of them to move into other categories 
    • 2 spectator tickets sold 
    • Need to promote tickets 
    • Plan for social media posting
    • Plan for email blast 
    • CHP putting out announcement
    • Working on schedule for riders
    • Plan for 1 volunteer per clinician/clinic
    • Will post announcement looking for volunteers 
    • Plan to meet with CHP in 3rd week of August to finalize who’s doing what 
    • They’re not decorating, can we use their things to decorate though?
    • Only 2 gates open with tables for registration/checkin 
    • There will be wristbands for spectators 
    • Board members attending:
    • Ellie is doing hospitality (not Friday)
    • Looking for sponsor for wine and cheese night on Saturday
    • Mandi will be there (not Friday, can help thursday night)
    • Helen will be there (fri/sat/sun)
    • Charlotte (not Friday)
    • Jordan (fri/sat/sun) with a willing to help sister 
    • Heather (fri/sat/sun)
    • Current membership numbers for 8/4/2025
    • On 8/6/2024 we had:
    • Total Members - 614 (down 20)
    • Total Horses - 447 (down 15)
    • Adult Amateur: 352
    • Jr/YR: 113
    • Open: 129
    • Total Members: 594
    • Paid Horses: 343
    • Volunteer Card Horses: 89
    • Total Horses: 432
    • Other member information of interest
    • New Members: 123
    • Renewing Members: 380
    • Reactivated Members: 91
    • Dressage Only: 339
    • Western Dressage: 76
    • Dressage & Eventing: 183
    • Eventing Only: 53
    • Breeding: 30
    • Lifetime Members: 6
    • Trainers: 63
    • Officials: 27
    • E-News ONLY: 70
    • Female: 555
    • Male: 25
    • Gender Unknown: 14
    • Other Horse Information of Interest
    • New Horses: 168
    • Renewing Horses: 227
    • Reactivated Horses: 37
    • Volunteer Card Information
    • Outstanding Volunteer Cards: 2713
    • Treasurer Report: Heather Turner
    • Balance: 8/5/2025
    • Checking: $30,446.32
    • Savings: $1,595.88
    • Show Acct: $1,000.00
    • PayPal: $2,711.52
    • TOTAL: $35,753.72
    • Notes: 
    • Showing a balance of $35,953.72 in our accounts (up from $28,224.85 last month)
    • Revenue is mostly memberships/show req/HOY and Stripe payments (L Program)
    • Several new sponsorships are in & deposited
    • Volunteer Report: Charlotte Meli
    • ***
    • Sponsorship Report: Heather Boyer 
    • Social Media Shoutouts: coordinating with Lisa and sending Sponsor Shoutouts to post on the official NCDCTA social media pages
    • General Page Fulfillments: In the meantime, been posting the same content to the general NCDCTA page to begin honoring the commitments we made to sponsors.
    • Fall Event Connections:linking Amy and Ali with sponsors who expressed interest in participating in the upcoming fall events
    • Sponsor Courtesy Check-ins: reaching out individually to sponsors as a general courtesy and touchpoint.
    • Website Promises Review: Some website-related sponsorship promises have unfortunately not been met. I’m drafting language to acknowledge and sincerely apologize to those affected sponsors. I deeply appreciate the immense effort behind the new website and hope to handle this gracefully because I think it is important to recognize a promise we didn't fulfill. 
    • 2026 Sponsorship Packet: working on a new draft sponsorship packet for the 2026 season—designed to be more achievable, more appealing to sponsors, and less reliant on other board members in fulfilling the promotional elements.
    •  I hope to share the draft within the next week with the aim of promoting it during the membership renewal period.
    • Gala Report: Ellie Balakrishnan
    • ***
    • Communication Report: Lisa Chisholm 
    • Communications report:
    • Additional build out of new website, including events page, terms & conditions, rules and footer
    • Received sponsor content for social media promotions from Heather - will continue to schedule according to sponsor agreements
    • Shared a post looking for volunteer support for communications - either newsletter or social or a combination of the two.
    • Next newsletter: ~Sept 15 with recap of equestrian festival, promotion for Winter Solstice and Gala. 
    • Eventing Report: Katherine Thornton
    • Actions
    • UNDERWAY – “one pager” describing benefits of membership
    • UNDERWAY – ongoing FB Groups posts to encourage membership
    • Estimate has been provided by Hodges - I will work w Heather to place order
    • Order Eventing Championship Ribbons from Hodges
    • NOT YET STARTED - Begin process for “Organizer Standards” program based on USEA Organizer Committee work (via CT LT team…. )
    • Ongoing Discussions USEA Area 2
    • Get Area 2 eventing championships at CHP –
    • Connected with USEA to solicit the bid for the Area 2 Champs at CHP for 2027
    • Sent email to HT organizer at CHP to make that bid (have sent this THREE times with NO response…)
    • COMPLETED - Requested eventer emails to stimulate membership – from USEA
    • Identify scholarship opportunities, and clinic support –
    • Completed-Reached out re eventing clinician for Fall Festival and did receive a list of names
    • UNDERWAY – written interview with Woodge/David – potential 2026 clinicians
    • COMPLETED - NCDCTA IS USEA Affiliate Member
    • COMPLETED - Worked with Mandi to add Jr/YR scholarship for the Eventing Championships for HT and CT
    • COMPLETED – Submitted an article for the newsletter
    • COMPLETED - Medal Program - on hiatus for 2025
    • COMPLETED Eventing Championship plan
    • Hold Championship at Nov War Horse
    • Use HOY qualifying points tracking system – approved with Will
    • Post standings somewhere on the website as we go along (excel spreadsheet)
    • COMPLETED – Emailed introduction to Organizers
    • COMPLETED – Revised the HOY qualification for Modified HTs
    • COMPLETED - Discussions with CHP (Margaret Crevar)
    • Clarified what, exactly, we are asking for re “eventing championships” at Nov War Horse
    • Secured our ability to utilize the venue and a tent location
    • I WILL NEED to borrow a POP UP TENT
    • COMPLETED an NCDCTA eventing-specific calendar workbook, checked it with organizers and with Will
    • COMPLETED - I bought a few medals from Hodges to send to 2024 recipients
    • COMPLETED – website updates (content and wording) and updated calendar, and emailed to eventing members
    • COMPLETED – worked with Will to update the HOY rules
    • COMPLETED – with Will’s help - Finalized Eventing page on NCDCTA.org – highlighted in FAQ communications
    • COMPLETED – SET UP A Combined Training Leadership Team (CTLT) and set our first meeting in late June
    • COMPLETED- ADD a HOY track for Recognized CTs “I move that we add a HOY track for nationally recognized CTs”
    • Communications:
    • UNDERWAY!!!
    • Ongoing FAQ emails to stimulate membership
    • Sent FAQ#1 , #2, #3 with good response
    • Started FB posts – “Why Combined Test” (Future topics include: Benefits of NCDCTA membership; Why school XC?)
    • Beginning education campaign about CTs and their value to encourage beginning and aging competitors
    • Drafted second newsletter article, “Moving up isn’t necessarily the point” for eventing
    • Activating Social posts – very effectively!
    • Dressage Report: Ali LaTorre 
    • A lot of moving pieces with festival prep and L program
    • L program: working on marketing. 
    • Jr/Yr Report: Mandi Martyn
    • Plans to make Christmas ornaments as swag for Winter Solstice 
    • Rider who applied for Harvest Moon scholarship who got it last year: will award unless others apply 
    • Membership Secretary Report: Will Barrus
    • ***

    Next meeting: September 2, 2025 @7pm - Virtual 

    Helen adjourned the meeting at 8:35pm

    Minutes respectfully submitted by Jordan McKenzie-Solis, Recording Secretary.

    Minutes passed by majority Board vote.

    Action items

    • ·       Jordan to ask sponsors to be vendors 
    • ·       Amy to find out who 2nd judge is to complete the prize list 
    • ·       Order more NCDCTA swag 


  • Minutes July 2025

    11/18/2025 11:39 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Jul 1, 2025 | NCDCTA BOD Meeting - Virtual

    Attendees:Helen Ingersoll Amy Brumbach Heather Turner Jordan McKenzie-Solis Ellie Balakrishnan Charlotte Meli Ali LaTorre Katherine Thornton  Lisa Chisholm    Absent: Mandi Martyn Heather Boyer Amanda Delgado Will Barrus

    President, Helen Ingersoll, called the meeting to order at 7:02

    Katherine Thornton read the NCDCTA Charter. 

    NCDCTA BOARD TEAM CHARTER:

    • We the board of the NCDCTA hold the following values as guiding principles to carry out the mission of our organization.
    • To educate, promote camaraderie and recognize achievement in dressage and eventing.
    • Respect, Humility, Patience, Self Awareness, Supportiveness, Accountability, Listening, Generosity, and Helpfulness
    • Communication that is: Clear, Flexible, Ongoing, Supportive, Constructive and Safe while celebrating brave efforts to question and disagree.
    • Decision making that is shared. Roles that can be flexible and board members that are engaged, present, and share appreciation for and with one another, freely.

    Reports:

    • Presidents and competition Report: Helen Ingersoll
    • Temporarily taken over competition chair
    • Harvest Moon schooling show manager, Margaret Creavar
    • Charges $10 per entry
    • Are we charging competitors enough to cover this cost?
    • Consider adding nonrefundable grounds vs office fee
    • Olga Wagner meeting planned next week to discuss hiring as NCDCTA representative/show manager
    • List created to delineate responsibilities between roles and paid positions 
    • Need to further delineate outstanding tasks 
    • Need to specify roles and tasks to specific volunteers  
    • Vice Presidents Report: Amy Brumbach
    • Current membership numbers:
    • Adult Amateur: 342
    • Jr/YR: 109
    • Open: 124
    • Total Members: 575
    • Paid Horses: 324
    • Volunteer Card Horses: 86
    • Total Horses: 410
    • Other member information of interest
    • New Members: 116
    • Renewing Members: 371
    • Reactivated Members: 88
    • Dressage Only: 326
    • Western Dressage: 74
    • Dressage & Eventing: 178
    • Eventing Only: 52
    • Breeding: 27
    • Lifetime Members: 6
    • Trainers: 61
    • Officials: 27
    • E-News ONLY: 69
    • Female: 539
    • Male: 24
    • Gender Unknown: 12
    • Other Horse Information of Interest
    • New Horses: 155
    • Renewing Horses: 218
    • Reactivated Horses: 37
    • Volunteer Card Information
    • Outstanding Volunteer Cards: 2716
    • Please keep spreading word about festival
    • Rider applicants:
    • 2 for Dressage
    • 2 for Daniel Stewart
    • 1 for Hatha Equus
    • 2 for Long Lining
    • 1 for Western Dressage 
    • 1 spectator ticket sold 
    • Treasurer Report: Heather Turner
    • Total in accounts: $28,200
    • Income from memberships, HOY registration, sponsorships 
    • Festival deposit clear
    • A few more sponsorships have come in 
    • Gala Report: Ellie Balakrishnan
    • Met with Amy recently about hospitality 
    • No new gala updates 
    • Volunteer Report: Charlotte Meli
    • No current updates 
    • Helping Eli and Heather B with sponsorship 
    • Volunteer needs for festival to come in August
    • Start recruiting in August 
    • Sponsorship Report: Heather Boyer 
    • No updates at this time 
    • Communications Report: Lisa Chisholm 
    • Shoutout to Heather B for work on sponsors 
    • Continue to post updates on social media 
    • Website:
    • Mockup complete
    • Plan to have most of pages filed out by next BOD meeting
    • Plan to have ability to pay online for sponsorships, etc 
    • Social media:
    • Amy to help post re: equine festival promotion 
    • Newsletter:
    • Out on time
    • Will focus on branding in future newsletters 
    • Dressage Report: Ali LaTorre 
    • 12 people signed up for L program 
    • Working on festival lectures 
    • Eventing Report: Katherine Thornton
    • Actions
    • UNDERWAY – “one pager” describing benefits of membership
    • July 2 – First meeting held with the CT Leadership Team
    • Agenda: 
    • Introductions quick around the room and “me in a minute”
    • Where are we in 2025 – what happened so far this year
    • 2025 To Dos:
    • Relationship with FENCE, TIEC, Windridge HT
    • Bridge between Pony Club and NCDCTA – what would make that meaningful
    • Bridge between Hunting and NCDCTA – what would make that meaningful
    • Promote Championships, clinic and HOY via social media
    • Longer Term vision ALL
    • Do organizers of other horse sports want to include arena eventing or CT at regular horse shows?
    • Standards for NCDCTA recognition (organizers, facilities, etc)
    • UNDERWAY – ongoing FB Groups posts to encourage membership
    • UNDERWAY – written interview with Woodge/David – potential 2026 clinicians
    • NOT YET STARTED - Order Eventing Championship Ribbons from Hodges
    • NOT YET STARTED - Begin process for “Organizer Standards” program based on USEA Organizer Committee work
    • Ongoing Discussions USEA Area 2
    • Get Area 2 eventing championships at CHP –
    • Connected with USEA to solicit the bid for the Area 2 Champs at CHP for 2027
    • Sent email to HT organizer at CHP to make that bid (have sent this THREE times with NO response…)
    • COMPLETED - Requested eventer emails to stimulate membership – from USEA
    • Identify scholarship opportunities, and clinic support –
    • Completed-Reached out re eventing clinician for Fall Festival and did receive a list of names
    • Communications:
    • Ongoing FAQ emails to stimulate membership
    • Sent FAQ#1 , #2, #3 with good response
    • Started FB posts – “Why Combined Test” (Future topics include: Benefits of NCDCTA membership; Why school XC?)
    • Beginning education campaign about CTs and their value to encourage beginning and aging competitors
    • Drafted second newsletter article, “Moving up isn’t necessarily the point” for eventing
    • Activating Social posts – very effectively!
    • Jr/Yr Report: Mandi Martyn
    • The website has the Jr/YR scholarship application up and running 
    • Membership Secretary Report: Will Barrus
    • HOY was updated twice in June and will be updated twice again in July.
    • Membership numbers are current and more-or-less on target for what we did last year.
    • Most HOY questions are related to qualifying and identifying any score issues.
    • Results for Dressage TOC at May and June WHES do not count for HOY due to nationally recognized shows on the same day (less than 50 miles away). CHP was advised multiple times, but may not have advised their participants. The 50-mile rule is based on "discipline" and has nothing to do with how we report HOY results. CHP moved some of their dates onto dates already occupied by nationally-recognized dressage competitions and is entirely responsible for WHES Dressage TOC not being recognized. The remaining WHES competitions in 2025 are not affected and Dressage TOC results will count for those competitions.
    • Website: Membership fields have been mapped and memberships will be transferred in July. Bundled (family) memberships will be handled individually.
    • Website: Calendar - Calendar entries will be uploaded manually.
    • Website: Content - Now that the website template has been established I will begin moving content over to the new website including newsletters, minutes, scholarships and forms. Google forms will be our primary form engine except for Memberships and the calendar. Content such as minutes, newsletters, etc. will reside in google drive and will be referenced via links.

    Old Business:

    • None

    New Business:

    • None

    Next meeting: August 5 @ 7pm - Virtual 

    Helen adjourned the meeting at 8:04

    Minutes respectfully submitted by Jordan McKenzie-Solis, Recording Secretary.

    Minutes passed by majority Board vote.

    Action items

    • Helen needs dates for Eventing championships so that she can be present 
    • Helen and Katherine to do a group order with Olga on ribbons for Harvest Moon, Eventing championships, schooling show NCDCTA championships, western dressage high score 



  • Minutes June 2025

    11/18/2025 11:39 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Jun 3, 2025 | NCDCTA BOD Meeting - Virtual

    Attendees:Helen Ingersoll Amy Brumbach Jordan McKenzie-Solis Ellie Balakrishnan Heather Boyer Charlotte Meli Todd Erickson Katherine Thornton Mandi Martyn Lisa Chisholm Will Barrus Absent: Heather Turner Ali LaTorre Amanda Delgado

    President, Helen Ingersoll, called the meeting to order at 7:05

    Amy Brumbach read the NCDCTA Charter. 

    NCDCTA BOARD TEAM CHARTER:

    • We the board of the NCDCTA hold the following values as guiding principles to carry out the mission of our organization.
    • To educate, promote camaraderie and recognize achievement in dressage and eventing.
    • Respect, Humility, Patience, Self Awareness, Supportiveness, Accountability, Listening, Generosity, and Helpfulness
    • Communication that is: Clear, Flexible, Ongoing, Supportive, Constructive and Safe while celebrating brave efforts to question and disagree.
    • Decision making that is shared. Roles that can be flexible and board members that are engaged, present, and share appreciation for and with one another, freely.

    Reports:

    • Presidents Report: Helen Ingersoll
    • All is well, continues to support fellow board members 
    • Vice Presidents Report: Amy Brumbach
    • Current membership numbers for 6/3/2025
    • Adult Amateur: 335
    • Jr/YR: 109
    • Open: 120
    • Total Members: 564 (6/4/2024: 565)
    • Paid Horses: 319
    • Volunteer Card Horses: 79
    • Total Horses: 398 (6/4/2024: 401)
    • Other member information of interest
    • New Members: 107
    • Renewing Members: 370
    • Reactivated Members: 87
    • Dressage Only: 320
    • Western Dressage: 72
    • Dressage & Eventing: 174
    • Eventing Only: 52
    • Breeding: 26
    • Lifetime Members: 6
    • Trainers: 59
    • Officials: 27
    • E-News ONLY: 68
    • Female: 530
    • Male: 24
    • Gender Unknown: 10
    • Other Horse Information of Interest
    • New Horses: 150
    • Renewing Horses: 212
    • Reactivated Horses: 36
    • Volunteer Card Information
    • Outstanding Volunteer Cards: 2719
    • Festival update:
    • ***
    • Treasurer Report: Heather Turner
    • Balance as of 6/3/2025
    • Checking $18,344.26
    • Savings $1,595.85
    • Show Acct $1,000.00
    • PayPal $3,107.94
    • TOTAL  $24,048.05
    • Notes:
    • Showing a balance of $24,048.05 in our accounts (up from $21,540.57 last month)
    • Revenue is mostly memberships, show recognition and HOY registrations this month
    • Sponsorship for CHP done
    • Several sponsorships are in & deposited
    • Jr/Yr Report: Mandi Martyn
    • Addresses Dressage 4 Kids concerns around student bullying
    • Most riders felt deflated and scared - most of which occurred on the ground 
    • Does not recommend that the organization continues to support D4K (is this accurate Mandi?)
    • Competition Report: Todd Erickson
    • Plans to present zero based budgeting plan for Harvest Moon and Winter Solstice soon 
    • Plans to determine Judge options for Harvest Moon and Winter Solstice in the coming weeks 
    • Will follow up on CHP contact within the next week 
    • Heather Boyer plans to judge for Harvest Moon 
    • Plans to touch base with Will Barrus re: show secretary for Harvest Moon
    • Sponsorship Report: Heather Boyer 
    • Quite a few sponsorships funds in (is there more to add here Heather?)
    • Gala Report: Ellie Balakrishnan
    • No current updates 
    • Volunteer Report: Charlotte Meli
    • No current updates 
    • Eventing Report: Katherine Thornton
    • COMPLETED – website updates (content and wording) and updated calendar, and emailed to eventing members
    • COMPLETED – worked with Will to update the HOY rules
    • COMPLETED – with Will’s help - Finalized Eventing page on NCDCTA.org – highlighted in FAQ communications
    • COMPLETED – SET UP A Combined Training Leadership Team (CTLT) and set our first meeting in late June
    • UNDERWAY – “one pager” describing benefits of membership
    • NOT YET STARTED - Order Eventing Championship Ribbons from Hodges
    • NOT YET STARTED - Begin process for “Organizer Standards” program based on USEA Organizer Committee work
    • Communications Report: Lisa Chisholm 
    • Newsletter: publishing on 6/17/25
    • Equine festival is headline
    • Eventing and scholarships to be highlighted
    • Sponsors to be included 
    • Equine festival marketing:
    • Plan to cascade social media posts
    • Social media:
    • Currently no “for sale” posts on NCDCTA FB page
    • Plan to allow NCDCTA members to post for sale and services ads
    • Helen and Amy to help moderate 
    • Website:
    • Experimenting with new website, plan to have sample available for next meeting 
    • Appropriate board members will be responsible for their page content (quarterly)
    • Education/Dressage Report: Ali LaTorre 
    • Working on marketing for the festival. Lectures planned, will have 3 lectures a day
    • 8 participants signed up for the L program, plans to catch up with Stacey and Helen this month to make more of a marketing plan

    Old Business:

    • Motion for NCDCTA to contribute $500 as a sponsor for the Sandhills Western Dressage 1 & 2 Show on August 16–17, 2025 at the Pinehurst Harness Track and sponsor a dedicated high score ribbon for AA/O/JR (total 3 ribbons). Moved by Heather Boyer. Mandi Martyn seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favour and none opposed. 
    • Motion to add a HOY track for nationally recognized CTs. Moved by Katherine Thornton. Mandi Martyn seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favour and none opposed. 

    New Business:

    • None at this time 

    Next meeting: July 1 @ 7pm, Virtual 

    Helen adjourned the meeting at 8:47 PM

    Minutes respectfully submitted by Jordan McKenzie-Solis, Recording Secretary.


  • Minutes May 2025

    11/18/2025 11:36 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    May 6, 2025 | NCDCTA BOD Meeting - Virtual

    Attendees:Helen Ingersoll Amy Brumbach Heather Turner Jordan McKenzie-Solis  Ali LaTorre Katherine Thornton Ellie Balakrishnan Heather Boyer Lisa Chisholm Charlotte Meli Amanda Delgado. Absent: Mandi Martyn Todd Erickson Will Barrus

    President, Helen Ingersoll, called the meeting to order at 7:03

    Helen read the NCDCTA Charter. 

    NCDCTA BOARD TEAM CHARTER:

    • We the board of the NCDCTA hold the following values as guiding principles to carry out the mission of our organization.
    • To educate, promote camaraderie and recognize achievement in dressage and eventing.
    • Respect, Humility, Patience, Self Awareness, Supportiveness, Accountability, Listening, Generosity, and Helpfulness
    • Communication that is: Clear, Flexible, Ongoing, Supportive, Constructive and Safe while celebrating brave efforts to question and disagree.
    • Decision making that is shared. Roles that can be flexible and board members that are engaged, present, and share appreciation for and with one another, freely.

    Reports:

    • Membership Secretary Report: Will Barrus
    • Memberships and Horse Registrations are current.
    • Calendar is being updated with an eye on transferring data to the new website.
    • Membership fields are being updated and modified in the NCDCTA database to make transition to the new website easier.
    • 329 HOY results have been received since the last update and are being processed.
    • Ex officio, Western Dressage Representative: Amanda Delgado
    • Helen has appointed as an ex officio, Western Dressage representative for the NCDCTA
    • Operate in a non-voting role
    • Amanda is on National Board of WDAA as secretary 
    • The discipline promotes horsemanship 
    • USEF fastest growing sport
    • Western Dressage NC community towards NCDCTA:
    • Felt unseen and lack of opportunity  
    • Felt as an afterthought
    • Would like to see:
    • More opportunities with clinics, shows, and western specific awards 
    • Partnership with NCDCTA to expand membership 
    • NCDCTA will include opportunities for volunteerism into community 
    • Amanda will send article for Western Dressage partnership for newsletter
    • There are WDAA grants available  
    • Presidents Report: Helen Ingersoll
    • Continues to support board members in their efforts and projects  
    • Vice Presidents Report: Amy Brumbach
    • Current membership numbers for 5/5/2025
    • Adult Amateur: 324
    • Jr/YR: 103
    • Open: 118
    • Total Members: 545 (May 2024 - 525)
    • Paid Horses: 306
    • Volunteer Card Horses: 75
    • Total Horses: 381 (May 2024 - 366)
    • Other member information of interest
    • New Members: 98
    • Renewing Members: 363
    • Reactivated Members: 84
    • Dressage Only: 310
    • Western Dressage: 72
    • Dressage & Eventing: 169
    • Eventing Only: 48
    • Breeding: 25
    • Lifetime Members: 6
    • Trainers: 57
    • Officials: 26
    • E-News ONLY: 67
    • Female: 513
    • Male: 22
    • Gender Unknown: 10
    • Other Horse Information of Interest
    • New Horses: 140
    • Renewing Horses: 207
    • Reactivated Horses: 34
    • Volunteer Card Information
    • Outstanding Volunteer Cards: 2723
    • Festival:
    • Searching for Western Dressage clinician
    • Will partner with Heather Boyer and Amanda to find an appropriate candidate 
    • Consider Heather Stalker WD and USEF “R” judge 
    • Festival is one week before Western Dressage World Competition which may impact clinicians and participants
    • Finalizing contract with Carolina Horse Park
    • Plan to meet with Lisa on marketing plan 
    • Will partner with Charlotte to determine volunteers needed 
    • Treasurer Report: Heather Turner
    • Main account balance: ~$21,500
    • NCDCTA is Gold level sponsor for Carolina Horse Park
    • Continue to receive sponsorships
    • Communications Report: Lisa Chisholm 
    • Dawn Weniger invited to co-chair with Lisa  
    • Website:
    • Familiarized with platform 
    • Working with High Time Photography to choose photos for website
    • Missing Western Dressage photos
    • Please send any anonymous photos to include
    • Working with will to create/finalize brand kit 
    • Go-live remains July 1, 2025 
    • Newsletter:
    • Due in June
    • Will include sponsors 
    • Plan to include scholarships, eventing articles, western dressage introduction/article  
    • Social media:
    • Several items pending including Festival promotion
    • Scheduling reminders for HOY points 
    • Marketing plan for Festival: 
    • Planning to send monthly email reminders 
    • Sponsorships:
    • Ensure that all obligations are met 
    • Shared drive list put together by Heather Boyer to ensure all are met 
    • Sponsorship Report: Heather Boyer 
    • Concerned about 2 tack shops having in-kind donations
    • Planning to have one supply cash donation
    • If anyone knows of interested sponsors, please forward to Heather Boyer
    • Heather Boyer planning to send email to sponsors on list 
    • Dressage Report: Ali LaTorre 
    • Festival: 
    • Richard Malgram confirmed 
    • L Program:
    • Georgia is starting L program
    • Maintain cancellation policy, can only cancel if program is full
    • Helen to connect with Ali about marketing strategies 
    • Possible to use USDF marketing resources (possibly mailing list, website promotion, other region 1 GMOs) 
    • Competition Report: Todd Erickson
    • Eventing Report: Katherine Thornton
    • Actions:
    • COMPLETED - Discussions with CHP (Margaret Crevar)
    • Clarified what, exactly, we are asking for re “eventing championships” at Nov War Horse
    • Secured our ability to utilize the venue and a tent location
    • COMPLETED an NCDCTA eventing-specific calendar workbook, checked it with organizers and with Will
    • Next steps are to email it to eventing members, get it on the website, keep it updated
    • Ongoing Discussions USEA Area 2
    • Get Area 2 eventing championships at CHP –
    • Connected with USEA to solicit the bid for the Area 2 Champs at CHP for 2027
    • Sent email to HT organizer at CHP to make that bid
    • Requested eventer emails to stimulate membership – from USEA
    • Identify scholarship opportunities, and clinic support 
    • Completed-Reached out re eventing clinician for Fall Festival and did receive a list of names
    • UNDERWAY – working with Will to update the HOY rules
    • Any HOY qualifier can be used towards championship 
    • UNDERWAY - Finalize Eventing page on NCDCTA.org – work with Will, highlight this in the communications
    • NOT YET STARTED Order Eventing Championship Ribbons from Hodges
    • COMPLETED - I bought a few medals from Hodges to send to 2024 recipients
    • NOT YET STARTED - Begin process for “Organizer Standards” program based on USEA Organizer Committee work
    • COMPLETED - NCDCTA IS USEA Affiliate Member
    • COMPLETED - Worked with Mandi to add Jr/YR scholarship for the Eventing Championships for HT and CT
    • COMPLETED – Submitted an article for the newsletter
    • COMPLETED - Medal Program - on hiatus for 2025
    • COMPLETED Eventing Championship plan
    • Hold Championship at Nov War Horse
    • Use HOY qualifying points tracking system – approved with Will
    • Post standings somewhere on the website as we go along (excel spreadsheet)
    • COMPLETED – Emailed introduction to Organizers
    • COMPLETED – Revised the HOY qualification for Modified HTs
    • Communications:
    • Ongoing 1/4ly FAQ emails to stimulate membership
    • Sent FAQ#1 with good response
    • FAQ#2 is ready – explain “How to Qualify for Eventing Champs”
    • Started FB posts – “Why Combined Test”
    • Future FB topics include: Benefits of NCDCTA membership; Why school XC?
    • Beginning education campaign about CTs and their value to encourage beginning and aging competitors
    • Drafted second newsletter article, “Moving up isn’t necessarily the point” for eventers
    • Jr/Yr Report: Mandi Martyn
    • Volunteer Report: Charlotte Meli
    • Gala Report: Ellie Balakrishnan
    • Will work with Amanda Delgado on Western Dressage prizes and individuality 

    New Business:

    • Heather B: interested in NCDCTA sponsoring the Sandhills Western Dressage 1 & 2 Show on August 16–17, 2025 with $750
    • This sponsorship ensures balance and goodwill across the disciplines
    • Supporting Western Dressage reflects NCDCTA’s commitment to broadening opportunities and reinforcing harmony in the sport
    • Plan to support with 3 highscore ribbons for open, amateur, and junior 
    • Heather to get back to board with details around benefits of sponsorship
    • Motion to add a HOY track for nationally recognized CTs. Moved by Katherine Thornton. Heather Boyer seconded the motion. Two opposed. Four requested abstention. Two in favor. The motion is suspended. 
    • This is a 4th eventing track and in place of the medal program 
    • Will require additional ribbons and prices at Gala (will be more affordable than previous medals)
    • Information required: has this been tried before? Financial considerations? How many people would be interested?
    • Motion to close meeting. Moved by Lisa Chisholm. Seconded by Jordan McKenzie-Solis. The motion carried with all in favour and none opposed. 

    Next meeting: June 3, 2025 - Virtual 

    Helen adjourned the meeting at 9:18

    Minutes respectfully submitted by Jordan McKenzie-Solis, Recording Secretary.


  • Minutes April 2025

    11/18/2025 11:34 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Apr 8, 2025 |  NCDCTA Board Meeting - Virtual

    Attendees:Helen Ingersoll Amy Brumbach Heather Turner Jordan McKenzie-Solis Heather Boyer Ellie Balakrishnan Charlotte Meli Todd Erickson Katherine Thornton  Mandi Martyn Lisa Chisholm Ali LaTorre Will Barrus 

    President, Helen Ingersoll, called the meeting to order at 7:06

    Mandi Martyn read the NCDCTA Charter. 

    NCDCTA BOARD TEAM CHARTER:

    • We the board of the NCDCTA hold the following values as guiding principles to carry out the mission of our organization.
    • To educate, promote camaraderie and recognize achievement in dressage and eventing.
    • Respect, Humility, Patience, Self Awareness, Supportiveness, Accountability, Listening, Generosity, and Helpfulness
    • Communication that is: Clear, Flexible, Ongoing, Supportive, Constructive and Safe while celebrating brave efforts to question and disagree.
    • Decision making that is shared. Roles that can be flexible and board members that are engaged, present, and share appreciation for and with one another, freely.

    Reports:

    • Membership Secretary Report: Will Barrus
    • Goal is 700 members this year
    • HOY: going well, exampled by in 2023/2024 we didn’t have updates until first week of May; already being posted now
    • 285 scores posted to date 
    • Some learning experiences with mistakes being posted
    • Posting results breaks down into 2 pieces: Collecting data and entering output to database 
    • Entering output will remain manual until new website 
    • Self submission has not negatively impacted membership 
    • Presidents Report: Helen Ingersoll
    • Tying up loose ends for competition recognition for NCDCTA shows
    • Been working with Will on proposal for scope of work that Will is doing on website, plan to present at next executive committee meeting
    • Vice Presidents Report: Amy Brumbach
    • Current membership numbers for 4/8/2025
    • Adult Amateur: 306
    • Jr/YR: 96
    • Open: 108
    • Total Members: 510 – 15% increase over this time last year.


    • Paid Horses: 282
    • Volunteer Card Horses: 68
    • Total Horses: 350 – 19% increase of this time last year.


    • Other member information of interest
    • New Members: 92
    • Renewing Members: 342
    • Reactivated Members: 77
    • Dressage Only: 288
    • Western Dressage: 68
    • Dressage & Eventing: 160
    • Eventing Only: 45
    • Breeding: 25
    • Lifetime Members: 6
    • Trainers: 51
    • Officials: 24
    • E-News ONLY: 61
    • Female: 480
    • Male: 22
    • Gender Unknown: 9
    • Other Horse Information of Interest
    • New Horses: 123
    • Renewing Horses: 194
    • Reactivated Horses: 33
    • Volunteer Card Information
    • Outstanding Volunteer Cards: 2729
    • Festival:
    • Zero based budgeting finalized 
    • NCDCTA member minimal markup, non-NCDCTA member markup is significantly more (encourages purchasing NCDCTA membership)
    • Stabling will be a 2 or 3 night package for festival; 1 night option for Harvest Moon schooling show 
    • Stephen Hayes and Daniel Stewart are contracted 
    • What if events needs to be cancelled for any reason?
    • Event insurance?
    • Heather Turner states that normal event insurance doesn’t cover cancellation - only injury, etc 
    • Stephen Hayes will apply fee to future event if cancellation 
    • What if a rider or auditor wants to cancel?
    • Todd and Amy to work on language around this (plan to maintain that the purchaser is responsible for cost, no cancellation reimbursement) 
    • Unable to secure eventing clinician at this time, has sent many many emails 
    • Katherine and Amy to work together to form a plan re: communication/PR contingency plans 
    • Consider NC clinician, USEA collaboration around promotion 
    • Hatha Equus with focus on intrinsic movement, hoping for liberty demo, clinic based on “helping people with their horses at shows” 
    • Clinic will include an online pre-clinic
    • Ali and Amy looking for lecture ideas 
    • Consider Tasida Kiley 
    • Treasurer Report: Heather Turner
    • Balance: $20,146
    • We have about $21,000 in equity in a bond account 
    • Tax prep is complete and letter signed 
    • Insurance/certificates are done for 2025 L program 
    • Completed donation for Western NC disaster relief to Fleet of Angels 
    • Collected: $1,162
    • NCDCTA Matched: $1,000 
    • Total donated: $2,162
    • First sponsorship payment is in 
    • Payments for L program coming in 
    • Competition Report: Todd Erickson
    • Working on Harvest Moon schooling show and logistics, coming together rapidly 
    • Planning for dressage and CT 
    • Will start with 2 rings and move up from there as needed 
    • Working towards securing judges for Winter Solstice
    • Winter Solstice will count towards 2026 USDF show year, will count towards 2025 HOY for NCDCTA 
    • Jr/Yr Report: Mandi Martyn
    • 2025 Jr/YR Dressage Scholarships
    • Currently only 1 show (Winter Solstice) = $1280
    • Potentially $3840 available 
    • Proposal:
    • Keep Winter Solstice scholarships the same (see above, Total = $1280)
    • Offer 2 Jr/YR dressage scholarships for Harvest Moon schooling show
    • 1 stall + 2 regular classes = ~$220
    • Total = ~$440
    • Offer 2 Jr/YR eventing scholarships for the Harvest Moon schooling show, CT track
    • No requirements (does not need to qualify, because there is not qualifying at CT)
    • Covers stall ($110) & CT entry ($110) = $220
    • Total = $440
    • Offer 1 Jr/YR eventing scholarships for the NCDCTA recognized War Horse November Competition
    • Covers stall ($110) & horse trial entry ($180) = $290
    • Requirements: Needs to have previously qualified for championships
    • Offer 1 Jr/YR grant for the NCDCTA festival to ride with ANY clinician
    • Total value: $300
    • Total scholarship money for 2025 = ~$2750
    • Savings = ~$1050
    • Requires that the horse and rider must be NCDCTA members 
    • Dressage4Kids TEAM clinic coming up this weekend, April 12-13
    • Working on mimosa sponsorship for Winter Solstice 
    • Eventing Report: Katherine Thornton
    • Actions:
    • Organizing Eventing Committee – underway
    • COMPLETED - NCDCTA IS USEA Affiliate Member and am (still) waiting for the NC eventer mailing list from the USEA
    • Drafted an NCDCTA eventing-specific calendar and am working with Will to get it on the website
    • Finalize Eventing page on NCDCTA.org – work with Will, highlight this in the communications
    • COMPLETED - Worked with Mandi to add Jr/YR scholarship for the Eventing Championships for HT and CT
    • COMPLETED - Submitted an article for the newsletter
    • COMPLETED - Medal Program - on hiatus for 2025
    • COMPLETED - Eventing Championship
    • Hold Championship at Nov War Horse
    • Use HOY qualifying points tracking system
    • Post standings somewhere on the website as we go along (excel spreadsheet)
    • COMPLETED - Emailed introduction to Organizers
    • COMPLETED - Revised the HOY qualification for Modified HTs
    • Beginning Discussions - Work with USEA Area 2
    • Get Area 2 eventing championships at CHP
    • Identify scholarship opportunities, and clinic support
    • NOT YET STARTED - Work with CHP (Margaret Crevar)
    • NOT YET STARTED - Order Championship Ribbons (and Medals for 2024)
    • NOT YET STARTED - Begin process for “Organizer Standards” program based on USEA Organizer Committee work
    • Communications:
    • Introduction to NC eventers (Include FAQ) – email (FAQ draft attached)
    • Ongoing 1/4ly FAQ emails to stimulate membership
    • Explain USEA benefits (credit of $35 toward USEA membership as well as list the other benefits – access to discounts, etc.)
    • Volunteer Report: Charlotte Meli
    • No current updates 
    • Gala Report: Ellie Balakrishnan
    • No current updates 
    • Dressage Report: Ali LaTorre 
    • Working on lectures for equine festival. Only one confirmed so far - Mary from Correct Connect. Have reached out to 4star hauling about hauling safety, the artist with MS that does the painting at the shows to do a demo and a few others.
    • No progress on the L program, plan to make more of a marketing plan. Need to resubscribe to eventcreate in order to login
    • Sponsorship Report: Heather Boyer 
    • Breezeway has sent sponsorship check 
    • Donna  Parker with DMP Equine Insurance has agreed to do Platinum Level sponsorship
    • Interested in doing a luncheon for the Festival
    • Cabin Branch is interested in Gold Level sponsorship
    • KK Stitches with embroidery has committed to Bronze Level sponsorship and in-kind donation/sponsorship for Gala embroidery (final price pending)
    • Valkyrie Sporthorses has committed to Bronze Level sponsorship
    • Foundation Equine is in the works 
    • Communications Report: Lisa Chisholm 
    • New website:
    • Working with Will to move forward with the new website, Wild Apricot 
    • Plan to be done by July 1, 2025
    • Plan to have mockup ready for next meeting 
    • Newsletter due June 15, 2025
    • Multiple topics to cover  
    • Communications:
    • NCDCTA page is not for “sale” items (especially nonmembers)

    Old Business:

    • Discussion at EC committee around NCDCTA being award sponsor at Sporting Horse Services schooling show championships (Fall Finale)
    • Plan for NCDCTA member high point award 
    • Plan to have NCDCTA BOD representative onsite 
    • Benefits include getting to advertise at Sporting Horse Services Fall Finale which could be used to promote Fall Festival, Winter Solstice, and L Program 
    • Awaiting cost of sponsorship from Sporting Horse Services

    New Business:

    • Motions:
    • Motion to adopt 2025 equine festival budget. Moved by Amy Brumbach. Heather Turner seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favour and none opposed. 
    • Motion to adopt jr/yr scholarship proposal with discussed changes around Harvest Moon CT scholarships and Equine Festival grant. Moved by Mandi Martyn. Lisa Chisholm seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favour and none opposed. 
    • Motion to become sponsors of Sporting Show Services Fall Finale. Moved by Helen Ingersoll. Mandi Martyn seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favour and none opposed. 

    Next meeting: May 6, 2025 - VIRTUAL 

    Helen adjourned the meeting at 8:41pm

    Minutes respectfully submitted by Jordan McKenzie-Solis, Recording Secretary.


  • Minutes March 2025

    11/18/2025 11:30 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Mar 4, 2025 | NCDCTA Board Meeting - Virtual

    Attendees: Helen Ingersoll Amy Brumbach Jordan McKenzie-Solis Ellie Balakrishnan Heather Boyer Todd Erickson Ali LaTorre Charlotte Meli Mandi Martyn Katherine Thornton Lisa Chisholm Will Barrus. Absent: Heather Turner

    President, Helen Ingersoll, called the meeting to order at 7:00pm 

    Helen read the NCDCTA Charter. 

    NCDCTA BOARD TEAM CHARTER:

    • We the board of the NCDCTA hold the following values as guiding principles to carry out the mission of our organization.
    • To educate, promote camaraderie and recognize achievement in dressage and eventing.
    • Respect, Humility, Patience, Self Awareness, Supportiveness, Accountability, Listening, Generosity, and Helpfulness
    • Communication that is: Clear, Flexible, Ongoing, Supportive, Constructive and Safe while celebrating brave efforts to question and disagree.
    • Decision making that is shared. Roles that can be flexible and board members that are engaged, present, and share appreciation for and with one another, freely.

    Reports:

    • Membership Secretary Report: Will Barrus
    • Membership is going well  
    • HOY self reporting going well.  Update will happen Thurs, 3/6/25
    • Competitions in the self reporting form will be erased when the reporting window closes for each competition
    • Communications Report: Lisa Chisholm 
    • Website Proposal/Membership Management Proposal using Wild Apricot
    • Adding membership benefits: Manage our Membership, Automatic Renewals, Better management options, and self-management
    • Auto renewals is a benefit financially
    • Will be straightforward: either a senior or junior membership
    • Challenges with emails (required for membership) and families/kids 
    • Plan to have family bundles where parent has email with “3 accounts”
    • Benefit: move to cloud based platform accessible to board members 
    • Wild Apricot website benefits:
    • Streamlined calendar, event management, branding, donation options, mobile friendly, NCDCTA store 
    • Can contact members directly (instead of through Constant Contact) 
    • Can create pages with limited access (i.e. BOD only page, eventers only, dressage only, etc)
    • Wild Apricot cons:
    • No horse registration auto renewal option, volunteer cards, HOY standings/accounting
    • What’s going to change:
    • Navigation, color scheme/brand, homepage layout, calendar function, website content
    • Chairs will have ability to update and post on respective pages
    • Cost: Based on 2000 contacts
    • Monthly: $252, 1 yr: $2721.6, 2 yr: $5140.80 
    • Project timeline: July 1, 2025 
    • Possible to create advertising option
    • If others want to post on NCDCTA social media, possible to pay advertising fee 
    • Sponsorship Report: Heather Boyer 
    • Sponsorship packet discussion:      
    • NCDCTA facts:
    • 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization that relies on sponsors 
    • 3rd largest USDF GMO in country with 750 active members
    • 150 recognized competitions 
    • Sponsorship Tiers 
    • All Sponsors Receive: Increased exposure, website traffic, and participant engagement
    • Title Sponsor ($7,000, 1 spot) – Gala table for 8, 4 banners + vendor spot at events, website banner, social media posts, 8 class sponsorships
    • Diamond Sponsor ($4,000, 3 spots) – 3 gala tickets, 4 banners + vendor spot, website banner, social media posts, 6 class sponsorships
    • Platinum Sponsor ($1,500, 4 spots) – 2 gala tickets, 2 banners + vendor spot, website banner, social media posts, 4 class sponsorships
    • Gold Sponsor ($750, unlimited) – 1 event banner, website logo, social media posts, 3 class sponsorships, 20% off vendor fee
    • Silver Sponsor ($500, unlimited) – 1 event banner, website logo, social media posts, 2 class sponsorships, 20% off vendor fee
    • Bronze Sponsor ($250, unlimited) – Website logo, social media post, 1 class sponsorship, 20% off vendor fee
    • Supporter Sponsor ($100, unlimited) – Website logo, 20% off vendor fee
    • Event Sponsorships:
    • Morning Hospitality ($200) – Coffee, mimosas, pastries at the show office. Includes name/logo display, email blasts, 1 social post
    • Welcome Wagon ($300) – Pizza & beverages during move-in. Includes name/logo display, email blasts, 1 social post
    • Program (with sponsors) not required for level 2 competitions 
    • Festival will have online program for advertising 
    • Advertising packet:
    • Annual Website advertising opportunities:
    • Top banner on all pages: $1200, Side banner on specific pages: $400, Logo in footer on all pages: $200 
    • Quarterly email newsletter (per issue rate):
    • Full banner: $150, Half banner: $100
    • There’s a new sponsorship tracker that should help keep track of new requests
    • Thank you cards for Gala raffle prizes sent 
    • Vice Presidents Report: Amy Brumbach
    • Membership numbers:
    • Current membership numbers for 3/2/2025
    • Both total members and total horses represent a 17% increase over last year at this time.
    • Adult Amateur: 265
    • Jr/YR: 79
    • Open: 97
    • Total Members: 441
    • Paid Horses: 236
    • Volunteer Card Horses: 55
    • Total Horses: 291
    • Other member information of interest
    • New Members: 73
    • Renewing Members: 307
    • Reactivated Members: 61
    • Dressage Only: 247
    • Western Dressage: 54
    • Dressage & Eventing: 142
    • Eventing Only: 39
    • Breeding: 22
    • Lifetime Members: 6
    • Trainers: 42
    • Officials: 24
    • E-News ONLY: 54
    • Female: 419
    • Male: 18
    • Gender Unknown: 4
    • Other Horse Information of Interest
    • New Horses: 99
    • Renewing Horses: 167
    • Reactivated Horses: 25
    • Volunteer Card Information
    • Outstanding Volunteer Cards: 2741
    • Equine Festival
    • Sept 12-14, 2025 with schooling show on Sept 14
    • Clinicians pending, have secured dressage and sports psychology
    • Zero based budget forthcoming for approval within the month
    • Possible to offer a discount for multiple kids and discount tickets for juniors
    • How to separate fees for show and audit for festival 
    • Possibly allow show participants to “opt in” to auditing festival at discounted price 
    • Dressage Report: Ali LaTorre 
    • L program:
    • Ticket sales are open for the L program. 
    • Four participant tickets sold (out of 30) and 3 auditors
    • Eventing Report: Katherine Thornton
    • Actions
    • Organizing Eventing Committee – underway
    • Mailed the USEA Affiliate Membership (Partnership), waiting for the NC eventer mailing list from the USEA
    • Medal Program: consider hiatus for 2025
    • No activity on Eventing medal program, plan to remove from website
    • NCDCTA eventing-specific calendar drafted and working to get on website
    • Next step will be to mail out a “hard copy”
    • Sourced a “Got Eventing” sticker from VistaPrint to go in a hard copy mailing
    • Eventing Championships:
    • Plan for Championship in sync with November War Horse
    • Use HOY qualifying points tracking system
    • Post standings on the website via excel spreadsheet
    • Modified horse trial:***
    • Most NCDCTA shows do not offer modified….***
    • Upcoming Communications:
    • Email introduction to Organizers 
    • Email introduction to NC eventers (Include FAQ) 
    • Ongoing 1/4ly FAQ emails to stimulate membership
    • Explain USEA benefits (credit of $35 toward USEA membership as well as list the other benefits – access to discounts, etc)
    • Explain HOY self-reporting
    • Presidents Report: Helen Ingersoll
    • Working with USEF to change competition dates
    • Coordinating contacts between board members
    • Plan for monthly 30 min check-in call with committee chairs to help with understanding big picture 
    • Gala Report: Ellie Balakrishnan
    • Grandover booked for January 24, 2025
    • Working on prizes (english vs western vs breeder)
    • Plan for sponsor tables and breeder divisions 
    • Volunteer Report: Charlotte Meli
    • Started on webpage for volunteers for information sharing in preparation for upcoming events 
    • Competition Report: Todd Erickson
    • Plan to have framework together for upcoming events at next meeting 
    • Jr/Yr Report: Mandi Martyn
    • Dressage4Kids clinic is full and a go!
    • Meeting with eventing chair to discuss jr scholarship opportunities and will submit for approval
    • Specifically focusing on what scholarships can be offered at Harvest Moon for the schooling show
    • Scholarships for Winter Solstice will remain unchanged
    • Possibility for Youth Development Clinic in NC on November 1st and 2nd at Highclere Farms
    • Treasurer Report: Heather Turner

    New Business:

    • RFP from Will for web transfer
    • Will to have available in the next 3 weeks (plan for April BOD meeting)
    • Motions:
    • Motion to start paying Wild Apricot monthly fee in April 2025 until further notice. Moved by Todd Erickson. Heather Boyer seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favour and none opposed. 
    • Motion to put eventing medal program on Hiatus for 2025. Moved by Katherine Thronton. Todd Erickson seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favour and none opposed. 
    • Motion to change HOY rules for Modified requirements in both the National and Schooling HT Tracks from: Minimum number of venues = 2 and Minimum number of tests = 3 to: Minimum number of venues = 2 and only 1 for Modified and Minimum number of tests = 3 and only 2 for Modified. Moved by Katherine Thronton. Jordan McKenzie-Solis seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favour and none opposed. 

    Next meeting: April 1, 2025 – Virtual 

    Helen adjourned the meeting at 9:20pm

    Minutes respectfully submitted by Jordan McKenzie-Solis, Recording Secretary.


  • Minutes February 2025

    11/06/2025 12:10 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Feb 4, 2025 | NCDCTA Board Meeting @ Jennifer Swanson's Farm

    Attendees: Helen Ingersoll, Amy Brumbach, Heather Turner, Jordan McKenzie-Solis, Ali LaTorre, Charlotte Meli, Heather Boyer, Ellie Balakrishnan, Lisa Chisholm, Todd Erickson, Katherine Thornton, Mandi Martyn, Will Barrus, Jennifer Swanson 

    President, Helen Ingersoll, called the meeting to order at 6:08

    Strategic Planning with Jennifer Swanson:

    • Jennifer started with highlighting that it’s important to integrate new team members

    • Introductions and outlining good teamwork principles:

      • Katherine Thornton: eventing chair, new to board, important teamwork elements are communication and understanding others perspectives 

      • Jordan Solis: secretary, new to board, important teamwork principles are  collaboration and remembering your roots

      • Lisa Chisholm: communication chair, new to board, emphasizes recognizing each others skills and values while letting them use those skills within the group 

      • Ali LaTorre: dressage chair, 3rd year on board, values checking in on each other to make the team stronger 

      • Mandi Martyn: Jr/YR chair, 2nd year on the board, “what is your superpower?”, recognize others superpowers and weaknesses (kryptonite)

      • Heather Turner: treasurer, 4th year on the board, engagement of the people in the seats (care about each other and the members)

      • Ellie Balakrishnan: gala chair, 2nd year on the board, develop meaningful relationships (fosters communication and trust)

      • Charlotte Meli: member at large with focus on volunteers, 2nd year on the board, positivity is important for fostering positive relationships

      • Will Barrus: involved with BOD for the past 20 years, values engagement/investment of board with focus on communication 

      • Todd Erickson: competition chair, new to board, successful boards focus on the mission (don’t get sidetracked)

      • Heather Boyer: member at large with focus on sponsorship, 2nd year on the board, important to respect the group and each others perspectives, guide without judgement 

      • Amy Brumbach: VP, 3rd year on the board, key to success is engagement and participation, “show up when it matters”

      • Helen Ingersoll: president, uses her periphery (vision) to keep the group moving forward, focused on team charter last year and used it as an anchor/guiding principle

    Todd read the NCDCTA team charter:

    NCDCTA Board Team Charter:

    • We the board of the NCDCTA hold the following values as guiding principles to carry out the mission of our organization.

    • To educate, promote camaraderie and recognize achievement in dressage and eventing.

    • Respect, Humility, Patience, Self Awareness, Supportiveness, Accountability, Listening, Generosity, and Helpfulness

    • Communication that is: Clear, Flexible, Ongoing, Supportive, Constructive and Safe while celebrating brave efforts to question and disagree.

    • Decision making that is shared. Roles that can be flexible and board members that are engaged, present, and share appreciation for and with one another, freely.

    The current board elected not to make changes to the team charter at this time. 

    Celebration of what’s been achieved over the past year!

    • Tough decisions were made for the betterment of the NCDCTA and it’s membership

    • Improved communication and ownership of roles within the organization 

    • Competition decisions (even last minute) were made that aligned with the mission, charter, values, and budget 

    • Adherence to zero based budgeting (specifically with the gala)

    • Accomplishments in education with Functional Anatomy clinic with Jillian Kreinbring, instructors workshop, Festival, etc

    • Gala was a success that ran smoothly and seamless with lots of awards, perfect venue, and attendance was excellent

    • Development of HOY self reporting 

    What has been learned?

    • Quality of shows/events over quantity

    • Can’t make everyone happy  

    For this next year, build on the framework that already exists starting with a SWOT analysis based on the membership survey. 

    2025 SWOT and NCDCTA Priorities 

    • Communication with Lisa Chisholm: 

      • Priorities: newsletter reformat, more social media with subpages, website redesign

      • Social Media:

        • Goal is to keep the social media channels clear with rules around posting

          • The Facebook page is not for community posting, only for posting official NCDCTA information

        • It was noted that 2 Facebook pages exist (one is a page and one is a group); there was discussion around eliminating one and there was fear of losing members/followers. 

          • There is consideration for having 1 NCDCTA page with a separate eventing subpage 

        • Board members are encouraged to post regularly to show visibility and let members know what’s happening behind the scenes 

      • Newsletter: 

        • Planning to transition to an email style newsletter (that is inline with NCDCTA bylaws) that includes a link to a News page on the NCDCTA website for additional information and educational articles 

        • Helen is planning to appoint a communications cochair for the News page and emailed newsletter

        • Transitioning from a magazine style newsletter to an email newsletter will save $5400 per year (by not hiring newsletter staff)

      • Website:

        • Planning to redesign the NCDCTA website

        • Planning to maintain an up to date calendar of events and encourage organizers to submit their events to the calendar through the NCDCTA website: https://www.ncdcta.org/submit-your-event 

      • Webinars: tabled this for now due to concern for burnout

        • Lisa is happy to help develop once other priorities have been addressed

          • Plan to link with the festival and clinicians

          • Possibly includes continuing ed with USDF, recordings of prior educational events, classroom opportunities

          • Potential to create YouTube channel 

    • Festival and Harvest Moon Schooling Show with Amy Brumbach: 

      • Festival is September 12-14, 2025 at Carolina Horse Park

      • Harvest Moon Schooling Show is September 14, 2025 at Carolina Horse Park

      • Clinicians pending (potentially JJ Tate, Richard Malgrim, Tik Maynard, Daniel Stewart) 

        • Planning for dressage, eventing, and education clinicians

        • Hoping to have clinicians secured by mid-march along with budget 

      • The Carolina Horse Park is looking forward to hosting 

      • Festival ticket prices will increase this year 

    • L program with Ali LaTorre: 

      • November 22-23, 2025; February 28-March 1, 2026; May 16-17, 2026 at Averett University

      • Developed by the USDF Judges’ Committee, this educational training program teaches judges to evaluate the correct training of dressage horses.

      • Auditors can purchase one event or all 3 (discounted price for all 3)

      • Averett students will get a discount: $25 each to cover food

    • NCDCTA Winter Solstice Dressage Championships:

      • December 12-14, 2025 at Carolina Horse Park

      • Will be a level 2 recognized show

    • Shows:

      • Considering expanding to FENCE and Williamston for 2026

      • NCDCTA needs more show organizers that are in different locations

    • Eventing growth with Katherine Thornton:

      • Priority is is encouraging and developing members

        • Planning cross references USEA to discover NCDCTA membership opportunities 

      • Reconsidering eventing championships that are currently based on War Horse Eventing Series 

      • Considering developing an eventing committee focus group

      • Planning to send communication about who Katherine is as eventing face for NCDCTA

      • Planning to submit quarterly FAQ emails

      • Plan for sharing of dressage and event volunteers

      • Planning to evaluate alternative eventing venues 

      • Considering creating eventing scholarships 

    Reports:

    • Presidents Report: Helen Ingersoll

      • ***

    • Vice Presidents Report: Amy Brumbach

      • Working on the overall budget for the festival, plan for communication with budget outline and discussion points for the March meeting. 

      • Daniel Stewart is secured for the clinic, Ali is working with JJ Tate and Richard Malgrim. Ongoing discussions with eventing clinician, Tik Maynard. 

      • Ongoing discussions with Carolina Horse Park around budgeting and facility needs. 

      • Working with Todd to develop budget for the Harvest Moon Schooling Show. 

     

    Membership Numbers:

    Current membership numbers for 2/3/2025

    At this time last year we had:

    294 total members

    174 total horses

    Adult Amateur: 218

    Jr/YR: 66

    Open: 79

    Total Members: 363 (23% increase over last year)

    Paid Horses: 185

    Volunteer Card Horses: 41

    Total Horses: 226 (30% increase over last year)

    Other member information of interest

    New Members: 52

    Renewing Members: 272

    Reactivated Members: 39

    Dressage Only: 202

    Western Dressage: 43

    Dressage & Eventing: 117

    Eventing Only: 34

    Breeding: 18

    Lifetime Members: 6

    Trainers: 25

    Officials: 9

    E-News ONLY: 45

    Female: 345

    Male: 17

    Gender Unknown: 1

    Other Horse Information of Interest

    New Horses: 67

    Renewing Horses: 138

    Reactivated Horses: 21

    Volunteer Card Information

    Outstanding Volunteer Cards: 2747

    • Treasurer Report: Heather Turner

      • 1099s were completed and filed electronically for 26 individuals/LLCs (paper copies were mailed to each person also)

      • Engagement letter in progress with our tax advisor for 2024 taxes; preparing final Quickbooks reporting for tax advisor

      • Working on insurance for L-program 

      • Account balances - 

        • TOTAL - $23,049.44

        • Checking - $16,287.16

        • Savings - $2,595.80

        • PayPal - $4,166.48

    • Communications Report: Lisa Chisholm 

      • Social media:

        • Created an editorial calendar for scheduled posts, promotions, reminders

        • Planning to establish group/posting rules and socialize them to our members

        • Planning to establish clear guidelines for show promotions to ensure consistency and avoid providing unpaid advertising

      • Email

        • Planning to create an updated distribution list based on 2025 membership

      • NCDCTA Brand

        • Plan to have a creative discussion about a unified brand kit that we can use for all designs across documents, presentations, newsletter, email, social, website. 

      • Sponsorship packet

        • Began design pass & editing on sponsorship packet, final product will depend on brand ideas above

      • Newsletter

        • Next edition due 3/15, planning for email style newsletter as above 

    • Competition Report: Todd Erickson

      • ***

    • Eventing Report: Katherine Thornton

      • Organizing Eventing Committee 

        • Reaching out to a group for input/feedback then developing that group into an actual “committee” as per the job description and in order to provide for succession planning and ongoing leadership to the NC eventing community

      • Execute USEA Affiliate Membership (Partnership) and NC eventer mailing list sharing

      • Develop and share NCDCTA eventing-specific calendar and promulgate

        • Send out w “Got Eventing” sticker or fridge magnet

      • Work with USEA Area 2

        • Get Area 2 eventing championships at CHP

        • Identify scholarship opportunities, and clinic support

      • Work with CHP

        • Clarify what, exactly, we are asking for 

          • Yes, Nov “championships” at Nov War Horse

          • Yes or No re: the monthly overlap with War Horse…..

      • Begin process for “Organizer Standards” program based on USEA Organizer Committee work

      • Clarifications/Approval Required:

        • Medal Program (like dressage with different levels of achievement)

        • Eventing Championship

          • Hold Championship at Nov War Horse

          • Gather Points at May, Jun, July, Aug War Horse –

          • Mail 1-3 ribbons out, Points collected (by Katherine) from results

            • (less $ on ribbons)

          • Points accrued for 1-5 to qualify for Championship,

          • Only one result required to qualify

          • Post standings somewhere on the website as we go along (excel spreadsheet)

        • Jr/YR Volunteer program (same as Dressage)

          • Possibility for eventing Jr/YR chair 

        • Eventing Clinic –  in 2025, in coordination with Fall Festival

      • Upcoming Communications:

        • Introduction to Organizers - email

        • Introduction to NC eventers (Include FAQ) - email

        • Ongoing quarterly FAQ emails to stimulate membership

          • Explain USEA benefits (credit of $35 toward USEA membership as well as list the other benefits – access to discounts, etc)

          • Explain HOY self-reporting

    • Dressage Report: Ali LaTorre 

    • Jr/Yr Report: Mandi Martyn

      • D4K clinic planning is in the works. Dates are April 12-13. Looking for a sponsor for lunches. Looking for 3-4 guest lectures, and would love to focus on local talent.

      • Developing email correspondence to all current Jr riders who have not yet registered a horse

      • Planning ahead for our Winter Solstice & NCDCTA championships. Reaching out to our same sponsor for the costume class, who communicated after the show that they would consider sponsoring it again this year.

      • Scholarship announcements for our two shows were on hold until we had the calendar finalized. Considering offering the same Jr/YR scholarships for our Harvest Moon schooling show or the festival to get younger riders involved

    • Volunteer Report: Charlotte Meli

      • ***

    • Sponsorship Report: Heather Boyer 

      • Defining 3 categories of sponsors.

        • 1) Monetary

        • 2) In-Kind Donation

        • 3) Vendor

      • Developing rough draft of the 2025 Sponsorship packet

        • Once packet is made, reach out to 2024 sponsors re: continuing in their specific roles given the new budget of tiers that are created

      • Connecting with multiple Equine professionals interested in sponsoring 

    • Gala Report: Ellie Balakrishnan

      • Continuing to ship prizes out

      • Working on rebooking the Grandover for 2026 with a later date - January 24th, 2026

    • Membership Secretary Report: Will Barrus

      • Volunteer cards were cataloged and members were advised of their active cards, still available for use.

      • 475 reminder emails were sent to inactive 2024 members.

      • Surge in membership and horse renewals. Ahead of 2023 & 2024 numbers.

      • Actively working on Horse of the Year using new self-reporting.

      • Preparing HOY Self-Reporting Email to 2020-2025 members.

     

    The next meeting will be via Google Meet on March 4, 2025 

    Helen adjourned the meeting at 9:01. 

    Minutes respectfully submitted by Jordan McKenzie-Solis, Recording Secretary.

    Minutes passed by majority Board vote.


  • Minutes January 2025

    11/06/2025 12:08 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Jan 7, 2025 | NCDCTA Board Meeting REMOTE

    Attendees:Helen Ingersoll, Amy Brumbach, Heather Turner, Tonya Bruno, Charlotte Meli, Ellie Balakrishnan, Ali LaTorre, Mandi Martyn, Alex Martini, Erica Pawlak, Melanie Harper, Sarah Bookner and Heather Boyer. 

    1. 7pm Call meeting to order, Helen Ingersoll read the NCDCTA Charter

    2. Membership secretary report, Will Barrus, Membership sign up so far is ahead of where we have been in the past. Will is also working on Volunteer Card details and HOY self reporting. 

    Current membership numbers for 1/6/2025

    Adult Amateur: 139

    Jr/YR: 37

    Open: 48

    Total Members: 224

    Paid Horses: 109

    Volunteer Card Horses: 17

    Total Horses: 126

    Other member information of interest

    New Members: 27

    Renewing Members: 173

    Reactivated Members: 24

    Dressage Only: 127

    Western Dressage: 25

    Dressage & Eventing: 74

    Eventing Only: 18

    Breeding: 11

    Lifetime Members: 6

    Trainers: 18

    Officials: 6

    Other Horse Information of Interest

    New Horses: 31

    Renewing Horses: 87

     

    1. Presidents report, Helen Ingersoll Helen has been working to fill all Board positions for 2025. She is pleased with the progress and caliber of new Board members. 

    2. VP Report, Amy Brumbach Amy read through Membership numbers and will discuss other details later in the Agenda. 

    3. Treasurer Report, Heather Turner, Heather reports that Memberships and Gala payments are coming into the account. There are payments going out to the Gala expenses. Heather is also working on the taxes as well as putting together year end financials for the Gala Board meeting.

    4. Competition Report, Erica Pawlak Erica is working on wrapping up all the details from this year's shows. She will also work with the incoming Competition Chair.

    5. Communications Report, Sarah Bookner Sarah has been focusing on sending out information about the Gala. Sarah will also work with the incoming Communications Chair.

    6. Education Report, Ali LaTorre 

    7. Jr/Yr Report, Mandi Martyn Mandi has sent possible Dressage 4Kids clinic dates. 

    8. Eventing Report,  Alex Martini and Melanie Harper Alex and Mel presented their recommended changes for the Eventing Medals program. There was discussion and they will make the changes and send out for an email Board vote. 

    9. Gala Report, Ellie Balakrishnan Ellie discussed the tables for our Gala Sponsors. The Gala attendance is very high at over 380 attendees. Ellie asked for additional photos for the slideshow. 

    Old Business:

    Launch of the Self reporting HOY, Helen Ingersoll has a document prepared to send to the Members regarding the self reporting.. Will discussed the details of the self reporting as well as any issues that the Board had. It was agreed that a letter should go out to all Members before the Gala.  Sarah Bookner will send out January 8, 2025

    Website Helen got additional information from a second website company  and we are awaiting a quote. Sarah discussed her meeting after she and WIll talked with the first website supplier. There was discussion by Will and Sarah about goals and issues in the website with Board discussion.

    New Business:

    New committee members 

        Todd Erikson - Competition Chair

        Katherine Thornton - Eventing Chair

        Lisa Chisolm - Communications Chair

    Both DAL positions will be charged with overseeing positional duties  Volunteer Coordination and Sponsorship Coordinator

    2025 Competitions dates and locations discussion

        Move Autumn Leaves date from Oct 31- Nov 2 to December 12-14. Due to the change in the USDF Finals to our chosen weekend of Autumn Leaves and subsequent moving up or Regionals  it is recommended that we change the date. Sarah Bookner made a motion to move the Autumn Leaves show to December 12-14. The motion was seconded by Erica Pawlak and the motion passed.

    Harvest Moon Show and Equine Festival

        Discussion was had about the Harvest Moon Show in reference to the movement of USDF Finals and Regionals. There was Board discussion on the impact of these issues on a rated Show. 

    Amy talked about the opportunities with the Carolina Horse Park for the Equine Festival coordinated with a Harvest Moon schooling show. 

    Erica Pawlak made a motion to put our recognized Harvest Moon Show on hiatus for 2025 and make it to a Schooling Show and combine with our Equine Festival. It was seconded by Sarah Bookner and the motion passed.

    The next meeting will be held at 4:00 PM January 11, 2025 at the Grandover Resort. All Members are invited to attend. 

    Helen ingersoll adjourned the meeting at 9:03

    Minutes approved by majority Board Vote and respectfully submitted by Tonya Bruno, Recording Secretary


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